Is a Brittany or English Springer Spaniel better for families with kids?

The Brittany and English Springer Spaniel score equally well with families — either can be a great choice with the right training.

Which is easier to train, a Brittany or a English Springer Spaniel?

The Brittany and English Springer Spaniel are equally trainable — both respond well to consistent, positive reinforcement training.

Brittany vs English Springer Spaniel

Q: What is the difference between a Brittany and a English Springer Spaniel?

The Brittany and English Springer Spaniel differ across several key traits. It's a close call — these breeds are very evenly matched across all categories. See the full side-by-side comparison above for size, shedding, trainability, energy, and family fit.

A side-by-side comparison of the Brittany and English Springer Spaniel across size, temperament, grooming, family fit, and more.

Brittany

English Springer Spaniel

Verdict

It's a close call — these breeds are very evenly matched across all categories.

Brittany

1 win

English Springer Spaniel

1 win

More family-friendly

These breeds score equally well with families.

Tie

Lower maintenance

Brittany sheds less and needs less grooming overall.

✓Brittany

Longer-lived

These breeds have a similar expected lifespan.

Tie

Calmer

English Springer Spaniel is generally more relaxed and lower-energy.

✓English Springer Spaniel

Quieter

These breeds bark about as much as each other.

Tie

More trainable

These breeds are equally trainable.

Tie

Side-by-side comparison

Breed	Size	Weight	Height	Lifespan	Energy	Shedding	Grooming	Trainable	Affection	Barking	Kids	Dogs	Cats	Apartment	First-timers	Low-allergen
Brittany	Large	31–40 lb	19–20 in	12–14 yr							✓	✓	—	—	—	—
English Springer Spaniel	Large	40–51 lb	18–22 in	12–14 yr							✓	✓	✓	—	✓	—

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Brittany vs English Springer Spaniel: which is right for you?

The Brittany and English Springer Spaniel are both popular breeds, but they differ meaningfully in day-to-day life. The verdict above scores them on six key dimensions — use it as a starting point, then factor in your specific home, activity level, and family situation.

It's a close call — these breeds are very evenly matched across all categories.

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