Do you know what breed of dog has been cross-bred the most? Poodles.
Designer breeds from poodles, like the Brittany poodle mix, have gained popularity over the years because of their charm. They are also adored by the pet-loving community because of the distinctive combination of traits from their parents that manifest in the most unique ways.
A mixed breed’s lineage can reveal a lot of things about a dog. While they don’t have the same prestigious reputation that pure breeds have, mixed breeds have a certain appeal that makes them wonderful companions.
Table of Contents
Brittany Poodle Mix Key Characteristics
- Adaptability: 30%
- Affection Level: 100%
- Apartment Friendly: 70%
- Barking Tendencies: 60%
- Cat Friendly: 60%
- Child Friendly: 100%
- Dog Friendly: 100%
- Exercise Need: 100%
- Grooming Needs: 80%
- Health Issues: 80%
- Intelligence: 80%
- Playfulness: 100%
Breed Highlights
- Brittany poodle mixed breeds, also called “Brittnepoo,” is one of many poodle crossbreeds acknowledged globally.
- This mixed breed canine closely resembles the Brittany spaniel with its long front legs. However, it also has that proud stance commonly seen in standard poodles.
- A Brittnepoo is a medium-sized crossbreed. It can grow as tall as 20 inches and weigh as much as 50 pounds.
- It is bred from two hunting and retrieval dogs, making it a great companion when trained well. Its lineage makes it a great house dog that should be kept on a leash during walks.
- Like its parent breeds, the Brittany poodle mix is friendly, very active, and quite trainable. It has a mild temperament that can be maintained with regular physical activities.
- It is highly intelligent and can be trained at a very young age. As a poodle crossbreed, the Brittany spaniel poodle mix is known as a smart and energetic pet.
- It should be trained in a stern but kind manner. Rewards and compliments are the best way to establish rapport during training.
- Some human foods and beverages aren’t safe for dogs, including alcohol, avocado, animal fat and bones, fruits with seeds and cores that contain cyanide, and many others.
- Brittnepoos face several major health issues, such as hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and insulinoma.
- Proper tests and grooming are needed to keep a Brittnepoo healthy.
- A Brittnepoo litter is comprised of about 4 to 8 puppies. There are various factors that affect litter size, including the parent dog’s diet, health, age, and others.
- Brittnepoo puppies are sold in the market with a price tag of $399 and up.
- For mixed breed puppies, the price will depend on various factors, including its generation and pedigree.
- This cross-bred dog is acknowledged by several canine breed registry and organization including the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Brittany Poodle Mix Appearance
The Brittany-poodle cross breed showcases the best attributes of the Brittany spaniel and standard poodle in one charming and loving furry friend.
Adoringly referred to as the “Brittnepoo,” this medium-sized dog exudes an air of gentleness and class you can’t get enough of.
The Brittany spaniel poodle mix takes a lot of the physical attributes from the Brittany spaniel. It is squarely built with a long muzzle, a rounded head, and a pair of slack, wide-set ears. Its size and dense, wavy fur are also from its French parent.
Brittany poodle mix dogs come in a wide variety of colors, including black, white, silver, or brown, depending on its genetic makeup. However, most of them sport a combination of two or three colors, with orange and white or silver and white as the more common ones.
There is more to the shade a dog’s coat than you think. In fact, it also affects the color of a dog’s nose.
For the Brittnepoo, it can vary between deep pink, black, brown, and tan.
Most of these cross-bred pets also have long and straight front legs with a slight feathering, much like its Brittany spaniel parent. It also has little round feet and arched toes that are protected by thick pads.
This dog has dark and oval eyes that vary from brown to black. Its tail (which is often naturally short) is situated higher up its bottom. For some of these dogs, the dewclaws are removed.
Male Brittnepoos have a height ranging from 15 to 20 inches and weigh between 45 and 50 pounds. Females, on the other hand, are often slightly smaller and lighter, with a 14- to 18-inch height and 35- to 45-pound weight.
