A spaniel dog, whatever its origin, brings joy to many people. This cheerful, perky and active dog is suitable both for living quarters and for hunting game. Initially, this breed was popular with hunters, and its skills are still appreciated in this environment. The most widely known are only a few species of the spaniel breed.
English cocker spaniel
The English Cocker Spaniel originally appeared in England and later became known around the world. This breed was created for hunting birds and small game. These dogs are mobile, active, intelligent and can swim perfectly. And these are important qualities for any hunter.
English Cocker Spaniels are medium-sized, reaching 40 cm at the withers. They are strong, muscular, with a narrow, well-developed chest. The head of the spaniel is narrow and small. The ears are long and drooping; the coat is of medium length, wavy and soft.
English Cocker Spaniels are usually affectionate, level-headed and outgoing. Their endless energy constantly requires an outlet, so walks with an English cocker should be long and physically challenging. This dog breed is highly trainable, patient and helpful. They perfectly feel the mood of the owner and will not meddle with games in difficult times. Although these dogs are extremely friendly, they treat strangers with distrust.
The smooth coat of the English Cocker Spaniel does not require any special care. You just need to periodically bathe the dog and comb it. But the ears of the English Spaniel breed need to be monitored more carefully. Hanging ears often develop fungus or otitis media, so they need to clean their ears weekly.
It is also worth watching carefully the nutrition of the English cockers. They are, of course, not allergic, but very gluttonous. Therefore, you need to monitor the amount of food eaten and not indulge in additives.
American cocker spaniel
The American Cocker Spaniel is different from its English counterpart. Dogs of this species are smaller in size: about 10 kg in weight and 38 cm in height. They are not large, their head is round, and their muzzle is wide. The ears of the American cocker are also drooping, but shorter. In color, they are black, chocolate, cream or fawn. The main feature of this species is its beautiful silky long coat. Due to the appearance of the "American", they are often given birth not for hunting, but for home, exhibitions and breeding.
The American Cocker Spaniel is infinitely loyal to its owner, he gets along well with children and is extremely intrusive. This dog is affectionate, cheerful, agile. Like the English breed, it requires long walks and high activity. "Americans" hate loneliness, and the presence of other animals will benefit him. This type of spaniel is also easy to train and can be quickly trained to bring a remote control or slippers.
Due to their thick and beautiful coat, these dogs need special care. They need to be combed out daily and cut periodically. Do not brush the dirty coat, you should first wash the dog with a special shampoo. After washing, condition the wool and dry it with a hairdryer. After that, comb with a soft brush without pulling out the hair. After walking, it is recommended to examine the dog for debris in the coat and remove it. You can get rid of the dust by spraying your dog with a spray bottle and brushing it.
Russian hunting spaniel
The Russian hunting spaniel differs from its counterparts in that it was bred in Russia, based on the data of the American and English cockers. The Russian breed is more hardy in the northern climate.
Russian spaniels are medium-sized, at the withers they can reach up to 44 cm. The color is black, brown or tan. The coat of this species is short, slightly wavy. The main quality of the Russian hunting spaniel is the lack of a stance. Because of this, they easily and quickly make their way through trees and bushes, raising game. These dogs swim well. They may even dive in to retrieve shot game.
Russian spaniels are also suitable for city life. They are level-headed, cheerful and playful. Spaniels are overly friendly and loyal to children, tolerate all their antics. These dogs are athletic and require a lot of physical activity on walks. In the summer, you can let them play in the river or in the pond. In crowded places, the Russian spaniel should be driven on a leash, otherwise, with its exorbitant friendliness, it will scare passers-by.
The big plus of this breed is the lack of a wool smell. But this does not mean that it does not need to be bathed and combed. Bathing the dog is especially important after the hunt.
It is necessary to monitor the diet of the Russian spaniel. He, like other species, is prone to overeating. The diet of the dog should be appropriate for its physical activity and age.
All of these spaniel species are very popular all over the world. But there are 7 other subspecies that are less known: Clumber Spaniel, English Springer, Welsh Springer, Sussex Spaniel, Field Spaniel, Irish Water Spaniel, and American Marsh Spaniel. These breeds are also intended for hunting small animals and birds.
