EPAGNEUL BRETON
Gun Dog Group
Official U.K.C. Breed Standard

Copyright 2003
Revised March 1, 2007

PREFACE

This original Epagneul Breton Breed Standard presented below is credited to the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) online version of March 25, 2003 (from FCI St. No. 95, May 5, 2003). The French language version was translated to this English version for the FCI by John Miller and Raymond Triquet, France. The FCI English version became available online on September 14, 2004. The context of this standard is precisely the same as the English version from the FCI, with the exception that a very few words, punctuations, and measures were adjusted to the usual American form of the English language. The FCI version contains words in parenthesis. A few more words in parenthesis were added for explanatory reasons, and the categories are organized to appear in the customary UKC format. In addition to that, artwork and reference to the artwork, has been added to help visually illustrate the precise and proper physical characteristics of the Epagneul Breton that the breeders should select for. Artwork is also included to show some selected undesirable canine characteristics that breeders should select against. The use of the artwork is intended as an aid to help anyone better visualize and understand the precise positive (proper) or negative (improper) aspects of the body conformation of the Epagneul Breton dog. All of this artwork is used by permission from, and duly and totally credited to, Jean Louvet, France. Preface by French Brittany Gun Dog Association of America, Inc. Conformation Standard Committee and Board of Directors. The Epagneul Breton was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 2002.

Brief Historical Summary. Of French origin and, more precisely, from the center of Brittany. At present, in first place numerically among French sporting breeds. Probably one of the oldest of the spaniel type dogs, improved at the beginning of the 20th century by diverse outcrosses and selections. A draft of a breed standard drawn up in Nantes in 1907 was presented and adopted at the first General Assembly held in Loudéac (in former Côtes du Nord department, now Côtes d’Armor), June 7, 1908. This was the first standard of the “Naturally Short-Tailed Brittany Spaniel Club”.

Smallest of the pointing breeds. The Epagneul Breton (French Brittany) is a dog with a Continental spaniel-type head (braccoïde in French) and a short or non-existent tail. Built harmoniously on a solid, but not weighty, frame. The whole is compact and well-knit, without undue heaviness, while staying sufficiently elegant. The dog is vigorous, the look is bright, and the expression intelligent. The general aspect is “cobby” (brachymorphic), full of energy, having conserved in the course of its evolution the short-coupled model sought after and fixed by those having recreated the breed.

Important Proportions

The skull is longer than the muzzle, with a ratio of 3: 2.

Head is in proportion to the body.
The depth of the chest, from withers to brisket, is slightly less than half the height of the dog.
The scapulo-ischial length (from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks) is equal to the height at the withers (the dog fits in a square). (See Appendix Diagrams 1 and 2.)

Behaviour/Temperament

Dog adapting itself to any environment, sociable, with an intelligent and attentive expression, mentally balanced. Versatile pointing dog, for any game on any terrain, precocious in revealing its hunting passion. Remarkable in its searching for game, its gaits, its scenting ability, its ranging in the field, its spontaneity and duration of pointing, its retrieving and its aptitude for training.

The features are finely chiselled. The skin fits tightly. (See Appendix Diagrams 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.)

SKULL – Cranial Region. Slightly rounded as seen from the front or the side. Seen from above, the lateral surfaces are slightly convex. The top lines of the head and the muzzle are parallel. The width of the skull measured between the zygomatic arches is less than its length. The supercilliary arches are not prominent but form a slightly rounded curve. The frontal furrow, as well as the sagittal crest, are slightly defined. The stop is moderate. The occipital crest, as well as the zygomatic arches, are moderately defined. (See Appendix Diagrams 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.)

LIPS – Not loose, not very large, relatively thin and fitting tightly. The lower is discreetly masked by the upper, whose contour bends progressively until reaching the commisure (point where the upper and lower lip meet), which is not too apparent and tightly closed. The whole is free of depigmentation.

MUZZLE – Straight, with lateral surfaces practically parallel.

CHEEKS – Not heavy, the skin fitting tightly.

