Spaniels are a type of gun dog. Gun dogs are breeds that help hunters in the field. There are four main types of gun dog: retrievers, flushers, pointers and setters, and water dogs. Spaniels fall under the "flusher" category.
Origin of the Spaniel
The early history of the Spaniel is still unclear. Many assume that this family of dogs originated in Spain due to their name, however several theories circulate about the origin of these breeds, including that idea that they were first developed by the Romans. Wherever this canine family sprung from, each breed in the group also has its own rich and unique history.
The Spaniel Breeds
The Cocker Spaniel is a familiar name to most, but members of the Spaniel family include the American Water Spaniel, the Blue Picardy Spaniel, the Boykin Spaniel, the Brittany Spaniel, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Clumber Spaniel, the English Cocker Spaniel, the English Springer Spaniel, the Field Spaniel, the French Spaniel, the Irish Water Spaniel, the Sussex Spaniel, and the Welsh Springer Spaniel.
Misnamed Spaniels
Although it has the word "Spaniel" in its name, the Tibetan Spaniel is not really a Spaniel, as it has never been used in the hunt and was never meant for this purpose. another breed that is sometimes mistakenly termed as a Spaniel is the Japanese Chin. The reason for these breeds being endowed with this term is probably due to the faint resemblance they share with true Spaniels in terms of size, their long silky coats and frilled ears.
Extinct Breeds
Some breeds of Spaniels have disappeared from the earth. These include the Alpine Spaniel, the English Water Spaniel, the Norfolk Spaniel, the Toy Trawler Spaniel and the Tweed Water Spaniel. Some of these dogs were the forefathers of the dog breeds that exist today, including setters and various types of Spaniels, among others.
The Alpine Spaniel
The Alpine Spaniel was a large dog that was used as a rescue animal in the treacherous Alps, especially around the Great St. Bernard Pass. Because of the dangerous nature of their job, concern for the breed was voiced in the eighteen thirties. Unfortunately, not many years later the entire population of the Alpine Spaniel was decimated because of disease, leaving only one member of this breed.
Alpine Spaniels were crossed with other large breeds to try to produce dogs that would have thicker coats, in the hopes that this would help protect them from the freezing elements. The Alpine Spaniel is the reported forebear of the Saint Bernard.
Although they were originally bred for hunting, Spaniels in general possess a wonderful nature, filled with enthusiasm and a great love for people. They tend to be easy to train and eager to please, and many have nestled into their owners hearts as beloved companions.
Sources:
American Kennel Club. "Meet the Breeds." Saint Bernard. 2010.
Canada's Guide to Dogs. "Japanese Chin (Japanese Spaniel)"
Achilles. "The Alpine Spaniel or Bernadine Dog." Dog Breed Web.com.
Dog Owner's Guide. "Spaniels."
Pollock, Angela. "Guide to the different Spaniel Dog Breeds." 2002-2010. Helium.com.
Hoflin.com. "Tibetan Spaniels."
Messybeast.com. "Dog Breeds in 1853."
Old and Sold.com. "The Spaniel Family."
Blumberg, Jess. "A Brief History of the St. Bernard Rescue Dog." 2008. Smithsonian.com.
Monica C. Webster - Monica C. Webster is a graduate of the University of Toronto, with a BA in Art and Art History and a minor in English. She also has a ...
Join the Conversation