Russian Spaniel is a great hunting dog, bred after crossing different breeds of spaniels and a pointer.
Breed history
Hunting dogs from England began to be imported into our country at the end of the 19th century, but it turned out that they were not suitable for bird hunting in Russian conditions. But the need for a compact and unpretentious pet dog by that time matured.
Therefore, enthusiasts began to select for breeding the most leggy and temperamental dogs, to import springers from abroad. Thanks to their efforts, the Russian spaniel appeared in the middle of the 20th century. Characteristics of the breed, reviews of hunters confirmed that the selection work was carried out successfully. The bred spaniel had an excellent instinct, endurance, perseverance, and a tendency to serve.
Today this wonderful dog is used during hunting in Russia for swamp, field, pine forest and waterfowl. His task is to find a bird and put it on the wing. After the master’s shot at the command, the four-legged assistant should serve the game. The animal does an excellent job with this job, according to the owners. This is confirmed by the description and reviews. The breed of dogs spaniel is an indispensable assistant in the hunt. And other owners are sure that this is the best companion. Get to know this handsome man in more detail.
External features
Today in all cynological reference books you can find a description of the breed spaniel. Russian Spaniel is a small-sized dog, quite strong and a bit squat. The growth of males at the withers is up to 44 cm, bitches do not exceed 42 cm.
The dog has a strong skeleton with well-developed muscles. Males have a higher withers. The tail is straight and thick at the base. It is stopped by half the length. The animal holds him straight, almost on the line of the back.
Limbs
Paws are located relative to each other in parallel, they are dry and bony. Hind legs set wider than forelegs. The toes of both the hind and forepaws are compressed very tightly. A thick coat grows between them.
The ears
Do you know how the Russian Spaniel looks different from other dogs? Of course, these are ears - long, wide and drooping. They adjoin cheekbones rather densely. The tip of the ear should reach the nose.
Hair coat
Unusual coat has a Russian hunting spaniel. Dog breeds that are used for hunting most often have short and stiff hair, which protects the skin of animals from damage. In a spaniel, it is moderately long, straight or slightly wavy, shiny, tight-fitting. On the front of the limbs and on the head, the hair is straight and short. On the back, upper side of the neck, croup and sides - moderately thick and long. The lower side of the chest, neck, abdomen, the inner side of the hind and forelimbs, the lower part of the tail is covered with restroom hair. It is softer, longer, slightly wavy, creating tows and suspension.
Colors
The three colors are divided into colors that the Russian spaniel can have (by standard):
- Solid: brown, black, red. The solid color allows small white marks on the chest or on the throat and paws. These colors are allowed tan.
- Two-tone: red-white, black-and-white, brown-white. They can have clear boundaries between pigmented areas, specks (or lack thereof). Mottled or roan color with pigment is allowed.
- Tri-color: white-black with tan, white-brown with tan.
Character
Russian Spaniel (reviews of owners-hunters allow us to say this) - an indispensable assistant in the hunt, easy to train and understanding in the field. Amateur dog breeders believe that this is a smart, easy-to-learn and training companion devoted to his master with all his heart. What kind of handsome man is he?
This dog is really very smart and affectionate for his master. Moreover, he knows how to be invisible and unobtrusive. Loves to walk and play in the fresh air. He becomes a faithful and loyal friend for both an adult and a child. But the owners should know and never forget that the sharp mind and high intelligence of their pet are often combined with the unsurpassed talent of the manipulator. When this dog begs a tidbit with a clear and open gaze, only a rock can resist it.
Russian Spaniel (breed characteristics, reviews indicate this) - an animal that needs to communicate with a person. These dogs are very fond of children, but adults should explain to the kids that they play with a living creature, which can be painful and unpleasant in some situations. For example, a child should know that you should not touch a dog when it is eating.
Spaniels never show unjustified aggression, they will not conflict with their relatives. At the same time, hunting instincts cannot be hidden - every domestic spaniel secretly dreams of chasing cats, birds and other small animals.
Feeding
In order for your pet to be healthy and active, it is necessary to consider its high-quality and complete diet. Many owners, who are limited in time, prefer ready-made dry food. This option is allowed by veterinarians. But first, consult with a specialist who will tell you good quality food, since a cheap substitute from an unknown manufacturer can cause irreparable harm to the health of your pet.
If you opt for natural products, then you need to know what should be included in your pet's diet. Should be preferred:
- low-fat meat and offal;
- fish (preferably marine);
- vegetables;
- fruit
- cereals (buckwheat, rice, barley).
Perhaps someone will be surprised by the fact that the Russian Spaniel needs fasting days. Characteristics of the breed, reviews suggest that these dogs are prone to overweight. Such days must be arranged for an adult dog once every two weeks. The dog only drinks water.
Health
Nature rewarded the spaniels with fairly good health. With proper feeding and care, the dog rarely gets sick. Sometimes long hanging ears can provoke otitis media, so they need to be checked and cleaned regularly. Your pet may develop obesity or food allergies due to poor or poor nutrition. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the diet of the animal.
Russian Spaniel: Proper Care for a Dog Breed
This smart dog feels equally comfortable both in a city apartment and in a country house. But it should be remembered that this dog needs long walks with physical activity. These are great swimmers, so give them this opportunity in the summer.
Without stress, your pet will quickly begin to lose shape and gain weight. Keep your dog on a leash while walking and let it go only in uninhabited places.
In the Russian Spaniel, wool does not have a specific smell, which is characteristic of many other breeds. But it should be regularly cleaned and combed, especially after hunting.
They bathe this dog several times a year, using special shampoos for this. In addition, you need to trim your nails.
The Russian Spaniel, as well as all other dog breeds, needs regular veterinary examination. Particular care must be taken to follow the vaccination schedule. Do not neglect the advice of a veterinarian, give your pet the prescribed vitamins.
Training
We have already said that these dogs are very smart, they are easily trained in all hunting tricks and traditional training courses. Many of them master various types of searches: from drugs and explosives to humans. In adolescence, some animals may show waywardness and stubbornness during training.
You need to start training the Russian Spaniel from a very young age. Initially, the baby is explained what he can do and what is completely inadmissible. The effect of training depends largely on your patience. It will take a puppy time to comprehend and remember the information received.
Illiterate or untimely upbringing of a spaniel in the future can lead to undesirable problems. And do not console yourself with the thought that it will not affect you.
Russian Spaniel: customer reviews
The owners of these animals are very pleased with their purchase. This is especially true for hunters. They believe that the Russian spaniel has also become an indispensable assistant. Characteristics of the breed (reviews prove this) fully meet the requirements of hunting behavior.
Those who purchased the spaniel as a pet are pleased that the dog is very beautiful and does not require too much care. Many note the balance of their pet. Owners believe that the Russian spaniel is quite suitable for the role of the first dog, if the person has at least theoretical training.
Some owners complain that their pet chases cats as soon as possible, which sometimes makes walking difficult. To prevent this from happening, we must educate the dog from puppyhood.