Question on brittany weights

JasonW77 · Post by **JasonW77** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:28 pm

What would you consider to be a good weight for a brittany? Not that I think my dog is over weight I was more curious on what others think is a good average weight for a brittany.

Brittguy · Post by **Brittguy** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:46 pm

probably should list the sex and height

JasonW77 · Post by **JasonW77** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:30 pm

Mine is a female she is 26" to the top of her head and 21" to the top of her back. Is there a more standard way of measuring the height?

mcbosco · Post by **mcbosco** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:43 pm

measure from the withers, thats the standard location

JasonW77 · Post by **JasonW77** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 9:10 pm

It would be 21" at the withers

Post by **ezzy333** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 10:03 pm

Some where in the upper 30's at that height which is on the tall side for a female.

Ezzy

Fireside · Post by **Fireside** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 5:03 am

I have a 22" female that I try to keep about 38lbs. She is nice and trim, and well muscled up.

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 8:43 am

how about some pictures, with weights and heights- would be quite an interesting post- don't ya think

Fireside- I'd like to see a current picture of yours- that's a big Britt

Brittguy · Post by **Brittguy** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 9:14 am

I am surprised to hear of two oversize females on the same forum. I have seen many females and never remember any being oversize, but I'm sure there are some out there somewhere. 22" is really big for a male.

JasonW77 · Post by **JasonW77** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 9:42 am

so then what is consider normal height since fireside and I have dogs that are 21+ in height

Post by **slistoe** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:07 am

Standard reads 17 1/2 to 20 1/2. I have 4 females here right now that I would consider to be large. The tallest is 19.5 at the shoulder. They weigh 32 to 37 lbs.

JasonW77 · Post by **JasonW77** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 10:57 am

Thanks for info I just learn something new.

Post by **ezzy333** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 11:20 am

JasonW77 wrote:Thanks for info I just learn something new.

I would prefer to see a female not much over18 to 19 max to help keep any male pups from being oversized.

Ezzy

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 12:55 pm

Ezzy- as an example- exactly where do you measure-

Fireside · Post by **Fireside** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 7:03 pm

Meg is an oversized rescue dog. Literally found on the side of the road, never claimed... she was probably 10-12 months at the time. She grew way too tall (probably because she had already been spayed) and has a completely inappropriate supersoft fuzzy coat (almost definately because of being spayed early). She is undoubtedly all Brittany, just scaled up. Her favorite toy is one of the large horse sized Jolly Balls that she zooms around the pastures carrying.

Meg1.jpg

Post by **ezzy333** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 7:10 pm

Measure at the high point of the shoulder just back from where the neck fits in. In the pic you show it would be about two to three inches behind where the collat is sitting.

Sounds like early spaying when they end up too long legged and have the the fuzzy coat. She is a dog you will want to watch the ligaments on.

Ezzy

Fireside · Post by **Fireside** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 7:16 pm

ezzy333 wrote: Sounds like early spaying when they end up too long legged and have the the fuzzy coat. She is a dog you will want to watch the ligaments on.

Ezzy

Yep, I keep the weight off her for just that reason. She is a textbook example of what spaying too early does to a dog.

AZ Brittany Guy · Post by **AZ Brittany Guy** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:01 am

Although I weigh my dogs occasionally, I also go by looks and feel. I like to be able to feel their ribs but not see them (assuming their coat is at summer length). I don't like to feel the haunches protruding and I want the dog to be well muscled.

Post by **ezzy333** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:28 am

AZ Brittany Guy wrote:Although I weigh my dogs occasionally, I also go by looks and feel. I like to be able to feel their ribs but not see them (assuming their coat is at summer length). I don't like to feel the haunches protruding and I want the dog to be well muscled.

I think that is what they are asking. What do your dogs weigh when in the condition you like.

Ezzy

AZ Brittany Guy · Post by **AZ Brittany Guy** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:53 am

ezzy333 wrote:
AZ Brittany Guy wrote:Although I weigh my dogs occasionally, I also go by looks and feel. I like to be able to feel their ribs but not see them (assuming their coat is at summer length). I don't like to feel the haunches protruding and I want the dog to be well muscled.
I think that is what they are asking. What do your dogs weigh when in the condition you like.

