Breed Spotlight: The Russian Spaniel
Above: Bishka, St. Petersburg, Russia, 2002
The Russian Spaniel's first breed standard was established in 1951. Spaniels had become increasingly popular in Russia for hunting through the early 1900s. However, because of a relatively small number of purebred spaniels in the country, hunters could not necessarily rely on a specific breed for their needs. The hunting conditions in Russia also varied a lot from the conditions most spaniels were bred for. Different breeds of spaniel, mainly Cockers, Springers, and Sussex, were mixed together to create dogs that better fit the needs of the hunters. People worked hard to protect their dogs and preserve their lines during WWII, sometimes sending the dogs away from Leningrad with their children. More spaniels were imported into the Soviet Union after the war, and these were mixed into the preserved lines, with the resulting offspring eventually becoming the Russian Spaniel.
The North American Russian Spaniel Club describes the breed:
"The Russian Spaniel is a relatively small gun-dog with average height in withers of about 16". However, the small size does not affect the ability of this dog with a strong, well built, slightly elongated croup and long muscular legs, to work as well in the field as other much larger gun dogs. The Russian Spaniel's coat is skintight, not too long, with wavy fringes on the back of the legs and on the ears. Its colors are usually white with dark (black, brown, or red) spots and speckles. Head and ears are usually dark in color as well. Other coloring is allowed, and can vary from solids to tricolors [...] The Russian Spaniel has all field qualities necessary for a gun dog: stamina, great sense of smell, energy during the search, persistence, and an inborn willingness to retrieve. These dogs start to work early in life and do not require a lot of training. The goal of a Russian Spaniel during the hunt is to seek out the bird, to flush it up into the air, and to retrieve the game on command after the shot. They are well equipped for the hunt of a marsh, field, woodland, aridland bird and waterfowl as well as rabbits and other small game. Aside from Russian Spaniels' hunting abilities, as a pet, the Russian Spaniel is devoted and loyal, friendly towards other dogs and people, playful, good-natured house pet, and great with children."
The Russian Spaniel is not very popular or known outside of Russia. It is only recognized by a few smaller kennel clubs.
Do you own a Russian Spaniel? Please reblog or send a photo!
Sources and More Information:
https://www.russianspanielclub.org/
https://nationalpurebreddogday.com/russian-spaniel/
