German Pointer Vs. Brittany: What’s The Difference?

German Pointers and Brittanys are amazing sporting dogs, ideal for active owners and especially for practicing hunters. As bird dogs, German Pointers and Brittanys are undoubtedly high maintenance, but their differences beyond this introduce other home and ownership requirements.

German Pointers shed more than Brittanys. German Pointers are more intense and stubborn than a Brittany. Brittanys are better with strangers, children, other dogs, and cats than German Pointers. German Pointers and Brittanys are well-matched in energy, exercise requirements, and living requirements.

There are three different German Pointer types: German Longhaired Pointer, German Shorthaired Pointer, and German Wirehaired Pointer. They share some similarities but are different enough to be classified as separate breeds. This article will compare each of these German Pointers to the Brittany.

Please note that the below details are the breed standards and most commonly seen behaviors and characteristics. However, there are individual differences. Temperament particularly is influenced by other factors, such as personality, age, quality of breeding, socialization, training, history, and living environment.

German LONGHAIRED Pointer Vs. Brittany

Classification, Lifespan, And Appearance

	GERMAN LONGHAIRED POINTER	BRITTANY
AKC Classification	Foundation Stock Service	Sporting Group
Alternative Classification	Bird Dog – Pointer	Bird dog – Versatile
Lifespan	12-14 years	12-14 Years
Height	22-28 inches	17.5-20.5 inches
Weight	55-80 lbs	30-40 lbs
Coat Length	Medium to long	Medium
Coat Characteristics	Sleek with undercoat	Not wiry or silky
Feathering	Moderate; on ears, back of all legs, and tail	Moderate; on legs
Hypoallergenic Coat	No	No
Ears	Hang down; medium to long; feathered	Hang down; short to medium; hair but not feathered

Summary:

German Longhaired Pointers are pointing bird dogs, bred to locate game and use their bodies to indicate this position to their human hunting companions without disturbing the game. They do retrieve as well, but more as a convenience to the hunter. The Brittany used to be classified as a Spaniel (flushing bird dog), but their versatility and ability to point and retrieve as well led the AKC to drop the ‘Spaniel’.

German Longhaired Pointers are taller and approximately double the weight of the Brittany. Brittanys do not have an undercoat like the German Longhaired Pointers and are less feathered.

Grooming Requirements

	GERMAN LONGHAIRED POINTER	BRITTANY
Maintenance Intensity	Moderate	Low to moderate
Brushing	Weekly	2-3 times a week
Bathing	Occasional	As needed
Shedding	Infrequent	Seasonal
Ears	Checked daily; cleaned weekly; brushed 2-3 time a week	Checked daily; cleaned weekly; brushed 2-3 time a week

Summary:

German Longhaired Pointers are infrequent shedders, whereas Brittanys go through seasonal shedding, during which time their brushing requirements will be at their highest.

Temperament

	GERMAN LONGHAIRED POINTER	BRITTANY
General Temperament (AKC)	Versatile; calm; family-oriented	Bright; fun-loving; upbeat
Affectionate (to family)	Yes; often prefers one person	Yes
Independence	Low	Low to moderate
Intensity	Moderate	Moderate
Sensitivity	Moderate	High
Stubborn	Unlikely	Unlikely
Aggression Level	Low	Low
Timid	Unlikely	Unlikely
Energy Level	High	High
Attention Requirements	High	High
One-Person Dog	Likely	Possible
General Friendliness	High	High
Child Friendliness	High	High
Stranger Friendliness	Friendly	Friendly
Dog Friendliness	Moderate to high	High
Cat Friendliness	Low	Moderate (when raised with them)
Protectiveness	Low to moderate	Low to moderate
Prey Drive	High	High
Barking Potential	Moderate	Moderate to high

Summary:

Brittanys are less likely to be one-person dogs than German Longhaired Pointers, although both breeds are still appropriate for multi-person homes. In fact, multi-person homes may be more ideal as there are more people to help meet these breeds’ high exercise requirements. German Longhaired Pointers are less sensitive than Brittanys and less prone to nuisance barking.

