White Russian spaniel. Description and photos of typical representatives of the spaniel. Appearance of Russian spaniels and care requirements

Russian spaniels were originally bred for hunting by crossing the English subspecies of the breed - Cocker Spaniels and Springer Spaniels. On the hunt, he was tasked with finding a waterfowl, making it fly up and after the shot, having received the hunter's command, bring up the shot game.

The Russian spaniel has in the characteristics of the breed all the qualities necessary for a gun dog: high endurance, sharp scent, energy and tenacity. An innate predisposition to feed prey saves the owner from hours of exhausting training. Hunters consider Russian spaniels to be suitable for hunting not only small and medium-sized birds, but also larger prey, like a hare, or even a wild goat.

But dogs of this breed are now less often used for work, remaining for people just loyal and affectionate pets. They become excellent companions for their owners, thanks to their pleasant appearance and cheerful character. Spaniels happily greet friends and guests, but they will be able to recognize a suspicious person, because they are endowed with subtle intuition.

Appearance of Russian spaniels and care requirements

The average Russian Spaniel is a medium-sized long-haired dog. Height at the withers varies from 36 to 44 cm, and weight ranges from 13 to 18 kg, but you can often find a deviation from the standards upwards. The physique of these dogs can be characterized as squat, with strong bones and well-developed muscles. The tail is usually thick and continues the line of the back, often docked at half the length. A striking feature of the appearance of the spaniel is its large drooping ears. They are so long that they can reach the tip of a dog's nose.

Almost the entire body of the animal is covered with thick, long and soft curly hair, except for the head and paws in front - there the hair is noticeably shorter. There are 3 varieties of colors:

1. Solid - black, chocolate or red.
2. Piebald - all solid color variants with tan or other shades of spots.
3. Tricolor.

Long, wavy coat requires regular weekly brushing, but does not need to be trimmed. Many lovers of the breed are categorically negative about the haircuts of Russian spaniels, because this violates their natural cover and leads to failures of the body's heat exchange functions. During the seasonal moulting, twice a year, you need to comb out the excess undercoat and wool with special devices.

The ears and eyes of Russian spaniels require special attention. The eyes are prone to excessive tearing, so they need to be regularly rinsed with special products from the vet pharmacy or pet store. All lop-eared animals are prone to infectious diseases, spaniels are no exception. Therefore, they will need a careful examination and keeping their ears clean.

Like any other dog, the Russian Spaniel needs periodic brushing of teeth from the formed plaque and clipping of the nails, if independent grinding is not enough. Also, walking and exercising with the animal should be given enough time to maintain satisfactory physical shape.

Breed features of the character of Russian spaniels

Due to their small size, spaniels easily adapt to living in small areas in conventional apartments. But we must not forget that these animals are very active and energetic, they need long walks and moderate physical exertion. They are well suited for training on shells on special sites or "agility" classes.

Distinctive features inherent in all representatives of the breed:

• friendliness. Although the dogs were bred as hunting dogs, this did not prevent them from reverently and warmly treating their owners, and being alert and optimistic to meet strangers;
• restraint at home. Spaniels on the street are extremely mobile, they are very fond of swimming in reservoirs and long forest walks. Getting high-quality walking, the pet will be calm at home and will not spoil either the interior items or the things of the owners;
• great intuition. Although Russian spaniels love to meet guests, they behave friendly with them, this does not prevent them from being good watchmen. A smiling dog, sensing danger, can instantly turn into a dangerous defender and begin to defend his home and "flock";
• patience with children and loyalty to other animals. Dogs of this breed are able to endlessly play with children and humbly endure all their harassment, never injuring or harming the child. Spaniels are not very jealous, so they are ready to share the master's attention with other animals. Also, despite their hunting characteristics, dogs will never touch poultry and livestock;
• high learning ability. A lively mind of dogs helps to quickly memorize not only the requirements of the owners, but also the situations in which they are applied. To teach the Russian spaniel a basic set of commands does not require tedious reusable repetitions, dogs grasp the information literally "on the fly."

It is imperative to know about the only significant negative behavior of Russian spaniels. All dogs of this breed are completely unaware of the feeling of satiety, they are able to eat shocking amounts of food at a time. Overeating can lead to the development of chronic diseases of the digestive tract and cause obesity in your pet. And fat dogs are more susceptible to cardiovascular disease. As you know, overweight animals have a shorter lifespan.

