Russian Hunting Spaniel: breed characterization and rearing

The conversation about hunting breeds of dogs can go on almost endlessly. But one of their underestimated species is the Russian hunting spaniel. He is less known to a large number of people than huskies, dachshunds or greyhounds, but in fact he is not inferior to them.

In the last quarter of the 19th century, cocker spaniels were imported into the Russian Empire, however, the squat of this breed became an almost insurmountable obstacle in the organization of hunting. A new urgent task has appeared - the development of a not-too-demanding gun dog, which would not take up much space and be distinguished by endurance. What is symbolic, such a new breed as the Russian hunting spaniel was created at the next historical stage. In 1931, a spaniel section was created in Leningrad. It was she who became the leading center engaged in the development of the breed.

An intermediate result was achieved by the end of the 1930s. At that time, a variety of spaniels appeared also in Moscow and Sverdlovsk. The decisive step was taken already in the post-war period. For this, we used not only the remaining livestock, but also imported the best spaniels in the world. The first breed standard in its now familiar form was approved in 1951.

After 15 years, it was slightly changed. The next edition of the standard was adopted in 2000. In the 1990s, the population of the breed declined sharply, but over the past 20 years, its new rise began. Now the Russian hunting spaniels have firmly taken their place among the hunting dogs in our country. And therefore it is important to know what they are.

When characterizing a dog of the Russian hunting spaniel breed, it should be noted that the World Cynological Association does not recognize this species. Therefore, one has to rely on information provided by the Russian Cynological Federation. The breed is characterized by a strong, slightly squat physique with a dry composition. The backbone is very strong, the muscles are well developed. The chest is wide, characterized by great depth and length.

An important feature is good development of false ribs. The withers also thoroughly develop, the back is straight and looks strong. A small slope appears between the withers and lower back. The lumbar is saturated with muscles, has a relatively short length and protrudes slightly upward. The relatively long and wide croup is muscular.

The weight of the dog is from 13 to 18 kg. The standard provides for the density and elasticity of skin that does not have wrinkles. The head is not too long, the cranial part is quite wide and has an oval configuration. The following moments are characteristic:

• bulge of the forehead;
• relatively small occipital protuberance;
• pronounced superciliary arches;
• parallelism of the skull and muzzle (with a clearly noticeable transition between them);
• the muzzle above is rather wide, but inferior in width to the skull;
• some narrowing of the muzzle in the nose.

The teeth of the Russian spaniel are durable and well developed. Scissor bite and tight overlap of the upper jaw of the lower jaw - these are two of their characteristic features. Spaniel eyes are oval, large. In most cases, the eyes are browned (dark or light shade). Eye color usually matches the color of the coat.

The ears of the hunting spaniel are hanging, have a large length and are rounded at the ends. They are planted either along the cut line of the eyes, or above it. Ears are firmly pressed to the cheekbones. The neck is low, forelegs dry, parallel type. The shoulder-joint joints extend at an angle of about 100 degrees (with the elbows pointing back and straight forearms).

Russian hunting spaniel has straight parallel hind limbs. They are wider than the front paws. The oblique setting of short legs is also characteristic. The dog moves easily and freely. Her rounded paws have fingers tightly gathered in a lump. The tail at the very beginning is thick, docked by about 50%.

The coat of the Russian hunting spaniel is long and soft, tightly attached to the surface of the body. Head and paws are covered with rather short hair. On the neck, on the back and on the sides, it is longer and thicker. There are several colors characteristic of the breed. One-color coloring implies either the absence of white marks, or their presence in strictly defined areas, such as:

• muzzle;
• forehead;
• throat;
• chest;
• stomach;
• tail tip;
• paws.

Black color is accompanied by the appearance of smooth and straight coat. A brown tone is detected if there is no black pigment in the coat. Usually eyes and nose are brown. This color is characterized by a long and dense coat. The head is covered with a kind of dense cap, the back and limbs are also covered with dense wool.

The red spaniel can actually have a variety of colors - from light fawn to dark red. The nose of such a dog is black or brown, and the eyes are only dark brown in color. Two-tone (piebald) representatives of the breed can have 9 different color variations (if we take into account the nettle and tanning). For greater convenience, it is customary to divide piebald into two types - contrast and speckled; both at birth have a white tone with large marks. In the future, the presence of nettle can be detected by pigmented areas on the nose and on the paw pads.

Speckle recognition is possible even at the age of 1 month.The final color is drawn up for 6-7 months. The speckled feature dominates the contrast. It is impossible to get speckled descendants from two contrasting dogs. There is also a three-color type of hunting spaniel.