Brittanys are better with other dogs and cats than German Longhaired Pointers, but they do need to be raised with cats and their prey drive is still high.

Exercise And Training Requirements

	GERMAN LONGHAIRED POINTER	BRITTANY
Socialization	Required	Required
Intelligence Level	High	High
Endurance	High	High
Eager to Please	High	High
Exercise Needs	High	High
Exercise Frequency	2-3 times a day	2-3 times a day
Exercise Duration	30-60 minutes per session	30-60 minutes per session
Exercise Intensity	Moderate to high	High
Owner Requirements	Active	Active
Exercise Companion	Good	Excellent
Training Methods	Positive preferred	Positive preferred
Mandatory Training	Obedience	Obedience
Canine Sport Training	Eligible	Eligible
Affinity for Water	High	High

Summary:

German Longhaired Pointers and Brittanys are very evenly matched when it comes to exercise and training requirements.

Adaptability And Living Environment

	GERMAN LONGHAIRED POINTER	BRITTANY
Good for First-Time Owners	Possibly	No
Good for Single-Person Homes	Yes	Yes (if person can meet their exercise requirements)
Good for Multi-Person Homes	Yes	Yes
Alone Time	Intolerant	Tolerate short amounts of alone time
Indoor Living	Should be allowed indoors with family; not suitable for apartment living	Should be allowed indoors with family; not suitable for apartment living
Outdoor Requirements	Should have access to a secure yard; should be taken outside each day	Should have access to a secure yard; should be taken outside each day
Toleration of Cold Weather	Moderate	Moderate to high
Toleration of Hot Weather	Low to moderate	Moderate

Summary:

German Longhaired Pointers would be more appropriate for a certain kind of novice owner than a Brittany. German Longhaired Pointers are less tolerant of alone time than Brittanys. However, you should not leave a Brittany alone for long periods as they can become distressed and destructive.

German SHORTHAIRED Pointer Vs. Brittany

Classification, Lifespan, And Appearance

	GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER	BRITTANY
AKC Classification	Sporting Group	Sporting Group
Alternative Classification	Bird Dog – Pointer	Bird dog – Versatile
Lifespan	10-12 years	12-14 Years
Height	21-25 inches	17.5-20.5 inches
Weight	45-70 lbs	30-40 lbs
Coat Length	Very short	Medium
Coat Characteristics	Thick and coarse on body; thinner and softer on head and ears	Not wiry or silky
Feathering	None	Moderate; on legs
Hypoallergenic Coat	No	No
Ears	Hang down; medium to long; un-feathered	Hang down; short to medium; hair but not feathered

Summary:

German Shorthaired Pointers are pointing bird dogs. Brittanys are versatile and able to point, flush, and retrieve.

German Shorthaired Pointers are larger than the Brittany, and they have thicker, coarser, and shorter coats than Brittanys. Brittanys have more feathering than German Shorthaired Pointers.

Grooming Requirements

	GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER	BRITTANY
Maintenance Intensity	Moderate	Low to moderate
Brushing	Occasional	2-3 times a week
Bathing	Occasional	As needed
Shedding	Regular	Seasonal
Ears	Checked and cleaned weekly	Checked daily; cleaned weekly; brushed 2-3 time a week

Summary:

German Shorthaired Pointers require less regular brushing but are more likely to shed than Brittanys. A Brittany’s ears require more attention than the German Shorthaired Pointer’s.

Temperament

	GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER	BRITTANY
General Temperament (AKC)	Friendly; smart; willing to please	Bright; fun-loving; upbeat
Affectionate (to family)	Yes; often prefers one person	Yes
Independence	Moderate	Low to moderate
Intensity	Moderate to high	Moderate
Sensitivity	Moderate to high	High
Stubborn	Possible	Unlikely
Aggression Level	Low	Low
Timid	No	Unlikely
Energy Level	High	High
Attention Requirements	High	High
One-Person Dog	Likely	Possible
General Friendliness	Moderate	High
Child Friendliness	Moderate to high; better with older children	High
Stranger Friendliness	Reserved to friendly	Friendly
Dog Friendliness	Low	High
Cat Friendliness	Low	Moderate (when raised with them)
Protectiveness	Moderate to high	Low to moderate
Prey Drive	High	High
Barking Potential	Moderate	Moderate to high

Summary:

Brittanys are less likely to be one-person dogs than German Shorthaired Pointers, although both breeds are still appropriate for multi-person homes. In fact, multi-person homes may be more ideal as there are more people to help meet these breeds’ high exercise requirements.