Ezzy

I'm just sayin, what my dogs weigh is irrelevant to what theirs should weigh. I have cobby dogs (bigger boned) that will weigh more than the others even though they measure the same at the withers.

JasonW77 · Post by **JasonW77** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 10:29 am

Not to get off track from my main question too much, but how does spaying them to early cause them to grow taller? Ok then so at what age should you have your dog spayed? Kiah was spayed around 5 or 6 months. Was that too early?

Fireside · Post by **Fireside** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 10:53 am

Spaying and neutering young reduces the amt of hormones in the system that tell the growth plates when to stop. Consequently the long bones grow longer than they would in an unspayed/neutered dog. Longer bones mean that the stresses on the joints are greater, thus a greater chance of torn ACLs.

I much prefer to spay/neuter once the dog has reached sexual maturity. Most of the growth has ceased by then and it's much easier on the dog. Usually 14-18 months is recommended. I personally would consider 5-6 months much too young.

JasonW77 · Post by **JasonW77** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 12:01 pm

We went by our vets suggestion on when to have her spayed. He also hunts he has a really nice looking french brittany. I'll keep this info in mind for my next dog.

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 12:36 pm

Brittguy wrote: 22" is really big for a male.

this one is over 22"- 45.2lbs- I like em big

Post by **slistoe** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 2:57 pm

Shadow wrote:
Brittguy wrote: 22" is really big for a male.
this one is over 22"- 45.2lbs- I like em big

Buy a setter???

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 5:59 pm

not sure what you mean slistoe-

Post by **slistoe** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 7:53 pm

If you liked a Brittany you would like a 20" dog. If you want a 22" dog there are breeds that are legitimately that size.

Brittguy · Post by **Brittguy** » Sun Dec 20, 2009 8:07 pm

He's handsome, nice picture

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 7:31 am

slistoe wrote:If you liked a Brittany you would like a 20" dog. If you want a 22" dog there are breeds that are legitimately that size.

ahhhhhh now I understand- you're offended- see the look on my two-

legitimate- that's priceless

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 7:33 am

Brittguy wrote:He's handsome, nice picture

thanks-

Post by **ezzy333** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 7:43 am

Shadow wrote:
slistoe wrote:If you liked a Brittany you would like a 20" dog. If you want a 22" dog there are breeds that are legitimately that size.
ahhhhhh now I understand- you're offended- see the look on my two-

legitimate- that's priceless

Legitimate refers to legal and the standard for a Brit is 20 1/2 max. I have had a couple that were over that limit and were good dogs but were taken out of the breeding pool since they did not fit within the standard. Slistoe used the same thinking I do, if you like bigger dogs of that general type the setters are great dogs Just don't want to see the Brit become a setter and the smaller dog is a large part of their identity. Big fast dogs with a longer coat = setter. Small fast dog with a longer coat = Brits. Both do the same job in much the same way. Just like the fact there are two different breeds and not one that people call a Brit or a Setter but not sure why.

Ezzy

3Britts · Post by **3Britts** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 7:43 am

Here are my older dogs: Ron is the orange and white and Tania is the white and orange.
Both dogs are 20.5 inches and run 37/38 lbs.
I've never had a problem with their pups getting too big.
My younger female Summer l/w is 18 inches and 28 lbs.

Ruffshooter · Post by **Ruffshooter** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:00 pm

Little "C" is around 17 1/2" weighs around 37 pounds at hunting season. not fixed. In avatar
Stella is around 19 1/2" weighs 48 pounds. She is fixed at a young age..
I had an American Brit that was 24" high at the shoulder and weighed 64 pounds in hunting season, fixed young.
Buster is 19 3/4" and weighs 45 during hunting season. not fixed.

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 7:11 pm

Ruffshooter wrote:Little "C" is around 17 1/2" weighs around 37 pounds at hunting season. not fixed. In avatar
Stella is around 19 1/2" weighs 48 pounds. She is fixed at a young age..
I had an American Brit that was 24" high at the shoulder and weighed 64 pounds in hunting season, fixed young.
Buster is 19 3/4" and weighs 45 during hunting season. not fixed.

whew- pretty Britt you have there-
my two on the truck box- female is 19.5 39lbs

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 7:37 pm

why thank you Ezzy-

I've seen some awfully nice lines of Britt's that have been small and big- is it ok if I've become partial to big ones

now mind you- when I purchased this pup I was hoping he would be big so I've been whispering in his ears for some time now- not sure if he's done growing

Post by **ezzy333** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 7:51 pm

Do you have to bend over to whisper in his ear? If not he may have some Setter breeding or just might be an oversized Brit.