DEW is characterized by cheerfulness, poise and calm. It is believed that he is persistent and energetic enough to participate in the hunt. Spaniels are not inclined to give up until they find and deliver the prey. They are constantly moving, and even on a normal walk, they must constantly move, as if looking for prey. Moreover, the reaction to any sounds and smells is very pronounced.

Characterized by good cohabitation with other pets. There are no examples when a dog would chase chickens, geese, pigs. However, this positive property is manifested only with a competent approach. No matter how cheerful the playful behavior of the kids may seem, its consolidation in adulthood will cause many problems. The skill to find and serve game can be used in games with a ball, a stick.

Russian hunting spaniels can participate in hunting for 4-5 days in a row. An attractive property of the breed is its excellent swimming characteristics. Only a few larger dogs will outperform the spaniel in swimming skills. But this is offset by perseverance and diligence. Connoisseurs advise to develop hunting skills in catching bogs and field birds, in which all the main advantages of the breed will be revealed.

DEW can go along with the owners along the shore after the end of the departure of ducks. Therefore, his "working day" is longer than that of other four-legged hunters. A dog that has achieved great skill will be able to prey on such cautious birds as grouse and black grouse. The effective actions of DEW in hunting are largely related to its physiological characteristics. Smooth (in comparison with other spaniels) wool allows you to avoid clogging with seeds of marsh and meadow plants (although some of them still stick).

Hunting behavior - search for prey, reaction to its take-off, reaction to shooting, delivery of black birds to their owners, they have about the same as English cockers. High legs increase the effectiveness of action in the swamps and in the middle of the bumps. Elongated, in comparison with the "English", the lumbar spine contributes to the development of the saving power of the creeping gallop. Dry eyelids are not clogged or traumatized by various seeds sticking out blades of grass.

Any spaniel tries to immediately deliver to the owner all the fallen bird. For him, it does not matter which of the hunters shot the prey. It is worth considering that even very diligent actions of a dog can not always compensate for the difficulties of hunting. In the ford duck exit, when there are dense thickets or marshy areas of the coast, it is advisable to give preference to huskies or continental cops. It must be remembered that the excitement and passion of ROS for hunting can lead to sad consequences for the dog.

If you are not limited to hunting behavior, you must also indicate that physical contact with the owner is especially valuable for these dogs. And yet, even attachment to a person is not the main passion of spaniels. They love hunting more than anything else. When preparations for it begin, the dog will carefully monitor all actions. The pet begins to rush about, get underfoot, and the charter, will wait at the exit, if only it would not be forgotten.

On the road, all items used for hunting are guarded by the dog with zeal, sometimes even aggressively.

Such a dog becomes an excellent companion for lovers of long walks in parks and forests. Like all spaniels, it swims perfectly and is therefore appreciated by waterfowl hunters. She has a very tolerant attitude towards the children of her owners; the dog eagerly plays with them. In relation to "alien" children, a manifestation of aggression is likely.

It’s easy to train a Russian hunting spaniel, as he masters teams without any problems. Enough praise on the part of the owner to motivate the dog to execute previously executed orders. The serious problem is lack of natural saturation. It is therefore unreasonable to focus on the animal's appetite. It is required to strictly monitor the consumed portions and set aside time for exercise.

If this is not done, then the dog will randomly eat all the waste found and even plants. She does not disdain even garbage. High activity can also be a source of problems. It is not necessary to let the pet go for walk without supervision, and it is also highly advisable to teach him not to cross roads, not to go to dangerous places. Given these recommendations, almost all problems can be avoided.

Russian hunting spaniels are relatively small and can be kept in almost any apartment. Going hunting, many carry such a dog in backpacks. Pets tolerate such transportation well.

It is very important for them to swim more often, because this:

• increases overall tone and immunity;
• stabilizes the nervous system;
• strengthens the respiratory system;
• helps improve limb motility.

ROS is inclined to actively nibble. He tries literally everything he can find in the house and on the street. But the dog is flexible and firmly attached to the owners. Problems can arise if someone else's cats get into the house or yard: then the spaniel, according to the instinct, will drive them away.

Combing Russian hunting spaniels must be at least 1 time per week. To do this, use combs made of metal. Regular combing helps to avoid the appearance of tangles and an unkempt look. Work with wool is carried out from head to tail, moving the comb along the hair growth. To simplify the matter, sprinkling with weak vinegar or an unsaturated solution of citric acid helps.

Usually 30 ml of citric or acetic acid are added to 1 liter of hot water. Then all this is mixed and cooled to 40 degrees. If there is no special balm, the same solution is useful for rinsing the coat after bathing. Puppies will have to be combed with a natural hair brush. Metal teeth can damage their thin sensitive skin.

