Spaniel

Dog type

For the Thoroughbred racehorse, see Spaniel (horse). For the American R&B doo-wop group from the 1950s, see The Spaniels.

English Cocker Spaniels are small spaniels A Welsh Springer Spaniel on the beach

A spaniel is a type of gun dog. Spaniels were especially bred to flush game out of denser brush. By the late 17th century, spaniels had been specialized into water and land breeds. The extinct English Water Spaniel was used to retrieve water fowl shot down with arrows. Land spaniels were setting spaniels—those that crept forward and pointed their game, allowing hunters to ensnare them with nets, and springing spaniels — those that sprang pheasants and partridges (for hunting with falcon) and also rabbits and smaller mammals such as rats and mice (for hunting with greyhounds). During the 17th century, the role of the spaniel dramatically changed as Englishmen began hunting with flintlocks for wing shooting. Charles Goodall and Julia Gasow (1984)[1] write that spaniels were "transformed from untrained, wild beaters, to smooth, polished gun dogs."

The word "spaniel" would seem to be derived from the medieval French espaigneul—"Spanish"—to modern French, espagnol.

## Definition and description

[edit]

A drawing of a typical skull of a spaniel

The Oxford English Dictionary defines Spaniel as "a breed of dog with a long silky coat and drooping ears".[2]

Not much has changed about spaniels in general over the years, as can be seen in this 1921 entry in Collier's New Encyclopedia:

> Their distinguishing characteristics are a rather broad muzzle, remarkably long and full ears, hair plentiful and beautifully waved, particularly that of the ears, tail, and hinder parts of the thighs and legs. The prevailing color is liver and white, sometimes red and white or black and white, and sometimes deep brown, or black on the face and breast, with a tan spot over each eye. The English spaniel is a superior and very pure breed. The King Charles is a small variety of the spaniel used as a lapdog. The water spaniels, large and small, differ from the common spaniel only in the roughness of their coats, and in uniting the aquatic propensities of the Newfoundland dog with the fine hunting qualities of their own race. Spaniels possess a great share of intelligence, affection, and obedience, which qualities, combined with much beauty, make them highly prized as companions.

## History

[edit]

King Charles Spaniels, photographed in 1915, one of the smaller breeds, are primarily lap dogs

The origin of the word spaniel is described by the Oxford English Dictionary as coming from the Old French word espaigneul which meant "Spanish (dog)"; this in turn originated from the Latin Hispaniolus which simply means "Spanish".[2]

In Edward, 2nd Duke of York's work The Master of Game, which was mostly a 15th-century translation of an earlier work by Gaston III of Foix-Béarn entitled Livre de chasse, spaniels are described as being from Spain as much as all Greyhounds are from England or Scotland.[3] Sixteenth-century English physician John Caius wrote that the spaniels of the time were mostly white, marked with spots that are commonly red. He described a new variety to have come out of France, which were speckled all over with white and black, "which mingled colours incline to a marble blewe".[4]

### Celtic origin theory

[edit]

In the appendices added to the 1909 re-print of Caius' work, the editors suggested that the type of dogs may have been brought into the British Isles as early as 900 BC by a branch of the Celts moving from Spain into Cornwall and on into Wales, England and Ireland.[3] Theories on the origin of the Welsh Springer Spaniel support this theory, as it is believed that the breed specifically is a direct descendant of the "Agassian hunting dog" described in the hunting poem Cynegetica attributed to Oppian of Apamea, which belonged to the Celtic tribes of Roman Britain:[5]

> There is a strong breed of hunting dog, small in size but no less worthy of great praise. These the wild tribes of Britons with their tattooed backs rear and call by the name of Agassian. Their size is like that of worthless and greedy domestic table dogs; squat, emaciated, shaggy, dull of eye, but endowed with feet armed with powerful claws and a mouth sharp with close-set venomous tearing teeth. It is by virtue of its nose, however, that the Agassian is most exalted, and for tracking it is the best there is; for it is very adept at discovering the tracks of things that walk upon the ground, and skilled too at marking the airborne scent.[6]

### Roman origin theory

[edit]

Another theory of the origin of the spaniel is that the ancient Romans imported spaniels into Britannia by way of the trade routes to the Far East. Colonel David Hancock[7][page needed] adds a belief that the sporting type of spaniel originated in China from the short-faced ancestors of dogs such as the Pekingese, Pug and Shih Tzu. The theory goes that these ancestors were introduced into Southern Europe and evolved into the small sporting spaniels of the period around AD 1300–1600. The issue of how a short-muzzled dog could evolve into a longer-muzzled dog is addressed by pointing to the evolution of the King Charles Spaniel into the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in less than a century.[8][self-published source?]

