Spaniels

Spaniels are generally smaller/medium sized dogs with long coats and drop ears whose job is to assist with bird hunting. Spaniels are bred and trained to both flsuh, and retrieve. Different breeds reflect different emphasis on the dogs' uses. At one time, spaniels were subdivided into Land, Field, and Water spaniels, according to the terrain in which they worked best.

There has been so much interbreeding of gun dogs over the last two centures, that it is now difficult to determine whether a breed is a spaniel, a retriever, both or neither.

Their distinguishing characteristics are a broad muzzle, long and full ears, long coats, particularly that covering the ears, tail, and hinder parts of the thighs and legs. The prevailing colour 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. English Cocker Spaniels are small-to-medium dogs with drop ears and a longer coat.

Spaniel breeds include:

American Cocker Spaniel
American Water Spaniel
Blue Picardy Spaniel
Boykin Spaniel
Brittany Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Clumber Spaniel
Deutscher Wachtelhund (German Spaniel)
Drentse Patrijshond (Dutch Partridge Dog) (possibly)
English Cocker Spaniel
English Springer Spaniel
Field Spaniel
French Spaniel
Irish Water Spaniel
King Charles Spaniel
Kooikerhondje
Munsterlander (Small) or Heidewachtel
Munsterlander (large)
Papillon Spaniel
Picardy Spaniel (Epagneul Picard)
Pont-Audemer Spaniel (Epagneul Pont-Audemer)
Portuguese Water Dog (possibly)
Spanish Water Dog (possibly)
Stabyhoun - Stabij Dog
Sussex Spaniel
Welsh Springer Spaniel