German Shorthaired Pointers are more intense but less sensitive than Brittanys.

German Shorthaired Pointers have a higher likelihood of being stubborn than Brittanys, but they are less prone to nuisance barking.

Brittanys are generally more friendly than German Shorthaired Pointers and are better with strangers, children, other dogs, and cats (if raised with them).

Exercise And Training Requirements

	GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER	BRITTANY
Socialization	Required	Required
Intelligence Level	High	High
Endurance	High	High
Eager to Please	High	High
Exercise Needs	High	High
Exercise Frequency	2-3 times a day	2-3 times a day
Exercise Duration	30-60 minutes per session	30-60 minutes per session
Exercise Intensity	Moderate to high	High
Owner Requirements	Active	Active
Exercise Companion	Excellent	Excellent
Training Methods	Positive yields best results; shorter duration is better	Positive preferred
Mandatory Training	Obedience	Obedience
Canine Sport Training	Encouraged	Eligible
Affinity for Water	Moderate to high	High

Summary:

German Shorthaired Pointers and Brittanys are very evenly matched when it comes to exercise and training requirements, although the German Shorthaired Pointer requires more task-based exercise. The Brittany does well with tasks but can also be satisfied with park and yard play.

Adaptability And Living Environment

	GERMAN SHORTHAIRED POINTER	BRITTANY
Good for First-Time Owners	No	No
Good for Single-Person Homes	Yes (if person can meet their exercise requirements)	Yes (if person can meet their exercise requirements)
Good for Multi-Person Homes	Yes	Yes
Alone Time	Intolerant	Tolerate short amounts of alone time
Indoor Living	Should be allowed indoors with family; not suitable for apartment living	Should be allowed indoors with family; not suitable for apartment living
Outdoor Requirements	Should have access to a secure yard; should be taken outside each day	Should have access to a secure yard; should be taken outside each day
Toleration of Cold Weather	Low	Moderate to high
Toleration of Hot Weather	Moderate to high	Moderate

Summary:

With their short coats, German Shorthaired Pointers are less tolerant of the cold but more tolerant of heat than the Brittany. German Shorthaired Pointers are less tolerant of alone time than Brittanys. However, you should not leave a Brittany alone for long periods as they can become distressed and destructive.

German WIREHAIRED Pointer Vs. Brittany

Classification, Lifespan, And Appearance

	GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER	BRITTANY
AKC Classification	Sporting Group	Sporting Group
Alternative Classification	Bird Dog – Pointer	Bird dog – Versatile
Lifespan	14-16 years	12-14 Years
Height	22-26 inches	17.5-20.5 inches
Weight	50-70 lbs	30-40 lbs
Coat Length	Short (longer on belly)	Medium
Coat Characteristics	Straight, harsh, and wiry; undercoat is dense in winter and thin in summer	Not wiry or silky
Feathering	Little to none	Moderate; on legs
Hypoallergenic Coat	No	No
Ears	Hang down; short to medium; un-feathered	Hang down; short to medium; hair but not feathered

Summary:

German Wirehaired Pointers are pointing bird dogs. Brittanys are versatile and able to point, flush, and retrieve.

German Wirehaired Pointers are bigger than Brittanys and have wirier coats with an undercoat. Brittanys have no undercoat but have more feathering than German Wirehaired Pointers.

Grooming Requirements

	GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER	BRITTANY
Maintenance Intensity	Low	Low to moderate
Brushing	Weekly	2-3 times a week
Bathing	Occasional	As needed
Shedding	Regular	Seasonal
Ears	Checked and cleaned weekly	Checked daily; cleaned weekly; brushed 2-3 time a week

Summary:

German Wirehaired Pointers require less regular brushing but are more likely to shed than Brittanys. A Brittany’s ears require more attention than the German Wirehaired Pointer’s.

