Top Activities For A Brittany

Introduction

The Brittany is a hyperactive gun dog that was originally developed for hunting purposes. The breed was first created at the French province of the same name during the 17^th century. Elegant and happy-go-lucky, because of their hunting background, Brittanys are understandably athletic and agile. The breed is even dubbed as the “Energizer Bunny” due to the high level of energy. For avid hunters and people who live an active lifestyle, the Brittany is a perfect match. It is important to note that this particular dog breed likes moving and being given tasks to do. They are also trainable and family-oriented, which makes Brittanys one of the most popular breeds in the United States.

Field Trial

Most Popular

1 Vote

Sunny Day

Moderate

Hard

1 hr

Items needed

Leash

Activity description

Because of their energetic and athletic nature, Brittanys unsurprisingly excel in a number of canine sports. If you are looking for a sport that you would like your dog to try, you should definitely go for a field trial. This event is a competitive sport that is especially made for hunting dogs, particularly flushing dogs, pointing dogs and retrievers. The Brittany is known to excel in this sport given their natural hunting abilities. Field trials are designed to simulate actual hunting in the wild and normally comes in different categories and are organized by gun dog organizations or kennel clubs.

Step

1

Learn about the sport

The first requirement when joining a field trial is to have a dog that falls under any of the breed categories. Since the Brittany is a pointing dog, then you are eligible to join the Pointing Field Trial. Find out about how the trials work, what you need to train for and other related information that you should know in order to get started.

Step

2

Join a club

When you brush up on your field trial knowledge, the next thing to do is find a reputable kennel club or gun dog organization that conducts field trials. The American Kennel Club is one of the leading clubs in the United States that offer a wide range of general canine and breed-specific sports, including field trials.

Step

3

Start training

Once you have signed up for a club, it is now time to prepare for the real thing. Find out which trial type you would like your Brittany to participate in and attend classes held by your local club. There are also some clubs that offer practice sessions for field trials or other members that can give you some tips. You may also attend and watch an actual field trial to see what it is truly like.

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Hiking Buddy

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Cheap

Normal

1 - 3 hrs

Items needed

Food

Water

Treats

First aid kit

Waste bags

Hiking pack

Leash

Activity description

The Brittany is a cheerful and lively dog that enjoys lots of activity and thrives on human companionship. In fact, they love to please their owners and are enthusiastic about joining various family activities. As the owner, you have to keep in mind that the Brittany is happiest when spending time outdoors. If you want to take your dog to an adventure, go for a lengthy hike. Whether it is in a state park or the woods, your Brittany will surely have a ball in exploring and discovering new sceneries and scents. This activity can also serve as the ultimate bonding moment between the two of you.

Step

1

Pack for the hike

When planning a hiking trip, you need to be thorough about what you need to bring. The things you will pack are typically related to how much time you will be spending outdoors. Some of the basics that you definitely should have are food, water, waste bags, medicine and first aid kit. Also, most hikers who bring their dog on a regular basis invest in dog hiking packs and dog boots or salves.

Step

2

Choose a hiking spot

When you are all packed up and ready to go, choose a place where you can take your dog for a hike. Brittanys are particularly comfortable in the woods, so you might want to choose a dog-friendly national forest to check out. Other options include local and state parks. Just make sure to check the regulations in the spot you choose.

Step

3

Enjoy your hike together

Once all the planning is done with, the only thing left to do is to go out there and hike. Keep close to your dog during the hike and watch out for any signs of fatigue or discomfort. Since Brittanys are hunting dogs, it is probably best to keep them leashed during the hike to prevent them from running after birds and other creatures.

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Agility Training

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Cheap

Normal

1 - 2 hrs

Items needed

Wood

Hula Hoops

PVC Pipe

Treats

Activity description

Don’t let their medium build fool you – Brittanys are made for an active lifestyle. This breed requires a good amount of physical and mental stimulation to keep them healthy and happy. Although all dogs like to “work”, Brittanys are particularly task-oriented and more than happy to take on a job. This is exactly why they excel in activities such as agility training. In this activity, there is an obstacle course that dogs should complete by following their handler’s instructions. The challenging part is that handlers can only use verbal cues to get the dogs through the course. It is a superb way to keep a lively Brittany stimulated and well-exercised.

Step

1

Build your own agility course

Even though the Brittany is a natural athlete, it is still advisable to introduce them to agility before joining any major event. Luckily, it is fairly easy to create your own agility course. Just search for the materials needed for each obstacle and instructions on how to make your own course. Most, if not all of these materials can be found in your local hardware store or pet shop. PVC pipes for hurdles and weave poles, wood for ramps to climb and hula hoops to jump through are supplies you can start with.

Step

2

Practice using your DIY course

After you’ve bought the items and put together the agility course, it's time to practice. Before you introduce your pooch to the obstacles, brush up on the different basic commands. Obedience is an integral part of agility training. As your dog learns these commands, you can then move on to the course. Focus on one obstacle at a time and teach your dog to get through it. Once they get through the first obstacle, move on to another one until your dog gets through the entire course. Practice this repeatedly. If you are unsure of how each obstacle works, you can watch agility training videos to find out.

Step

3

Join an agility trial

If you are already confident with your dog’s agility skills and would like to take things up a notch, you can sign up for an actual agility trial or competition. There is a long list of agility-sanctioning organizations in the United States. These clubs also offer training and practice sessions, which you can join, before going for an actual trial.

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More Fun Ideas...

Go Hunting

If you are thinking of fun activities to do with your Brittany, simply go back to their roots and take them with you on your hunting trip. The best part is that hunting enthusiasts won’t even have to train a Brittany; beyond the basic commands, this breed is hard-wired for the task and has intrinsic hunting skills.

Dog Park Visit

One way to keep the Brittany’s high spirits at bay is to take really long walks. A quick 30-minute stroll won’t do; Brittanys need at least one and a half hours for walking. A good way to spend the time is to walk to and from the nearest dog park. In the park, you can also let your Brittany run free and use up some of that overflowing energy.

Conclusion

Never a dull companion, Brittanys are smart, trainable and agile. This breed may be moderately-sized but there is no denying the impressive athleticism in them. However, make no mistake: Brittanys are not made for lying around the house. Finding the right activities to keep them occupied is a must; they need to be kept moving and given sufficient exercise to ensure their happiness.