Russian Hunting Spaniel - breed and character description

Russian spaniels belong to the dogs of hunting breeds, they can be safely reckoned with the pride of Russian cynology. For more than three hundred years, the breed has been pleasing hunters with its professional skills, and also acts as an ideal pet. Spaniels quickly learn, get along well with children and do not require special cares in care. Today we will consider all aspects affecting the four-legged representatives.

External data

Dogs cannot be attributed to large-sized pets, they are average in physique and quite muscular. The muscles are dry, developed, the backbone is strong. Dogs are famous for their long hair, which gives pets a special refinement. When you look at the dog, you can immediately understand - in front of you is a hunting individual with an intelligent and kind look.

1. Representatives of the breed differ from each other, gender difference is expressed in the muzzle and back. In females, the skull is not wide, the back is elongated. The males are shorter, the head is more powerful. As for weight and height, everything is the same here - indicators vary between 10-18 kg. Height is 40-45 cm.
2. The head has an average size, looks proportional to the overall composition, with a tight-fitting skin, no folds. The nose is flat, there is no pronounced transition from the frontal region to the nose. The muzzle with the skull is almost equal in length. The muzzle is narrowed, but ends with a blunt side. The lips are adjacent to the jaws, matched, not thick, painted black on the edge.
3. The teeth are white, straight, fully loaded, a scissor bite, clearances are not acceptable according to generally accepted standards. Also, individuals with a bite or overshot, crooked teeth, a lack of premolars and other similar defects will not be allowed to breeding. The nose is movable with open nostrils. The color of the tip of the nose can be black or in tone with the coat. But the most desirable variations are a black or brownish hue.
4. The ears are long, not thick, but not thin. Drop down along the head, a fracture in the middle of the cartilage or a standing format are not allowed. The base of the ears is mobile, when the dog is interested, then the ears are slightly shifted forward. Medium-sized oval eyes are set symmetrically; they are not hollow, but not convex. The iris is preferably brownish, but it all depends on the shade of the coat. Look kind, interested, with a slight sheen.
5. The dogs' bodies are folded in the shape of a rectangle, the males are close to the square format, bitches are slightly elongated. The back is flat, slightly inclined, but the female may not have this inclination. The croup is sloping, the withers are medium. There are no folds, the skin is elastic, elastic. The neck looks harmonious with the rest, the scruff is absent or is expressed medium. The chest is not too wide, deep, the ribs are elongated and rounded.
6. The back is muscular, strong, allows the dog to stand on its hind legs, without feeling discomfort. The loin rises slightly, the groin line is moderately tightened, there is no dryness. The limbs have strong joints and bone tissue. Muscular, dry, straight. Hind legs wide apart, forelegs narrower. Muscles are clearly visible on the hips. If dogs belong to the working type, removal of profitable fingers is mandatory.
7. The tail is movable, usually docked by ½ in order to prevent injuries during hunting. However, more and more owners prefer to leave the tail in its natural form, because this procedure is not mandatory.The tail is a continuation of the back, rises high if the animal is playfully tuned or interested. Twisting, hoop, creases are unacceptable.

Color

1. Allocate pets with a wool coat of the same tone. It can be black, brownish or reddish.
2. There are individuals of a tan color, for example, brownish-black.
3. Spaniels of domestic cynology are allowed in a color of 2 tones. Clear examples are piebald with black, piebald with brown, piebald with reddish.
4. Dogs with a color of 3 colors are less common. For example, brown-piebald, piebald with black and tan.

If the shade is different, then it will be attributed to disadvantages. The rare varieties include individuals of brown monophonic color or pure black.

Character

1. According to numerous reviews by animal owners, it can be concluded that spaniels are ideal companions and friends of the family. They also show unsurpassed hunting skills, which is why people with a similar hobby increasingly start spaniels.
2. Dogs have high intellectual abilities, which are combined with kindness and love for humans. The pet quickly becomes attached to the owner, but the owner still needs an active person who often happens in nature and can devote enough time to the animal.
3. Dogs of this breed are very fond of swimming, so they are brought up by residents of the southern regions and those who are deployed in the field of water sources. For a dog, splashing in the water is a real pleasure.
4. At the same time, spaniels do not require attention every minute. They patiently wait for the owner to sort things out. Dogs love children, suffer from them pranks, have fun with the child.
5. The dog is easy to learn, learns the team, it will not be a hassle in terms of training. Four-legged friends easily master the obstacle course, which promises them a long and successful career.
6. The spaniel will choose one adult owner for himself, will obey him in all respects. It is the main owner who must engage in training so that the dog does not confuse who is who. The main skill that the dog must master is the “Come to me!” Command. If you can handle it, the rest is in the hat.