During walks, you need to either not let go of the spaniel from the leash, or carefully monitor all of its actions. An eternally hungry dog \u200b\u200bhas the pernicious habit of picking up everything more or less edible from the ground and will never pass indifferently past the garbage, and eating something on the street often leads to poisoning.

Among hunting dogs, the Russian Spaniel breed occupies a special place: having appeared in the USSR in the fifties, it was bred specifically for Russian natural conditions, which the previously imported English spaniels could not cope with.
An energetic and hardy dog, it instantly gained popularity among Soviet breeders, who appreciated its hunting qualities and light, good-natured nature. To this day, it is widely known in the territory of the former Soviet Union, although it is not recognized by the international canine community.

The reasons for the "people's love" for the spaniel are easy to understand by understanding the features of this unique, truly Russian hunter's companion. In this article, we will consider not only the characteristics of the spaniel and the characteristics of the breed, but also pay attention in detail to its hunting qualities.

Description

In the twenties of the last century, Leningrad scientists began fundamental work on breeding a new species of spaniel, better than the European "short-legged" breeds adapted to hunting in swampy areas and flood meadows. The result was the emergence of a dog by the end of the thirties, significantly different from the English in physique and endurance. But the first time the Russian spaniel officially received the breed standard only ten years later - in 1951.
Thus began the history of the Russian hunting spaniel - a gun dog for a hunter for waterfowl, meadow, and upland birds.

Appearance

Russian Hunting Spaniel Characteristics of the breed - a strong, "dryish" dog of small size:

• Coat: Thick, shiny, slightly wavy and long - on the withers, chest, sides. Short: on the front of the legs and on the head.
• A strong curl on the chest, neck or, conversely, too short hair is a marriage.
• Color: varies from one color to tricolor. Colors: black, red, brown, in combinations, with tan and brush strokes.
• Physique: strong, lean, with well-developed muscles. The withers are high. Height from 38 cm (bitches) to 44 cm (males), weight - between 12 and 18 kilograms.
• Tail: thick, mobile, positioned along the back, docked.
• Head: Ears - drooping, close fitting to the head, the hair on them is long and wavy. The eyes are brown, the muzzle is moderately long.
• Movement: fast, free.
• Average life expectancy: 10 to 14 years.

Character

The Russian spaniel dog has a calm and kind disposition, loves children, gets along with cats. The apartment feels comfortable. At home: affectionate, cheerful, has a strong affection for the owner.
During the hunt, the spaniel is an active, attentive helper. Obedient, does not show aggression towards a person. Hardy, swims with pleasure and dives for prey even in icy water.

Breed advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of the Russian Spaniel:

• Size: Built for hunting, the spaniel is also suitable for big city life. The compact pet can be transported in a bag, on the subway and other public transport.
• Does not require exhausting training, has a high intelligence.
• Russian spaniel puppies have a minimal percentage of genetic abnormalities due to the strict selection of breeding dogs when breeding breeds.

Unfortunately, the spaniel has its own "weaknesses":

• In difficult conditions: in tall marsh grass, in places not rich in birds, it quickly gets exhausted and tired.
• It is dangerous to keep it together with rodents and exotic animals and birds.
• Young dogs can be slightly dominant or hyperactive, which can be easily corrected with training.
• Sometimes jealous and touchy.
• Prone to otitis media and other ear infections due to the structure of the ear.

The Russian Spaniel requires daily physical activity and is not suitable for people with an inactive lifestyle.

Hunting qualities

The Russian Spaniel breed of dogs is endowed with a whole set of qualities that are indispensable for hunting:

• versatility: the spaniel "works" with almost any type of game;
• compactness: the small size and weight of the spaniel help him easily wade through places where a large dog "gets stuck";
• high performance in all weather conditions: the spaniel is not afraid of the heat (like, for example, a cop) or complete calm;
• rapid achievement of the "hunting" age: a puppy of an autumn litter, with proper training, goes out for the first hunt by the spring - summer;
• sharp scent: the dog will not be mistaken when searching for a wounded animal or a lurking bird, will find prey in the thickets, in the dark.

Choosing a puppy

The Russian spaniel is a loyal friend and companion of man. To purchase a dog with the standard declared for the breed, the choice of a puppy should be taken seriously, especially if the animal is planned to be hunted.

