The German Spaniel is thought to have descended from the Stober, which was a versatile hunting dog that dated back as far as 1719. The Germans adored the Stober for its incredible scenting abilities. As such, they crossed some of these dogs with various other spaniels to produce what we know of today as the German Spaniel. German Spaniels were first recognized in 1903 by the German Wachtelhund Club, more formally known as the Verein fur Deutsche Wachtelhund. While a few German Spaniels were brought to the U.S. in the late 1960s, the majority of them remain in Germany. Although some people may keep these dogs as pets, they are mainly kept for hunting purposes.
German Spaniels are medium-sized dogs that originated in Germany and were developed to retrieve and track various types of small and large game. These dogs are known by several names including German Spaniels, German Quail Dogs, Deutscher Wachtelhunds and Deutscher Wachtels. As stated above, German Spaniels can weigh between 44 and 66 pounds fully grown. They have medium-length hair that is longer on the ears, chest, tail and the back of its front legs. Allowable colors include most any solid colors, ticking, roans or parti-colors.
Personality
These are solid, muscular dogs that have long drop ears, a long tail and a square body. They are extremely active and are happiest when they are following the scent of various game. Due to their strong hunting instincts, German Spaniels do not typically make good household pets. The German Spaniel is a friendly and intelligent hunting dog that excels at retrieving and tracking a large variety of game. It is also an active dog that requires a lot of room to run and explore. If you choose to add a German Spaniel to your home, make sure that you will be able to provide it with plenty of toys and exercise.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 12 - 14 years |
| Nicknames: | German Spaniels, German Quail Dogs, Deutscher Wachtelhunds, Deutscher Wachtels |
German Spaniel Build Information
German Spaniels are medium-sized dogs that originated in Germany and were developed to retrieve and track various types of small and large game. These dogs are known by several names including German Spaniels, German Quail Dogs, Deutscher Wachtelhunds and Deutscher Wachtels. As stated above, German Spaniels can weigh between 44 and 66 pounds fully grown. They have medium-length hair that is longer on the ears, chest, tail and the back of its front legs. Allowable colors include most any solid colors, ticking, roans or parti-colors.
| Size: | Medium |
Behaviour and Personality
These are solid, muscular dogs that have long drop ears, a long tail and a square body. They are extremely active and are happiest when they are following the scent of various game. Due to their strong hunting instincts, German Spaniels do not typically make good household pets. The German Spaniel is a friendly and intelligent hunting dog that excels at retrieving and tracking a large variety of game. It is also an active dog that requires a lot of room to run and explore. If you choose to add a German Spaniel to your home, make sure that you will be able to provide it with plenty of toys and exercise.
| Activity Level: | Very active |
| Affection Level: | Affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Very kid friendly |
Appearance
You will need to brush your German Spaniel once per day concentrating on the areas where the hair is longest. This will help prevent tangles from developing. Additionally, make sure that you check the ears regularly for any signs of infection or excessive wax accumulation. Finally, you will want to trim the tips of the nails if they grow too long.You will need to brush your German Spaniel once per day concentrating on the areas where the hair is longest. This will help prevent tangles from developing. Additionally, make sure that you check the ears regularly for any signs of infection or excessive wax accumulation. Finally, you will want to trim the tips of the nails if they grow too long.
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | Daily grooming |
German Spaniel Common Health Conditions
There are a few health issues that they can be susceptible to including skin allergies, various other types of allergies, splayed feet, crooked legs and hip dysplasia.
German Spaniel Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
German Spaniels are generally very healthy dogs that can live anywhere between 12 and 14 years or longer. These dogs have been known to hunt a large variety of game including waterfowl, wild boars, deer and even black bears. German Spaniels can follow both air and ground scents. Unlike many hunting dogs, the German Spaniel can be called off of a trail it is following and will return to its owner.
| Training: | Easy |