Generally, they are best suited to living in an active household. Problem behaviors can quickly surface if they don't get enough exercise and enrichment. These breeds often make fantastic hiking, canicross , or competitive dog sports partners. Most spaniels are medium-sized, have distinctive drooping ears, a broad muzzle, and a curly or silky, wavy coat on their ears, tail, and legs. Dogs with long, hanging ears are more susceptible to ear infections. Usual colors are liver and white, red and white, black and white, sometimes deep brown or black.
Breeds with long hair will likely need regular grooming to keep their coats mat-free. In general, spaniels are known for being intelligent, loyal, obedient, and affectionate. They tend to be prone to separation anxiety if left on their own too much. These are 14 of the most popular spaniel breeds full of affection and fun-loving companionship.
The American cocker spaniel is one of the most popular spaniels. Their compact size, lively personalities, and sweet expression endear them to dog lovers worldwide.
Smart, athletic and eager to please, this people-orientated and playful breed enjoys the company of respectful children. They usually get on well with other dogs too. Their coat is high-maintenance and will require regular grooming unless kept clipped short.
Coat and Color: Silky, flat, or slightly wavy coat that has profuse feathering on the ears, chest and legs; comes in a wide variety of solid and parti-color patterns. This rare medium-sized breed originates from the Great Lakes region of the United States during the 19th century from several other breeds, including the Irish and English water spaniels. They are known for their strong water retrieval skills. They make excellent family pets, although they require plenty of exercise to meet their high energy levels.
They are intelligent and lively, developing strong bonds with their family members. Coat and Color: Thick double coat, which can be wavy or tightly curled, comes in three shades of brown: solid liver, brown, or dark chocolate and may have white on their toes or chest.
Its athletic physique and webbed-toes were developed to retrieve fowl from swamps, lakes, and rivers. If you live near a lake or the ocean, this water-loving breed could be a good match. The breed is known for being gentle, friendly, and enthusiastic. They respond well to positive training methods , tend to be very sociable, and love being active.
If they get enough exercise and enrichment, then they're usually mellow and snuggly. Coat and Color: Medium-length distinctive rich liver, brown, or dark chocolate colored coat that ranges from straight to slightly wavy.
They're the most popular spaniel in the United States today. Their popularity can be attributed to their typically affectionate, sociable, happy-go-lucky, and eager-to-please personality.
Although they're an active breed, their energy is more subdued. They were originally bred as companions for British nobility.
They will not need as much exercise as the average spaniel and are a popular choice for apartment living. Coat and Color: Long, sleek, silky coat with feathering around the legs, ears, chest, and tail; long ears and soft expression.
One of the biggest spaniels on our list, the Clumber is calmer than many of their other working relatives. Clumbers tend to be mellow around the home. Although they can be determined once they get a scent, they aren't as fast or active as cockers or springers. They can be wary around strangers, but they respond well to positive training and socialization.
Clumbers are notoriously jowly. Spaniels in general are set lower to the ground than Setters, Pointers or Brittanys. Spaniels should have an even, friendly disposition. One more thing and this is generally the opinion of many of the owners of the Spaniels of British Isle or American original. There are some breeds of dog, on the Europe continent, that looked like large Spaniels and carry the Spaniel name but they point the game. Here these dogs would be most likely classified as Setters or some type of pointer with the A.
C and The Kennel Club in the U. The Spaniels of British Isle origin or American Origin are generally a medium sized who always flush their pray. I have included large portions of this article on this page. A spaniel is a type of gun dog.
Spaniels were especially bred to flush game out of dense brush. By the late 17th century spaniels had become specialized into water and land breeds. The extinct English Water Spaniel was used to retrieve water fowl shot down with arrows. Land spaniels were setting spaniels—those that crept forward and pointed their game, allowing hunters to ensnare them with nets, and springing spaniels—those that sprang pheasants and partridges for hunting with falcons, and rabbits for hunting with greyhounds.
