Black Russian spaniel: what a hunting pet looks like in the photo and how to choose the right cocker spaniel puppy

Spaniels are the common name for a large group of breeds.

These include Cocker Spaniels, English Springer Spaniels, Sussex Spaniels, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, German Wachtelhunds and other hunting dogs, as well as toy and toy dogs.

The Russian Spaniel is the only breed of gundog of domestic origin.

Distinguished by their innate hunting instincts and versatility, black spaniels can also be kept in a house or apartment simply as friendly, obedient and devoted pets to their owners.

Unlike many other breeds of spaniels, Russian hunting dogs are less trusting of strangers and therefore can be used for protection.

But when keeping them in the house, you need to take into account some breed characteristics.

Origin story and what it looks like in the photo

The first attempts to breed Russian spaniels were made back in the mid-1850s. But in those days the breed did not become widespread, and therefore the main stage of its formation began later - at the end of the 19th century.

The first spaniel brought to the territory of the Russian Empire was a black cocker , whose owner was Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich, who was fond of hunting .

Later, other cocker and springer spaniels were brought to Russia, becoming the founders of a new domestic breed.

Systematic breeding of these dogs began in 1931.

Then a breed section was organized in the Blood Dog Breeding Section, so that by the end of the 1930s the domestic population of spaniels could not be classified as any of the other breeds, however, these were not yet dogs of the modern type.

During the Second World War, the population of Leningrad dogs, which had great breeding value, was almost completely destroyed. However, through the efforts of enthusiasts, the nascent breed was preserved and its development continued.

The original standard of the Russian Hunting Spaniel was developed in 1949 and adopted in 1951, but the breed, although recognized by the RKF, never received international official recognition.

In the 1960-1980s, Russian spaniels, including black ones, were very popular among domestic hunters. After all, thanks to their small size and unpretentiousness, these dogs could live both in a city apartment and in a house.

Around the same time, the fashion for hunting dogs began and Russian spaniels very quickly gained popularity not only as universal hunting dogs, but also as simply pets.

This popularity continues to this day, and, despite the fact that Russian spaniels are still not recognized by the FCI, they are becoming popular abroad..

Breed sections and clubs were organized in many CIS countries, as well as neighboring countries. And in 2002, the Russian Spaniel Club was created in the USA.

Decorative spaniels

Fans of the spaniel breed who are not keen on hunting can purchase small decorative dogs up to 33 centimeters tall. Outwardly, these animals are very similar to hunting dogs. If desired, they can even offer up a shot bird. However, they are kept in the house exclusively as pets.

King Charles Spaniel

Decorative dog with a cute face. The animal is suitable for young active people and lonely old people. The pet is completely non-aggressive. Adapts to the rules and mood of its owner.

In their homeland, Great Britain, dogs are used to relieve stress and calm nerves.

The breed was bred in England and named after the monarch Charles (Charles) the Second. English kings loved pets. Over time, it became fashionable to keep pugs in England. The muzzle of toy spaniels gradually shortened.

The King Charles has a short muzzle, slightly bulging eyes, a flat head, and long floppy ears covered with fur. The body is short, the back is flat. Height - 25 centimeters, weight - about 3-8 kilograms.

The coat is thick, silky, slightly wavy. Pedigree animals have the following colors: white, red, black, brown. Some dogs have white fur on their foreheads. Sometimes a dark spot is visible in the very center.

Dogs are playful and cheerful. They never get nervous or show aggression. Ideal companions and loyal friends. Pets cannot stand noise and can be capricious. Sometimes they become attached to only one family member. A dog can live more than 10 years.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Small companion dog. The pet has the same roots as the King Charles. However, this species appeared at the beginning of the 20th century.

The breed arose as a result of crossing the base species with the English Cocker Spaniel. The new species has an elongated muzzle. Height - up to 32 centimeters, weight - 5-8 kilograms. The wool is long. The dog can be black and tan, ruby, or tricolor. The Bleinheim type color is also available.

The animals are calm and can sit on their owner’s lap for hours. If desired, pets can be used for hunting. However, this is more of a lap dog than a breadwinner. Pets are friendly, get along with adults and children, and are not vindictive. True, sometimes gentlemen are offended and do not want to be the first to reconcile. In such cases, their character is more reminiscent of a cat's than a dog's.

Marriage or breed?

Black color is considered standard for the Russian spaniel, as, indeed, are the coat colors derived from it.

Expert opinion

Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich

Expert dog handler.