Bathing occurs as pollution or 1 or 2 times per month. You can buy special shampoos at any pet stores. When choosing them, you need to focus on the type of wool. Overdrying of the skin can be recognized by the frequency of itching and the occurrence of dandruff. If the skin dries due to the shampoo, it must be changed immediately. After bathing at home, you can still treat the wool with balms or cosmetic oils.

The first haircut in the life of a spaniel should be done in about 3 months. Focus on hair growth. A full haircut (the so-called grooming) is made in 2-3 months. For hygiene purposes, dogs are sheared once every 12-14 days. At the same time, the grown hair on the paws and near the ears is removed.

Back cutting is not allowed. In about 8 months, the puppy fluff will begin to be torn away, and then the hair on the back looks as if they were not well-groomed. A comb with shortened teeth comes to the rescue, effectively removing fluff. Combing is carried out daily.

It is not difficult for a dog to air his ears: they wave their wings as if for several minutes in a row. Dogs kept in the apartment can be cut off their claws more than once every 30 days, as usual, but a little less often. In any case, it must be controlled so that the claws do not lengthen excessively and do not twist. Violation of this requirement leads to lameness.

Russian hunting spaniel needs monthly treatment with parasite protection products. The best drugs of this kind are Front Line and Advantix. After applying the composition to the withers, the animal cannot be bathed for 10 days. High activity and hunting instincts increase the risk of tick attacks.

Returning from the hunt and even just from a walk, you must certainly inspect the spaniel. As soon as a tick is detected, it must be removed immediately, but carefully. The bitten place is disinfected.

Particular attention should be paid to the proper feeding of the Russian hunting spaniel. In childhood, animals are given food 4-5 times a day every 3 hours. After a year, the number of meals is reduced to 2 times a day. Adult spaniels need to be fed in the mornings and evenings. But in any case, you need to take care of a balanced diet that meets the basic needs of the animal.

The most important component of a spaniel's nutrition is pure water. It must be available at all times. The bowls should be kept clean, excluding the presence of food debris in them. You need to wash them strictly in hot water.

Must be included in the diet of spaniels:

• lean meats;
• liver and offal (heart, spleen);
• meat and bone meal;
• the head;
• mesentery;
• sea ​​fish (boneless);
• seasonal fruits and a variety of vegetables;
• meat cartilage;
• stomachs
• crackers or stale bread.

There are a number of products that are unacceptable for the Russian Spaniel. These are all varieties of fatty meat, sweets and pastries, smoked products and spices. The ban also includes river fish, legumes (provoking gas formation), baking, and chocolate. At a young age, the dog should be given meat only in the form of scalded meat.

As soon as milk teeth change to permanent (usually at 7 or 8 months), you can switch to cutting meat food into small pieces. Waste from the processing of the intestines and stomach should be given only in boiled form. This allows you to minimize the risk of infection of the dog with harmful microorganisms. In addition, cooked food, unlike game, will not tear and wrinkle. All products give spaniels only in a fresh state, not too cold and not too hot (ideally room temperature).

In addition to overweight and food allergies, dogs may face:

• otitis media;
• leptospirosis;
• ringworm;
• pyroplasmosis;
• toxoplasmosis;
• demodicosis;
• sarcoptosis (aka itchy scabies).

Problems may be related to the dog’s eyes. After a night’s sleep, immediately accumulate mucus from them. To do this, use linen cloth or a clean cotton swab. Raising a spaniel, you will have to develop his habit of transferring toothbrushing. Tartar can be removed by soaking cotton buds in hydrogen peroxide.

A cause for alarm will be too frequent or unreasonably intense molting. Normally, it occurs every six months.Compared to other hunting dogs, Russian spaniels are true long-livers. Their average lifespan is 15 years. There are many cases when, with good care, animals survived to 20 years.

To guarantee the longest life spaniel, you must carefully check the information about his ancestors. If they have been sick for a long time and often, this is a very bad sign. Once every six months, the pet must be taken to the veterinarian for a preventive examination. Older dogs often suffer from liver problems. Spaniel health also depends on:

• lack of drafts near its place;
• maintaining physical fitness;
• systematic walking;
• injury prevention;
• annual comprehensive vaccination;
• attention from the owners (lack of attention leads to severe stress).

Since Russian hunting spaniels are hunters by nature, we must abandon the idea of ​​using them simply as toys of children. Like other dogs, they build actions based on unconditioned and conditioned reflexes. When teaching animals, it is imperative to apply the rewarding method. It can be expressed in the delivery of delicacies, in a gentle pat or in verbal approval. Sometimes you have to resort to punishment.

