Everything about Spaniel totally explained
A
Spaniel is a
type of
gun dog. Spaniels are generally small
dogs with long coats and drop ears. Spaniels assist in bird hunting.
It is desirable that Spaniels work within gun range, are steady to shot, are able to mark the fall and retrieve shot game to hand with a soft mouth. A good nose is highly valued, as it's in most gun dog breeds. They are versatile hunters traditionally being used for upland game birds, but are equally adept at hunting rabbit and waterfowl. Whether hunting in open fields, woodlands, farm lands - in briars, along fencerows or marshlands, a spaniel can get the job done.
On the basis of function and hunting style, the
Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) draws a distinction between continental and Anglo-American spaniels. FCI places continental dogs of the spaniel type in the pointing group (Group 7, sect. 1.2) because they function more like setters which "freeze" and point to game. Breeds in this group include the
Blue Picardy Spaniel, the
French Spaniel, the
Brittany, the
Pont-Audemer Spaniel, and the
Small Münsterländer. FCI classifies most other dogs of the spaniel
type as flushing or water dogs (Group 8, sections 2 and 3).
Not much has changed about spaniels in general over the years, as can be seen in this 1921 entry in
Collier's New Encyclopedia:
» Their distinguishing characteristics are a rather broad muzzle, remarkably long and full ears, hair plentiful and beautifully waved, particularly that of the ears, tail, and hinder parts of the thighs and legs. The prevailing color is liver and white, sometimes red and white or black and white, and sometimes deep brown, or black on the face and breast, with a tan spot over each eye. The English spaniel is a superior and very pure breed. The
King Charles is a small variety of the spaniel used as a lapdog. The water spaniels, large and small, differ from the common spaniel only in the roughness of their coats, and in uniting the aquatic propensities of the
Newfoundland dog with the fine hunting qualities of their own race. Spaniels possess a great share of intelligence, affection, and obedience, which qualities, combined with much beauty, make them highly prized as companions.
The name comes from the word for Spanish (Español).
Breeds
Extinct breeds
Further Information
Get more info on 'Spaniel'.
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