## Hunting

[edit]

A 16th-century drawing of a hawking party with spaniels

In assisting hunters, it is desirable that spaniels work within gun range, are steady to shot, and are able to mark the fall and retrieve shot game to hand with a soft mouth. A good nose is highly valued, as it is in most gun dog breeds. They are versatile hunters traditionally being used for upland game birds, but are equally adept at hunting rabbits, waterfowl, rats, and mice. Whether hunting in open fields, woodlands, farm lands—in briars, along fencerows or marshlands, a spaniel can get the job done.[9]

On the basis of function and hunting style, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) draws a distinction between Continental and Anglo-American spaniels. The FCI places Continental dogs of the spaniel type in the pointing group (Group 7, sect. 1.2) because they function more like setters which "freeze" and point to game. Breeds in this group include the Blue Picardy Spaniel, the French Spaniel, the Brittany, the Pont-Audemer Spaniel, and the Small Münsterländer. The FCI classifies most other dogs of the spaniel type as flushing or water dogs (Group 8, sections 2 and 3).[10]

## Breeds

[edit]

### Contemporary

[edit]

Type of spaniel  | Also known as  | Country/region of origin  | Min. height  | Max. height  | Min. weight  | Max. weight  | Image

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

American Cocker Spaniel | Cocker Spaniel
(in the United States)  | United States  | 13 in (33 cm)  | 15 in (38 cm)  | 24 lb (11 kg)  | 29 lb (13 kg)[11] |
American Water Spaniel |  | United States  | 15 in (38 cm)  | 18 in (46 cm)  | 25 lb (11 kg)  | 45 lb (20 kg)[12] |
Blue Picardy Spaniel | Epagneul Bleu de Picardie  | France  | 22 in (56 cm)  | 24 in (61 cm)[13] | 43 lb (20 kg)  | 45 lb (20 kg)[14] |
Boykin Spaniel |  | United States  | 15 in (38 cm)  | 18 in (46 cm)  | 25 lb (11 kg)  | 45 lb (20 kg)[15] |
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Cavalier Spaniel  | United Kingdom  | 12 in (30 cm)  | 13 in (33 cm)  | 13 lb (5.9 kg)  | 18 lb (8.2 kg)[16] |
Clumber Spaniel |  | England  | 17 in (43 cm)  | 20 in (51 cm)  | 55 lb (25 kg)  | 85 lb (39 kg)[17] |
Drentse Patrijshond | Dutch Partridge Dog  | Netherlands  | 21.5 in (55 cm)  | 25.5 in (65 cm)  | 55 lb (25 kg)  | 77 lb (35 kg)[18] |
English Cocker Spaniel | Cocker Spaniel
(In the United Kingdom)  | England  | 15 in (38 cm)  | 17 in (43 cm)  | 26 lb (12 kg)  | 34 lb (15 kg)[19] |
English Springer Spaniel |  | England  | 19 in (48 cm)  | 20 in (51 cm)  | 40 lb (18 kg)  | 50 lb (23 kg)[20] |
Field Spaniel |  | England  | 17 in (43 cm)  | 18 in (46 cm)  | 35 lb (16 kg)  | 50 lb (23 kg)[21] |
French Spaniel | Épagneul français
(in France)  | France  | 21 in (53 cm)  | 25 in (64 cm)  | 45 lb (20 kg)  | 60 lb (27 kg)  |
German Spaniel | Deutscher Wachtelhund  | Germany  | 16 in (41 cm)  | 20 in (51 cm)  | 44 lb (20 kg)  | 66 lb (30 kg)[22] |
Irish Water Spaniel | Whiptail, Shannon Spaniel, Rat Tail Spaniel, and Bog Dog  | Ireland  | 21 in (53 cm)  | 24 in (61 cm)  | 45 lb (20 kg)  | 65 lb (29 kg)[23] |
King Charles Spaniel | English Toy Spaniel
(in the United States)  | England  | 9 in (23 cm)  | 10 in (25 cm)  | 6 lb (2.7 kg)  | 12 lb (5.4 kg)[24] |
Kooikerhondje | Dutch Spaniel  | Netherlands  | 14 in (36 cm)  | 16 in (41 cm)  | 20 lb (9.1 kg)  | 24 lb (11 kg)[25] |
Markiesje | Dutch Tulip Hound  | Netherlands  | 12.5 in (32 cm)  | 15.5 in (39 cm)  | 13 lb (5.9 kg)  | 18 lb (8.2 kg)  |
Papillon | Continental Toy Spaniel,
Épagneul Nain Continental  | France  | 8 in (20 cm)  | 11 in (28 cm)[26] | 5 lb (2.3 kg)  | 10 lb (4.5 kg)[27] |
Phalène | Continental Toy Spaniel,
Épagneul Nain Continental  | Belgium  | 8 in (20 cm)  | 11 in (28 cm)  | 5 lb (2.3 kg)  | 10 lb (4.5 kg)[28] |
Picardy Spaniel | Épagneul Picard  | France  | 22 in (56 cm)  | 23.5 in (60 cm)  | 44 lb (20 kg)  | 55 lb (25 kg)[29] |
Pont-Audemer Spaniel | Épagneul Pont-Audemer  | France  | 20 in (51 cm)  | 23 in (58 cm)[30] | 40 lb (18 kg)  | 53 lb (24 kg)[31] |
Russian Spaniel | Russian hunting spaniel

(Русский охотничий спаниель)

| Russia  | 15 in (38 cm)  | 17 in (43 cm)  | 28 lb (13 kg)  | 40 lb (18 kg)[32] |
Stabyhoun | Frisian Pointer  | Netherlands  | 19.6 in (50 cm)  | 21 in (53 cm)  | 30 lb (14 kg)  | 50 lb (23 kg)[33] |
Sussex Spaniel |  | England  | 13 in (33 cm)  | 15 in (38 cm)  | 35 lb (16 kg)  | 44 lb (20 kg)[34] |
Welsh Springer Spaniel |  | Wales  | 17 in (43 cm)  | 19 in (48 cm)  | 35 lb (16 kg)  | 55 lb (25 kg)[35] |

### Extinct

[edit]

Type of spaniel  | Country/region of origin  | Period of extinction  | Image

|
|
|

Alpine Spaniel | Switzerland  | 1830s  |
English Water Spaniel | England  | 1930s  |
Norfolk Spaniel | England  | 1902  |
Toy Trawler Spaniel | United Kingdom  | 1920s  |
Tweed Water Spaniel | England  | 19th century  |
Manilla Spaniel[36] | Philippines  | Early 20th century  |

### Misnamed

[edit]

The following breeds are not true spaniels, but are named as such due to their resemblance to the spaniels.[citation needed]

Type of spaniel  | Also known as  | Country/region of origin  | Min. height  | Max. height  | Min. weight  | Max. weight  | Image

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Japanese Chin | Japanese Spaniel  | Japan  | 9 in (23 cm)  | 10 in (25 cm)  | 4 lb (1.8 kg)  | 11 lb (5.0 kg)[37] |
Pekingese | Chinese Spaniel[38] | China  | 8 in (20 cm)  | 9 in (23 cm)  | 8 lb (3.6 kg)  | 14 lb (6.4 kg)[39] |
Tibetan Spaniel |  | Tibet[40] | 9 in (23 cm)  | 11 in (28 cm)  | 9 lb (4.1 kg)  | 15 lb (6.8 kg)[41] |
Brittany | Brittany Spaniel  | Brittany, France  | 17 in (43 cm)  | 20.5 in (52 cm)  | 30 lb (14 kg)  | 45 lb (20 kg)  | Brittany Spaniel

## See also

[edit]

* Sprocker Spaniel
* Dogs portal
* List of dog breeds
* Alanorarius, a keeper of spaniels
* Hunting dog
* Dog type

## Citations

[edit]

1. ^ Goodall and Gasow, The New Complete English Springer Spaniel, 1984.
2. ^ a b "spaniel". Compact Oxford English Dictionary. Archived from the original on 2016-09-25. Retrieved 2010-03-07.
3. ^ a b Edward of Norwich, 2nd Duke of York (1909). The Master of Game. Ballantyne, Hanson & Co. p. 195.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
4. ^ Caius, John; Fleming, Abraham (1880). Of Englishe dogges, the diversities, the names, the natures and the properties. A short treatise written in Latine and newly drawne into Englishe. Bradley. p. 15\. Archived from the original on 2016-12-10. Retrieved 2016-08-18.
5. ^ "Welsh Springer Spaniel Did You Know?". American Kennel Club. Archived from the original on 4 August 2010. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
6. ^ Cited in: Ireland, Stanley (2008). "Chapter 15: Government, Commerce and Society". Roman Britain: A Sourcebook. Routledge Sourcebooks for the Ancient World (3rd ed.). Taylor & Francis. p. 216, §507. ISBN 9780415471770. OCLC 223811588.
7. ^ Hancock, The Heritage of the Dog, 1990.
8. ^ Judah, J.C. (2007). An Ancient History of Dogs: Spaniels Through the Ages. Lulu.com. p. 42.[self-published source]
9. ^ "Spaniel Journal". spanieljournal.com. Archived from the original on 2014-01-02. Retrieved 2013-12-21.
10. ^ FCI – Breeds nomenclature Archived 2008-03-14 at the Wayback Machine; FCI – Breeds nomenclature Archived 2008-03-04 at the Wayback Machine
11. ^ Fogle (2006): p. 152
12. ^ Palika (2007): p. 131
13. ^ "Blue Picardy Spaniel - Breed Description and Information". Canada's Guide to Dogs. Archived from the original on 2010-01-03. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
14. ^ Fogle (2006): p. 230
15. ^ Palika (2007): p. 172
16. ^ Coile, D. Caroline (2008). Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (2nd ed.). Barron's Educational Series. p. 11\. ISBN 978-0-7641-3771-6.
17. ^ Smith (2002): p. 128
18. ^ Cunliffe, Juliette (1999). The Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds. Parragon. p. 323\. ISBN 0-7525-8018-3.
19. ^ Lambert, Cathy. Getting to Know English Cockers. Animalinfo Publications. p. 20\. ISBN 978-1-921537-15-8.
20. ^ Smith (2002): p. 134
21. ^ Palika (2007): p. 237
22. ^ Fogle (2006): p. 344
23. ^ Palika (2007): p. 269
24. ^ Palika (2007): p. 232
25. ^ Larkin, Peter (2003). The Essential Dog Book. Anness Publishing. p. 135\. ISBN 978-0-681-86485-6.
26. ^ Hungerland, Jacklyn E. (2003). Papillons. Barron's Educational Series. p. 11. ISBN 978-0-7641-2419-8.
27. ^ Palika (2007): p. 311
28. ^ "Breed Information: Phalene". Purina Care: Pet Health Library. Archived from the original on 2011-06-22. Retrieved 2009-11-21.
29. ^ "Picardy Spaniel Information". Sarah's Dogs. Archived from the original on 2018-10-21. Retrieved 2018-11-03.
30. ^ Cunliffe, Juliette (2005). The Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds (2nd ed.). Whitecap Books. p. 310\. ISBN 978-0-7641-5700-4.
31. ^ Wilcox, Bonnie; Walkowicz, Chris (1995). Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World (5th ed.). TFH Publications. p. 383\. ISBN 978-0-7938-1284-4.
32. ^ Cunliffe, Juliette (1999). The Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds. Parragon. p. 347\. ISBN 0-7525-8018-3.
33. ^ "Ameri-Can Stabyhoun Association". stabyhouns.org. Archived from the original on 2013-04-19. Retrieved 2013-02-14.
34. ^ Spiotta-DiMare, Loren (1999). The Sporting Spaniel Handbook. Barron's Educational Series. p. 122\. ISBN 978-0-7641-0884-6.
35. ^ Smith (2002): p. 122
36. ^ "What Ever Happened to the Manilla Spaniel". Esquire.
37. ^ Fogle (2006): p. 67
38. ^ Drury, W.D. (1903). "Chapter LVIII. Chinese Spaniels, Chinese Pugs or Pekinese Spaniels, Pekinese Pugs". British Dogs, Their Points, Selection, And Show Preparation. Charles Scribner's Sons. Archived from the original on 2010-02-19. Retrieved 2010-03-07.
39. ^ Palika (2007): p. 315
40. ^ "FCI-Standard N° 231 / 11. 05. 1998 / GB Tibetan Spaniel". Fédération Cynologique Internationale. Archived from the original on 2012-08-01. Retrieved 2010-10-16.
41. ^ Palika (2007): p. 375

## General and cited references

[edit]

* Fogle, Bruce (2006). Dogs. Eyewitness Companion Guides. DK Adult. ISBN 978-0-7566-1692-2.
* Palika, Liz (2007). The Howell Book of Dogs: The Definitive Reference to 300 Breeds and Varieties. Howell Book House. ISBN 978-0-470-00921-5.
* Smith, Steve (2002). The Encyclopedia of North American Sporting Dogs: Written by Sportsmen for Sportsmen. Willow Creek Press. ISBN 978-1-57223-501-4.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Spaniels.

* Журнал Спаниель (www.journalspaniel.ru) (in Russian) and Spaniel Journal (in English)

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Gundogs

Pointers
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* Ariège Pointer
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Retrievers|

* Chesapeake Bay Retriever
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Spaniels|

* American Cocker Spaniel
* Boykin Spaniel
* Clumber Spaniel
* English Cocker Spaniel
* English Springer Spaniel
* Field Spaniel
* German Spaniel
* Kooikerhondje
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* American Water Spaniel
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Extinct breeds|

* Braque Dupuy
* English Water Spaniel
* Norfolk Spaniel
* Old Spanish Pointer
* Tweed Water Spaniel

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