Brittany Poodle Mix Breed: A History
If you’re wondering when the first Brittany poodle mix came to be, you might have a difficult time in doing so – as there is no record on when or how these creatures emerged. However, looking at the background of its parent breeds can give you a significant insight into how this adorable canine came to be.
Both poodles and Brittany spaniels are known as hunting and retrieval dogs. While this may make the mixed-breed canine seem unfavorable if you wanted a house pet, it is actually the opposite considering that Brittnepoos are known as very friendly animals that are keen on pleasing humans.
Originating from France, Brittany spaniels have been used as working dogs for low-class families in the European country. The first account that describes this bird-hunting dog dates to 1850 when a clergyman wrote about how he hunted with bobtailed little dogs that had rougher coats.
However, it was only officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1934, three years after it first arrived in the United States. Decades later, the term “spaniel” was dropped from its name because of its hunting style and kept the name “Brittany,” after France’s northwesternmost region.
Poodles, on the other hand, were originally bred as working dogs that served as water retrievers. Although its exact origin cannot be exactly pinpointed,, some records claim that it descended from the Hungarian and the Barbet water hound.
Based on the breed’s available historical accounts, poodles traveled with gypsies as part of the “entertainment” and eventually ended up in the U.S. where they were officially acknowledged by the AKC in 1886.
Then, in the middle of the 1950s, poodles became the most popular dog breed in the country and continued to be for the next two decades..
Brittnepoo Trainability
Brittnepoos need at least 10 miles of walking every week. It should also have some vigorous physical activity for about one hour every day to keep it healthy and fit.
Fortunately, you won’t have to worry about having a hard time training these cross-breed canines as they are known as obedient and friendly creatures. In fact, poodles and Brittany dogs are both considered as two of the most obedient breed of dogs in the world.
For poodles, their gentleness, intelligence, and overall docility have become one of their biggest assets in becoming the most popular dog breed in the United States.
Standard poodles are a bit more reserved than their smaller cousins, but they are still very active. In fact, they love having a task to keep them occupied. At its tallest, this type of poodle can reach more than 15 inches at the shoulder.
As for Brittany dogs, they are also energetic and have a learning ability that surpasses almost any other canine breed known to mankind. They are considered as the breed with the quickest learning pace and can already be trained as early as eight weeks from birth.
By combining the best traits from both parent breeds, Brittnepoos have a lot to offer if you are looking for a pet that’s smart, outgoing, and very trainable.
Brittany Poodle Mix Temperament
Brittnepoos are quite sociable in nature, mainly because its poodle parent is gentle and friendly. It also tends to be bright, upbeat, and fun-loving, thanks to its Brittany bloodline.
With these characteristics, these dogs are known as creatures who are eager to please, especially when it comes to completing highly physical activities such as running, walking, or fetching.
However, they have an innate hunting instinct that’s still engraved in their DNA and might kick in once they find an interesting trail to follow. This is the reason why you need to keep them on a leash to keep them from running off. Doing this will also help you gain their respect as their owner and leader.
On the other hand, this mixed breed also has a sensitive side. They respond better to firm but kind words. It is also better to train them using rewards and treats combined with generous compliments, especially when they accomplish tasks well.
You should also make sure that they get enough exercise to avoid pent-up energy, else you’ll risk leaving your Brittnepoo unstable and hyperactive. This is also the reason why experts don’t recommend this type of mixed breed to people living in small apartments.
As for behavioral training, you should also invest time in honing these dogs’ social skills by introducing them to children as well as other pets while they are still young. This should be done to ensure that Brittnepoos behave well around them.
They are affectionate dogs, but they still need to be guided accordingly. While their behavior needs to be monitored, they are typically easy to care for and can bring life to your otherwise empty household.
Brittany Spaniel Poodle Mix Nutrition
Ideally, a Brittnepoo should consume three cups of dog food daily. This costs between $1.20 and $1.40 every day or about $34 to $45 every month.
While it is good to feed your dog ready-to-eat processed food because of the convenience they offer, you may still opt to go natural by giving them a taste of the actual thing.