Attention should be paid to:

• On health, physical characteristics. Puppies of the Russian hunting spaniel should be active, well-developed, well-fed. From two months they stand firmly on their paws, playful, curious.
• Compliance with general hunting standards. The animal should not have visible defects: rickets, malocclusion, disproportionate physique (large head, shortened limbs).
• Parents of a puppy must have all the documents necessary for a purebred dog: pedigree with an "excellent" assessment of the exterior, field diploma.

You need to buy a puppy from a trusted professional breeder. This will minimize the likelihood of acquiring a discarded or non-viable dog.

Being a dog of a “city hunter”, the spaniel is adapted to both difficult field conditions (frost, strong wind, rain, heat) and to a small apartment.

The main requirement for his comfortable and happy life at home is:

• long daily walking (hour and a half a day);
• correct feeding;
• hair care;
• taking care of the health of "problem" ears and eyes.

Feeding

The diet of the Russian spaniel must be balanced, contain all the necessary nutrients and elements.

Good for a dog:

• veal, chicken, chicken liver, boiled beef and chicken offal;
• boiled sea fish fillet;
• vegetables and fruits;
• premium food.

Adult pets are fed twice a day. Puppies - 5-6 times a day in small portions, avoiding overfeeding.

Care

This breed does not require complex care: the dog must be combed out regularly (at least 2-3 times a month) and bathed if necessary.

Health care

Dogs of this breed are strong, healthy animals.

The weak point are:

• Ears. The dog's long, drooping ears need to be checked and cleaned regularly due to the spaniel's predisposition to otitis media. Teach the puppy to clean his ears from an early age;
• Eyes. An infection often gets into the eyes, conjunctivitis develops, so they must be cleaned of dirt, and when lacrimation is rinsed with clean water.

Education, training and coaching

A description of the Russian Spaniel breed would be incomplete without mentioning its susceptibility to training.

You should start training no later than the age of two to three months:

• with simple commands "to me", "place", "sit", "lie down";
• differentiation between what is allowed and what is not allowed by the commands "may" and "not".

Training of hunting qualities

If the dog is planned to be used for hunting, then training, as a rule, also begins in the first months of life:

• from the training in "porting" game: 2 - 3 month old puppies are taught to serve things at home, 4-5 months old - on the street and in the water (in summer);
• training to search by "shuttle" - from 4 to 5 months;
• training an animal for specific types of game - no earlier than 5 - 7 months.

Game training

• after identifying the characteristics of the character of the spaniel and its behavior;
• after the dog has mastered a minimum of general training techniques, knowledge of the main commands;
• you need to train the puppy alone, do not allow other family members at this time to take the dog out of town, into the forest, for "mushrooms";
• when training, keep the dog in sight, do not let go more than 40 steps away from you;
• train in places strictly designated for this by the hunting community;
• avoid when training difficult swamps, swamps, thick grass;
• protect the dog's natural scent: stop smoking in its presence, do not contain near chemicals, do not feed with spicy food.

Hunting features

The hunting Russian spaniel is a specialist in various types of game birds. When hunting, a four-legged hunter looks for a bird in hard-to-reach places for the hunter, raises it "on the wing", and then, after firing, brings prey.

Types of hunting with a spaniel:

• duck hunting;
• hunting for snipe and great snipe;
• corncrake hunting;
• hunting for black grouse and wood grouse.

Duck hunt

It is believed that this breed owes its appearance to duck hunting: it was originally bred to hunt waterfowl.

The specifics of hunting are as follows:

• hunting time: spring - autumn;
• place: meadow bogs, lake shores;
• process: the dog walks in front of the owner, moving by the water, through overgrown areas. Having found a hidden duck, the spaniel raises it on the "wing" and substitutes it for a hunter's shot, then searches for a killed bird or dives for a wounded animal. Without the participation of the dog, a large percentage of the wounded duck hides in the thickets, goes to places inaccessible to the hunter.

Snipe and great snipe

Many lovers of "beautiful" hunting prefer spaniels to cops in the hunt for this game. The spaniel does not do "stance", but works expressively and emotionally - so that even before the bird takes off, an experienced hunter will prepare a shot.

Specificity:

• time: August - early September;
• place: floodplain meadows, sedge bogs in the pre-dawn time;
• process: the dog moves "shortly", "shuttle". Sensing the game, the dog freezes, tries to bring the owner to the bird before it takes off.

