German Spaniel

The German retriever originated in Germany, where it was developed as a lifting hunting dog. Its wavy coat, broad and long head, and hanging ears are distinctive physical traits of the breed. In addition, it is recognized for its excellent scenting ability and its versatility in hunting both on land and in water.

General details

Dogs of the breed are medium sized and strong boned. The weight ranges between 18 and 25 kilograms, while the height varies between 48 and 54 centimeters in males; and between 45 and 52 centimeters in females. The life expectancy of this breed is 12 to 14 years. They belong to Group 8 of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), which includes hunting retrievers and lifters, and water dogs.

Breed history in brief

The German Pointer was created in the 19th century in Germany by crossing German hunting dogs, such as the Stober, to obtain a multi-purpose breed capable of hunting both on land and in water. In 1903 it was officially recognized as a breed. The breed has proven itself capable of adapting to different terrain and types of hunting, including waterfowl hunting and tracking fur-bearing animals. In its country of origin, it is owned exclusively by hunters and is not sold to the general public. Although it is popular as a hunting dog in Germany, in other countries such as the United States and Canada, the number of specimens is limited, ranging from 100 to 150.

Breed characteristics

The German Spaniel is a dog of large musculature, strong bones and a body longer than tall. The eyes are medium sized and dark brown in color, and are positioned slightly obliquely, while the ears are set high and hang close behind the eyes. The tail is carried straight or down when the dog is at rest, although in excitement it may be raised slightly. The coat is mostly wavy, although it may also appear curly, especially on the nape of the neck, ears and croup. On the muzzle and on the skull, the hair is shorter and denser. Often there is a ruff on the neck (golilla), in addition to good feathering on the limbs and tail. There are two color varieties, one is the uniform brown, often with white spots or splashes on the chest and toes, and the other is the brown (or red) roan, where brown or red hairs are intermingled with white hairs. In both varieties there are tan markings on the muzzle, limbs, around the anus and over the eyes. German Pointers are known for their liveliness and passion for hunting, as well as for their intelligence and keen sense of smell. They are very versatile, athletic, loyal and affectionate dogs, which makes them excellent hunting companions that excel mainly in tracking and retrieving prey.

Common health problems

Information on the most common diseases in the German Spaniel is very limited. Even so, it is likely that it is predisposed to suffer from some of the most common disorders in dogs such as hip dysplasia, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, hypothyroidism or allergic reactions.