Do Brittany Spaniels shed?
Yes, Brittany Spaniels shed, but moderately rather than heavily. Their dense, flat, medium-length coat sits close to the body and drops hair steadily through the year, with a noticeably heavier moult in spring and autumn as the undercoat turns over. It is manageable with a regular brushing routine rather than a specialist grooming schedule.
What kind of coat a Brittany has
A Brittany's coat is dense and flat, sometimes with a slight wave, and it carries a moderate undercoat that thickens for winter and thins out again as the weather warms. That undercoat is where most of the seasonal shedding comes from, rather than the outer coat itself.
Compared with a heavy double-coated breed like a German Shepherd, a Brittany's shedding is on the lighter end — noticeable on dark furniture and clothing, but not the constant drift of hair some working and pastoral breeds produce. Feathering on the ears, legs and chest needs a bit more attention than the rest of the coat, since loose hair tends to collect there first.
What that means day to day
A weekly brush is usually enough to keep a Brittany's coat in reasonable order outside of the moulting seasons, working through the feathering with a slicker or pin brush to prevent it matting. During the spring and autumn blow-outs, brushing two or three times a week catches far more loose undercoat before it ends up on the sofa.
A rubber curry brush or grooming mitt worked over the body first loosens dead hair efficiently before a finer brush deals with the feathering, and an occasional bath with a dog shampoo helps loosen a heavy moult faster than brushing alone.
Keeping on top of a Brittany's grooming needs
Because Brittanys are active, working-bred dogs that spend plenty of time outdoors, it is worth checking the feathering on the ears and legs for tangles, grass seeds and debris after a walk, rather than saving grooming for a fixed weekly slot. A build-up of matted hair around the ears in particular can trap moisture and lead to skin irritation if it is left unchecked.
Regular brushing does more than manage loose hair — it is also a chance to spot anything unusual on the skin early, from a hot spot to a tick picked up in long grass, while the dog is already used to being handled. It is a habit worth building in from puppyhood, since a Brittany that is used to being brushed all over, ears and feathering included, is far easier to groom thoroughly as an adult than one only handled occasionally.
Kit for this breed
Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.
Leucillin Antiseptic Skincare Spray for Cats & Dogs
A versatile, alcohol-free antiseptic spray that cleans, soothes, and helps protect your pet's skin from bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
From£16.49
Pressure-Activated Pet Cooling Mat
Press down, feel the cool — this pressure-activated mat absorbs body heat and stays up to 10°C cooler than the room, with no freezing required.
From£34.99
Absorbent Cotton Gauze Swabs for Pets – Pack of 100
Highly absorbent, low-lint cotton gauze swabs produced in clean conditions — a practical first-aid essential available in three size and ply combinations.
From£4.49
Microfibre Pet Drying Robe
A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe that soaks up the wet fast after baths, swims and walks.
From£10.99
Common questions
- Do Brittany Spaniels shed more than other spaniels?
- Roughly in line with most spaniel breeds — moderate, year-round shedding with a heavier seasonal moult, rather than the low-shedding coat of a Poodle-cross or the constant heavy drop of a thick-coated pastoral breed. Regular brushing keeps it manageable.
- Are Brittany Spaniels hypoallergenic?
- No dog breed is truly hypoallergenic, and Brittanys are not marketed as a low-allergen breed. Their moderate shedding means loose hair and the dander attached to it are still present in normal amounts, so an allergy sufferer should spend time around the breed before committing to one.
- How often should I brush a Brittany Spaniel?
- Weekly is usually enough outside of the spring and autumn moults, rising to two or three times a week while the undercoat is turning over. Keeping the feathering on the ears and legs free of tangles is worth checking after every walk rather than on a fixed schedule.
- Does clipping a Brittany's coat reduce shedding?
- Clipping is not typically needed for a Brittany's coat type and will not meaningfully reduce shedding, since the hair still grows and sheds beneath a clipped length. Regular brushing to remove loose undercoat is the more effective approach for this breed.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.