German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund): Breed Guide, Information, Care & More!

Height:	18-21 inches
Weight:	40-55 pounds
Lifespan:	12-14 years
Colors:	White, fawn. Brown, liver. Grey, red.
For:	Hunting, families, and singles
Temperament:	Intelligent, lively, friendly, versatile, courageous, outgoing

The German Spaniel is also known as the Deutscher Wachtelhund, or German Quail Dog in Germany. It has been used historically as a versatile hunting dog. Although the breed isn’t well-known outside of German hunting circles, it is slowly growing in popularity. They are rarely kept as pets because of their prey drive but are very popular with professional hunters. They are often used as gun dogs.

These dogs are very adaptable and can get along with strangers as well as other dogs. However, they can be quite boisterous around children and young children and can become a little too dominant. Because of their stubborn nature and high-energy prey drive, they are not suitable for novice owners. They are a great hunting companion and gun dogs, and they are very loyal and capable. This makes them one of Germany’s most loved dogs.

These dogs are well-known for their hunting and tracking abilities, but they are also becoming more popular as companion dogs. For more information on this energetic breed, please read the following.

German Spaniel Puppies — Before Bringing One Home…

You should carefully consider this before you bring home a German Spaniel puppy. These dogs were almost exclusively bred for hunting and have high energy, stamina, and a strong prey drive. The German Spaniel is a great choice if these are the traits you are looking for.

German Spaniels can be medium-sized dogs, with strong muscles and thick, thick coats. Their characteristic features include long ears and short legs. They can also sniff out and retrieve game in colder climates like Germany thanks to their sturdy build.

Remember that dogs with high energy and exercise requirements are a huge responsibility and will need a lot of attention and time every day. They are friendly, loving, and obedient dogs and are great for active owners, hunters, and lovers of the outdoors.

Three Little-Known Facts about German Spaniels

1. They are very rare in Germany.

The German Spaniel is a rare breed outside of Germany. However, they are slowly becoming more popular in Sweden because of the increasing wild boar population. They are used to track wild boar in Sweden and prevent them from being killed. In the 1970s, several German Spaniels were brought into the United States. However, they were only bred a few times and produced only 17 dogs. The U.S. did not register any German Spaniels, so the descendants of the few imported dogs are used to hunt and track black bears. More dogs have been imported since then and are now bred in the USA.

Only hunters and gamekeepers in Germany are allowed to own a German Spaniel. They are rarely sold to the public.

2. These were created from the extinct Stoeberer.

Frederick Robert, a German dog breeder, is widely credited with the creation of the German Spaniel. There are many breeds that could have contributed to the creation of the German Spaniel, but the most notable is the “Stoeberer,” which can be found in the early 1700s. They were believed to have a similar sense of smell to the Bloodhound.

3. They are seldom kept as pets.

The German Pointer was bred for hunting only and is rarely known beyond hunting circles. These dogs are now being used as companion animals due to their energy and strong hunting drive.

Temperament & Intelligence in the German Spaniel

The German Spaniel is an energetic, athletic, and happy hunting dog. They love being outdoors with their owners. They are friendly with other dogs and humans and can adapt to new environments well. They are intelligent and courageous, and they are quick to learn.

Although they may not be as well-suited for hunting as other Spaniel breeds like the Maltese, they can still serve as hunters for owners who require a dog capable of performing multiple roles such as retrieving, tracking, and sniffing. They are alert, always willing, and ready to work. The breed’s “always-on” eagerness makes it difficult to keep as a companion dog.

The German Spaniel is docile and friendly towards strangers. They are alert and are not afraid of sudden movements or sounds. This makes them trustable around children.

Are these dogs good for families?

German Spaniels are not often kept as pets so it is difficult to know their personality when they live with family members. These dogs are known for being friendly with strangers and their owners. They are also very gentle and rarely show aggression. Although they are gentle and friendly with children, their boisterous and high-energy nature can be overwhelming for younger children.

Is this breed compatible with other pets?

This breed is known for its strong hunting instincts and prey drive, which can be difficult to control. German Spaniels can be friendly and non-aggressive towards other dogs and small pets, but they will be preyed upon by cats and small pets. It will be difficult to control this strong prey drive even with proper training and early socialization.