Landrail

The main feature of the bird is its "laziness" - it is extremely reluctant to rise "on the wing", preferring to exhaust the dog by running. That is why the "stance" of the cop does not cope well with the jerk, but the hardy and active spaniel works well.

Specificity:

• time: mid-September;
• location: shores of meadow lakes and ravines, the border of mown meadows;
• process: the spaniel "drives" the corncrake in circles, sometimes for half an hour or more. With a voice, "candles", jumping, in the end, he lifts the stubborn bird "on the wing."

Black grouse and wood grouse

Grouse and wood grouse are very shy and cautious birds, so the main thing in hunting them is not to scare away the game ahead of time. Only the most "professional" dogs are suitable for this hunt - seasoned and patient.

Specificity:

• time: autumn;
• place: forest glades, wastelands, overgrown fields;
• process: the dog is in constant close contact with the person, bringing him close to the prey. Taking the trail, the spaniel goes around the bird from the side and directs it directly under the hunter's gun.

The pet is also taken for other types of hunting: for example, for a trotter hare, a hare, sometimes even for a wild boar. Possessing a real "hunting passion", this four-legged hunter will make any hunt reckless and rich in prey.

The character and ability of a dog is largely dependent on the person. The caring and attentive attitude of the owner to the pet will help him become an indispensable companion, both on the hunt and in everyday life.

Video

In the 19th century, hunting with dogs was extremely popular in our country. In particular, cocker spaniels were brought to Russia to hunt waterfowl or wading birds. But cockers, so popular in their country, in Russia, could not fully satisfy the needs of hunters, because their short limbs could not help dogs in winter hunting for birds, since the animals simply got bogged down in deep snow.

History

The lack of a dog suitable for the Russian climate made breeders think about independently breeding a suitable breed. They chose the longest-legged representatives of the breed, sent sprinters from Europe to improve the livestock with their blood. This process was repeated over several herds, leading to the emergence of spaniels that did not fit the standard of English breeds.

By the thirties of the last century, Russia had many dogs that did not fit the standards of the breeds available at that time, but had common characteristics. Nevertheless, it was too early to talk about the emergence of a new breed that meets the needs of hunters.

Full-fledged breeding work began after the Second World War, and in 1951 the original breed standard was introduced. The final, slightly modified standard appeared in 1966.

Dog's appearance

The hunting breed of the Russian spaniel is represented by individuals with a dry constitution, rather short in stature. In contrast, these dogs have high legs in relation to their height. The standard length of the foreleg from elbow to ground is 50% of the height at the withers.

Height of males - 38-44 cm, bitches - 35-42 cm at the withers. The norms do not indicate the weight of the animal, but for working individuals, 12-16 kg are the most comfortable.

The Russian hunting spaniel has a rather long coat, very soft to the touch, slightly curly. On the chest, ears, limbs - feathering, on the tail - dewlap. The color can be one-color, two-color or 3 colors. Available in both monochromatic and multi-colored colors: black, white, red, brown.

Running at work is a gallop. On a fairly rugged space - a trot.

Character

The Russian Hunting Spaniel is a fairly balanced, but agile dog. The attitude towards a person is friendly. Most often, the dog has a cheerful and affectionate disposition. for her is the master. Controlling the dog is easy.

Dogs have a perfectly developed instinct, they are unusually energetic, have high endurance, and are incredibly persistent. An innate quality is considered a thirst for search and a strong need to serve.

This dog is comfortable both at home and in the field. The hunting spaniel does not offend pets, it is caring for children. He will be happy to carry balls, toys and more. Training does not require much effort. An excellent watchman.

Choosing a puppy

A breed such as a spaniel (Russian hunting), a photo of this dog is presented in this article, is loved by many and is often purchased for children. If you buy a pet for a family, life in the city, you don't have to make any special requirements for a puppy. But if you plan to take a dog for hunting, then the choice must be taken very seriously.

The main requirement: you need to get a puppy from good working parents. Parents of the puppy must have documents confirming the breed, and in the pedigree the exterior must be assessed as "excellent". If the dogs have field diplomas - even better. This means that her working ability has been evaluated by experts.