The Brittany poodle mix, for example, may do well when fed with its parents’ natural nourishment sources. As water-oriented hunting canines, its poodle parent consumed a variety of fish and poultry found in their hunting grounds to help them grow and reach their full potential.
However, it is important that you avoid feeding your Brittnepoo the following foods, no matter what the situation may be:
- Alcohol – Alcohol is bad news not just for humans but also for dogs. Accidental consumption of beer or wine can leave a dog with breathing problems or worse, a coma.
- Avocado – Avocados contain a harmful chemical to dogs called Persin. While this may be safe for humans, it is toxic for dogs.
- Animal Fat and Fried Foods – Feeding dogs with too much fatty foods will mess up your pet’s health and cause pancreatitis.
- Animal Bones – Animal bones, while widely portrayed as treats for dogs, are not recommended for their consumption because of the risk of a splinter that can damage their teeth and wreak havoc in their digestive tract.
- Apples, Cherries, Peaches, Persimmons, and Plums – The seeds of these fruits contain cyanide, a chemical that can harm both humans and dogs. While humans know better to avoid the seeds and pits, dogs don’t so it’s best not to leave anything to chance.
- Chocolate and Anything with Caffeine – Chocolate, coffee, and other foods with caffeine contain methylxanthines, a chemical that may cause your dog to experience tremors, heart palpitations, dehydration, and seizures. Worst of all, it may also lead to unexpected dog death.
- Raisins or Grapes – Dogs can die from eating raisins or grapes, although the result may not be the same for different kinds of grapes.
- Gum, Candy, and Baked Food – These items contain a sweetener called xylitol, a chemical that can increase insulin circulation in a dog’s body. This can cause liver failure that is signaled by vomiting, loss of coordination, and lethargy.
- Milk – Aside from their mother’s milk, dogs aren’t fit to consume milk that’s been processed for humans. They cannot digest milk and may experience diarrhea when fed milk.
- Chives, Garlic, and Onions – Dogs that consume these spices may experience red blood cell damage, especially when large quantities are involved.
- Tomatoes – Tomatoes may cause heart arrhythmias and tremors in your dog.
- Raw Dough – While bread can be fed to your dogs, uncooked dough made with yeast may cause damage to their digestive tract.
Brittany Poodle Mix Health and Care
With proper care and nourishment, Brittnepoos can live as long as 15 years. Even so, you should remember that there are certain issues that you may face when caring for this crossbreed.
One of the most common major concerns for Brittany Poodle mix dogs is hip dysplasia. This condition is characterized by loose joints early on. It may lead to when left untreated.
Brittnepoo mixed breeds may also experience other major health issues like hypothyroidism that cause a lack of hormones and inadvertently lead to thinning fur, reduced activity, and a lower tolerance to cold.
They may also be diagnosed with insulinoma, which are malignant cancer cells that grow on the pancreas characterized by extreme weakness, seizures, loss of consciousness, and other symptoms that appear when there are low glucose levels.
Another major health issue these cross-bred dogs face is progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). This genetic disorder is more common in male dogs in both purebred and mixed breeds. It is prompted by the death of rod cells in the dog’s retina that can lead to blindness.
To avoid these major issues, it is important that you bring your Brittany poodle mix to the vet at least twice every year. Some of the common tests conducted to monitor their health include x-rays, imagery tests, urinalysis, and eye tests.
They should also undergo general physical examination, with a full blood work to make sure that they’re in tip-top shape.
Grooming
If you don’t want tons of fur on your furniture, clothing, and beddings, Brittnepoos is the best pet for you. While they have thick and wavy hair, they don’t tend to shed too much.
Still, this can only be attained through regular and proper grooming of your adorable canine pal. Make sure to use a pin brush and a slicker brush to untangle it and avoid matting. Brittnepoos don’t require regular bathing but make sure you use sensitive dog shampoo to keep his fur smooth and shiny.
