The épagneul breton (Breton Spaniel) makes an excellent hunting dog. He is solidly built. The best-known variant is brown and white, but there are also black and white and even tricolor ones. In Brittany there is a village, Callac, where no less than four breeders of the épagneul breton are located. There is also a small museum devoted to this affectionate and sweet dog. You will learn more about its character, its origins and its exceptional hunting qualities. In addition to being a hunting dog, this dog is a perfect family dog.
The name “épagneul”
Many think that épagneul is a corruption of the word “espagnol” (Spaniard). This explanation is incorrect. By the way, in Spain these dogs are called “English dog” (Brittany Cocker or Spaniel). The origin of the word lies earlier in Old French. We have to go back to the Middle Ages for that. When the dog had found prey (a partridge, a pheasant or a hare) during the hunt, it would sneak with its belly on the ground. It was then said that the dog was “s’espa (ig) nait” which meant that it stretched or lay down. These types of hunting dogs were therefore called “lying dogs” (now: standing dogs) in contrast to the “walking dogs”.
History of the épagneul breton
Originate
The épagneul breton is a descendant of the épagneul français, a dog that is said to have been bred from the original chien d’Oysel. The spaniels were highly sought after for hunting and were bred on a large scale, while efforts were made to make them smaller and smaller. The Butterfly Spaniel and the Cavalier King-Charles also originated from these experiments. The épagneul breton is a variant that really comes from Brittany, from the region between the Monts d’Arrhée and the Montagnes Noires, more specifically from the region between Huelgoat and Guingamp. Subsequently, the dog became spread throughout Brittany and evolved differently according to the region. The greatest concentration of épagneul breton can be found in the center of Brittany and it is this dog that serves as a reference. However, this dog is just a cross between the original French dog and English dogs such as the setter and the pointer. English hunters who came to hunt in France brought their dogs. To spare them the crossing, they left the dogs in France at lodging, often with farmers who had French spaniels. What had to be done happened: the dogs had fun together. The resulting variant was even better suited for hunting: the épagneul breton was born. The white and orange color in the coat is said to have come from the English Setters.
Late 19th century – WWI
Slowly but surely there were real breeders who try to breed a dog that is as pure as possible. They improved the species and also started to educate and train the dogs for hunting. We are now talking about the end of the 19th century. Ten years later, in 1904, the first épagneul breton received a prize at an exhibition. Yet it was still a matter of time before the épagneul breton became an official breed in 1907. A first standard was drawn up and on September 3, 1907, Count de Pelet became the first president of the “club of the épagneul breton with a natural short tail”. Most of the épagneul bretons of that time were white and brown. Many dogs were killed during the First World War.
WWI – WWII
The breeders from the Callac area started breeding back after the war with the best of the remaining dogs. Only two colors were accepted at the time, the white-brown and the white-orange fur. It is only in 1956 that the black and white coat is accepted. Between the two World Wars, the épagneul breton was very successful as a pointing dog. It is much sought after by hunters of France and England. The épagneuls breton did not suffer much during WWII, their number has remained roughly stable.
1950 to now
After WWII, the dog becomes the victim of its own success. More and more breeders are starting to produce lower quality dogs. Only Callac breeders remain true to the idea of a pure breed. It is still in this town today that the four growers with the greatest world renown in the field of épagneul bretons are located. Gradually, the dog was also increasingly bought by foreigners. Canadians and Americans in particular are very fond of the dog and sometimes come especially to Callac to buy one. By the way, in America they are called brittany spaniel. Since 1956 there are now two classes in the standard: the white-orange and the other colors. In 2009 a museum for the épagneul breton opened in Callac. Here man can get acquainted with the dog, with his characteristics and you can watch videos about his exceptional hunting abilities. They also sell a kind of comic book with the history of the dog and its development and you can also hand over a list with the names and addresses of the four breeders from the region.
The épagneul breton as a hunting dog
The épagneul breton is the smallest of the standing hounds. Being small, it can easily chase game in dense bushes. Its short coat ensures that it does not suffer from branches and spines. Its innate talent for hunting makes it a coveted dog for the real hunters. From the age of 12 months he can already assist his boss for the hunt. In other dogs this is much later. He has a very developed sense of smell, with which he can smell game from a great distance and detect it without problems. When he’s on a trail, nothing or no one will be able to distract him. Once at the game, the dog will stand perfectly so that the hunter can shoot. In Brittany, the dog gets a kind of cowbell around the neck. This allows the hunter to follow him perfectly and when the ringing stops, the hunter knows that the dog has arrived at the prey. When the prey is shot, the dog brings the game to its owner without any problems. It seems as if he never gets tired and has an exceptional perseverance. Even bad weather conditions such as rain, wind and even snow do not stop him.
