German Spaniel
Temperament:
The Deutscher Wachtelhund or German Spaniel is a German dog breed of medium size with recognition of the FCI.He belongs to the Stöberhunden and is characterized by an extremely sweet nature. However, he should be kept only explicitly as a hunting dog.
Characteristics
Overall, the German Spaniel is a rather unknown breed. He is often mistaken for a spaniel because of his appearance. Nevertheless, he enjoys great popularity, especially among hunters and foresters.
A German Spaniel grows up to 54 cm tall. Its weight is around 30 kg. Bitches are usually always a little smaller and lighter.
The German Spaniel belongs to the hunting dogs. Its coat is dense and strong. As a rule, the coat is slightly wavy or long and smooth. Sporadically, white markings may be possible or white piebald. He has long floppy ears and a pointed muzzle.
In hunting, the German Spaniel is used especially as a retriever. However, he is also a retriever and water dog. He has a very fine sense of smell and a strong finder's urge.
He particularly enjoys hunting ducks, as he is very fond of water. But he also achieves excellent results when hunting cloven-hoofed game. He works very independently. He copes with any terrain without any problems. It is recommended to use this breed only for hunting. He needs a lot of exercise and you should challenge and keep him busy regularly.
Nevertheless, the German Spaniel is a loyal animal with a good disposition. He is outgoing and builds a close bond with his master. In addition, he has a cheerful nature and has a lot of energy and endurance.
In dealing with other people and dogs he is uncomplicated. He is particularly socially acceptable and likes to be in company. His nature is further characterized by courage and a high willingness to learn. His protective and guarding instincts, on the other hand, are only weakly developed.
It is especially important to keep the German Spaniel species-appropriate, otherwise it tends to poach. Other behavioral problems may also develop. In any case, he should receive a full, competent hunting training. This should begin directly at the youngest puppy age.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
When feeding your German Spaniel, you should pay attention to a balanced diet. The majority of meals should consist of meat. Vegetables are also good for the development. You should always determine the amount of food individually. The need is measured both by age and weight of the animal. In addition, its physical workload.
If the dog is still small, it needs special puppy food. You should feed several smaller meals throughout the day. Do not give the puppy too much food, otherwise the skeletal growth will be affected. It is best to feed 3-4 meals.
If the dog is fully grown, then twice a day is recommended. It is best to feed him in the morning and in the evening. At an older age, the energy requirement decreases. Seniors need accordingly smaller portions of food.
Whether you choose dry or wet food is up to you. Wet food contains more flavors and a higher water content. Dry food is cheaper and can also be fed as a treat. It also has a longer shelf life. It's best to choose a mixture of both.
Treats are allowed and you can use them as a reward. Some treats also support dental health. You should also use chews regularly, as they prevent tartar and remove existing tartar.
In addition to the food, you must also make sure that your pet has enough fluids. Make sure that fresh water is always available. Clear tap water is the best choice. It is better to leave milk or sugary foods alone.
German Spaniel Care
The coat care of the German Spaniel is uncomplicated. However, you should brush the coat regularly. This removes dirt and prevents matting. In the time of the change of coat you should reach more often for the brush, because the dog leaves here particularly many hairs.
You should also check your ears regularly to prevent inflammation. This could happen quickly due to the humid and warm climate in this region of the head. Get a special ear cleaner for this purpose.
Since the hairs on the paws are also relatively long, it can be helpful to shorten them there. In this way, you prevent dirt from getting stuck. You should also regularly check the paws for injuries and clean them. You can keep the pads supple with a grease cream and protect them from cracks.
You should also check the claws regularly and shorten them if necessary. This is especially true if the dog moves a lot on soft ground. If they are too long, the dog can injure himself.
Furthermore, you need a dog brush and a dog shampoo to be able to bathe the dog if necessary. A dog toothbrush and toothpaste are also useful aids and should be used regularly.
To clean the dog from dirt and mud, always carry a towel and a blanket for the car. You should also carry tick tongs with you, as the animal can quickly catch a tick in the forest.
Suitable accessories
You need a sturdy collar and a tear-resistant leash. The dog needs a place of retreat. Many hunting dogs are kept in kennels. In this should be a doghouse, which is lined with straw or dachshund. This protects the animal from wind and weather.
However, you can also keep the German Spaniel indoors. Then he needs a basket and a blanket. The German Spaniel should have a fixed feeding place. Here you place a non-slip food bowl and a stable water trough.
Since the German Spaniel is a hunting dog, it is recommended that you get a dog whistle. Also, your dog should wear a signal collar or a high-visibility vest so as not to be accidentally mistaken for game while hunting.
Since the German Spaniel moves in extensive terrain during its missions, a tracking device is also a good idea. This way you can track the dog in case of doubt.
Since the dog often has to be transported in the car for hunting, you should fix a grid in the trunk here. You also need a secure mount for the dog. You can also install a box.
A flea collar protects your dog from flea infestation. Flea powder also fulfills this effect.
To keep the German Spaniel busy at home or on walks, put a. Ball or a Frisbee, which he can retrieve.
Origin & History
The breeding of the German Spaniel goes back to the year 1903. Since then, the so-called pure breeding of this breed takes place. There are two different color breedings. On the one hand, the brown breeding and next to it the brown mold.
Rudolf Frieß, the so-called "father of the Spaniel", created these different color expressions. He laid the foundation for the development and continuity of this breed. He was gradually followed by more and more men who wanted to breed this breed and systematically built it up.
An examination system was also established. However, at first only a use test was carried out. The investment tests were only added later.
Especially in the Third empire the interest in the German Spaniel grew. About 500 puppies were born per year. In the 2nd World War the demand sank again. But already in the thirties the number rose again to about 700 puppies per year. The German Spaniel now enjoyed growing popularity again.
The color schemes were always consistently separated over the years and diseases bred away. What remained were frequent problems with hip dysplasia.
The German Spaniel Club is the only existing breeding club. The breed is mainly spread in Germany. But since 2007 there is also in America the "German Spaniel of North America" club.
