Table of Contents
Brittany is a very unique breed.
A medium-sized hunting dog, they thrive in the field, retrieving birds.
They were once only known among hunters but are now gaining popularity as pets.
Whether yours is a working dog or a house pet, it's important to feed the best dog food for Brittany and fit the brand into your dog's nutritional profile.
The Brittany is neither a spaniel nor a pointer but somewhere in between.
They stand about 20 inches at the shoulder and weigh 30-40 pounds. Brittanys are very high energy and need a job to do.
A Brittany's hair is medium length, silky, and sheds seasonally. They are high maintenance in activity, making them a good fit for hunters and active families with older children.
Enthusiasts are able to enjoy their Brittany companion for an average of 12-14 years.
As mentioned, their high energy level makes them a bit tricky to feed.
As a licensed veterinarian, I see Brittany parents all the time.
Below, I will review seven of the best Brittany dog food brands I typically recommend for this breed based on the dog's age, health condition, and activity level.
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Purina Pro Plan High Calorie, High Protein Dry Dog... | 4,055 Reviews | Check Price |
|
Hill's Science Diet Small Paws Chicken Meal,... | 6,295 Reviews | Check Price |
|
Purina Pro Plan Senior Dog Food With Probiotics... | 4,281 Reviews | Check Price |
|
Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets... | 5,187 Reviews | Check Price |
|
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NC NeuroCare... | 75 Reviews | Check Price |
The Best Dog Food for Brittany Puppies
Before switching your dog to any new diet, always consult with a veterinarian. Remember that no article on the internet, including this one, can replace a consultation with a vet.
Brittany puppies have a LOT of energy, and they need consistent, top-notch nutrition to fuel their fire.
They can seem like bottomless pits but don’t be tempted to give them a second helping.
Hill’s Ideal Balance Puppy Chicken and Rice
Brittanys are naturally lean, muscular dogs and extra weight won’t do them any favors as they grow.
My recommendation as the best dog food for Brittanys in the puppy stage is Hill’s Ideal Balance Puppy Chicken and Rice.
Hill’s Science Diet is a leader in evidence-based nutrition for pets, and their latest ‘naturals’ line does not disappoint.
Brittany puppies will eat a lot, which can dent your pocketbook when feeding premium brands.
Ideal Balance provides premium nutrition for a good value. It stands out as one of the best dog food for Brittanys not only because of Hills' reputation but because of its ingredients: real chicken for quality protein, pearled barley for good glycemic control, flaxseed, and fish oil to support healthy brain development…and the list goes on.
The Best Dog Food for Adult Brittanys
While the Brittany is not a Setter, one of my selections for the best dog food for Brittanys is a Setter-specific food.
Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition Setter Adult
Royal Canin has done a lot to develop nutrition tailored to certain breeds.
Brittanys and Setters are similar enough that this food will be an excellent choice for your dog. Why?
These breeds have very similar facial structures, which benefits from Royal Canin’s specific kibble design for the Setter.
They both have high energy requirements for active lifestyles. Royal Canin’s reputation for quality ingredients and good taste does not disappoint.
Setters are a little larger than Brittany’s, so be sure to stick to the lower range on the feeding recommendations.
Kinetic Dog Food
Brittany dogs are natural athletes. They can run for miles or excel in short sprints to flush out or retrieve a bird.
It is important to keep the type of activity in mind when selecting the best dog food for Brittanys.
If your Brittany is running long distances, opt for food with higher protein levels, as dogs start to burn protein as fuel after about 30 minutes of prolonged exercise.
Kinetic Dog Food is a great option for Brittanys in this category.
Kinetic has a range of high-protein and high-carbohydrate foods to fit your dog’s needs.
Lower protein levels (26%) are more appropriate for agility dogs, while higher protein (up to 32%) is best for dogs running longer distances.
All of their products are extremely energy-dense, which means you feed less volume and contribute to better stool management.
Purina Pro Plan’s Sport
If Kinetic is not available or out of your price range, consider Purina Pro Plan’s Sport line.
It has a very similar range of performance dog foods and is backed by Purina’s commitment to quality and evidence-based nutrition.
The Best Dog Food for Senior Brittany
If your senior Brittany is still active and going strong, it is important to fuel them with aging changes in mind.
Dogs that have been athletic in their lifetime are more likely to suffer from Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) and painful arthritis.
With proper medical care and the best dog food for Brittanys, these dogs can keep working in the field into their teens.
Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Large Breed 7+
The Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Large Breed 7+ provides excellent nutrition at an affordable price. They have a tasty, easily digested formula that is perfect for active senior Brittany’s.
It still has a moderate amount of protein (28%) with brain-boosting antioxidants and DHA omega fatty acids.
Purina’s flat kibble design is easy for older dogs to pick up, chew and digest.
Cosequin ASU Sport for Dogs is not one of the best dog foods for Brittanys, but it's a great supplement for this breed in their senior years.
Senior Brittanys may need a little stronger nutritional support when it comes to joint health.
For decades, the maker of Cosequin has provided dogs, cats, and horses with quality chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine products.
Their latest targets sporting dogs, specifically benefiting their paws and joints.
Biotin, a building block of healthy hair, skin, and paw pads, is included, as well as a special herb — Boswellia.
Boswellia serrata is a unique herb hailing from India that can ease the pain caused by osteoarthritis.
The Best Brittany Dog Food for Health Issues
The Brittany is a very healthy breed — having relatively few breed-associated medical problems.
The most common issues that can occur include hypothyroidism and epilepsy.
It's even more important to find the best dog food for Brittanys if they are suffering from one of these conditions.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism has been noted in the Brittany breed for many decades.
They tend to suffer from primary hypothyroidism, which means that the thyroid tissue does not secrete enough thyroid hormone into the body.
Dogs that suffer from this condition often have dull, brittle hair coats, weight gain, pattern hair loss around their midsection, joint issues, and exercise intolerance.
While hypothyroidism can be successfully treated with thyroid hormone supplementation, their skin issues often need a boost from enhanced nutrition.
Natural Balance L.I.D. Sweet Potato and Fish is a great choice for Brittanys with this condition.
Feeding your dog a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, like this one from Natural Balance, can help prevent skin infections and seborrhea that are common in dogs with hypothyroidism.
While skin and hair changes may not happen overnight, they can happen a little bit faster with improved nutrition.
Epilepsy
Brittany Spaniels also tend to be over-represented when it comes to epilepsy.
The most common kind seen in Brittanys is inherited idiopathic epilepsy. This basically means that the dog has seizures, and there is no clear cause as to why it happens.
Secondary epilepsy caused by a primary problem like a brain tumor is much less likely in Brittany dogs. The most common time for a Brittany to develop epilepsy is between 6 months and 6 years of age.
Seizures happen in the brain when electrical impulses between neurons aren’t happening correctly.
If Brittany or his relatives have seizures, it is a good idea to support their brain health as much as possible.
In this case, I recommend Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NeuroCare as the best dog food for Brittanys.
A research team from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in London showed that a diet in medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) can help control seizures.
The RVC test diet with MCT oils (the Purina formula) is the first dog food to improve epilepsy in dogs clinically.
This is very exciting in the veterinary world, so be sure to seek out your veterinarian for a prescription.
READ NEXT: 10 Vet-Recommended Dog Food Brands That Are Inexpensive
Disclosure: We may earn affiliate commissions at no cost to you from the links on this page. This did not affect our assessment of products. Read more here and find full disclosure here.
Want to share this?
