Varieties of spaniels with photos and descriptions

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Everyone has heard about the spaniel dog. But at the same time, someone remembers the Russian eared man who drags ducks from the swamp. Others immediately represent an intelligent Cocker Spaniel, a true English lord. However, the list does not end there. Today we will look at the varieties of spaniels, how they differ from each other. Good-natured and playful, these creatures win hearts at first sight. They live very well in a city apartment. Of course, subject to regular walks. So, let's start to get acquainted with the varieties of spaniels.

History of the breed

Today they can rightfully be considered the most devoted, intelligent, brave and beautiful animals on earth. Graceful, graceful and small, they are perfectly adapted to life next to a person. Their history begins in antiquity, when all breeds were divided into 4 groups:

• big game hounds;
• hounds raising game on the wing;
• watchdog;
• dwarf.

The second group, which includes waterfowl, includes the ancestors of spaniels, butthere is very little information about them. Only from the end of the 19th century did data appear on the format of dogs, the features of which have survived to this day.

English Cocker Spaniel

Let's start with these adorable sun creatures, favorites of children. Their ancestors are Spanish dogs, which were brought to England in the 14th century and used to hunt birds. However, the breeders were not satisfied with the external data of these animals, and they set to work to reduce growth. The dog was supposed to be small, active and hardy.

It's hard not to pay attention to them when considering hunting varieties. The Cocker Spaniel is considered the model of domestic dogs, despite its past. This is a strong, active and lively creature that has a keen sense of smell. An excellent fetcher, the Cocker has a cheerful character. Independent and independent, they are nevertheless very affectionate towards their owners. They get along well in small apartments. Luxurious wavy coat is a real decoration of the dog. It requires regular combing, but is hypoallergenic, this distinguishes all varieties. The Cocker Spaniel, whose photo we provide for review, is most often red or coffee, less often black. Very graceful creatures, with an elongated muzzle, compact format.

American Cocker Spaniel

Very interesting dog that will be a great companion for your family. This is a direct descendant of the English Cocker, but with minor differences. "American" is distinguished by its compact format and original head, with a rounddomed skull. The muzzle is broad and square. The body is strong, the neck is set high, long and muscular.

If you have just begun to study the varieties of spaniels, then first, let's determine the most striking difference between each of them. "Americans" are distinguished by medium-length hair, most often straight. It is silky to the touch. The color is dark, black, red or coffee. The second most popular variety presented at annual shows.

English Springer Spaniel

There are a lot of hunting breeds today. Even at exhibitions there are individual judges who specialize exclusively in describing hunters. This is not surprising, only varieties of spaniels can be viewed for hours. The English Springer Spaniel is one of the oldest hunting breeds. It is assumed that the ancestors were water dogs, but breeders made a huge amount of crosses until they came to modern standards.

This is a bold, energetic dog, quite large and requiring regular exercise. An excellent companion for a hunter, but can also live in an apartment. All you need is long walks. Height at the withers - about 50 cm, weight - 22 kilograms. The body is square, the neck is muscular, without folds. Well developed muscles. The head is of medium length, the skull is wide, the muzzle is rather deep. This is a short haired spaniel. Varieties of the breed have similar features, but still each of them is unique. The coat is dense, straight, adjacent, slightlyelongated on the belly and paws. Color coffee and white or black and white.

Welsh Springer Spaniel

Unless you are a dog specialist or a professional breeder of hunting breeds, it will be quite difficult to determine by eye where is English and where is Welsh. For a long time they were kept as one breed, and only separated in the 20th century. This variety is a "light" version of the Englishman. Height - about 46 cm, and weight - about 17 kg. We will not describe the character and habits separately, because there are no fundamental differences. Color dark red with white.

Wachtelhund

A dog of German origin, which is practically not common outside of Germany. This is another type of spaniel. The dog is quite large, up to 54 cm at the withers, weighing about 20 kg. An excellent hunter who works in any area, even in swampy and wooded areas. Very good at pursuing bloody trails. However, he also lives in an apartment, provided that the owner often goes out into nature and goes for a walk in it.

The color is brown or brown, the coat is long, dense and wavy. The body is long and strong, the neck is strong, without folds, the loin is short. Their head is dry, the skull is flat. The transition from the forehead to the muzzle is weakly expressed. A bit like a setter format.