During the 17th century, the role of the spaniel dramatically changed as Englishmen began hunting with flintlocks for wing shooting. Charles Goodall and Julia Gasow [1] write the spaniels were "transformed from untrained, wild beaters, to smooth, polished gun dogs. The Oxford English Dictionary defines Spaniel as "a breed of dog with a long silky coat and drooping ears".
Not much has changed about spaniels in general over the years, as can be seen in this 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 origin of the word spaniel is described by the Oxford English Dictionary as coming from the Old French word espaigneul which meant "Spanish dog "; this in turn originated from the Latin Hispaniolus which simply means "Spanish". Sixteenth-century English physician John Caius wrote that the spaniels of the time were mostly white, marked with spots that are commonly red.
He described a new variety to have come out of France, which were speckled all over with white and black, "which mingled colours incline to a marble blewe". In the added appendices added to the re-print of Caius' work, the editors suggested that the type of dogs may have been brought into the British Isles as early as BC by a branch of the Celts moving from Spain into Cornwall and on into Wales , England and Ireland. There is a strong breed of hunting dog, small in size but no less worthy of great praise.
These the wild tribes of Britons with their tattooed backs rear and call by the name of Agassian. Their size is like that of worthless and greedy domestic table dogs; squat, emaciated, shaggy, dull of eye, but endowed with feet armed with powerful claws and a mouth sharp with close-set venomous tearing teeth. It is by virtue of its nose, however, that the Agassian is most exalted, and for tracking it is the best there is; for it is very adept at discovering the tracks of things that walk upon the ground, and skilled too at marking the airborne scent.
Another theory of the origin of the spaniel is that the ancient Romans imported the Spaniel into Britannia , by way of the trade routes to the far east. Colonel David Hancock [7] adds a belief that the sporting type of spaniel originated in China from the short-faced ancestors of dogs such as the Pekinese , Pug and Shih Tzu. The theory goes that these ancestors were introduced into Southern Europe and evolved into the small sporting spaniels of the period around — AD.
The issue of how a short-muzzled dog could evolve into a longer-muzzled dog is addressed by pointing to the evolution of the King Charles Spaniel into the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in less than a century.
The first French Spaniel is speculated to have originated in the middle east towards the end of the 11th century. French knights in the Holy Land were accompanied by their pointers and other hunting hounds. Breeding between these dogs and the Arabic Greyhounds was considered inevitable, and the progeny became the first French Spaniels. In assisting hunters, 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 is 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. FCI places continental dogs of the spaniel type in the pointing group Group 7, sect. FCI classifies most other dogs of the spaniel type as flushing or water dogs Group 8, sections 2 and 3.
Although Springer Spaniels are avid hunting dogs, they also make great family pets due to their obedient and friendly temperament. With the correct training they can usually get along well with people other pets. Just remember they do require lots of exercise in order to remain fit and healthy.
Despite their name, Field Spaniels were originally bred to be show dogs. With long, short bodies that failed to perform well in dense brush, these dogs stayed bound to the ring. Over time, though, breeders developed the Field Spaniel into a fluid hunter, with longer legs and easy to spot coat colors. This medium sized dog differs from other Spaniels in that it has no undercoat. Its single coat colors vary between black, liver, and roan with the occasional marking or ticking.
This breed has a solid build with firm musculature. Known for their persistence, these dogs can make great additions to the family, but maintain a strong desire for purpose in their lives.
Bad behavior tends to develop without routine engaging activities like hunting or agility exercises. Field Spaniels tend to be more laid-back than other members of the Spaniel family. These intelligent dogs are generally healthy with above average life spans. While the breed is rare and somewhat difficult to find, they are well worth seeking out. The French Spaniel is well-balanced, straightforward, gentle, calm, and docile.
He is an enthusiastic hunter, gets along well with other dogs, and makes an excellent companion in any situation. He is an excellent pointing dog who also has a knack for retrieving.
He is a medium-sized dog with elegant, muscled features and medium proportions. His well-balanced construction provides the energy and toughness required for his use. His high intelligence, enthusiasm, and willingness to work hard are his ancestors. He is very easy to train. Popular with royalty during the Middle Ages, it was nearly extinct by the start of the twentieth century, but was saved by the efforts of Father Fournier, a French priest.
