spaniel

spaniel, any of several sporting dogs used by hunters to flush game from cover. The earliest spaniels apparently originated in Spain, hence the name, but most of the modern breeds were developed in Britain. The distinction between spaniel breeds originally was one of size, the larger spaniels being called springers and the smaller ones cockers—the latter apparently in reference to their use in flushing woodcocks. They are also distinguished by function as land spaniels and water spaniels. Toy spaniels do not hunt but are valued companions.

See cocker spaniel; springer spaniel; American water spaniel; Clumber spaniel; English toy spaniel; Irish water spaniel; Japanese spaniel; Sussex spaniel.

See the table of selected breeds of sporting dogs for further information.

Selected breeds of sporting dogs

	name	origin	height in inches* dogs (bitches)	weight in pounds* dogs (bitches)	characteristics	comments
*1 inch = 2.54 centimetres; 1 pound = 0.454 kilogram
	American Cocker Spaniel	U.S.	15 (14)	24–29 (same)	long coat with thick feathering on legs and belly	originally used in hunting; now primarily a pet or show dog
	Brittany	France	17.5–20.5 (same)	30–40 (same)	tailless or short tail; flat, fine coat	similar to a Setter; originally named Brittany Spaniel
	Chesapeake Bay Retriever	U.S.	23–26 (21–24)	65–80 (55–70)	dense, coarse coat; strong, powerful body	excellent duck hunter
	Clumber Spaniel	France	19–20 (17–19)	70–85 (55–70)	white coat; long, heavy body; massive head	popular among British royalty
	English Cocker Spaniel	England	16–17 (15–16)	28–34 (26–32)	solid, compact body; coat is less feathered than its American counterpart	popular since the 19th century; noted for its balance
	English Setter	England	24–25 (same)	40–70 (same)	flecked with color; long head	mellow disposition; valued as a gun dog and companion
	English Springer Spaniel	England	20 (19)	50 (40)	medium-sized; docked tail; moderately long coat	noted for endurance and agility
	German Shorthaired Pointer	Germany	23–25 (21–23)	55–70 (45–60)	medium-sized; deep chest; broad ears	long-lived; versatile hunter and all-purpose gun dog
	Golden Retriever	Scotland	23–24 (21.5–22.5)	65–75 (55–65)	powerful body; water-repellent coat in various shades of gold	noted for its gentle and affectionate nature
	Irish Setter	Ireland	27 (25)	70 (60)	elegant build; mahogany or chestnut coat with feathering on ears, legs, belly, and chest	physically most Pointer-like of the Setters
	Labrador Retriever	Canada	22.5–24.5 (21.5–23.5)	65–80 (55–70)	medium-sized; muscular build; otterlike tail	popular in England and the U.S.; a working gun dog, often used as a guide or rescue dog
	Pointer	England	25–28 (23–26)	55–75 (44–65)	muscular build; tapered tail; short, dense coat	hunting instinct acquired at about two months of age
	Vizsla	Hungary	22–24 (21–23)	40–60 (same)	medium-sized; light build; short, smooth coat in various shades of golden rust	nearly extinct at end of World War I; shorthaired and wirehaired varieties
	Weimaraner	Germany	25–27 (23–25)	70–85 (same)	gray coat; medium-sized; graceful	dates to early 19th century