JAWS/TEETH – The teeth are set square to the jaws, and form a complete and healthy set. Scissors bite. (See Appendix Diagram 8.)

NOSE – Large, with very wide, humid (moist), and well-open nostrils, of a color in harmony with that of the coat, as is the case of the edges of the eyelids and natural orifices.

EYES – Slightly oblique. With an intelligent, soft and frank expression. Somewhat oval, not protruding, with fine, well pigmented, tightly fitting eyelids. The color of the iris is in keeping with the color of the coat, preferably dark. Eye expression coupled with upward movement of the base of the ears gives rise to the true “Epagneul Breton”. (See Appendix Diagram 3.)

EARS – Set high, triangular in shape, relatively large and rather short, (drawn forward, the tip of the ear reaches the stop). Partially covered with wavy hair, especially in the upper part, the extremity being covered by short hair. Always quite mobile when the dog is attentive or in action. (See Appendix Diagrams 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5)

Of medium length and well muscled, in the form of a slightly curved, never arched, truncated cone. Set smoothly to the shoulders and without dewlap. (See Appendix Diagrams 1, 2, 3, and 5.)

Limbs well poised. Joints flexible and sturdy.

Shoulder - Mobile, long (30% of the height at the withers), close to the body, with thick muscle. Its slope is that of a galloper, between 55 and 60 degrees from the horizontal. The tips of the shoulder blades are separated by 2 inches (5 cm).

Arm - Heavy, thick and very muscular. It is slightly longer than the shoulder blade. The scapulo-humeral angle (between the shoulder blade and the arm) is between 115 and 120 degrees.

Forearm - Muscular and clean. Slightly longer than the arm. It should be practically perpendicular to the ground.

Elbow - Close to body. Neither in nor out.

Metacarpus (Pastern) - Solid while maintaining a certain flexibility, slightly oblique (between 15 and 20 degrees from the vertical).

Topline - Level to the loins and the beginning of the croup.

Withers - Sufficiently mobile and hardly protruding, without being loaded.

Back - Straight, short and rigid, well coupled.

Loin - Short, broad and muscular.

Hip - Very slightly slanting, broad and muscular.

Chest - Let down to elbow level, broad with ribs well sprung but not barrel-chested. Sternum wide and scarcely rising towards the rear. The rearmost ribs long and supple.

Abdomen - Slightly tucked-up.

Flank - Slightly rising and short.
(See Appendix Diagrams 1, 2, 6, and 7.)

Limbs well poised and parallel when seen from behind.

Thigh - Important (prominent), with thick and bulging muscles. It should be slanted between 70 and 75 degrees from the horizontal.

Lower thigh - Very slightly longer than the thigh, with clean, bulging muscles. Broad in the upper part, diminishing gradually in size towards its junction with the hock. The angle between the upper thigh and lower thigh is close to 130 degrees.

Hock - Clean, with visible tendons.

Metatarsus (Rear pastern) - Solid, nearly vertical when seen from the side.

Front feet - Rather round, toes tight, pads firm, toenails short. (See Appendix Diagrams 1, 2, 6, and 7.)

Hind Feet - Longer than the forefeet, while maintaining the same characteristics. (See Appendix Diagrams 1, 2, 6, and 7.)

Set high, carried horizontally (or slightly lowered), often lively when the dog is attentive or in action. The Epagneul Breton can be born tailless or with a very short tail. When the tail is docked, the ideal length is from 1.18 to 2.36 inches (3 to 6 cm ). The docked tail should not exceed 3.93 inches (10 cm). (See Appendix Diagrams 1, 2, and 6.)

Fine, tight fitting and well pigmented. (See Appendix Diagrams 1 and 2.)

Hair - The coat is fine, but not silky, lying flat on the body or with a hint of a wave. Never curly. Short on the head and the front of the limbs. The hind part of the latter has a heavier coat, furnished with abundant feathering, diminishing along their length down to the carpus (wrist) or the tarsus (hock), or even lower.

A self-colored coat is not allowed.