Buying a puppy

The best way to get a puppy is through a kennel club. They will advise a breeder who has a dog that suits your needs. If you buy a pet through ads, there is a very high risk of getting a marriage of the breed or even a puppy not from purebred dogs. If you are not an expert in this field, it is best not to take risks and go to reputable breeders.

It is often quite difficult to acquire a hunting dog in large cities. So, amateurs gather in clubs, nurseries, sections in order to help beginners, organize competitions, just communicate with the same lovers of the Russian hunting spaniel breed. Moscow presents several kennels where you can buy a pet and an assistant. In the future, here you can get advice and help in training and developing working skills. These are "Forest Hunter", "Section of lovers of ROS MOOiR", "Section of lovers of spaniels" and several others.

Dog grooming

The coat should be brushed weekly while inspecting the ears. This breed is characterized by all sorts of inflammation in the ears. Often it is not necessary to wash the animal; it is better to do this after a long hunt, after running through swamps or rivers.

Feeding features

Every dog \u200b\u200bneeds a nutritious diet to stay healthy and active. Dry food should be left for a time when there is a shortage of time and there will be no time to prepare a full meal.

Feeding the Russian Hunting Spaniel is no different from feeding other breeds of dogs. The only thing to remember is that the pet is very active, so it needs to consume a little more protein.

Having decided to feed him with natural food, it is worth using mainly fish (if possible - sea fish), offal and lean meat, fruits and vegetables, which dogs of this breed are very fond of. Once every two weeks, it is advisable to arrange a fasting day for the animal.

Feeding the puppies

Once the puppy has been taken from the breeder, there is no need to rush to establish a new routine for it. In order to mitigate the stress of a change of scenery, you need to allow the pet to live as usual for at least a few days. You need to gradually change your diet, adjusting to your capabilities and habits.

Training

Even the most experienced dog breeder can teach the basic working skills of a puppy of this breed.

The training of the Russian Hunting Spaniel should begin in early childhood. First, the puppy is taught the general rules of behavior: they make him understand what he can do in the house and what not. When training, you need to be patient, as any dog \u200b\u200bneeds time to understand what is required of it.

Outdoor toilet training is an important learning step. The first 2 months of the puppy should not be taken outside, but the matured dog must be taken out every time it starts looking for a place to satisfy its natural needs (you cannot force the puppy to walk up the stairs - in order not to harm the joints, it must be carried in your arms).

Wrong and untimely upbringing threatens with serious problems in the future. Ill-bred dogs, not trained in the boundaries of what is permitted, are the causes of serious difficulties for the owner.

The main mistake of many dog \u200b\u200bbreeders is to succumb to the charm of the sad eyes of a pet asking for a handout from the table during a meal. The first thing that the puppy must learn is that begging in this house is prohibited. If the owner realizes that he cannot refuse the pet a piece from the table, it is necessary to forbid the dog to be present when people eat.

After the puppy of the Russian Hunting Spaniel breed has mastered the basic concepts, it will be useful to go through the OKD (general course of training) with him. This will allow him to better understand his owner and teach the owner to control the animal. OKD can be passed in specialized schools, but you can also master it on your own, since there is a lot of literature on this issue and it is not at all difficult to find it.

It is best to teach hunting skills under the supervision of an experienced instructor, especially if the owner himself is still a beginner. Training for young dogs should take place in the form of a game - this way the pet will better learn the necessary knowledge. The best game option for this breed would be hunting imitation. The dog breeders club will be able to suggest areas where you can most effectively teach the animal working skills.

Training these animals is not too difficult due to their intelligence and great desire to please the owner. If it is not possible to turn to instructors, it is quite possible to independently teach hunting skills for dogs of the spaniel breed (Russian hunting). Photos with detailed step-by-step instructions can be found in books on dog breeding.

Application of dogs

The Russian hunting spaniel was bred to hunt a bird that has chosen water as its habitat. The dog is widely used throughout the country. The main task of the dog is to find the bird and scare it by “lifting it on its wing”. After the hunter makes a successful shot, the animal must find and bring the game.

Russian Hunting Spaniel puppies are often purchased as companions for children. The breed is excellent for home keeping due to its cheerfulness, friendliness, affectionate disposition and responsibility. The dog enjoys spending time with its beloved owner everywhere - even in the mud of a swamp, even on a cozy sofa.

The search instincts of animals of this breed are so developed that today they are widely used to search for drugs or explosives or to rescue people from avalanches.

