Breed comparison
Brittany Spaniel or English Setter: Which breed should you choose?
Brittany Spaniel and English Setter are two dog breeds often compared by prospective owners. Here’s a point-by-point comparison to help you decide: size, temperament, purchase price, monthly budget, and compatibility with your lifestyle.
Key takeaways
- English Setter is larger: 25–30 kg compared with 13–18 kg for Brittany Spaniel.
- Both breeds fall within the same purchase price range: €1,000 – €1,500.
- Brittany Spaniel costs less day to day: about €119 per month compared with €170 for English Setter.
- English Setter needs less daily activity (4/5 compared with 5/5 for Brittany Spaniel).
- Brittany Spaniel scores higher for “Families and children”: 5/5 compared with 4/5 for English Setter.
- For “Apartment living,” both breeds are tied (1/5).
- For “First-time owners,” both breeds are tied (3/5).
- Both breeds have a similar life expectancy: 12–14 years.
Our verdict
Choose Brittany Spaniel if you’re looking for…
- Active families: He thrives with present households who enjoy going out and sharing activities.
- Nature lovers: Long walks, hikes and scent activities suit his temperament well.
- Hunters or sporting handlers: His pointing dog profile and his endurance remain major assets.
Choose English Setter if you’re looking for…
- Active families: He integrates well into a present and dynamic household that enjoys regular outings.
- Nature lovers: Wide open spaces and varied walks perfectly match his temperament.
- Hunters or canine sports enthusiasts: His natural qualities of endurance and nose are valuable in field activities.
Detailed comparison
| General information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Origin | France | United Kingdom |
| FCI group | 7 | 7 |
| Build | Medium | Large |
| Height at the withers | 46–51 cm | 61–68 cm |
| Weight | 13–18 kg | 25–30 kg |
| Coat | Short, fine, slightly wavy | Long, slightly wavy |
| Life expectancy | 12–14 years | 10–14 years |
| Average price | €1,000 – €1,500 | €1,000 – €1,500 |
| Monthly budget | ≈ €119 | ≈ €170 |
| Compatibility | ||
| Families and children | Excellent | Very good |
| Daily exercise needs | Very high | High |
| Apartment living | Limited | Limited |
| First-time owners | Good | Good |
| Other pets | Very good | Very good |
| Tolerance of being alone | Limited | Fair |
| Guarding instinct | Fair | Limited |
| Strengths and weaknesses | ||
|
|
Other popular dog comparisons
- Australian Shepherd vs. Border Collie
- Golden Retriever vs. Labrador Retriever
- Cavalier King Charles vs. King Charles Spaniel
- German Shepherd Dog vs. Belgian Malinois
- French Bulldog vs. English Bulldog
- Siberian Husky vs. Alaskan Malamute
- Akita Inu vs. Shiba Inu
- Cane Corso vs. Dogo Argentino
- Beagle vs. Jack Russell Terrier
- Chihuahua vs. Yorkshire Terrier
- Maltese vs. Shih Tzu
- English Cocker Spaniel vs. Brittany Spaniel
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs. American Staffordshire Terrier
- Australian Shepherd vs. German Shepherd Dog
- Golden Retriever vs. Australian Shepherd
- Labrador Retriever vs. German Shepherd Dog
- Rottweiler vs. Dobermann
- Boxer vs. Dogue de Bordeaux
- Bernese Mountain Dog vs. Newfoundland
- Saint Bernard vs. Leonberger
- Poodle vs. Bichon Frise
- Pug vs. French Bulldog
- Dachshund vs. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Border Collie vs. Belgian Malinois
- White Swiss Shepherd Dog vs. German Shepherd Dog
- Samoyed vs. Siberian Husky
- German Spitz vs. Chihuahua
- Labradoodle vs. Goldendoodle
- Cavapoo vs. Maltipoo
- Akita Inu vs. American Akita
- Shetland Sheepdog vs. Rough Collie
- Whippet vs. Greyhound
- English Setter vs. Irish Red Setter
- Bull Terrier vs. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- West Highland White Terrier vs. Cairn Terrier
- Great Dane vs. Cane Corso
- Cane Corso vs. Rottweiler
- Beauceron vs. Belgian Malinois
- Jack Russell Terrier vs. Parson Russell Terrier
- Shar-Pei vs. Chow Chow
- Dalmatian vs. Weimaraner



