The Brittany is a breed of gun dog bred primarily for bird hunting. Although the Brittany is often referred to as a spaniel, the breed's working characteristics are more akin to a pointer or setter. Brittanys were developed in the Brittany province of France in the 1800s. A Brittany is typically quite athletic, compact, and solidly built without being heavy. Brittanys come in a variety of colours, where an orange and white coat or liver and white are most common in the American Brittany. Originally known as the Brittany Spaniel, the word "spaniel" was dropped in the U.S. some years ago, as the American Brittany Club persuaded the American Kennel Club to discontinue the use of the term "spaniel" for this breed.