Spaniel Breeds - Boykin Spaneil

Spaniel Breeds

Spaniel Breeds: The Spaniel Breeds date back to antiquity and have an authenticated lineage that was documented in France in 1387 in the "Livre de Chasse" by Gaston Comte de Foix, generally known as Gaston Phoebus and again in 1413 by Edward Plantagenet, second Duke of York, and Master of Game to his uncle, King Henry IV. The Spaniel Breeds were always used as sporting dogs used to hunt birds and small animals using their abilities as "setting", "flushing", "crouching", "finding" or "springing" dogs. During the Middle Ages the spaniel breeds assisted the hunter in the sport of Hawking, in which falconers trained hawks to down birds, such as partridges and pheasants and these were collected by the spaniels.

Other spaniel breeds were trained to hunt with greyhounds to capture game such as rabbits and hare. The spaniel breeds flushed game out of cover; and the retriever types collected fallen quarry and brought it back to the hunter. Flintlocks were invented in the 1600's and the Spaniel Breeds were used as Gun Dogs, as they are to the present day.

The History of Spaniel Breeds - The History of Spaniel Breeds have always been connected to hunting. In ancient times the breeds were primarily used in a form of hunting in which the hunters used nets and spears to capture birds and wildfowl, such as ducks and geese. The "Spanyel" is an ancient dog and was mentioned in the 1486 publication of the 'Book of Saint Albans' by Dame Juliana Berners in her treatise on hunting. The dogs were bred according to the skills required of hunting dogs during the Middle Ages to assist in Falconry in which the spaniel worked in conjunction with a trained falcon or hawk and retrieved the dropped birds.

In 1570, Dr. John Caius (1510 - 1573), the physician of Queen Elizabeth I, wrote a study of British dogs and gave the name "Spaniel" to the type of dog that had been developed for Water Fowling or Land Fowling. In fowling, the 'soft mouthed' spaniels were ideal dogs for retrieving intact either game found on the land or game found in the water, without tearing or damaging the birds or animals. Spaniels are divided into Water spaniels, Land Spaniels and Toy Spaniels. The Land Spaniels are divided into Springers and Cocker spaniels.

The History of Spaniel Breeds - Gun Dogs aka Bird Dogs: Hunting styles radically changed in the 1770's with the development of new, faster loading firearms such as rifles and shotguns. Breeders realized that a 'gun dog' was required to locate game quickly for 'wing shooting' hunters who shot game birds, such as woodcocks, partridge, pheasant, duck, quail,  or grouse, whilst they were in flight. The Cocker Spaniel and the Brittany Spaniel are excellent examples of how some spaniels were used in their new roles as 'Gun Dogs', also known as 'Bird Dogs' in the United States. For additional information refer to the article on Bird Dogs and Gun Dogs.

Spaniel Breeds - The American Cocker Spaniels: The medium sized, sociable, trusting, even tempered American Cocker Spaniel aka simply the Cocker Spaniel in the US, belongs to the Sporting Group (Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1884) and used as a Hunting Dog to flush and retrieve birds and small game.

Spaniel Breeds - The American Water Spaniels: The medium sized, eager, responsive, protective American Water Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Group and used as a Hunting Dog to flush birds, small game and waterfowl.

Spaniel Breeds - The Boykin Spaniels: The medium sized, alert, eager, Boykin Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Group and used as a Retriever in hunts for birds such as quail, grouse, pheasant or quail.

Spaniel Breeds - The Brittany Spaniels: The medium size, nimble, attentive, adaptable Brittany Spaniel was used as both a Pointer and Retriever Dog.

Spaniel Breeds - The Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: The small sizedd, social, brave, lovable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel belongs to the Toy Dog Group (Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1995) and was used as a Bird Flusher and as a lapdog.

Spaniel Breeds - The Clumber Spaniels: The big, sweet-tempered, regal, faithful Clumber Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Group (Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1884 and used as a Bird Flusher and retriever.

Spaniel Breeds - The Cocker Spaniels (English): The medium sized, intelligent, lovable Cocker Spaniel (English) belongs to the Sporting Group (Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1945) and used as a Watchdog and Hunter of small game.

Spaniel Breeds - The English Springer Spaniels: The medium sized, eager, playful, sweet-tempered English Springer Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Group (Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1910) and used as a Bird flusher and retriever.

Spaniel Breeds - The English Toy Spaniels: The small sized, sweet-tempered, reserved English Toy Spaniel belongs to the Toy Dog Group (Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1886) and used for Bird flushing and as a lapdog.

Spaniel Breeds - The Field Spaniels: The medium sized, docile, sociable, adaptable Field Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Group (Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1894) and used as a Bird Flusher and retriever.

Spaniel Breeds - The Irish Water Spaniels: The medium sized, inquisitive, active, observant Irish Water Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Group (Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1884) and used as a Gun Dog.

Spaniel Breeds - The Sussex Spaniels: The medium sized, sociable, calm, lovable Sussex Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Group (Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1884) and used as a Bird Flusher and retriever.

Spaniel Breeds - The Tibetan Spaniels: The small sizedd, assertive, intelligent, cheerful Tibetan Spaniel belongs to the Non Sporting Group (Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1983) and used as a Watchdog and Companion.

Spaniel Breeds - The Welsh Springer Spaniels: The medium sized, playful, active Welsh Springer Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Group (Recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1906) and used as a Watchdog and Gun Dog.

Spaniel Cross Breeds - The Cavapoo: The small to medium sized, playful, sociable, faithful Cavapoo is cross bred from Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and a Poodle, and used as a Watchdog, Companion and Pet.

Spaniel Cross Breeds - The Corky: The small to medium sized, lively, independent, responsive Corky is cross bred from a Yorkshire Terrier and  American Cocker Spaniels and used as a Companion and Pet.

 
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