The dog's responsibility allows it to demonstrate excellent watchdog skills, protecting the owner's property if necessary.

The Russian Spaniel is not only an excellent hunting dog, but also a loyal, loving pet.

Dogs of this breed are quite small and adapt well to life in a small apartment. However, they are very active outdoors.

The adorable and friendly Russian Spaniels will gladly welcome guests, but remember that they have great intuition and are able to recognize suspicious people.

In general, the Russian Spaniel is easily trainable, attentive, athletic and friendly.

The Russian Hunting Spaniel possesses all the necessary qualities of a gun dog: stamina, excellent scent, energy, tenacity and an innate desire to bring prey. These dogs start early and do not require a lot of training. During the hunt, the Russian spaniel looks for a bird, raises it on its wing and, after firing, on command brings it to the hunter.

This dog is poorly suited for hunting in places with poor prey, in very dense thickets or in extremely difficult conditions. Russian spaniels are small dogs and can be exhausted. But in places rich in mining, they are very enthusiastic and energetic.

Hunters often use the abilities of Russian spaniels to hunt quail, jerk, sandpiper, hare and wild goat.

Pleasant appearance and cheerful, cheerful disposition made of dogs of this breed wonderful companions who never lose sight of their owner.

Also, these dogs get along well with children and will always warn about danger.

Diseases

Russian hunting spaniels are a relatively healthy breed of dog. Most often, they have the following diseases:

• food allergy
• obesity

Care

Taking care of your Russian spaniel is quite simple. As a rule, it consists in periodic brushing and bathing.

Particular attention should be paid to the eyes and ears of the Russian Spaniel. The eyes of these dogs are often watery, and therefore need special attention and care. The long, drooping ears of the Russian Spaniel are prone to infections. Therefore, it is recommended to check them periodically and clean them regularly.

Just like any other dog, the Russian Spaniel needs to periodically brush its teeth and trim the claws in time, if they do not grind off on their own.

It doesn't matter where the Russian Spaniel lives, in any case it needs a lot of walking and exercise to stay in good shape.

It should be borne in mind that every dog \u200b\u200bis different. This description is typical for the breed as a whole and does not always completely coincide with the characteristics of a particular dog of this breed!

The Russian Hunting Spaniel is the only domestic gun dog. It is used for hunting various game birds, sometimes it works on the trail of blood. Besides the fact that the Russian spaniel has good working qualities, it is also a wonderful companion. The breed is not recognized by the FCI, but is registered with the RKF.

In total, there are more than 10 breeds of spaniels in the world, the Russian hunting one among them is not the last in popularity and working qualities. Since the breed is not recognized by the International Cynological Federation, the livestock is very small outside the Motherland and the CIS countries.

The first spaniels in Russia, mostly they were, were brought from England, they belonged to the royal family. Small dogs were used to hunt pheasants, which was very fashionable then in Western Europe.

Most of the visiting spaniels were cockers, but they did not perform well in Russian conditions. Therefore, at the beginning of the twentieth century, breeders began to select for breeding more temperamental and high-legged dogs, and also poured springer blood into them. By the end of the 30s, a diverse livestock was formed, which did not fit into the standard of any of the existing breeds, but had a number of common features. Breeding work was concentrated in Leningrad and Moscow, few dogs were in Sverdlovsk. In the war and post-war years, the formation of the Russian spaniel stopped, but then continued again with renewed vigor. A preliminary standard was drawn up in 1949 and was revised twice in 1966 and 2000.

Video about the dog breed Russian Hunting Spaniel:

Appearance

The Russian Hunting Spaniel is a small, well-proportioned, elongated dog with a strong, dry constitution. The musculature is well developed, moderately prominent, the skin is elastic, dense, the coat is long.

Several important proportions are distinguished in the breed standard:

• The height at the withers in males is 40-45 cm, bitches - 38-43 cm.
• The oblique length of the body (from the anterior protrusion of the sternum to the buttock) is 115-120% of the height at the withers in bitches and 110-115% in males;
• The height to the elbow is 1/2 of the total height;
• The length of the skull is equal to the length of the muzzle.

The head is moderately long and dry. The skull, viewed from above, is oval, in profile the skull and muzzle lines are parallel. The stop is distinct, but smooth. The muzzle is long, slightly narrower than the skull. Under the eyes well filled, towards the nose, which should be black, slightly tapering. The lips are dry and tight-fitting, pigmented to match the color. The teeth are strong, healthy, complete. Scissor bite. The eyes are brown or dark brown, oval, set straight, moderately large. In brown-white and brown dogs, light brown eyes are allowed. The ears are long, drooping, close to the cheekbones, set at eye level or slightly higher. The lobe-shaped auricle is very mobile, the ear sheet should reach the nose.

The neck is moderately long, oval in cross section. Topline sloping from the neck to the base of the tail. The withers slightly exceed the height at the rump. The back is wide. The loin is slightly arched. The croup is of moderate length, slightly sloping. The tail is a continuation of the croup, thick at the base, mobile, straight. In a calm state, it is kept at the level of the back; in an excited state, it rises a little higher. The chest is moderately broad, deep, rather long with well-developed false ribs. The abdomen is moderately tucked up, the transition to the groin is smooth. Legs dry, bony, when viewed from the front, straight and parallel. The hind legs are set wider than the front legs, with well-defined articulation angles. Feet with tightly closed toes, well arched.

In working dogs, the tail can be docked in half.

The coat is formed by the undercoat and top coat. The awn is moderately long, shiny, straight or slightly wavy, fits tightly to the body. On the head and front of the legs, the hair is short, straight. Moderately long on the upper side of the neck, back, sides, croup. On the underside of the neck, chest, abdomen, back of the limbs. On the lower part of the tail and ears, the dressing hair is long, soft and wavy. The hair between the toes is thick, forming brushes.

Colors

The coat of a dog of the Russian Hunting Spaniel breed can be of several colors, which form a large number of colors.

Acceptable coat colors:

• Black - It is important that completely black dogs have dark eyes and a smooth, non-curly, not wavy coat.
• Brown is very rare in all its shades (liver, coffee, chocolate). Unfortunately, the brown color is very often associated with an undesirable quality of the coat, which very much rolls into mats and often needs to be trimmed. Eyes, as a rule, are light brown and they pass all these negative qualities to descendants.
• The red color is an interesting and promising color, but still very little common. Red dogs must have a dark nose and dark brown eyes.

For convenience, spaniel colors are divided into groups:

• Solid - can be with or without white markings on the throat, chest, tip of the tail, belly, paws, muzzle, forehead.
• Pied - on a light gray or white background, large and small spots are visible that cover the entire body. The color is called by the color of these spots. There are two types of piebald color: contrasting and speckled. The common colors are the same as for solid colors. Black piebald dogs are the most common, they are clearly visible on the hunt at dusk and their coat is usually of good quality.

With age, piebald dogs of a contrasting color are covered with rare specks and by the age of 10 it is very difficult to distinguish them from light speckled.

• Tan - red markings are located in certain areas: on the ears, cheeks above the eyes, on the legs, chest, under the tail. Ginger tan is present in all colors. It is not visible on a red background, but dogs can carry a recessive gene that is responsible for it.

Character

The Russian Hunting Spaniel is a gamble on the hunt, active, persistent, strong dog, who is selflessly loyal to the owner, obedient and quite emotional. The breed is characterized by a balanced, mobile temperament and friendly attitude towards people. Some males may try to dominate in the "pack", but with proper education and a strong character of the owner, this defect is quickly corrected.

Due to the sense of territoriality, they can be good watchmen, but it is believed that the deliberate development of aggression harms hunting qualities. It is not given to strangers, leaves or turns out, but usually does not snap. As for the attitude towards other animals and children, here a lot depends on the socialization of the dog and upbringing.

Training and physical activity

Spaniels are easy to train, but at a young age, when puppies are hyperactive and inattentive, do not overload them. The spaniel needs a steady hand and a determined owner who will work with the dog despite its stubbornness and independence. Spaniels can be trained after 4-5 months, but only after training the basic obedience commands.

Physical activity should be very good. The dog is walked 2-3 times a day, preferably at least an hour. It's good if the pet has the opportunity to periodically run in the open space without a leash.

Hunting with Russian spaniel

The Russian hunting spaniel is a gun dog used in hunting field, upland, marsh and meadow game. The spaniel swims well and dives for a wounded duck. The task of the dog is to find the bird, lift it on the wing, then, on command, bring the wounded animal to the owner. Very rarely, but Russian spaniels are also used for hunting on the blood trail.