How to Own a German Spaniel

Food & Diet Requirements

German Spaniels are an energetic and active breed. They need a diet that is balanced with their hectic lifestyle. A dry kibble high in animal-based proteins is a good option. It has all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs provided it is high quality. We recommend that dogs eat lean meats and organ meats in addition to dry food. This will give them the benefits of amino acids and variety.

These dogs are food-motivated and can easily become overweight. We advise against giving them free food. To keep them satisfied, you should feed them at least two to three meals per day. Avoid foods high in fillers like corn, wheat, and soy. These empty calories will cause your dog to eat more, which will lead to an increase in weight.

Good quality dry kibble should be consumed in small amounts every day. Make sure you have clean water available at all times.

Exercise

German Spaniels are a very active breed. They have a long history of running long distances in difficult terrain and hunting. They will require vigorous exercise even when they are not hunting.

You will need to exercise your German Spaniel if you keep it as a companion pet. It is important to keep your dog’s mind stimulated by playing in a fenced yard. This is a great way for you to bond with them. To keep your German Spaniel mentally and physically stimulated, we recommend obedience training and agility classes.

Training

German Spaniel owners need to be careful with their dogs. Although they can be trained for their intended activities, such as retrieving and tracking, they can be difficult to train in suburban settings. They will sometimes run away from their owners in the field, but they will return quickly when called.

This breed requires obedience training. If they are chasing small animals, you want them to return as soon as possible. This will be greatly assisted by early socialization. You should start basic training and socialization as soon as possible. You can easily integrate basic commands such as “sit” or “stay” into your daily life, such as during mealtimes and walking.

This breed is not a good candidate for harsh training methods. We recommend positive reinforcement training. This training method, which rewards good behavior and ignores or distracts from bad behavior, will work well for German Spaniels. They are very food-motivated and eager to please.

Grooming

Although the German Spaniel doesn’t require a lot of grooming, they shed heavily two times a year in spring and fall. Brushing should be done once per week. You can also bathe your dog with clean water. Shampoos can cause damage to the natural oils in their coat. The ears of Spaniels are long and require regular checking. They must also be kept dry and clean to avoid infection.

Their nails grow quickly and will require regular trimming in order to prevent splitting or cracking. They also need to brush their teeth every week to avoid developing dental diseases.

Health Conditions

The German Spaniel is generally a healthy breed. Breeders have done an excellent job keeping them free of any serious inherited problems. There are some conditions you need to be aware of, such as:

• Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. This disorder, which is caused by an inherited deformity in the hip and elbow joints, is rare in German Spaniels. It has been mostly prevented by breeding. This condition can be easily controlled by healthy eating habits, plenty of healthy oils, and early detection to avoid further breeding.
• Patellar luxation. This inherited condition causes the kneecap to slip out of the leg joint. It can cause pain and eventually lead to arthritis.
• Epilepsy. German Spaniels, like other Spaniel breeds, are sometimes susceptible to epilepsy. This is characterized by occasional seizures that can vary in severity.

Minor Conditions

• Obesity
• Bloat
• Allergies to skin

Severe Conditions

• Cancer
• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• Patellar luxation
• Epilepsy

Male vs. Female

You will need to choose between a male and a female German Spaniel if you decide that this breed is right for you.

There is no difference in temperament between male and female German Spaniels. Females that have not been bred are more likely to be unhappy and more independent than their male counterparts. They are also more tolerant of being left alone and more open to change than their male counterparts. According to some males, they are more difficult to train and less affectionate than their female counterparts. Although males are slightly bigger than females, they tend to be 4-5 pounds heavier and an inch taller.

All dogs are unique individuals and temperament differences are mostly a result of their individual personalities. Their training and upbringing will determine their temperament more than their sexuality.

Last Thoughts

The German Spaniel is an uncommon breed, even outside Germany. It’s also rare as a companion dog. Although they were primarily used as hunting dogs, they are gradually becoming more popular as family pets. They are energetic and have a strong prey drive. This can be a challenge for novice dog owners. They are excellent hunting and working dogs and are very adaptable and alert.

The energetic German Spaniel is a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts and hunters, provided you can find one.