Ezzy

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 7:57 pm

you questioning Shadows breeding Ezzy

I'm still cracking up over firesides coments- he found the dog

JasonW77 · Post by **JasonW77** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:39 pm

I remeasured my brittany Kiah again with the help of my wife and she is 19 3/4" to the top of her shoulder blade. She weighs about 32lbs. Ruffshooter that is a really nice looking britt.

Ruffshooter · Post by **Ruffshooter** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 6:46 am

Thanks Shadow and Jason: I think all these Britts are nice lookin on here, other than my old dog Dexter who was fixed at an early age. He ended up at I think around 24" o 25" and weighed in at 62 to 65 pounds. He had two cruciate ligiment tears and repairs to the tune of $900 and $1,300. That boy thought he was a wolf, tried to take out a moose on one of our trips north. :roll: I am sure he wanted to eat it. He also liked eating porky's and any dead purely smelly carian. If he ever got lost he would never be hungry. He would chase coyotes out of the yard.

Buster is a barrel chested dog, & stought he can go all day long in the woods, Skiping out of work today, heading out This afternoon just he and me try to get some more hunting before the snow is too deep for him and me.

Black Bart my first french birt that thought he could fight bears, weighed in at 35 pound soaking wet I think he was around 18". My absolute best grouse dog before he died, too young.

Post by **ezzy333** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 7:47 am

Ruffshooter,

What was your dog doing when it tore the ligaments? Or maybe you don't know but I was wondering if it was anything out of the ordinary.

Ezzy

Keny Glasscock · Post by **Keny Glasscock** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 8:26 am

18" 28 lbs

20" 38 lbs

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:00 am

now we're getting somewhere- actual pictures with height and weight

looks like keny might have the smallest- wonder who has the biggest
not past Britts- present Britt's in condition- with papers

nice looking keny- hard to see real size in a picture

Ruffshooter · Post by **Ruffshooter** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 9:02 am

EZZY: It was two different occasions a couple years apart. ( 4 and 6 yerars) I never say him do anything out of the ordinary. Just jumpin in vehicles, hunting etc. I don't recall he just started limping a little more and more each day. You could take his leg joint and move it around.

Both repairs worked pretty good. Two different vets. Used 80 pound monofiliment line on one repair. I think the other also.

Brushbustin Sporting Dogs · Post by **Brushbustin Sporting Dogs** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 10:31 am

I'm sure most are measuring with a tape measure and that is really hard to get the actual height. A whicket (sp??) is the best and official way to measure them. If I were to guess most are shorter than what they measured. Tanner my dual prospect is on the bigger side but is probably 20" maybe 20 1/4".

My biggest in the Kennel would maybe be Reno at 21" and by all means he's huge!!!

Weight doesn't matter as long as they're not to fat or to skinny....

Post by **ezzy333** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 10:50 am

Nice dog and you are right about the weight. I made a wicket so I can get a good measurement. Just next to impossible with a tape.

Ezzy

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:09 pm

wow- beautifull Brittany Brushbustin

just took this picture of my youngster- a bit big

Ecw21 · Post by **Ecw21** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 9:18 am

here's mine...She is right at 18 inches and a fairly muscular 38 lbs...And she would eat until she was 58 if I let her.

SierraMtnBrits · Post by **SierraMtnBrits** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 9:52 am

I have a big brit, here's Griffey, he's almost 10, papered, titled, neutered at 7 months because he was already oversized. Regardless of size, he's been a darn fine bird dog. He's 24.5" and 52 pounds.

And then there's Bang, a petite, 17.75" 27 pounds. But within standard. People who stop us out hunting think she's too small and he is the "normal" sized Brit.

Shadow · Post by **Shadow** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 10:05 am

I'd be partial to Griffey- went and visited your website- sure did like the way you speak of him-

ahhh that little "Bang" now- pedigree says it all

very nice

SierraMtnBrits · Post by **SierraMtnBrits** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 10:07 am

Here's one of them together to get some

perspective.