I have only GSPs but have friends who are devoted to Brits. I think the Brittany is a more intelligent dog (overall) than the GSP. They certainly are more compact and easier on children (because they can't bowl them over so easily), safer to ride with in a car (an unrestrained GSP can be pretty disruptive if it spots some partridge by the side of the road). I don't know about the coat, but haven't heard any of my friends complain about the upkeep where I live, and it is a lot easier to clean up Brittany hair than GSP "quills" in cloth seat coverings. The downside of the Britts? Not as versatile as the GSPs, not as powerful for rough going, none of the style - we joke about trying to decide if a Brit is on point or not. I am not sure if the two breeds would complement each other in your household. I have always opted for German Shorthairs, and very few I know mix the two breeds - they are either GSP or Brittany people. Don't know why that is the case, but each teases the other endlessly about the shortcomings of their chosen breed.