“The black Russian hunting spaniel, despite its relatively small size, is considered a universal hunting dog. It can be used for hunting forest, swamp, field and waterfowl, as well as brown hare and white hare. This dog is selflessly devoted to its owner, obedient, intelligent and affectionate to all family members. In everyday life, the Black Russian Spaniel is quite unpretentious, however, it needs long walks if kept indoors and proper coat care.”

Breed standards and description

Like any other breed, there are certain standards that indicate the animal belongs to a specific category. The description of the Russian Cocker Spaniel is as follows:

Black Russian spaniel age 7 months

He is small in height - from 38 to 45 centimeters for a “boy”, from 36 to 42 for a “girl”.
Weighs from 15 to 20 kilograms.
The head is not too long, dry.
The ears are long, curly, and hang much lower than the muzzle.
The skull is oval, with clearly visible brow ridges and occipital protuberance, parallel lines of the muzzle and forehead.
The bones of the skeleton are quite strong, the body is flexible and muscular.
The dog is long-haired. The coat is wavy, soft, shiny. On the paws and head it is short, on the back, sides and croup it is thick and long.
The color is quite varied. The Russian Cocker Spaniel is found in , red, brown, tri-color (white with spots and “strokes” or black-brown with tan), two-color (red-pocked, black-pocked and brown-pocked).
Under good conditions, it lives 12-15 years.

Among the many advantages of the breed is the kindness and playfulness of its representatives. They are wonderful friends for children, they will never offend them themselves and will not allow this to anyone else, they are always ready for funny pranks together.

Thanks to their medium size, they are easy to keep in an apartment. Disadvantages can most likely be attributed to breed characteristics. Dogs were originally bred as hunting dogs, so constant movement and frequent long walks are vital for them.

They are big gourmands and are partial to food, and this is fraught with obesity, so you need to watch your diet. Long hair requires attention and additional cleaning in the house.

Character traits

The Black Russian Spaniel is quite strong and resilient, it has a good sense of smell and persistence when searching for prey, and is an excellent swimmer and diver. Loyal to his owner, calm and obedient in a home environment.

He is smart and amenable to training, loves outdoor games and loves to take part in out-of-town trips.

She loves children and is not aggressive towards other pets . However, some males of this breed tend to dominate their peers.

Unlike most other spaniels, they can be quite distrustful of strangers, although they do not show malice towards them. Thanks to this, it is possible to use a black Russian spaniel as a guard.

This dog is very energetic and active and, in case of insufficient physical activity, can become hyperactive..

Price

It is better to purchase a puppy from experienced breeders, where its price will be about 10 thousand rubles.

Of course, you can buy a four-legged animal from an unverified seller for three thousand rubles, but the likelihood of getting a purebred or even a sick baby will be extremely high.

If you need not just a faithful friend and family member, but a dog that can later be presented at exhibitions and used as an inseminator for breeding offspring, then the cost of such a dog will be from 15-30 thousand rubles and more.

Advantages and disadvantages

pros:

A universal hunting dog, working equally well on various game birds and hares.
Despite its small size, the black Russian spaniel is strong and resilient.
It is persistent when chasing game and has a good sense of smell.
Smart and well trained dog.
It can be used not only as a working gun dog, but also as a pet and companion.
Loyal to the owner, quite disciplined and obedient.
He is good with pets and affectionate towards children.
It can guard an apartment or house, although it is undesirable to further develop guard qualities in such a pet.

Minuses:

Due to the fact that the Russian Hunting Spaniel is not recognized by the FCI, the Black Russian Spaniel will not be able to participate in major international exhibitions.
May be overly distrustful of strangers.
Too mobile, and with insufficient physical activity becomes hyperactive.
Male Russian Spaniels sometimes try to dominate other dogs.
Hunting instincts may cause your pet to unexpectedly chase a cat or bird while walking.
Needs regular coat care.

Training and education

A black cocker spaniel puppy should be trained from an early age. Small dogs absorb information much better and are therefore easier to train.

The training program must begin with the socialization of the dog. He needs to be introduced to other animals and people often. You need to go out with him for walks in public places more often.

Once he begins to socialize, you can start learning new commands. During the training process, you should not raise your voice; dogs don’t like it.

