French peasants developed the Brittany to steal game from their landlord's property! The Brittany would point out the game and then drop down to the ground while their owners would throw a net to capture the game.

There is "photographic" evidence of Brittanys going as far back as paintings and tapestries from the 17th century. They were seen as a status symbol among French royalty and aristocrats.

By the early 1900s, the Brittany was almost extinct. Breeder Arthur Enaud revitalized the breed.