Among themselves and on forums on the Internet, hunters use the abbreviation ROS to designate the breed.

Work style

In search, he moves with an easy, fast gallop. Upper flair is preferred, however the spaniel may lower its head below back level during the transition to track work. A well-positioned dog itself determines the rational pattern of search, depending on the terrain and wind direction. He is constantly in contact with the owner, periodically looks back at him, and in areas with high vegetation, he jumps out of the grass, making a candle. This allows the upper odor currents to be captured and visually locate the wearer. When the spaniel sniffs its prey, it revives sharply and lets the hunter know the location of the bird. At the moment of lifting the dog stops. He finds a knocked down bird without delay and feeds it with a soft grip.

Features of the content

Spaniels do not adapt well to life on the street. Not only because the dog can get cold in severe frosts. She needs constant contact and communication with the owner. The breed is recommended for those who are going to keep a dog in a house or apartment. The number of spoiled things during the puppy's growing up depends on his character. Adult dogs behave calmly in apartments. The only disadvantage is their shedding coat, which will be everywhere during the seasonal shedding period. If the dog is well looked after and bathed regularly, there will be no specific smell.

Hair care and hygiene procedures

Caring for your spaniel involves regularly combing and clipping the hair around the anus, prepuce, between the pads of the paws. Dogs that are not exhibited can be trimmed for the summer, in which the burrows are constantly entangled. It is worth considering that after a haircut, the wool grows thicker, it becomes more difficult to care for it.

Bathe your spaniel as needed. Completely, with shampoo and conditioner, usually every two to three months. They also monitor the condition of the eyes and ears. Profuse lacrimation is a feature of the breed. It is important to keep the lacrimal pathways dry and clean, as well as carefully monitor the condition of the conjunctiva so as not to miss the first signs of inflammation. The ears are cleaned once a week. If necessary, hair is removed from the ear canal, which contributes to the accumulation of sulfur. To avoid otitis media, it is very important to dry your ears well after water procedures or swimming in ponds. The claws are cut once a month using special pruning shears.

It is very important to teach the dog to hygiene procedures from early childhood. An adult spaniel simply won't let you do things that he doesn't like.

There are no special problems with the oral cavity in the breed, but it will not be superfluous to brush the dog's teeth once a week to prevent stone.

Feeding

It is better to decide on the type of food in advance and from puppyhood to accustom the body to natural or ready-made food. Both the first and second options are allowed. A lot has been written and said about the advantages and disadvantages of the two types, the choice always remains with the owner.

Health and longevity

In general, the breed is relatively genetically safe. Most diseases are caused not so much by heredity as by improper care or nutrition. The most common occurrences in spaniels are:

• Otitis;
• Conjunctivitis;
• Food allergy;
• Obesity.

Life expectancy is usually 11-13 years.

Choice and price of a puppy

Hunters are well aware of the importance of taking a puppy from working parents. Hereditary inclinations will certainly appear in practice. When choosing a dog, there are two ways to go. The first is to find a baby from an unplanned mating, without documents, but cheaper and take the seller's word that this litter is from real working parents. The second option is to choose a puppy exclusively in kennels, in which they are more rigorous in the selection of breeding sires, dogs have high scores for the exterior and working diplomas confirming hunting skills.

A true working spaniel should have diplomas in the main game species.

Of course, it will be difficult for beginners to figure out all the subtleties, titles and titles, so many turn to the Service Dog Club for help or find an expert spanielist on thematic forums.

It makes no sense to watch a puppy up to one month of age, when neither character nor external data is visible. They choose babies, usually from 8-10 weeks. An active, energetic, flirting puppy will be gambling on the hunt. More phlegmatic puppies are better suited for apartment life. Outwardly, babies should be healthy. By the age of 3 months they should have had their worms driven out and the first vaccinations given.

The price of a puppy fluctuates in a very wide range. You can buy a dog from the hands for a symbolic price. Sometimes there are advertisements for the sale of a Russian hunting spaniel for 500-1000 rubles. If we talk about puppies from working parents, but without documents, the price range usually ranges from 5,000-15,000 rubles. Puppies from nurseries from titled producers with working diplomas cost 15,000-25,000 rubles.

Photos

The gallery contains photographs of puppies and adult dogs of the Russian Spaniel hunting breed.