Scolding the spaniel should not be too much. If the dog starts to be afraid of the owners, this will only ruin the whole thing. Only in the most extreme case can one resort to physical punishment. In less serious situations, oral reprimands are used. Experienced owners try to apply both options (punishment and encouragement) in combination.

From the first days, puppies must clearly understand that their owners are leaders in the "pack." But only friendly relations with the pet can effectively train him. A good idea of ​​the owner should be developed in the first six months of the dog’s life. Having a dog at a later age, one cannot count on an equally strong affection.

However, the animal will still be faithful and obedient to the owners. Raising a hunting spaniel takes a lot of time. If there is no way to allocate at least 2 hours a day to work with a pet, then you should completely abandon its purchase. From the very beginning, you need to give him a nickname that will be pronounced in front of other teams. But the nickname can not be replaced by the command "To me!".

One of the first orders to learn is Place. It is often duplicated by patting on the litter. Then the pet will quickly understand what is required of him. Later, the command is given simply by voice without additional movements. Maximum attention should be paid to developing responses to commands:

• "It is impossible";
• “Stop”;
• "Sit";
• "Bring";
• "To me";
• “Seek.”

Next, we need to ensure that the command is executed without physical coercion. The ban must be practiced from the very beginning, not only on food, but also on other undesirable actions. For example, suppressing attempts to chase pets or birds unnecessarily. The “Sit” command is worked out, rewarding food for each successful execution. Consistently achieve an increase in the distance between the owner and the dog on which she will listen.

A tasteful training method has become quite widespread. If it is necessary in such a way to develop the correct reaction to the command “to me”, proceed as follows:

• give the required command (this is an irritant);
• demonstrate food;
• after completing the order, give it to the pet.

The mechanical skill building method involves pressure on the spaniel croup.It must stop immediately after the execution of the order. In both cases (with taste-promoting and mechanical methods) it is necessary to achieve the fulfillment of actions by verbal command. In the Russian hunting spaniel, it is possible to work out mechanically only actions “not allowed”. The most effective method of action is contrast training.

It consists in the use of an unconditioned mechanical stimulus as motivation, and then in the reinforcement of motivation by an unconditioned food stimulus. If you need to train a dog to approach on command, then it is accompanied by pulling on a leash. When the animal begins to approach the owner itself, its success is rewarded with a small piece of food. It is proved that the joint use of two opposite unconditioned stimuli accelerates the development of the necessary skill. In addition, the contrast technique gives the most durable and stable results.

Using physical stimuli, you must always dose the impact. The older, stronger and larger the dog, the more intense the stimulus should be. If he is too weak, the spaniel will not obey. If he proves to be prohibitively strong, then instead of strengthening motivation, it may disappear. In the worst case, the animal will simply show aggression. In any case, the conditioned stimulus should appear earlier than the unconditioned, and not after it.

A serious mistake is often being late with an unconditioned irritant. If it is applied some time after the signal is given, then the development of the required skill takes longer, and then the reaction to the command will be slowed down. It is required to avoid excessive rudeness during training, because because of it the dog ceases to trust the owners and begins to be afraid of him. Excessive affection and playful handling are also contraindicated, because they drastically reduce the manageability of the animal, which can cause many problems when hunting.

The name "spaniel" directly indicates that this breed appeared in Spain. She was later taken to the UK. In the past, they were divided into only two groups: those who hunt in water and on land. Now prevails classification by country of origin. Depending on them, characteristic features are distinguished. English Cocker Spaniel is different considerable mobility and very hardy. His physique is dense and muscular, his head bends in front and has a slight flattening.

A typical trait of the British breed is clever expression in the look. "Yankees" was developed on the basis of the English branch. As a result of breeding work, a relatively modest, beautiful dog with the correct proportions was obtained.

The skull of the "American" is close to a round shape, the animal is covered with long silky hair. The Russian hunting spaniel is slightly higher than the English and American types. Elongated paws make it easy to gallop through inaccessible areas. The light head has slight bulges on the sides. The skull is almost rectangular in shape. Unlike foreign counterparts, the Russian breed is capable of hunting not only ducks, but also hares.

General information about the properties of the breed is certainly very important. But in order to make the right choice, one must carefully consider all the nuances. Once again, we recall that such dogs are intended for hunting, and not for decorative keeping in the room. When planning to participate in exhibitions, you need to purchase not mestizos, but purebred individuals. Of particular importance is the age of the animal.

