The ancestors of modern spaniels are the old Spanish long-haired crooks, famous for their ability to raise birds with a bark in an effective jump. The British liked such pets, and they began to bring them home, engaged in targeted selection for the breeding of the ideal hunting dog. From Spanish origin there is a name, but modern animals already remind little of the medieval scammers from the Iberian peninsula. Still, the main thanks for the appearance of spaniels, as one of the best breeds for hunting, should be told to the British dog breeders.
Gradually, a single breed began to split in size, two weight groups of spaniels with a size of up to 25 pounds and larger animals, which led to the breeding of cocker spaniels and springer spaniels, which already had different characteristics of the breed. Then the breeders began to cross the received dogs with poodles, wishing to improve their quality. As a result, we now have Norfolk, Filth, Sussex and other breeds. All of them are united by a common manner of hunting and not too much growth, which allows these dogs to move in thickets of reeds or thick bushes.
Here we give a description and description of the breed of English, Russian and American spaniel, which we have the most famous. In appearance and behavior, they have differences, which we will try to disclose here.
Main types of spaniels
- English Cocker Spaniel is a characteristic of the breed.
- American Spaniel - a characteristic of the breed.
- Russian spaniel is a characteristic of the breed.
The height of the English at the withers is up to 41 cm, the bitches are usually a couple of centimeters lower. The dog's weight reaches a maximum of 14, 5 kg, but can fluctuate within 2 kg. The proportions of this spaniel's body are somewhat different than those of the Russian and American breeds, like the shape of the head. The body is strong, muscular, short, and the transition from the forehead to the muzzle is distinct, located in the middle between the nose and the occiput. Their ears are long, hanging. Wool can be of different colors, but if it has a uniform color, then only the dog's breast can be decorated with white spots according to the standard.
A distinctive feature of our spaniel is his indispensable desire to please the owner. There are so shy and shy individuals that they just have to learn independence. They are not only excellent hunters, but also almost always become devoted and friendly companions. Very well, such dogs are suitable for couples, but keep in mind that English spaniels always choose the person to whom they are most intimate.
The American breed visually differs from English in smaller sizes (up to 39 cm) and other skull structure, which has more rounded outlines. With the standard size of the ears, they should have this spaniel exactly reach the tip of the spout. Usually the color of the coat is chocolate, black, fawn, there are dogs not only monochrome, but also with a multicolored cover.
American spaniels are great enthusiasts, mobile and funny animals with good manners. Loneliness of the dog is difficult to endure, without contact and understanding with people, they spoil the character. If you can not plan time and enough to pay attention to the pet, then it's better to look for animals of another breed.
Only after the Patriotic War, when a small number of spaniels of different breeds got into the USSR, enthusiasts engaged in their crossing. By 1951, a dog with excellent characteristics was obtained, which allowed the approval of the national standard. The height of the Russian spaniel is up to 44 cm, the length of the trunk is greater than that of a representative of the American or English breed. The ears are wide and hanging, to the head. This breed is most suitable for hunting birds, which can be confirmed by many of their owners, but our hero's endurance is also not bad, so you can go with him on hares.
