Border Collie Britt
Hybrid Breed Description
The Border Collie Britt is a cross between the Border Collie and the Brittany Spaniel. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing a Border Collie Britt. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
Border Collie
Border Collies are athletic medium-sized dogs standing between eighteen and twenty-two inches at the shoulder and weighing thirty to forty-five pounds. Males typically reach the upper end of this range while females are slightly smaller, creating an agile, well-proportioned frame built for stamina and speed. Their body is slightly longer than tall, with a lean yet muscular build that reflects generations of herding work across rugged terrain. The breed possesses straight, strong legs with well-boned structure and a deep chest that provides excellent lung capacity for sustained activity. Their shoulders are well laid back, contributing to their flowing, effortless gait that allows them to cover ground efficiently while maintaining balance and control. Their distinctive coat comes in two varieties: smooth and rough. Both types feature a dense double coat designed to protect against harsh weather conditions and resist water absorption. The rough coat is medium-length with feathering on the legs, chest, and tail, while the smooth coat is shorter and coarser but equally weather-resistant. Color patterns are remarkably diverse, though black and white is most recognizable and commonly seen. Other combinations include red and white, blue merle, red merle, tricolor patterns with black, white and tan markings, sable, and brindle variations. Some dogs display solid colors or predominantly white coats, though these are less common. The breed's coloring does not affect working ability, as function has always been prioritized over appearance in traditional working lines. The head is proportionate with a distinctive collie-like appearance and an alert, intelligent expression enhanced by their keen, watchful eyes that may be brown, blue, or even heterochromatic in merle-colored dogs. Their ears stand erect or semi-erect with tips that often fold over, creating a characteristic jaunty look that adds to their attentive appearance. The muzzle is of medium length with a moderate stop, and the skull is fairly broad. The tail is moderately long, set low, and carried with an upward swirl especially when the dog is alert or working. Their overall appearance conveys focused intensity combined with remarkable athleticism, grace, and an unmistakable readiness for action.
Key Characteristics
Border Collies consistently rank among the most intelligent dog breeds in the world, possessing an extraordinary capacity to learn commands quickly and solve complex problems with minimal repetition. This remarkable intelligence requires substantial mental stimulation daily, as boredom can quickly lead to destructive behaviors including excessive barking, digging, and inappropriate chewing. They excel at learning tricks, competing in dog sports such as agility and obedience trials, and responding to subtle handler cues including whistles, hand signals, body language, and even raised eyebrows. Their working heritage means they approach tasks with intense focus, determination, and what many owners describe as an almost obsessive dedication to completing jobs. Highly energetic and driven by instinct, Border Collies were bred to work long hours herding sheep across demanding terrain in all weather conditions. They possess seemingly boundless stamina and require extensive daily exercise that goes far beyond simple neighborhood walks. Without adequate physical and mental activity provided through structured exercise, training sessions, or dog sports, they may develop problematic behaviors including excessive barking, digging, escaping, or inappropriate herding of children, other pets, and even passing vehicles. Their herding instinct remains powerful and ever-present, causing them to circle family members, stare intensely at moving objects, and nip at heels to control movement. Despite their intense work drive and high energy levels, Border Collies form extraordinarily deep bonds with their families and display remarkable loyalty, affection, and devotion. They are sensitive dogs that respond poorly to harsh corrections or punitive training methods, thriving instead with positive reinforcement, consistency, and patience. While they can be reserved or aloof with strangers, proper early socialization helps prevent excessive shyness or wariness. They typically coexist well with children and other pets when raised together from puppyhood, though their strong herding instincts always require careful management and supervision.
Border Collies are generally healthy dogs with a typical lifespan of twelve to fifteen years when provided with proper care, though they are predisposed to certain genetic conditions that prospective owners should understand. Hip dysplasia is a significant concern within the breed, where abnormal hip joint development leads to joint laxity, arthritis, and progressive mobility issues over time. Elbow dysplasia can also occur with similar frequency, causing lameness and pain in the front legs. Responsible breeders screen parent dogs for these orthopedic conditions through radiographic evaluation, and maintaining appropriate weight through proper diet combined with controlled exercise helps manage symptoms and slow progression. The breed faces several hereditary eye conditions requiring vigilant attention and regular screening. Collie Eye Anomaly affects retinal development and ranges in severity from mild vision impairment to complete blindness, though fortunately it is non-progressive and does not worsen over time. Progressive Retinal Atrophy causes gradual degeneration and vision loss potentially leading to complete blindness, typically manifesting first as night blindness. Other eye concerns include hereditary cataracts that can develop at any age and lens luxation where supporting ligaments break down. Regular comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations help detect these issues early, and genetic testing allows breeders to make informed breeding decisions to reduce incidence. Neurological conditions also affect the breed with notable frequency. Epilepsy is relatively common, with seizures typically beginning between six months and three years of age and requiring lifelong medication management with periodic blood work monitoring. Border Collie Collapse is a breed-specific exercise-induced condition causing temporary loss of coordination, consciousness, and muscle control during or after intense activity. Additional health considerations include Trapped Neutrophil Syndrome affecting immune system function, Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis causing degenerative neurological decline, and occasional cases of hypothyroidism. Comprehensive preventive care through regular veterinary check-ups, appropriate genetic health testing of breeding stock, and maintaining healthy weight and fitness levels significantly contributes to longevity and quality of life.