Temperament

	GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER	BRITTANY
General Temperament (AKC)	Affectionate; eager; enthusiastic	Bright; fun-loving; upbeat
Affectionate (to family)	Yes; often prefers one person	Yes
Independence	Moderate	Low to moderate
Intensity	Moderate to high	Moderate
Sensitivity	Moderate to high	High
Stubborn	Possible	Unlikely
Aggression Level	Moderate (dog aggression)	Low
Timid	No	Unlikely
Energy Level	High	High
Attention Requirements	High	High
One-Person Dog	Likely	Possible
General Friendliness	High	High
Child Friendliness	High (can be too boisterous)	High
Stranger Friendliness	Reserved	Moderate to high
Dog Friendliness	Low	High
Cat Friendliness	Low	Moderate (when raised with them)
Protectiveness	High	Low to moderate
Prey Drive	High	High
Barking Potential	Moderate	Moderate to high

Summary:

German Wirehaired Pointers are more intense but less independent and sensitive than Brittanys.

German Wirehaired Pointers are more likely to be stubborn and aggressive (mostly limited to dog-dog aggression) than Brittanys, but they are less prone to nuisance barking.

Brittanys are less likely to be one-person dogs than German Wirehaired Pointers, although both breeds are still appropriate for multi-person homes. In fact, multi-person homes may be more ideal as there are more people to help meet these breeds’ high exercise requirements.

Brittanys are friendlier overall and more appropriate for children and multi-pet homes than German Wirehaired Pointers, but you cannot say that German Wirehaired Pointers are unfriendly.

Exercise And Training Requirements

	GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER	BRITTANY
Socialization	Required	Required
Intelligence Level	High	High
Endurance	High	High
Eager to Please	High	High
Exercise Needs	High	High
Exercise Frequency	2-3 times a day	2-3 times a day
Exercise Duration	30-60 minutes per session	30-60 minutes per session
Exercise Intensity	High	High
Owner Requirements	Active	Active
Exercise Companion	Excellent	Excellent
Training Methods	Positive preferred	Positive preferred
Mandatory Training	Obedience	Obedience
Canine Sport Training	Encouraged	Eligible
Affinity for Water	High	High

Summary:

German Wirehaired Pointers and Brittanys are very evenly matched when it comes to exercise and training requirements, although the German Wirehaired Pointer requires more task-based exercise. The Brittany does well with tasks but can also be satisfied with park and yard play.

Adaptability And Living Environment

	GERMAN WIREHAIRED POINTER	BRITTANY
Good for First-Time Owners	No	No
Good for Single-Person Homes	Yes	Yes (if person can meet their exercise requirements)
Good for Multi-Person Homes	Yes	Yes
Alone Time	Intolerant of extended periods of isolation	Tolerate short amounts of alone time
Indoor Living	Should be allowed indoors with family; not suitable for apartment living	Should be allowed indoors with family; not suitable for apartment living
Outdoor Requirements	Should have access to a secure yard; should be taken outside each day	Should have access to a secure yard; should be taken outside each day
Toleration of Cold Weather	Moderate to high	Moderate to high
Toleration of Hot Weather	Moderate to high	Moderate

Summary:

German Wirehaired Pointers and Brittanys are well-matched in terms of required living conditions and adaptability.

Conclusion

There are three different breeds of German Pointer. Brittanys are more friendly with strangers, children, other dogs, and cats than any of the German Pointer breeds.

German Pointers are more stubborn and intense than Brittanys. German Pointers can also be more aggressive than the Brittany, although they are not aggressive dogs overall.

German Pointers and Brittanys are well-matched in terms of their energy levels, how much exercise they require, their required living environment, and their adaptability.

All of these breeds are not appropriate for novice owners. They require dedicated and extremely active owners who can and will invest lots of time and effort into training and exercising their dogs.