Switching to spot-on flea treatment for Brittany Spaniel

Switching from a six-month collar to a monthly spot-on is a common move, and for an active breed like a Brittany Spaniel it often makes more sense — collars can shift around on dogs that spend a lot of time in water or dense cover, which is exactly where Brittanys tend to go. The most effective spot-on depends on your dog's weight, where you're walking, and how heavy the tick pressure is in your area. What does your Brittany weigh, and are you in a rural or semi-rural area with regular woodland or field access?

That's a clear sign the collar isn't cutting it — finding ticks means the active ingredient isn't dispersing evenly enough across her coat, which is a known limitation with longer-duration collars on dogs that swim or get wet regularly. At 18kg and with serious tick exposure, you want a spot-on that covers both fleas and ticks reliably. Can I ask — has she had any skin sensitivity issues in the past, and are you currently treating for anything else like lungworm?

Perfect — that makes it straightforward. My recommendation is Frontline Plus for dogs in the 10–20kg range. It combines fipronil and S-methoprene, which kills adult fleas, flea eggs and larvae, and ticks. It's well established, widely available, and suits active dogs like yours — it stays effective after bathing and swimming, which matters given how Brittanys work in the field. Apply it to the skin at the back of the neck once a month, and you won't have the coverage gaps you're getting with the collar. Given you're already sorted for lungworm, this covers everything else you need.

You're right that fipronil resistance in ticks has been reported in some parts of Europe, though it's less established as a widespread issue in the UK. If you find ticks are still getting through after a month or two on Frontline Plus, the next step would be a prescription spot-on like Bravecto or Credelio — both use different active ingredients and are notably more effective against ticks. Those need a vet prescription, but your vet can issue one at a routine appointment. Start with Frontline Plus given it's accessible and proven for most UK tick exposure — if Shropshire ticks prove persistent, escalate from there.

Good plan. One practical tip — after woodland walks, run your hands along her legs, chest and around her ears and collar line before the treatment has a chance to work. Frontline Plus kills ticks but it can take up to 48 hours, so removing any you spot manually in the meantime reduces the transmission risk. A tick twister hook is worth keeping in your walking kit. Hope she stays tick-free.