Brittany Spaniel
Brittanys are compact yet leggy sporting dogs standing seventeen to twenty inches at the shoulder and weighing thirty to forty pounds, making them the smallest of the versatile gun dog breeds while maintaining substantial working ability. American lines tend to be slightly larger with blockier, more substantial heads than their French counterparts, but both maintain the breed's characteristic athletic build and hunting prowess. Their height at the shoulder equals their body length, creating a square profile that emphasizes agility, balance, and the ability to make quick directional changes. The muscular frame combined with long, well-boned legs allows exceptional ground coverage and sustained endurance during long hunting sessions across varied terrain types. Their dense double coat is flat or slightly wavy but never curly, specifically designed by selective breeding to repel water and dirt while providing weather protection during fieldwork. The texture prevents burrs and debris from matting in the coat. Weekly brushing controls the moderate year-round shedding that increases during seasonal coat changes. Color combinations are limited to orange and white or liver and white, presenting either in clear patterns with distinct color separation or roan patterns where white areas are evenly flecked with colored ticking that creates a speckled appearance. Some tricolor variations exist featuring orange or liver base colors with additional tan markings. Black coloring anywhere in the coat is considered a disqualifying fault in American breed standards, though it is accepted in some European standards. The head is medium-sized and wedge-shaped with a gently sloping stop and expressive, soft eyes ranging from amber to dark brown depending on coat color, with darker eyes preferred in breed standards. Heavy, protective eyebrows shield the eyes during fieldwork when pushing through brush and contribute to their gentle, intelligent expression that endears them to families. The triangular ears are set high, relatively short, and lie flat against the head with slight feathering that adds to their appealing appearance. Brittanys are either naturally born with short tails or have tails traditionally docked to four inches or less in countries where the practice remains legal, though tail docking has been banned throughout most of Europe. Their overall physical appearance conveys rugged athleticism, tireless energy, and friendly approachability rather than intimidation.
Key Characteristics
Brittanys possess friendly, affectionate, and outgoing personalities that make them excellent family companions, particularly for active households willing to meet their substantial exercise needs. They form exceptionally strong bonds with family members and demonstrate remarkable patience and gentleness with children of all ages, though their natural exuberance and enthusiasm may accidentally knock over smaller kids during energetic play sessions. These dogs genuinely thrive on constant human companionship and want to participate actively in all family activities, making them fundamentally unsuitable for homes where they would face frequent or extended periods of isolation. Their sensitive nature and strong attachment to their people means they are highly prone to developing separation anxiety without adequate attention, companionship, and interaction throughout the day. Highly intelligent, eager to please, and naturally responsive, Brittanys excel in training situations when positive reinforcement methods emphasizing rewards, praise, and play are consistently used. They respond extremely poorly to harsh corrections, raised voices, or punitive training approaches, which can severely damage their confidence, trust, and create lasting emotional distress in these sensitive dogs. Their soft temperament absolutely requires patience, gentleness, and unwavering consistency during all training sessions. Despite their intelligence and willingness to please, they can display strong-minded independence and selective hearing particularly when their powerful hunting instincts are engaged by birds or other prey animals. The prey drive remains exceptionally powerful throughout their lives, causing them to chase birds and other small animals with single-minded, intense focus that temporarily overrides training and commands. Energy levels are exceptionally and consistently high throughout their lives, requiring substantial daily exercise that extends far beyond simple neighborhood walks or brief backyard sessions. Without adequate physical exertion and mental stimulation provided through training, dog sports, or hunting activities, Brittanys predictably become restless, anxious, destructive, and may develop excessive barking or roaming behaviors as outlets for pent-up energy. They excel brilliantly at various dog sports including agility, obedience, flyball, and field trials.
Brittanys are generally robust, healthy dogs with a lifespan of twelve to fifteen years when provided with proper care, though they are predisposed to certain genetic health conditions that require awareness and monitoring. Hip dysplasia affects approximately one in four Brittanys, representing a significant concern where malformed hip joints cause progressive pain, lameness, and eventual debilitating arthritis that limits mobility and quality of life. Elbow dysplasia occurs with lower frequency but presents similar mobility challenges and discomfort. Responsible breeders rigorously screen all parent dogs through comprehensive radiographic evaluation and hip scoring systems, and maintaining healthy weight through proper portion-controlled nutrition combined with appropriate controlled exercise helps manage these orthopedic conditions and slow their progression significantly. Epilepsy is relatively common within the breed, typically manifesting with first seizures occurring between six months and three years of age. These seizures occur without any identifiable underlying cause and require lifelong daily medication to control, along with periodic blood testing to monitor medication effectiveness and potential side effects. Owners must carefully monitor seizure frequency, duration, and severity while working closely with veterinarians to adjust treatment protocols as needed. Hypothyroidism can develop in adult dogs, causing noticeable symptoms including unexplained weight gain despite normal eating, lethargy and reduced activity levels, and progressive coat changes including thinning and dullness. This endocrine condition is readily manageable with daily hormone replacement medication and regular monitoring. Eye conditions pose notable concerns requiring vigilance. Hereditary cataracts can appear early in life and progress steadily toward blindness without surgical intervention to remove affected lenses. Other eye issues include glaucoma causing painful pressure increases and Progressive Retinal Atrophy leading to vision loss. Regular comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations help detect developing problems early. Additional health considerations include Cerebellar Abiotrophy affecting balance and coordination, cleft palate requiring surgical correction, dental abnormalities, and ear infections due to floppy ears trapping moisture. Comprehensive preventive care through genetic testing, routine veterinary examinations, and proper grooming significantly enhances overall health.
Important to Remember
Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your Border Collie Britt may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the Border Collie and Brittany Spaniel to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.