White and orange, white and black, white and liver, with more or less extensive irregular white patches. Piebald or roan, sometimes with ticking on the top and sides of the muzzle or the limbs.

Equally, in the case of tricolor coats, with tan spotting (orange to dark tan) on the top and sides of the muzzle, over the eyes, on the limbs, on the chest and over the base of the tail.

A narrow blaze is desirable with any color of coat.

Height is measured at the withers.

Males

Ideal height – 19.3 to 19.7 inches (49 to 50 cm).
Minimum - 18.9 inches (48 cm), with a tolerance of .4 inches (1 cm). Maximum - 20.1 inches (51 cm), with a tolerance of .4 inches (1 cm).

Females

Ideal height - 18.9 inches to 19.3 inches (48 to 49 cm).
Minimum - 18.5 inches (47 cm) with a tolerance of .4 inches (1 cm).
Maximum – 19.7 inches (50 cm), with a tolerance of .4 inches (1 cm).

The different gaits are easy, but powerful, even and lively. The legs move straight without exaggerated bouncing of the body and without rolling, the top line staying level. The canter is the most common gait in the field, the strides are rapid and of medium length, the hind legs having little extension to the rear (collected canter).

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Character: Timidity, shifty-eyed.

Head planes: Somewhat divergent. (See Appendix Diagrams 3, 4, and 5.).

Nose: Very slightly depigmented; interior of the nostrils depigmented.

Jaws/Teeth: Pincer bite, teeth out of line. (See Appendix Diagrams 5, 8 and 9).

Muzzle: Pinched or snipy.

Lips: Heavy, pendulous, upper lip covering the lower either insufficiently or excessively.

Eyes: Prominent, round, or almond shaped.

Ears: Hung too low, or falling away too sharply

Back: Arched or saddle back.

Croup: Too narrow, or falling away too sharply.

Abdomen: Bulky, or too tucked up (whippety).

Feet: Splayed, too round, or too long. (See Appendix Diagrams 6 and 7.)

Neck: Heavy and lacking reach. Throatiness.

Loin: Long, narrow, weak.

Flank: Too hollow, often accompanied by a weak loin lacking breadth.

Limbs: Insufficient bone. Out at the elbows, pigeon toed, slew feet.

Coat: Not heavy enough on the body.
(Study all Appendix Diagrams).

Behaviour: Sluggish.

Skull: Zygomatic arches too prominent, stop very pronounced, superciliary arches too prominent. (See Appendix Diagrams 4 and 5.)

Eyes: Light, mean look, hawk-like expression.

Neck: Excessively long, distinct dewlap.

Gait: Poor mover.
(Study all Appendix Diagrams.)

(An Eliminating Fault is a Fault serious enough that it eliminates the dog from obtaining any awards in a conformation event.)

Any fault in temperament such as snapping, aggressiveness towards dog or man, excessive shyness.

Lack of type: Insufficient breed characteristics, which means the animal on the whole doesn’t resemble other samples of the breed.

Height: Outside the limits defined by the standard.

Head planes: Marked convergence. (See Appendix Diagrams 3, 4, and 5.)

Abnormal markings: White spot on the ear or eye in a white patch.

Eyes: Very light in color, heterochromia (eyes of different colors), squinting, entropion, ectropion. (See Appendix Diagram 10.)

Jaws: Overshot or undershot mouth. (See Appendix Diagrams 8 and 9.)

Jaws/Teeth: The first premolars (PM) of both jaws and the last molars of the lower jaw are considered without importance. Can only be admitted the absence of 2 PM2 or 1 PM2 and 1 PM3. Contiguous absence of these two teeth (PM2 and PM3) is eliminating. Absence of any other tooth is eliminating. (See Appendix Diagram 8.)

Pigmentation: Distinct unpigmented areas on the nose or eyelids.

Presence of dewclaws (on the rear legs), even if rudimentary.

Serious morphological anomaly.

(Study all Appendix Diagrams.)

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioral abnormalities shall be disqualified.

N.B (Please note) Male Animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism.