German Spaniel

The German Spaniel — the Deutscher Wachtelhund — is a versatile German hunting dog that works more like a small hound than a spaniel.

History

It was recreated at the end of the nineteenth century from surviving German bird dogs, deliberately as a dog for the working hunter rather than the show ring, and it is still largely kept by hunters. It flushes, retrieves and follows a blood trail, which is a wider brief than most spaniels carry.

Temperament

The breed is known for being determined, friendly and eager, closely bonded to its handler and possessed of considerable stamina. It is a working dog whose needs are real.

Care and training

It needs a great deal of exercise and hunting-style work — tracking, water retrieves, searching. The wavy coat needs regular brushing and the long ears routine cleaning.

Health

Generally robust, with ear infections and hip dysplasia among the known tendencies. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.