If he has a poodle-like fur, have it trimmed regularly to ensure that it is neat and shed-free. Do this regularly, and you’ll keep your sofa clean and fur-free.
You also need to keep your Brittnepoo’s teeth and nails clean and healthy. For a healthy set of teeth, get him used to mouth examination and cleaning. You can also have him chew on dental sticks to avoid fishy breath. Having his nails trimmed at least once in two weeks is also advisable.
You should also keep in mind that dogs that explore the wilderness—or even your neighbor’s backyard—are at risk of encountering ticks along the way. You should also check its inner ear for seeds that may have attached to it to avoid inflammation.
Brittany Poodle Mix Puppies
If you have a female Brittany spaniel poodle mix at home, chances are you’d want to know how many puppies she will be having. The answer to your question can be a little complex.
This is because a dog’s “litter”—or the number of puppies born to a single mother at one time—varies depending on various factors. As far as the Guinness World Records is concerned, the biggest litter any dog ever had consisted of 24 pups.
While you may wish for your Brittany-poodle to have such a large brood, the chances are very low because a breed’s average litter is affected by its body size. For medium-sized dogs like spaniels, the litter is usually comprised of 4 to 8 puppies at the same time.
Another factor to consider when estimating the number of puppies to be born in one litter is the age of the dog. Typically, those aged 7 years old and below have smaller litters compared to older bitches. It is also common for dogs that are bred for the first time to have fewer pups.
Other factors that may influence the litter size includes:
- the age of the male dog;
A stud aged 5 years and younger during breeding are more likely to breed a larger litter compared to when the male dog is older. This is because its sperm count decreases as he ages.
- the health of the parent dogs;
Both parent dogs should be in their healthiest during breeding. The female dog should be healthy and slim to get a bigger brood.
- the diet of the female dog;
The dam should be fed well throughout the year for breeding to result in a bigger litter by improving fertility. This is to ensure that the dog’s body is prepared for a bigger brood.
Feeding high-quality dog food combined with meat and cottage cheese has been tested and proven effective in a study conducted by Ohio nutritionist Russ Kelly.
- the date breeding; and
The chance of having a larger liter can be increased by breeding a female dog within 48 hours during ovulation. This is effective for both natural conception and artificial insemination, provided that froze semen is used for the latter.
- the size of the gene pool.
Although it hasn’t been supported by thorough research, it is believed that a bigger gene pool can lead to a higher chance of a larger litter. This means that cross-breeding produces more puppies than reproducing purebreds.
However, it is important to note that heritability is only pegged to be between 10 and 15 percent.
If you want to breed your Brittnepoo, it is important to note that all these factors should work in harmony. Keeping the dogs well-fed, nourished, and healthy may be your best bet to having a bigger litter.
Learn more about another poodle and spaniel mix here — the cockapoo.
Brittany Poodle Mixed Breed Price
Puppies sold in the United States have different prices based on several factors. The most popular, however, is the breed. In most cases, purebred have heftier tag prices because of their conformity to a certain breed standard.
However, there are mixed breeds that are sold at a higher price compared to their pure parents. The Brittnepoo is categorized as a designer mixed breed, and is typically sold in the U.S. at a starting price of $399.
This can change depending on the generation of the Brittnepoo as well as its gender, age, color, size, bloodline, champion background, and pedigree, among other things.
Breeding a purebred Brittany with an untainted poodle produces a first generation Brittnepoo. However, it is still considered first generation breed if a Britnepoo is matched with a purebred poodle or Brittany. The second generation begins when both mother and father are mixed breeds.
Breed Organizations
Although owners of this mixed breed don’t have their own organization yet, the Brittnepoo has been acknowledged by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the International Designer Canine Registry, and the Designer Breed Registry. The breed is also registered with the AKC.
Why Choose the Brittnepoo?
A Brittany poodle mix is considered a great choice if you are looking for a dog with a sociable personality and classy background. After training and building a relationship with this dog, you can rest assured that you’ll have a companion who sticks by you no matter what.