The épagneul breton as a family dog
It is also a great family dog for people who don’t like hunting. Balanced, gentle on everyone, kind to children and pleasant company for other dogs. He is always looking for a caress, a hug, a sweet word from his owners. He is also very intelligent, his short hair requires a minimum of maintenance and he has an iron health. In France, the épagneul breton ranks third as a family dog, after the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle. With its owner, this dog is like two hands on one stomach. He loves company, whether on a long walk or stretched out on the couch. Although, of course, he has a slight preference for the first option. After all, it is and remains an outdoor dog that needs exercise.
The close relationship with his master is still a vestige of his hunting instinct, because during the hunt the dog and owner must be perfectly matched. He hates loneliness. It is a temperamental dog that can be very stubborn at times. Especially in the beginning he will test his owners and his intelligence will be of great use to him. So don’t be too soft with your épagneul breton in the beginning or he will certainly benefit from it. When you handle him firmly, he becomes a sweet dog with some character. With children it is a real sweetheart, very patient and sweet. He will be able to play with them for hours without getting tired. He is very social with other dogs. The épagneul breton is by no means a watchdog, he is far too friendly for that. So he won’t bark at strangers, but his shyness won’t let him go straight to them either. He will first adopt a wait-and-see attitude and only allow himself to be stroked after a while.
The épagneul breton as a purebred dog
A real épagneul breton is a purebred dog with a pedigree. To be a true purebred dog, the dog must meet a standard. The current standard of the épagneul breton is FCI n ° 95 and dates from March 13, 2001. According to the standard, males may be between 48 and 51 cm, females are between 47 and 50 cm. A few more features from the standard: the eyes are rather oval and the color is always in harmony with the color of the coat. They should have an intelligent look, but also soft and sincere. The ears are triangular and should be covered with wavy hair. The chest is quite broad. The hair is short, straight or wavy, but never curly. The price of a purebred dog varies between 500 and 700 euros. A purebred dog will always have a name. All dogs born in a particular year have a name that starts with the same letter. In 2010, for example, this was the F. When you buy such a dog, you will receive papers with the official name of your dog. You will have to use this name for every administrative or official step (registration, doctor’s visits, injections, etc.), but in your family circle you are of course free to give it another name. For people who do not want to participate in competitions, that official standard is not important.
The tail of the épagneul breton
At the end of the 19th century it was possible to have puppies with and puppies without tail in the same litter. The owners were by no means ashamed to cut off the tail unceremoniously just after birth. In 1924 it was decided that having a tail was not a defect, but it took until 1933 before the short tail was removed from the standard. The épagneuls bretons from Callac are still sold without a tail. Only when buyers order one with a tail in advance (after all, in certain countries dogs without a tail are prohibited), the breeder will leave the tail on. In some countries, a dog without a tail will not be allowed to participate in competitions, even if it comes from a country where docking is allowed.
Color variants
The typical épagneul breton is white with orange-brown. Yet there are other colors of Breton Spaniels as well. There is also the black and white variant and the beautiful tricolor (tricolor). This dog has white, black and golden brown in its coat.
Callac and its épagneul breton farms
If you ever come to Callac and you want such a dog, take a look at one of the four breeding farms:
- Elevage “de Cornouaille” – M. Hervé Bourdon – Goarem Maout – 22160 Bulat – Pestivien – 00.33.296.45.75.62
- Elevage “de Kerveillant” – M. Yves Joncour – Kervégant – 22160 Callac – 00.33.296.45.59.22
- Elevage “de l’Isle” – M. Serge Lavenant – L’Isle – 22160 Callac – 00.33.296.45.57.16
- Elevage “de Keranlouan” – M. Patrick Morin – 3, Rue de la Gare – 22160 Callac – 00.33.296.45.57.99.
In the village there is also a museum dedicated to this exceptional hunting dog. You will learn more about his character, about his origins, about his hunting instinct. You will become acquainted with a number of champions and with local breeders through image and sound material. You can buy books about the épagneul, just like in the bookstores around the church. And now the hardest part will be resisting this sweet little boy’s stubborn little face!
Have fun with your épagneul breton!