Carrie Pallardy
Spaniels are a type of hunting dog that traditionally flush and retrieve game, but this is a broad canine group with several different breeds. Within the Spaniel category, the breeds tend to share a jolly disposition and eager-to-please personality, but you’ll find a wide variety of sizes, colors, and personality quirks. Get to know some of the different spaniels to see if one of these breeds is the right fit for you.
Boykin Spaniel
Boykin Spaniels have dark brown coats, referred to as liver, with quite a bit of curl, particularly on the ears. They are medium-sized dogs, with males weighing up to 40 pounds and females weighing up to 35 pounds, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). The breed was initially developed to hunt water fowl and wild turkeys, according to The Boykin Spaniel Society.
Clumber Spaniel
Clumber Spaniels are one of the larger Spaniel breeds with males weighing as much as 85 pounds and females as much as 70 pounds, according to the AKC. These Spaniels are typically white with yellow or orange markings. Their long fur and soulful eyes give them a gentle loving appearance mirrored in their personalities. Like other Spaniels, these dogs have a long history of serving as hunting companions.
Cocker Spaniel
These Spaniels are actually broken down into two groups: American Cocker Spaniels and English Cocker Spaniels. The breeds have shared roots but have diverged over time to become distinct. The American Cocker Spaniel, often referred to simply as a Cocker Spaniel, is a petite Spaniel weighing 25 pounds on the high end for a female and 30 pounds on the high end for a male, according to the AKC.
English Cocker Spaniels are slightly bigger, both sexes weighing on average a few more pounds, and this breed tends to be a little bit taller. Both English and American Cocker Spaniels are known for their loving, loyal personalities.
Field Spaniel
Field Spaniels are closely related to Cocker Spaniels and Springer Spaniels. Like many of the Spaniel breeds, these pups have hard-to-resist, warm brown eyes. They come in many different shades of brown, as well as black, and have a long, slightly wavy coat. Field Spaniels are medium-sized dogs weighing 35 to 50 pounds, according to the AKC. These dogs are high-energy animals with hunting in their blood; they need plenty of regular exercise.
Springer Spaniel
Like the Cocker Spaniel, there are a couple of different Springer Spaniel varieties. English Springer Spaniels come in a few different color patterns: white with colors like black, liver, tan, or black and tan. These hunting dogs have boundless energy and form deep bonds with their owners. This breed weighs 40 to 50 pounds, according to the AKC.
Welsh Springer Spaniels tend to be a bit smaller than English Springers, and this breed has less color variety. The Welsh Springer is red and white. Both breeds are active sporting dogs with a drive to hunt, run, and play.
If you are thinking about adding a Spaniel to your family, you have plenty of choices. Consider the size of your home and your lifestyle. If you live in an apartment in a crowded city, maybe a smaller Cocker Spaniel is the right pick. If you have more open space and a desire for a hiking or running companion, a high-energy Springer will fit right into your life. You don’t have to hunt these pups, but keep in mind that they are bred to be inquisitive and active.
Spaniels routinely pop up on lists of popular breeds, so you have the option of doing your research on a breeder or checking out local rescue organizations.
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