Clumber Spaniel

Again, most of you will say that this is the first time you've heard this name. Varieties of dogs of the Spaniel breed are known mainly in narrowcircles of breeders and passionate admirers of hunting. Clumbers are almost exclusively inhabitants of England, there are only a few outside of it. Being land-based, they are perfect for pheasant hunting in park conditions.

The height of the dogs is about 48 cm, and the weight is 34 kg, the addition is quite dense. The back of the body is very powerful, and the stomach is tucked up. The head is massive, large, with a pronounced occiput. The skull is wide, the muzzle is square. The coat is thick and dense, silky, straight. The color is most often light, white or light red. It is recommended to keep in the countryside, it needs space and exercise to maintain good shape. It should be brushed regularly, otherwise the wool is quite easy to care for. Does not require additional bathing beyond what she receives in natural waters while hunting.

Koikerhondie

This is a Dutch Spaniel. The varieties of the breed with the photo are somewhat surprising, are there really so many of them? Yes, although in Russia the majority does not occur. This is a rather old breed, the translation of the name of which sounds like "duckling". That is, it is traditionally a hunter for this particular bird. Small and compact, it reaches only 30 cm at the withers and weighs 10-15 kg. Very hardy, they are not afraid of cold and wet weather. A wonderful companion who treats all family members with tenderness. They do not get along well in an apartment, as they need a lot of physical activity. But if you are willing to take long walks everyday, it will normally endure even small-sized conditions.

Sussex Spaniel

Looking at the varieties of spaniels with photos, you can see that they all have similar features. Moreover, most of the breed lines are from England. This graceful dog is the result of a cross between a Springer and a Clumber and is designed to hunt partridges and pheasants. Like her ancestors, she is very demanding on physical activity. Height at the withers reaches 40 cm, weight - about 22 kg.

The body is massive and somewhat stretched, the neck is long and strong. The head is large, the skull is wide, domed. The eyes are large, almond-shaped. The coat is thick and straight with a dense undercoat. Coloring golden brown or bronze.

Field Spaniel

Field Spaniels are descendants of Cockers, and a separate line was bred in order to obtain a dog of pure black color. This was never achieved, but already in 1892 these dogs were recognized as a separate breed. Height at the withers - about 45 cm, and weight - from 18 to 25 kilograms.

The body is stretched, strong. The neck is long and muscular. The head is long, not wide, like the muzzle. Ears hanging, set rather low. The coat is long, shiny, silky, completely devoid of any curls. The dense undercoat perfectly protects from bad weather. The color is solid, black or fawn. Adapted for life in the countryside, an excellent companion for the hunter. In urban conditions, it gets along well with the presencesufficient attention and walks. This is a hallmark of all spaniels, they love space and freedom of movement.

Irish Water Spaniel

Today, this is the last breed that we will consider. This is the oldest variety of hunting breeds, and also the rarest in the whole world. Today, interest is awakening again, but it is too early to talk about a revival. In appearance, it is a mixture of a royal poodle and a spaniel or a Labrador. But the latter have now supplanted the Irish, taking their place in hunting and at home. The dog is distinguished by growth, it reaches 61 cm at the withers, as well as a fair weight, up to 30 kg. This breed does not shed and has no smell, but this is where the advantages of home keeping end. Dogs do not see themselves without hunting and can run miles every day. Therefore, they are not suitable for urban content. But in the hunter's farmstead they can show themselves in the best way, as they take not only waterfowl, but also a hare and a fox.

Instead of a conclusion

Despite some external differences, all spaniels are descendants of the same dogs. Over the years of selection, each of these breeds has acquired some features that are unique to it. Today you can look at the varieties of spaniels with photos and descriptions and compare them with each other. But there are also common features that are common to all these dogs. This is an irrepressible thirst for activity, activity and mobility. Locking any spaniel in an apartment alone is tantamount to death. This is especially true for young dogs, although up to a very old age they willcall you for a run every day. For very busy people who do not like to spend time on the street, they are completely unsuitable. A spaniel cannot be satisfied with a simple visit to the walking area. To throw out energy, he needs to run a considerable distance in a fairly active mode. The best option would be a bike ride, which will be useful for both the owner and his pet.