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A Breed Standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function. Absolute soundness is essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions or exaggerations which would be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed. From time to time certain conditions or exaggerations may be considered to have the potential to affect dogs in some breeds adversely, and judges and breeders are requested to refer to the Kennel Club website for details of any such current issues. If a feature or quality is desirable it should only be present in the right measure.

To view photos of this breed please visit the Kennel Club Picture Library

General Appearance
Workmanlike. Substance without heaviness. Moderately well-boned. Lively with an intelligent expression. Square and cobby appearance.

Characteristics
Very energetic, intelligent, hunt-point-retriever. Exceedingly keen game sense, persistent in hunting and finding game. A naturally keen worker with distinctive gait.

Temperament
Gentle and affectionate yet full of life and exuberance.

Head and Skull
Skull slightly rounded as seen from front, side or above. Toplines of skull and muzzle should be parallel. Width of skull measured at the zygomatic arches is less than its length. Median line and occiput are slightly defined. Stop moderate. Muzzle tapered but not snipy. Ideal proportion of skull to muzzle as 3 is to 2. Nostrils open and well shaped.

Eyes
Expressive, brown to dark, in harmony with coat colour, Somewhat oval in shape and slightly obliquely set. Never light or hard in expression.

Ears
Triangular in shape, slightly rounded at tip. Relatively wide and rather short with slightly wavy hair. Set and carried high, falling flat against the cheek. When drawn forward, the ear tip reaches the stop.

Mouth
Jaws strong with a perfect regular scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Lips tight, upper lip slightly overlapping lower.

Neck
Medium length, clean and well set into shoulders.

Forequarters
Shoulders muscular and moderately sloping. Angulation slightly less that that of the hindquarters. Tops of shoulder blades set fairly wide. Elbows close to body. Forelegs muscular, vertical and straight. Pasterns slightly sloping.

Body
Chest deep. Brisket reaching to elbow. Foreleg length is slightly greater than chest depth. Ribcage well rounded. Back short with loin short and strong. Topline slopes slightly from withers to croup. Croup very slightly sloping to set on of tail. Height at withers equal to length of body measured from point of shoulder to point of buttock.

Hindquarters
Moderate bend of stifle. Point of buttock and hock on approximately the same vertical. Thighs broad and muscular. Rear pastern vertical to ground.

Feet
Rather round, tight and compact with little hair between the toes. Rear feet slightly longer.

Tail
Naturally tailless, short or previously customarily docked.
Docked: Set high, carried horizontally or slightly lower.

Undocked: Set high, carried horizontally or slightly lower.

Gait/Movement
Brisk, short stride, Should retain topline when moving. Hindlegs have little rear extension.

Coat
Body coat dense but fairly fine. Rather flat or slightly wavy. Forelegs slightly feathered and hindlegs well feathered to mid-thigh.

Colour
Orange/white, liver/white, black/white, tricolour, or roan of any of these colours. Nose dark or in harmony with coat colour. Black & white and liver & white tricolours have orange markings over eyes, on sides of muzzle, either side of chest, on inside of front legs and outside from knee downwards, on inside of hindlegs and outside from stifle downwards, and around vent.

Size
Ideal height at withers:: Dogs: 48-51 cms (19-20 ins); Bitches: 47-50 cms (18½-193/4 ins).

Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated - December 2008

Glossary of Canine Terms

Health Information

The Kennel Club operates health screening schemes with other organisations.  Some are clinical veterinary screening schemes and some are DNA screening schemes, which may be relevant to this breed.

The current health screening requirements and recommendations for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders of this breed show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by an Accredited Breeder.

Breed specific summary results from the Purebred Dog Health Survey in 2004 are available.  Individual summaries are only available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available from the Online Shop.

Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.

The Kennel Club Illustrated Breed Standards Containing full descriptive standards for 192 breeds, as well as representation for the six Kennel Club recognised breeds that are currently without standards, this beautifully illustrated volume is a must for all dog enthusiasts. This third edition has been completely revised and updated by a panel of experts and incorporates the very latest standards for breeds in each group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

Brittany Club of Great Britain. Sec. Mr P Yarrow. Tel No: 01621 817728

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