Overview
The German Spaniel is heavier and more hound-like than any British spaniel. It is a medium dog with a long, wavy brown or roan coat, built to work thick cover, track wounded game for hours and retrieve from cold water. In Germany it is sold only to hunters, so the handful in Britain are mostly in working homes.
Walking one is a bit like walking a Springer that has taken a tracking course. It is cheerful and sociable with people and dogs, has a nose that never clocks off and, unlike most spaniels, will bark or bay when it finds a line.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour and a half of active exercise a day with plenty of cover to work suits most adults. Hedgerows, rough grass and woodland edges are where the dog is happiest, and water adds a bonus.
Keep the brain busy as well. A hidden dummy, a dragged scent trail or a retrieving session turns twenty minutes into something that genuinely tires the dog.
On the walk
- Scent: Once on a trail the dog may follow it a long way and announce the fact. Use a long line until you have seen how it responds to a recall mid-track.
- Water: A strong, willing swimmer with a coat that holds water. Towel off thoroughly and check ears afterwards.
- Other dogs: Usually easy-going in company and happy to work alongside others. Watch for over-excitement when several dogs hit scent together.
- Cover: It will push into brambles and nettles without a thought. Check for cuts, ticks and seeds after wooded walks.
Tips for professional walkers
- A long line clipped to a harness gives the dog room to hunt without losing it.
- Carry a towel; the coat takes a while to dry and the car will smell otherwise.
- Give the dog something to find on every walk so hunting happens on your terms.
- Agree with the owner how to handle a dog that has started baying on a trail.
What to ask the owner
- Is the dog worked, and what recall or whistle does it respond to when tracking?
- How strong is its reaction to deer and boar scent, and where would the owner rather you avoided?
- Any ear or skin issues to watch for after swims and muddy walks?