Best Food for Brittany (2026 Guide)

A breed-specific food guide for Brittany owners — what to look for, what to avoid, and our top picks based on this breed's size, energy and known health profile.

Photo: David Kanigan / Pexels

The Brittany is a medium-sized french gun dog — combines pointer + spaniel ability, with an eager-to-please family temperament. Their nutritional needs reflect their 14–18 kg body weight, 12–14 years lifespan, and the breed-specific health considerations covered below.

Why feeding a Brittany is different

The Brittany is genetically vulnerable to hip + elbow issues. Your single biggest dietary lever to protect those joints is keeping them lean — every extra kilo of body weight increases joint load by 3–4× during walking. Diet matters here far more than supplements.

With an active Brittany, calories go up — a working/sporting-line dog can need 30–50% more daily calories than a sedentary one of the same weight. Adjust for actual exercise, not the breed average.

Below: a specific list of what to look for, what to avoid, plus our daily-calorie estimate for an average Brittany.

What to look for in food for a Brittany

A complete-and-balanced food labelled for dogs that meets FEDIAF or AAFCO nutritional standards.
Named animal protein as the first ingredient (e.g. "chicken", "salmon"), not "meat derivatives" or "animal by-product".
Added glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support — especially important from puppyhood.
A working / sport formula with higher protein (28%+) and fat (15%+) for sustained energy.

What to avoid

Anything containing onion, garlic, raisins, xylitol or chocolate flavouring (common kitchen toxins for pets).

For an exact daily portion based on your dog's weight and activity, use our food portion calculator. To check current weight is healthy, use the body condition score.

Feeding a Brittany: common questions

How much should I feed a Brittany?

A Brittany typically weighs 14–18 kg, but the right daily amount depends on age, exact weight and activity — not the breed average. Start from the feeding guide on your chosen food (or our food portion calculator), weigh the portion rather than eyeballing it, and adjust to keep your dog lean enough that you can easily feel the ribs.

How many meals a day should a Brittany have?

Two meals a day suits an adult Brittany; puppies need three to four smaller meals until around six months, then settle to two.

Do Brittanys need a special diet for their joints?

The biggest dietary lever for a joint-prone breed like the Brittany is keeping them lean — every extra kilo multiplies the load on the hips and elbows. A complete food with added omega-3s (or a fish-oil top-up) supports the joints; ask your vet about glucosamine.