Acquiring spaniels that are less than 6 weeks old makes little sense. But too old copies are not too good. With very early separation from the mother, the probability of weakening the body and undermining the puppy's immunity is high. At the same time, such an act by breeders leads to deprivation of the pet's necessary social skills. They either do not appear at all, or are produced very poorly.

It would be a bad idea to buy the smallest puppies in the litter. Despite the external attractiveness, it is they who most often suffer from developmental defects. Be sure to request a written certificate indicating vaccinations and the facts of treatment for parasites. The Russian hunting spaniels for 5-6 days of life stop the tail and dewclaws. At the time of purchase, wounds in such places should be completely healed.

If this is not the case, pet anxiety can interfere with the development of a positive attitude towards the owner. You should definitely ask the breeders how did they feed the puppies, how much milk was given, what was the diet, and so on. The slightest hesitation in answering these questions will show that something is wrong. If it is not possible to contact the breeders, you must use the services of pet stores.

Outwardly healthy puppies are characterized by symmetrical development and strong muscles. The presence of scars and growths on the paw pads is unacceptable. Do not buy animals with redness on the skin and with impaired pigmentation. You can transfer money and sign an agreement only after the transfer of all supporting documents. If it is impossible to carefully raise the puppy, take an animal aged 6 to 10 months, but no more.

Equally important is the correct name for the spaniel. His choice cannot be considered an easy task. Since you will need to communicate with the dog often, the nickname should be chosen especially carefully. Some owners prefer that it symbolizes for them some qualities of the animal. Others simply focus on beautiful sound. Nicknames are popular for boys:

• Sancho
• Tom;
• Nile;
• Mars;
• Casper
• Sema;
• Hush
• Max;
• Louis;
• Timosha
• Bruno
• Kiwi;
• Adam;
• Zeus;
• Phoenix.

Fans of standing out will definitely pay attention to the names of Shaman, Ramses, The Hobbit, Scout, Muscat, Rocinante, Cactus, Batonchik. Some use nicknames with meaning, borrowed from the Japanese language. Among them stand out Shinju (pearls), Hiro (generous), Daiti (wise), Arata (new), Dayske (big help).

Nicknames for girls are recommended to be selected individually. The main criteria may be the appearance of the animal, its nature. Others use foreign names. The final decision depends on the wishes of the owners themselves. Popular options are such as Sarah and Nessie, Tina and Laura, Lana, Bead (Busia), Dora, Toffee, Chamomile, Carmen, Mary. Fans of beautiful nicknames should think about options such as:

• Athena;
• Kira
• Linda;
• Sabina;
• A fox;
• Juno;
• Umka;
• Sprat;
• Bagheera;
• Margo
• Alice;
• Sonia.

But one must be guided not only by the popularity of certain dog names.It is important to take into account the basic requirements when selecting them. Only words that contain a minimum of syllables should be used. The fewer they are, the sooner the nickname will be learned. Since it should be as simple as possible, you must abandon the use of the letters C, K, W, G, T, P. But the letters (sounds) H, L, R, H, B, D, C are even recommended.

It is undesirable to repeat in a nickname some human names. If they are used, then only rare or little used in our country. Otherwise, you may encounter very unpleasant situations on the street. The dog’s nickname must be chosen so that it creates associations with some pleasant things.

It is useful to study the comments of the owners of Russian hunting spaniels. These dogs are not suitable for housing. However, they are valued as true friends and reliable advocates. It is mentioned that the pet will easily find any object hidden in the house. Skillful owners can teach the dog a variety of tricks and tricks. Problems can bring buying an adult dog. There are references to specimens characterized by rigidity, resentment and vindictiveness.

Even the most “angry” individuals can be loyal and faithful friends. This is indicated by those people who knew how to find the "key to the heart" of the animal.

The intellectual abilities of the Russian hunting spaniel are very high. Of the negative properties, frequent biting of everyone who is in the way is noted. And any items (even cabinet furniture) may suffer. In the reviews, it is noted that Russian hunting spaniels do not tolerate feeding with flour foods, corn. When cooking cereals, they lay as much meat as possible. Especially carefully advised to approach the organization of the diet of sterilized animals.

The liveliness of the spaniels is really at a high level - there are cases when they found close contact with smaller dogs and even cats in the house. When starting such a dog, one must initially be prepared for the appearance of a large amount of wool in the house. Small spaniels are prone to leprosy, and if such an individual is caught, then a positive result of re-education will be achieved only by 3 years.

The rest of the training takes place without problems: You can already train the spaniel by 6 months to execute basic commands.

See how to correctly tame a Russian hunting spaniel in the next video.