What do spaniels hunt

Then consider taking him for a Spaniel Hunting Test! After waiting a few minutes which can seem interminable! Spaniels are flushing breeds and their primary purpose is to hunt, find, flush and return birds to hand as quickly as possible in a pleasing and obedient manner.

Judges evaluate the performance of each spaniel entered according to a specific scoring system based on their natural ability to hunt, find game, flush, and retrieve.

Spaniels can be tested at three different levels: Junior, Senior and Master. Please refer to the list of Eligible Breeds. First, we recommend you get familiar with the various terms used in Hunting Tests. See the glossary here. The next step is to find a local AKC club who gives Spaniel Hunting tests, which always take places on weekends. Go to one, or several, to see how they work. We also recommend getting a copy of the rules and regulations, and attending one of our Hunting Test Seminars so you can learn about the standards that your dog will be judged on, the requirements to acquire a title, and other related information.

In fact you may see a cocker spaniel doing all three at the same time! A small dog that is not daunted by the size of the quarry. It never fails to amaze onlookers how such a small dog can manage to carry a large cock pheasant or a hare but it just goes to show what big hearts they have.

One of their best characteristics is their game finding ability and the way they can take the line of a wounded bird or a legged rabbit. Cockers come in various colours ranging from golden to black. Most of the modern lines of cockers have a very strong hunting instinct and this can overcome any desire to retrieve, so it is important to develop their retrieving from an early age.

Some people say the cocker can be hardheaded and more difficult to train than a springer, but like all gun dogs each individual will have its good and bad points, generally they do not take to harsh handling or being reprimanded and they can be quite sulky, tell a cocker off and he will remember it for days!

Cockers come in various colours ranging from golden to black with chocolate, roans, and tri colours. In fact the UK Kennel Club recognises 26 different colour variations, there is still quite a variation in the size of the dogs; some handlers prefer the smaller type although you can get cockers that are almost the size of a springer. In recent years health testing in cockers has become a much discussed issue and as it stands there are three main conditions to look out for:.

This disease results in night blindness gradually leading to total blindness, both parents need to carry the PRA gene for the disease to occur.

They were developed as hunting dogs, but Cockers gained their wide popularity as all-around companions. Upbeat in the field and mellow at home, this compact, silky-coated bird dog is widely admired for his delightful personality and irresistible good looks.

The English Springer Spaniel is a sweet-faced, lovable bird dog of great energy, stamina, and brains. Sport hunters cherish the duality of working Springers: handsome, mannerly pets during the week, and trusty hunting buddies on weekends. The merry English Toy Spaniel was bred to be the companion of kings. But ETS are spaniels first and pampered lapdogs second, and beneath the patrician exterior beats the heart of a real doggy dog—bright, loving, and willing to please.

The sweet and sensitive Field Spaniel is famously docile, but vigorous and game for anything when at play or in the field. These close cousins to Cocker Spaniels and Springer Spaniels may be small in number, but their charm is enormous.

The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje is lively, agile, self-confident, good-natured and alert. The breed is faithful, easy-going and friendly in the home. Outdoors he is a true sporting dog being keen, swift, tough, attentive and energetic. With sufficient perseverance and stamina, he enjoys working and does so with a cheerful character. The quick, curious Papillon is a toy dog of singular beauty and upbeat athleticism. Papillon fanciers describe their breed as happy, alert, and friendly.

His frowning expression is delightfully at odds with a typically cheerful nature. The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a vigorous, medium-sized bird dog of happy disposition, known for versatility in the field, companionability at home, and dashing good looks anywhere.