Overview
The Russian Spaniel was developed in the Soviet Union after the Second World War from imported British spaniels, with the aim of a smaller, hardier gundog for rough shooting across varied terrain. It is longer in the body and shorter in the leg than a Springer, with a shorter coat and the same cheerful, eager nature.
It is almost unknown in the UK outside a few enthusiasts, but for a walker it is simple to read: it is a spaniel, and it will behave like one. Expect enthusiasm for every hedgerow, a tail that never stops and a dog that wants to be near you but busy.
Exercise and walking needs
Most adults want a good seventy five minutes a day, ideally with free running or long-line time where they can quarter through long grass and woodland edges. Pavement walks on a lead frustrate the breed; it needs its nose working and its legs moving.
These spaniels tend to be hardy and cope with cold, wet conditions well, but the longish coat still gathers mud and water. A hot summer day is harder on them than a wet winter one.
On the walk
- Recall: Usually decent and improves fast with a walker who rewards check-ins. A strong scent or a flushed pheasant will still override it, so a long line is sensible to start with.
- Water: Every pond and ditch is an invitation. Expect a wet dog and carry a towel, and look at the ears afterwards.
- Other dogs: Friendly, playful and happy in a group. They can be a bit much for very quiet dogs, but rarely cause trouble.
- Pulling: Light to moderate, mostly when excited at the start. A harness keeps the lead off the throat during the first ten minutes.
- Birds: The job was flushing, and a Russian Spaniel will do it for free. Keep it on the lead around ground-nesting birds in spring and near any poultry.
Tips for professional walkers
- Give the dog a search task on the walk: a scattered handful of treats in long grass keeps the nose busy and the brain happy.
- Keep a towel and a spare lead in the van; this breed finds water faster than you can.
- Check ears and between the toes after wet or muddy walks.
- Plan routes with cover rather than open parkland so the dog has something to hunt through.
- Reward the dog for coming back often, even when you did not call, to build a habit of checking in.
What to ask the owner
- Is the dog from working or pet lines, and how much drive does the owner see on walks?
- Is swimming allowed, and are there any water hazards near your route the owner worries about?
- Any ear trouble, and how does the owner like the ears dried after a swim?
- How reliable is the recall around birds and rabbits?