Dimensions, weight and other distinctive features

Dimensions . Males - 38-44 cm, females - 36-42 cm.
Weight. 15-20 kg regardless of gender.
Frame . Slightly stretched, strong and slightly squat.
Head . Dry and elongated, with a moderately wide skull and slightly convex forehead. The transition to the long and wide muzzle is well defined. When viewed from the side, the lip of a Black Russian Spaniel is shaped like a slightly rounded rectangle.
Pigmentation of the nose, lips and eyelids . Black.
Ears . Hanging, long, wide and rounded below, can be planted either slightly above or slightly below the eye line.
Eyes . Oval in shape, preferably dark brown.
Neck . Set quite low, moderately long and muscular.
Rib cage . Well developed, moderately deep and wide.
Back . Straight, moderately wide and strong.
Belly . Moderately fit.
Forelegs . Dry, straight and parallel, their length should be approximately half the height at the withers.
Hind limbs . Set slightly wider than the forelegs, with well-defined joint angles and moderately short tibiae.
Tail . With a well-defined dewlap, rather thick at the base, docked by about half, kept in line with the spine.
Wool . Elongated, shiny, adjacent and soft, straight or slightly wavy. There are featherings on the ears, lower part of the body, limbs and tail.
Color . Pure black, black and white, black and tan or tri-color with a predominance of black coat color.

Special varieties of the spaniel breed

This section contains dogs that, for various reasons, were included in other groups (sections) of the ICF classification.

American Water Spaniel

Some waterfowl varieties of the spaniel breed belong to the water dog section. This branch is included in it.

American Water Spaniels are dogs of incredible endurance. They are not afraid of cold, heat, icy water or blowing wind. Dogs will provide the owner with excellent hunting for hares or birds in any weather conditions.

In terms of size, these Americans are of medium size: height at the withers is from 38 to 46 cm, weight is 11-20 kg. Appearance is notable for its curly coat, which is liver, brown or chocolate in color. Characteristics include a discerning mind, excellent instincts, physical strength, and devotion to the owner.

Irish merman

The largest dogs of the spaniel breed. At the withers, the height of individuals reaches 59 cm, the average weight of dogs is 25-30 kg. The physique is dense, stocky. The coat is curly and thick. The color is red-brown, with an unusual purple tint. Another striking feature of the appearance of the Irish is their peculiar tail, reminiscent of a rat.

The Irish Spaniel is not stable in character. Cowardice has been observed in dogs, which under negative circumstances develops into aggression. But if the pet is provided with proper upbringing, its disposition will be calm and peaceful.

Cavalier King Charles

A small royal spaniel, destined to be a charming companion. These doggies grow to a maximum of 33 cm and weigh 5.5-8 kg. The appearance of the individuals is very pretty: long hanging ears with glamorous feathering, a flat muzzle, large round eyes, an elegant body covered with wavy hair - everything about these dogs reveals a noble origin. Some even believe that the most beautiful spaniels are kings, not English ones.

Related article:
Russian spaniel - description of the breed, pros and cons, characteristics, colors . It may be interesting to learn about the Russian Spaniel breed, which is described in detail in a separate article.

King Charles

Compared to Cavaliers, this small Spaniel dog has even more modest dimensions: height 26 cm, weight up to 6.5 kg. The doggies' faces are also somewhat shorter. Otherwise, the species are similar in their pleasant appearance and affectionate nature.

Continental Toy Spaniel

Charles has little competition in the mini toy spaniel segment. There are two types of dogs here: Papillons and Phalenes. The latter have drooping ears, while Papillons are distinguished by erect ears, reminiscent of the open wings of a butterfly. Otherwise, the dogs are completely identical, therefore they belong to the same species.

Toy is officially the smallest spaniel, since individuals grow up to 20-28 cm. The weight of pets is also small: from 1.5 to 5.5 kg. But the modest dimensions do not in any way affect the character. Toy spaniels are smart, playful, affectionate, even a little domineering and authoritarian.

Tibetan Spaniel

A small dog similar to a spaniel, but not officially related to it. The FCI calls the breed erroneously classified as spaniels. The height of individuals is 23-24 cm, stocky build, short legs. Temperament is calm and balanced.

Japanese Chin

A descendant of the Tibetan spaniel and a distant relative of the Cavalier King Charles. This small breed is about 25 cm tall and weighs 2 to 3 kg. The appearance is elegant and graceful, the muzzle is decorated with elongated hair. Main color: white with black or red. Chins are distinguished by their friendliness, curiosity, and mobility.

Great Münsterlander

A type of gundog, the Musterland Spaniel is commonly used for bird hunting.

