Brittany Spaniel and Children: Everything You Need to Know
You have children and you’re thinking about adopting a Brittany Spaniel? Or you already have a Brittany Spaniel and a baby is on the way? It’s one of the questions we get asked most often at Élevage de la Vallée d’Anogrune, in Lasne, Brabant Wallon, Belgium.
Here’s what years of daily life between our dogs and our children have taught us.
Is the Brittany Spaniel good with children?
The short answer: yes. It’s one of the gentlest and most patient breeds with children we know.
But the honest answer is more nuanced. Just because a dog is naturally gentle doesn’t mean you can ask anything of it. A successful cohabitation between a Brittany Spaniel and children rests on two pillars: a puppy well socialized from its first weeks, and children who learn to respect their companion.
Socialization from the very first weeks — our approach
At our home, children participate in puppy socialization from the very first weeks of life. This isn’t accidental — it’s a deliberate choice.
A puppy that grows up hearing children’s voices, being gently handled by small hands, living at the rhythm of an active family — that puppy develops a natural tolerance and deep confidence toward humans of all ages.
Concretely, our puppies are exposed from their first weeks to:
- The sounds of family life — shouts, laughter, crying, play
- Gentle handling by children under adult supervision
- The sudden, unpredictable movements typical of young children
- Cuddles, being carried, and varied interactions
This foundational work, done from the start, makes an enormous difference in the adult dog’s character.
What we observe every day
The most beautiful thing we observe between our Brittany Spaniels and our children? The dog becomes the children’s best friend.
This isn’t a marketing phrase. It’s what actually happens. The Brittany Spaniel follows the children everywhere, joins their games, lets itself be dressed up, cuddled, and pulled into all kinds of adventures — with a patience and warmth that still surprises us.
This dog doesn’t seek to dominate. It seeks to belong. And in a family with children, it finds exactly what it needs.
Precautions to take nonetheless
Even with a naturally gentle dog, some basic rules apply.
For children:
- Never disturb a dog that is eating or sleeping
- Don’t pull ears, tail, or fur
- Learn to read the dog’s signals — when it moves away, let it be
- Never leave a very young child alone with a dog, regardless of breed
For the dog:
- Give it its own space where it can retreat when needed
- Don’t force it to interact when it doesn’t want to
- Make sure outings and exercise aren’t neglected because the family is busy
These rules aren’t specific to the Brittany Spaniel — they apply to any cohabitation between children and dogs.
From what age can a Brittany Spaniel live with a baby?
This is a frequent question when a baby arrives in a family that already has a Brittany Spaniel — or the other way around.
Our experience: the Brittany Spaniel adapts remarkably well to the arrival of a baby, provided the transition is prepared. A few practical tips:
- Before the baby arrives, get the dog used to baby smells (wipes, creams, clothing)
- Maintain the dog’s routine as much as possible — walks, meals, playtime
- Introduce the baby calmly, without stress
- Never punish the dog for its curiosity toward the baby — redirect positively
In our home, our dogs have lived with babies from the very start. The result: a relationship of mutual trust that lasts a lifetime.
Brittany Spaniel and children: the verdict
If you’re looking for a patient, gentle, playful family dog that is deeply attached to its humans — including the smallest ones — the Brittany Spaniel is an excellent choice.
The condition: choose a puppy from a breeder where socialization with children has been done seriously from the first weeks. That’s precisely what we do at Élevage de la Vallée d’Anogrune.
Questions about our available puppies or our approach? Contact us.