The French Spaniel, one of the largest Spaniel breeds, is descended from the bird dogs described by Gaston Febus. Another Sporting Group dog, this breed also goes by the name of Deutscher Wachtelhund. These German quail dogs are versatile hunters that are generally found in different shades of brown, sometimes with white markings. Experts at both tracking and retrieving, the German Spaniel is a strong and powerful medium sized dog.
With thick, wavy hair, German Spaniels do well in dense brush and remain relatively protected when working in harsh terrain. These dogs are excellent trackers and have a knack for holding off four legged game until their hunting companions catch up.
A courageous breed, these dogs also make good family companions due to their innate friendliness toward people and other pets. This rugged breed excels at hunting, particularly with waterfowl, and has an eagerness to match. Found in only one standard color of liver, these dogs carry dense crisp curly coats on the body and long curls on the sides and legs.
These dogs carry coats of tight curls and ringlets that act as a natural water repellant and sheds very little. Distinguished by their curly topknot, smooth haired face and their rat-like tail, Irish Water Spaniels have webbed feet that propel them through the water, and a strong body well suited for work in the field.
As the largest breed of the Spaniel family, these dogs require a good amount of exercise and thoroughly enjoy retrieving, either for work or play. If socialized and trained well from a young age, Irish Water Spaniels can get along nicely with other pets. With an eager to please mentality, they make great family and hunting companions. Also known as the English Toy Spaniel, this dog comes in slightly smaller than its cousin breed, the Cavalier King Charles, and sports a daintier, dome-shaped head and flatter face.
These lap dogs have dark eyes, pug-like noses, and small, compact bodies. These small dogs are excellent for apartment living. Their quiet nature and lap-dog attitudes make them easy to live alongside. While eye and heart conditions are somewhat common in this breed, they lead generally healthy and content lives with any family that provides ample love and attention.
Also Known as the Dutch Spaniel. The Kooikerhondje pronounced koy-ker-hound-yeh , a Sporting Group dog, is small in stature and maintains a white and red coat, sometimes with black tipped markings. This breed was traditionally used to lure ducks into cages and catch mice, rats, and other rodents in their farm homes. Although small, these dogs do need regular exercise to keep them happy and out of trouble.
With daily playtime and activities, the Kooikerhondje can make an excellent and quiet apartment dog. Easily adaptable and happy in most environments, this breed can sometimes be a bit weary of strangers, loud children, and other dogs. With proper training and socialization and when shown love and respect, though, they create quick and lasting bonds with family and adult friends alike.
The Markiesje might easily be mistaken for a lap dog due to its size, but that misinterpretation stands incorrect; this breed loves to run and requires adequate space for doing so. These slight framed dogs have large, oval-shaped, dark eyes, high set ears, and a shiny black coat sometimes with white markings.
That being said, they truly do value being a partner rather than a house pet. This generally healthy breed can also get along with other dogs and small animals, but proper training and socializing must take place from a young age. These Toy Spaniels were named for the butterfly look of their long-haired ears.
These popular dogs have a very slight bone structure and a dainty appearance but are otherwise robust with energy and life. While they can technically be found in fifteen different color combinations, the AKC recognizes five coat colors, specifically parti-colored or white with various patches of other colors.
With a lifespan of up to 17 years, Papillons are generally healthy dogs. With sufficient perseverance and stamina, he enjoys working and does so with a cheerful character. The quick, curious Papillon is a toy dog of singular beauty and upbeat athleticism. Papillon fanciers describe their breed as happy, alert, and friendly.
His frowning expression is delightfully at odds with a typically cheerful nature. The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a vigorous, medium-sized bird dog of happy disposition, known for versatility in the field, companionability at home, and dashing good looks anywhere. Compare Breeds Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side.
Dog Name Finder Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration. Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid. Additional Resources AKC. Clubs Offering: Training Classes. Dec 01, 3 Minutes.
Today, the AKC recognizes the following 15 spaniel-type breeds: American Water Spaniel The American Water Spaniel, native to the lake country of the upper Midwest, is an upbeat, outdoorsy athlete who loves to hunt and swim.
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