These large dogs (height up to 65 cm, weight about 30 kg) were bred in Germany and are classified as classic German pointers. Individuals are harmoniously built and have thick, wavy, feathered fur. The color is black and white, with various variations in the color ratio (especially appreciated when the puppy’s head is completely black).

By nature they are obedient, sociable, not aggressive. But as true hunters, they may not get along with other pets at all.

Small Müsterländer

Contrary to popular belief, they are not related to the greater Musterlanders, since the species have different ancestors.

These dogs grow up to 54 cm and weigh 18-27 kg. The dog's body is balanced, its outline is smooth, and its movements are elegant. The coat is medium length, shiny, slightly wavy. Standard color: large brown spots on a white or speckled background.

Small Müsterlanders are considered universal hunting dogs: they can successfully kill game both on land and in water. These dogs are very attentive, intelligent and easy to train.

Wetterhun

A rare breed originally from the Netherlands. It was bred specifically for otter hunting.

The height of individuals at the withers is 59 cm, weight is about 25-32 kg. Their character is characterized by belligerence, fearlessness, and passion. Dogs love to learn commands, but can be stubborn, because... The breed as a whole tends to be independent. In addition, Wetterhouns are quite aggressive, so it is important to instill proper upbringing in your puppy from childhood.

Picardy Spaniel

French gun dogs. The oldest genus, which later split into the Picardy and Blue Picardy spaniel species. In terms of appearance and temperament, dogs have a lot in common.

The average height of individuals is 60 cm, weight is from 20 to 25 kg. The physique is muscular, the limbs are long. The coat is dense and slightly wavy, which allows the animal to easily hunt in various bodies of water. The nature of the dogs is soft, they love to communicate with people, learn commands and play with children.

Drentic Patrishond

Pointing dog, partridge hunter. The species was bred in Holland in the 20th century. Patrishonds are distinguished by a powerful body, strong limbs, thick hair, slightly elongated on the ears, limbs and tail. Individuals weigh 20-25 kg, height at the withers is 55-63 cm. The dogs are very smart and devoted to their owners.

Pont Odemer Spaniel

This rare breed of spaniel has a second name: Pont-Audemer Epagnole.

The dogs are large but graceful: they grow up to 59 cm and weigh about 24 kg. The coat is long and slightly curled. Main color: reddish-brown (may be speckled). Dogs are considered universal hunters.

French Spaniel

Dogs that look like setters and spaniels at the same time. Height at the withers is 54-63 cm, weight 20-27 kg. The breed is distinguished by its friendliness, sociability, and great patience. French Spaniels love to learn and develop strong bonds with their owners.

Breton epañol

Gun cop dog. The breed originated in France and became very popular in Europe and the USA.

The animals are stocky, but not massive. They grow up to 50 cm, weigh 14-18 kg. Outwardly they stand out clearly with a short tail or no tail at all. Leading character qualities: hard work, devotion, friendliness to people, hunting passion, high intelligence.

Life expectancy and what diseases are they susceptible to?

Black Russian spaniels live 13-16 years, and dogs of this breed can be susceptible to the following ailments:

Inflammation of the ears.
Demodecosis.
Allergy.
Obesity.
Blockage of the anal glands.

CAREFULLY!

A dog used as a gundog may be at increased risk of contracting infectious diseases, including those carried by ticks, which are abundant in forests and fields.

Therefore, the Russian spaniel needs timely vaccinations and preventive treatments against external and internal parasites.

Choosing a puppy

Spaniels are often used for police work
. Before purchasing a puppy, there are several factors to consider when choosing:

Physical health. The dog must be absolutely healthy and active.
Mental condition. You need to choose cheerful and friendly puppies.
Compliance with standard. Before purchasing, you need to carefully examine the dog and make sure that it fully complies with the breed standard.

Basic rules of care

The coat should be brushed at least once a week. Once every 2-3 months the dog is given a bath and a haircut, which is best left to a professional. Between haircuts, you can trim your pet's fur yourself using regular scissors.

The Russian Spaniel's ears should be carefully examined after every hunt or walk . In this case, it is necessary to remove various debris, plant seeds and external parasites from their fur, if any are found.

The visible part of the ear canal should be cleaned with cotton swabs, and the inside of the ear with a damp cloth.

The eyes are examined daily and, if necessary, cleaned with a special product and a cotton pad.

Teeth can be cleaned with a dog toothbrush and toothpaste . You can also give your pet treats or toys designed to clean them to prevent tartar.

