The short answer
You can adopt a Brittany in Melbourne, though the breed is uncommon in rescue, so set alerts across the main Victorian rescues and widen your search to spaniel and gundog crosses. Adoption runs about $350 to $700 for an adult and $500 to $900 for a puppy, all-inclusive, against well into the thousands from a breeder, and the breed is not restricted in Victoria. The honest part is the energy: this is a working gundog that needs serious daily exercise and mental work and does not suit a quiet or long-hours-away home. Meet that and a rescue Brittany is an affectionate, biddable and devoted companion.
Why Brittanys reach Melbourne rescue
A Brittany is uncommon in rescue, but Brittanys and Brittany crosses do reach Victorian rescue, almost always for one reason: the energy was underestimated.
A working gundog in the wrong home. People are drawn to the handsome looks and the moderate size and bring one home without understanding that this is a bird dog bred to range and hunt all day. Without serious exercise and mental work the dog becomes restless, anxious and destructive, and a home that cannot keep up surrenders it.
Change of circumstances. A move to a smaller home, a new work roster or a change in the family can leave an active dog without the outlet it needs, and rehoming becomes the kinder option.
Backyard breeding. Where a breed is in demand, some are produced by backyard or commercial breeders without health testing or early socialisation, and rescues take in the surrendered and ex-breeding dogs that, in the right home, become wonderful pets.
Where to adopt a Brittany in Melbourne
Because a Brittany is uncommon in general rescue, a wide alert net is essential, and it pays to search spaniel and gundog crosses too. Set listing alerts on every rescue you would consider. For a fuller directory, see our list of Melbourne rescues and shelters.
1. RSPCA Victoria
The state body runs adoption centres at Burwood East and RSPCA Peninsula at Pearcedale. Gundog types and active crosses come through via owner surrender, and every adoption includes desexing, vaccination, microchipping, a vet workup and a behavioural assessment. Apply at rspcavic.org.
2. The Lost Dogs' Home
Melbourne's long-established metro shelter, based in North Melbourne with a second facility at Cranbourne. It handles a large intake of stray and surrendered dogs, so a Brittany or gundog cross turns up from time to time. Adoption includes desexing, vaccination, microchipping and a vet check. Listings at dogshome.com.
3. Lort Smith
Lort Smith runs an Adoption Centre at Campbellfield with a full vet workup behind every dog. A broad mix of breeds and crosses means a Brittany or gundog type features from time to time. More at lortsmith.com.
4. Save-A-Dog Scheme
A Melbourne-based no-kill rescue running since 1985, with a mix of shelter and foster placements. Because many dogs live in foster homes, the notes on a Brittany's energy level, training and behaviour with people and other animals tend to be detailed and honest, which is exactly what you need before taking on an active gundog. More at saveadog.org.au.
5. Second Chance Animal Rescue
A Victorian foster-based rescue that takes a broad mix of dogs and crosses, including energetic working-breed types that need an active home. Because dogs live in foster, you get a clear picture of the real temperament before you commit, and the application usually includes a home check. Listings at secondchanceanimalrescue.com.au.
Beyond these, Animal Aid at Coldstream and the Australian Animal Protection Society at Keysborough both rehome dogs including gundog and working-breed crosses, and the fastest way to scan many Victorian rescues at once is PetRescue, a national aggregator that lists animals from hundreds of member rescues in one searchable place. Be wary of any group calling itself a Brittany rescue that asks for money before you have confirmed a real address, a current adoptable-dog list and charitable status. Browse the current Brittanys and crosses on the Melbourne Brittany listings.
What a Brittany costs: adopt versus buy
Adoption is far cheaper at the outset. A rescue fee for an adult Brittany through a Melbourne rescue commonly runs about $350 to $700 for an adult, with puppies usually $500 to $900, and that fee already covers desexing, vaccination, microchipping, worm and flea treatment and a vet check.
A Brittany puppy from a breeder in Victoria, by contrast, typically runs well into the thousands, with none of that vet work done yet. So adopting is many times cheaper up front, and the dog arrives already vetted and, if you adopt an adult, with a known temperament.
