Jeff Amberton, age 11, of Billings, Mt., for his question:

IS THE BRITTANY SPANIEL AN OLD BREED?   

The Brittany spaniel is one of the oldest known breeds of spaniel. Historians believe that this breed of dog originated in Brittany in the 5th century. As known today, the Brittany spaniel was developed from a variety breed in France at the beginning of the 20th century. The dog has a rounded skull, tapered muzzle, short ears, brown eyes, a flat or wavy coat that is either dark orange and white or liver and white in color, a tail only about four inches long or frequently no tail at all, and straight front legs.

The Brittany spaniel weighs from 30 to 40 pounds. It is from 17 to 21 inches high and has a body about the same length as its height.

The handsome dog was first brought to the United States in 1931. The breed has been used as a sporting dog, especially in pointing and retrieving small game and birds.