Nails are trimmed with a nail clipper if they grow long enough and do not wear down on their own during walks.

Possible diseases

Russian cocker spaniels are animals with a fairly strong immune system that protects well from diseases. But still they suffer from otitis media, obesity and food allergies. Although, provided that the owner takes proper care of the dog, such cases are close to a minimum.

But the dog is quite capable of catching an infection, because he is terribly curious, restless and a tireless researcher, penetrating into all corners. The risk increases even more if he is a regular participant in the hunt. Often dogs of this breed get sick:

dermatomycosis (pathogenic fungi get on the skin and cause lichen);
more serious fungal diseases such as aspergillosis or candidiasis (pathogenic microorganisms affect the respiratory system);
piroplasmosis (caused by ixodid ticks);
leptospirosis (due to swimming in stagnant water);
toxoplasmosis (a single-celled parasite attacks the brain).

To reduce the risk of infection, before hunting, the pet is treated with special products and put on a flea and tick collar. And after returning home, they carefully examine, immediately removing any parasites found on the skin.

How to feed?

You can feed your Black Russian Spaniel both ready-made food and food prepared at home . The first feeding option is preferable for dogs used for hunting, as this is the easiest way to quickly feed a pet in a field or forest.

At the same time, the food must be of high quality and suitable for the spaniel in size, health, age and activity.

If the dog eats natural food, a significant part of its diet should be meat . You should add some vegetables, porridge, fermented milk products, as well as vitamins and mineral supplements to it.

NOTE!

Russian hunting spaniels are prone to overeating: they will ask for more even if they have just eaten a hearty meal.

Therefore, you should not give your pet more food than is necessary in accordance with the nutritional norm for him.

Nutrition

Absolutely all spaniels have an enviable appetite. The Russian Cocker Spaniel is no exception. But you can’t indulge your dog and endlessly treat him to something tasty. Otherwise, obesity will begin, and with it will come concomitant diseases. Experienced dog breeders, based on their own experience, recommend various feeding schemes for dogs.

The spaniel is used to hunt all game birds

Regarding puppies, some advise that after they grow up a little and stop sucking milk, give them food more often - up to eight times a day, others say that five is enough. As for an adult pet, some feed it two or three times a day, while others feed it once. It all depends on the specific animal and its condition. But a mandatory condition for everyone is an optimal balance of nutrients that corresponds to the age and weight of the patient.

How to properly feed puppies is discussed above. Adults can, at the owner’s choice, eat dry food or regular foods. The first option is a complex already balanced in the content of vitamins and microelements.

If the second is chosen, then the main part of the dog's food consists of meat, fish and vegetables. From time to time you can offer liver, heart, kidneys, and other offal, but only in boiled form, as well as porridge, cottage cheese and kefir.

How to choose?

Even if the future pet is not planned to participate in exhibitions and breeding, you only need to buy a black Russian spaniel with documents.

To do this, it would be best to contact a specialized kennel or a kennel club.

And if a dog is bought for hunting, it would be a good idea to ask the breeder whether the parents of the puppies have field testing diplomas.

When choosing a puppy from a litter, you need to pay attention to its appearance. He should not have inflamed skin, watery eyes, dirty ears or nasal discharge.

A good puppy's coat is quite soft, shiny and silky . The baby himself looks quite well-fed, but not overly well-fed; he has a regular topline and strong, parallel limbs.

A healthy black Russian spaniel puppy is quite active and playful, he is moderately curious, willingly approaches people, without showing aggression or cowardice..

Coat Standards for the English Cocker Spaniel

When choosing a quality puppy for breeding or exhibition, be sure to pay attention to the structure of the coat. It differs from the American Cocker Spaniel coat standards.

The standard requires the English Cocker to have a straight, shiny and silky coat. It should also be soft and moderately thick. The presence of curls, curls and curly waves is not welcome.

Unlike the American Cocker Spaniel, the English Cocker Spaniel has a straight, glossy coat with a moderately developed undercoat. If the undercoat is dense and thick, the coat will become dull and less shiny.

Feathers are located on the front and hind limbs and the body. At the same time, a young dog (about 1 year old) has a denser coat.

The dominant curl gene was inherited from the English Cocker from the Water Spaniel. At that moment, the division of representatives into breeds had not yet occurred. Also, water spaniels awarded their descendants with a kind of “wig” on their heads, which must be plucked. As a result of competent selection, you can get a purebred beautiful dog that will combine all the best inherited genes of your ancestors and those acquired through human efforts.