The ongoing cost is mostly the exercise and enrichment this active gundog depends on, plus routine ear care for a drop-eared breed. Council registration under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 is a modest yearly cost, reduced for a desexed and microchipped dog, and pet insurance taken out while the dog is young is worth having.
Living with a Brittany, and the health picture
The Brittany is affectionate, sensitive and eager to please, which makes it a joy to train with calm, positive methods, and it bonds closely with its people. But it is a working gundog, so it needs serious daily exercise and mental work, and without that it becomes restless, anxious and destructive. Being sensitive, it does not respond well to harsh handling. This is a dog for an active household, not a quiet or long-hours-away home.
On health the breed is generally robust but can be prone to hip problems, some eye conditions, ear infections as a drop-eared breed, and epilepsy in some lines. A rescue Brittany arrives vet-checked, so ask the rescue what the in-care assessment found, keep up the ear care, and insure the dog while it is young.
Brittanys and Victorian breed law
The Brittany is not one of Victoria's restricted breeds, which under the Domestic Animals Act 1994 are the pit bull terrier, dogo argentino, fila brasileiro, japanese tosa and perro de presa canario. A Brittany is legal to own and rehome normally, and simply needs to be microchipped and registered with your local council from three months of age, re-registered each year. Check Agriculture Victoria and your council for registration details.
Browse adoptable Brittanys in Melbourne
A Brittany is uncommon in rescue, so set an alert and widen your search to spaniel and gundog crosses. Browse live Victorian listings now.
See Available Brittanys →If you have been searching “Brittany puppies for sale”
Plenty of people arrive here after searching for a Brittany puppy to buy, and adoption has a real advantage: an adult rescue Brittany lets you see the energy level and temperament you are taking on, where a puppy is a gamble on a high-drive gundog. The for-sale listings are easy to find, but demand drives backyard breeding that skips health testing and early socialisation, along with the occasional scam, so a cheap puppy or a deposit request for a dog you have not met is a warning sign rather than a bargain. In Victoria, any advertisement to sell or give away a dog must display the animal's microchip number and a Pet Exchange Register source number, so check that number on the Pet Exchange Register before you pay, and cross-check anything that feels off against Scamwatch.
Adoption costs a fraction of a breeder price and gives a vet-checked dog a home. If you have the active lifestyle a Brittany needs, register your interest with rescues, search gundog and spaniel crosses too, set alerts, and be patient; the right dog does come up.
Adult or puppy, and is a Brittany right for you?
For almost every adopter an adult is the better choice, because an adult shows you its real energy level, size and how it is with people and other animals, where a puppy is a gamble. An adult also often has some training in place and a lower adoption fee. A vet-checked, foster-assessed adult Brittany, matched to an active home, is the easiest way into the breed.
Be honest about whether this breed fits your life. A Brittany is an affectionate, loyal, biddable dog for an active owner or family who will exercise it hard and keep its mind busy. It does not suit a quiet, low-activity or long-hours-away home. If you can offer the exercise and the commitment, a rescue Brittany is a devoted companion. If not, a lower-energy breed will suit you both far better than adopting and surrendering later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I adopt a Brittany near me in Melbourne?
Start with the live listings on this page, which pull Brittanys and Brittany crosses from shelters and foster-based rescues across Victoria, then widen out. RSPCA Victoria, the Lost Dogs' Home, Lort Smith, Save-A-Dog Scheme and Second Chance Animal Rescue all rehome dogs including gundog types, and PetRescue aggregates many smaller Victorian rescues in one place. A Brittany is uncommon in rescue, so set listing alerts, have your application ready, and be prepared to widen your search to spaniel and gundog crosses.
Why do Brittanys end up in rescue?
