Deutscher Wachtelhund

Grooming Tips

The German Spaniel’s coat is short and fine on the head and long on the body, where it is strong, thick, wavy or curly, with enough undercoat to provide protection. It is also well feathered.Beyond regular weekly grooming, the occasional bath will keep your dog clean and looking their best. Grooming can be a wonderful bonding experience for you and your pet.Their strong, fast-growing nails should be trimmed regularly with a nail clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth, splitting and cracking. Their ears should be checked regularly to avoid a buildup of wax and debris which can result in an infection. Teeth should be brushed regularly.

Exercise Tips

The German Spaniel has high needs for exercise, largely because he is a hunting breed. These dogs need about an hour of daily exercise, though they will appreciate any extra training and would love to have a fenced yard in which to run. They may also do well in training for various dog sports.

Feeding Tips

As a medium-sized dog, the German Spaniel should be fed a high-quality dry food that is formulated for adult dogs, though some dogs may cross the 50-pound border to become a large-breed dog. Because this breed was developed specifically for hunting, he may also do well on an active or working breed formula.

Health Tips

In general, the Wachtelhund is a healthy dog with few genetic problems.Working with a responsible breeder, prospective owners can gain the education they need to learn about specific health concerns within the breed.

Trainability

The Deutscher Wachtelhund is an intelligent and trainable breed developed for its strong hunting instincts and versatility. These dogs are generally friendly toward other dogs and people, plus they are highly adaptable to new situations and courageous in the field.This breed fulfills a variety of roles as a gun dog, capable of hunting, tracking, and retrieving. The German Spaniel loves his work and can be an aggressive hunter, so training may be necessary to control his instincts if you plan to keep him as a family pet.These dogs need a firm and consistent hand in leadership when it comes to training, though they may not respond well to harsh training methods. Positive reinforcement training is recommended.

In the 1880s, a group of German hunters decided to recreate the Stober, a versatile breed mentioned as far back in German history as 1719. They produced the Wachtelhund and the breed was officially recognized in 1903. In Germany, only gamekeepers and hunters own this breed, they are not sold to the non-hunting public.Several Wachtelhunds were brought to the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s, but were only bred once or twice, producing a total of 17 dogs. None were registered in North America.In 1993 and 1994, Dave Pepe imported a pair of Wachtelhunds to the United States and bred them four times producing 38 pups. Since then, several other dogs have been imported and numerous breedings have occurred. Today, there are approximately 100 to 150 dogs in the US and Canada.