The smaller long-haired variety, which was taught to drop as it neared its quarry, was called the 'dog of Spain' or just 'Spaniel'. The Brittany or Brittany Spaniel as it is know in all parts of the world save the United States is derived from early land Spaniels and setters and is generally believed to have been developed in the Bretagne region of France hence the name Brittany. It appears that there is irrefutable evidence that as early as 1850, local French sportsmen were crossing their spaniels with English Setters. One should note that the English Setter referred to here is probably not the dog that we know today. It appears that about 1910, M. Le Comte Le Conteux de Canteleu, in drawing up his chart of the French breeds mentions as one of them Chien de Bretagne, the dog of Brittany.
Much speculation exists at to which spaniel and which setter form the basis for the breed.
Since at the time litter mates could be called by different names, i.e., one could be called a cocker, a couple could be call Welsh Springers and the rest English Springers, it is probably a mute point. The fact is that the French did breed their spaniels to some of the dogs brought over by the English sportsmen. Some of the dogs brought over by the English were spaniels and some setters. The setter being bred to the spaniel to enhance the nose of the spaniel and his staunchness, thereby making him a more useful dog in the field. The short tail was preferred as it was less likely to get torn up by the heavy cover of the region.