Brittany Health Guide

Everything brittany owners need to know about keeping their dog healthy.

Talk to a vet

12–14 years

Life expectancy

30–40 lb

Weight range

Very high

Energy level

Moderate

Grooming needs

Breed Overview

The Brittany is a compact sporting dog developed for bird hunting and field work, so most individuals are athletic, highly trainable, and happiest with regular exercise and mental stimulation. Their combination of stamina, speed, and sensitivity makes them wonderful companions for active homes, but it also means owners should pay close attention to orthopedic health, conditioning, and injury prevention. Compared with many breeds of similar size, Brittanys are generally considered healthy overall, yet responsible breeding programs still focus on inherited risks such as hip disease and eye disorders, with some lines also monitored for seizures, thyroid disease, and other heritable concerns.

🐾

Common Health Issues

🦴

Hip dysplasia

A breed-screened orthopedic condition that can cause stiffness, hind-end lameness, pain after exercise, reluctance to jump, and a "bunny-hopping" gait. Management may include weight control, rehab, pain control, and in severe cases surgery.

👁️

Inherited eye problems

The American Brittany Club recommends annual ACVO eye exams from 2 to 8 years of age. Eye disease may show up as squinting, discharge, cloudiness, vision trouble, or night-vision changes, and prompt veterinary evaluation is important.

⚡

Epilepsy and seizures

Some Brittany lines are monitored for inherited seizure disorders. Seizures can look like collapse, paddling, stiffness, drooling, disorientation, or repeated episodes over time. Any first seizure, cluster seizure, or seizure lasting more than a few minutes needs urgent veterinary care.

🧪

Hypothyroidism

Low thyroid hormone can contribute to weight gain, lethargy, coat changes, recurrent skin issues, and reduced exercise tolerance. Diagnosis requires blood testing interpreted by your veterinarian because illness can affect thyroid results.

❤️

Cardiac concerns

Cardiac evaluation is included as one of the breed club's recommended CHIC screening options. A heart murmur, exercise intolerance, coughing, fainting, or reduced stamina should be checked by a veterinarian.

🧠

Inherited neurologic disorders

Rare neurologic disorders have been reported in Brittanys, including inherited movement or muscle disorders in the veterinary literature. Puppies or young dogs with tremors, incoordination, weakness, or trouble swallowing should be evaluated promptly.

Preventive Care Schedule

Brittanys need the same core preventive care as other dogs—regular exams, vaccines based on age and lifestyle, parasite prevention, dental care, and year-round weight management—but breed-specific screening matters too. The American Brittany Club health statement recommends hip evaluation through OFA or PennHIP, annual eye examinations by a boarded ACVO ophthalmologist from 2 to 8 years of age, and one additional OFA-submitted screening such as cardiac, elbow, patellar, or thyroid evaluation. For active field dogs, ask your veterinarian about conditioning plans, nail and paw care, and earlier workups for limping, exercise intolerance, or decreased performance. Dental cleanings should be individualized based on exam findings, and any dog with recurrent ear debris, skin disease, seizure activity, or unexplained weight gain should be assessed sooner rather than later.

🛡️

$300–$700

Annual wellness care

OFA fees often start around $15–$50 per submitted screening, not including exam, imaging, or specialist visit fees

Breed screening add-ons

$300–$1,000+

Hip dysplasia workup

$800–$3,000+

Emergency seizure or orthopedic visit

When to Use Telehealth for Your Brittany

Telehealth can be especially useful for Brittany owners when questions come up about limping after a hard run, whether reduced stamina needs an urgent visit, how to monitor a dog with a known chronic issue like hypothyroidism or arthritis, or whether eye discharge, skin flare-ups, or ear irritation can wait for an in-person appointment. A virtual vet can also help you decide when an active hunting or sporting dog should rest, what home monitoring to do after minor strains, and what screening questions to ask a breeder about OFA, eye, and CHIC testing. Telehealth is not a substitute for emergency care if your Brittany has a seizure, collapses, has trouble breathing, shows severe eye pain, cannot bear weight, or seems acutely neurologic—call your vet or go to an emergency hospital right away.

📱

Brittany Health FAQs

Are Brittanys generally healthy dogs?

Yes—Brittanys are generally considered a healthy breed overall, but they still have important inherited risks to watch for, especially hip dysplasia and eye disease. Some lines may also have concerns involving seizures, thyroid disease, and other heritable conditions, which is why health-tested breeding and regular veterinary care matter.

What health tests should a Brittany breeder do?

The American Brittany Club health statement recommends hip evaluation through OFA or PennHIP, annual eye exams by a boarded ACVO ophthalmologist from 2 to 8 years of age, and one additional OFA-submitted screening such as cardiac, elbow, patellar, or thyroid evaluation. Ask for proof of testing and public results whenever possible.

What symptoms in a Brittany should prompt a vet visit?

Call your veterinarian if your Brittany develops limping, stiffness, reluctance to jump, eye squinting or cloudiness, repeated ear or skin problems, unexplained weight gain, lethargy, exercise intolerance, or any seizure-like episode. Emergency care is needed for seizures, collapse, difficulty breathing, severe pain, sudden inability to walk, or major eye symptoms.

How expensive is Brittany preventive care?

Routine preventive care often falls in the few-hundred-dollar range per year, but costs increase if your dog needs dental cleaning, orthopedic imaging, specialist eye exams, thyroid testing, or emergency treatment. Breed-specific screening costs are usually modest at the OFA submission level, but the veterinary exam, imaging, sedation, and specialist fees are often the larger part of the bill.

Can telehealth help with Brittany health concerns?

Often, yes. Telehealth is helpful for triaging limps, skin or ear flare-ups, mild GI upset, follow-up questions after a diagnosis, or deciding how urgently your active dog needs an in-person exam. It is not appropriate for emergencies such as seizures, collapse, severe lameness, breathing trouble, or painful eye problems.

Sources

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary medical advice. Reading this content does not establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Every pet is different — always consult a licensed veterinarian before making decisions about your pet's health, diet, or care. If you'd like personalized guidance, you can talk to one of our vets. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency animal hospital immediately.

Still worried about your dog?

Get personalized advice from a licensed veterinarian.