Feeding rules

1. Owners of the breed in question have a choice in terms of the method of feeding the pet. The dog can be given natural food or the highest quality industrial feed. If you do not have enough time, then it is worth giving preference to the second option of food.
2. If you still choose natural food for your pet, you should consider its needs and characteristics of the body. Talk to your veterinarian about which healthy foods to include in your diet. It is also necessary to make a one-time serving size. In this case, do not forget to take into account the activity of the animal and its weight.
3. If the food is prepared on its own, then it should consist of 75% offal and lean meat. Twice a week, give the dog boneless boiled fish. Without fail, the daily diet should include fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs and various cereals.
4. A working dog is supposed to eat more nutritious and nutritious food. Arrange fasting days for your dog twice a month. Without fail, with natural nutrition, the pet must be given special nutrition. It consists exclusively of vitamins, minerals and other important substances.
5. As soon as you get a puppy, you should establish a feeding regimen. The animal must be fed strictly clockwise. The puppy needs to be fed several times a day. It is important to consider the age of the puppy. Over time, you need to reduce the amount of food intake. An adult dog should eat in the morning and evening. This is quite enough.

Content

1. The Russian Spaniel coexists without problems in an apartment or in a private house with its own plot. The pet tolerates heat and frost well. If you decide to keep the animal on the street, you need to build a warm booth. A secluded corner with a stove bench will be enough for the apartment.
2. If the puppy has not yet been given all the necessary vaccinations, you should wait until the end of quarantine and only then bring it out. Therefore, for some time, the dog should be accustomed to the tray. Alternatively, you can spread the diapers in several places.
3. When the puppy can be taken out to help, it should be taught, do it in the fresh air. As soon as the pet starts to tag, immediately take it out. All representatives of the breed of spaniels need active and long walks. Therefore, if necessary, you should reconsider your usual lifestyle.
4. It is recommended to take the dog for jogging. The pet will be able to accompany you when riding a bike or roller skating. Spaniels are very fond of porting. Dogs are able to overcome barriers of impressive height. If the animal does not receive the proper amount of load, obesity will develop.
5. Due to a sedentary lifestyle, the pet begins to form health problems of various kinds. As a result, the dog's lifespan is significantly reduced. If you frequent crowded places, always drive your dog on a leash. Spaniels react vividly to external stimuli. Seeing a cat, a pet can jerk after it.

Care Rules

1. Spaniels do not need special care. Keep in mind that working and hunting dogs are in contact with wild animals more often than other relatives. Also, the pet will often run in the wild. Timely vaccination is simply necessary. Also regularly inspect the animal for parasites.
2. In the warm season, put a special flea collar on the dog. Do not forget about regular prevention against helminths. Spaniels are very fond of swimming, while at home the animal does not need frequent water procedures. The undoubted advantage of the breed is that the pets do not smell like dogs.
3. On the wool of spaniels there is a special composition that repels dirt. Because of this feature, the spaniel should be bathed no more than 4 times a year, or as needed. The Russian representatives of the breed have a silky and beautiful coat. It needs to be combed out once a week. If necessary, carefully break the mallets.
4. If the animal is active enough, then the need to cut its claws disappears by itself. When keeping a dog at home, in rare cases, it should cut its nails (1 time per month). Special care should be given to the ears. The problem is that they are poorly ventilated, because of this, inflammatory processes are formed. Inspect your ears regularly. Visit your doctor if necessary.

Diseases

1. Breeders claim that Russian spaniels have good health. In rare cases, a pet may develop pathologies of a certain nature. Often with an inactive lifestyle, dogs develop obesity. Pets are also prone to inflammation in the ears. Spaniels rarely develop a food allergy.
2. Individuals of both sexes are prone to disease in the form of blockage of the paraanal glands. Sometimes bitches develop a pyometer. In addition, like other spaniels, representatives of this breed can get serious infectious pathologies. Among these, toxoplasmosis and leptospirosis should be distinguished.

How to choose a puppy

1. Before acquiring a puppy, gather as much information about the breed as possible. Learn all the details and find a professional and responsible breeder. You can contact the nursery. If you do not get a purebred puppy, his psyche may be unstable.
2. Externally, a dog can meet all standards, only a character can be a complete surprise.A Russian spaniel puppy can be purchased without difficulty. It is not uncommon, especially in the vastness of the homeland. In this case, you should buy a dog in a special dog club.
3. Consider purchasing a pet exclusively with documents. This nuance may indicate pedigree animal. If you are in doubt about buying a puppy on an ad, contact pedigree clubs for help.

Russian Spaniels are quite interesting and active dogs. If you decide to get a puppy, decide what you need it for. In any case, proper education and frequent active walks are simply necessary. Monitor the condition of the dog and feed it with quality food.

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