Almost always because the energy was underestimated, not because of anything wrong with the dog. The Brittany is an energetic gundog bred to hunt and range all day, so it needs a lot of exercise and ideally a job, and without that it becomes restless, anxious and destructive. When a home that wanted a medium, handsome, easy dog cannot keep up with the exercise, or a change of circumstances makes it impossible, the dog is surrendered. In an active home a Brittany is an affectionate, biddable and tireless companion.
How much does it cost to adopt a Brittany in Melbourne versus buying one?
Adoption is far cheaper at the outset. A rescue fee for an adult Brittany through a Melbourne rescue commonly runs about $350 to $700 for an adult, with puppies usually $500 to $900, and that fee already covers desexing, vaccination, microchipping, worm and flea treatment and a vet check. A Brittany puppy from a breeder, by contrast, typically runs well into the thousands, with none of that vet work done yet. The ongoing cost to budget for is mostly the exercise and enrichment this active gundog depends on, plus routine ear care for a drop-eared breed.
Are Brittanys a restricted breed in Victoria?
No. The Brittany is not one of Victoria's restricted breeds, which are the pit bull terrier, dogo argentino, fila brasileiro, japanese tosa and perro de presa canario. A Brittany is legal to own and rehome normally and simply needs to be microchipped and registered with your local council from three months of age. A rescue Brittany arrives already desexed and microchipped.
Is a Brittany a good first dog?
It can be, for an active household. The Brittany is affectionate, sensitive and eager to please, which makes it trainable, but it is a working gundog with a lot of energy, so it needs committed daily exercise and mental work and does not suit a quiet, low-activity or long-hours-away home. For an energetic owner or family who will keep it busy, it is a wonderful, loyal dog. If you cannot commit to the exercise, a lower-energy breed will suit you both better.
Are Brittanys good with children and other pets?
Usually yes, with the right upbringing. A well-socialised Brittany is typically friendly, gentle and sociable, and it often does well with children and other dogs. Being a sensitive breed it does best with calm, positive handling rather than harsh correction. As a bird dog it can have a strong interest in small fleeing animals, so introductions to cats and small pets should be careful. A foster carer who has lived with the individual dog can tell you exactly how it is with children, other dogs and cats.
Should I adopt an adult Brittany or a puppy?
For most adopters an adult is the better choice, because an adult shows you its real energy level, size and how it is with people and other animals, where a puppy is a gamble. An adult also often has some training in place and a lower adoption fee, and its exercise needs, while still high, are more predictable. A vet-checked, foster-assessed adult Brittany, matched to an active home, is the easiest way into the breed.
Are there free Brittanys in Melbourne, or ones under $500?
Be careful with free or very cheap Brittanys. A legitimate rescue charges an adoption fee, commonly $350 to $700 for an adult and $500 to $900 for a puppy, so the lower end lands under the $500 people search for, because that fee part-covers the desexing, vaccination, microchipping and vet check the dog has already had. A Brittany advertised free to a good home, or well under a rescue fee, is one of the classic scam and backyard-breeding setups, so treat a bargain as a warning sign and check any seller against the Victorian rules below before paying anything.
I keep seeing Brittany puppies for sale. Is adopting really an option?
It is, and adoption has a real advantage, because an adult rescue Brittany lets you see the energy level and temperament you are taking on, where a puppy is a gamble on a high-drive gundog. The for-sale listings are easy to find, but demand drives backyard breeding that skips health testing and early socialisation, and the occasional scam, so a cheap puppy or a deposit request for a dog you have not met is a warning sign rather than a bargain. In Victoria, any advertisement to sell or give away a dog must display the microchip number and a Pet Exchange Register source number, so check that number on the Pet Exchange Register before paying anything. Adoption costs a fraction of a breeder price and gives a vet-checked dog a home.
Keep reading
Adoptable Brittanys in Melbourne
Live listings with foster carer notes on energy level and training.
Best Dog Rescues in Melbourne
The verified shelters and foster rescues to set alerts with across Victoria.
Registering a Dog in Melbourne
Council registration, microchipping and the Victorian rules for a new dog.
Melbourne Adoption Resources
Guides on adopting, costs, council rules and settling a rescue dog in Melbourne.