Wachtelhund

In Germany in the 18th century for hunting birds, dogs called "Hühnerhunde" (Hünher, chicken) were used or "Wachtelhunde" (Wachtel, quail). These dogs were used in falconry, but also to force the diverse hunted species leave their hiding places that were in the bushes and in reed beds. Later these tracker dogs were forgotten and almost disappeared. By the end of the last century, the German researcher Friedrich Roberth founded the German Spaniel Club (Deutscher Wachtelhundklub). With the help of other enthusiastic people, especially Dr. Steffens and Friess, and he worked in the reproduction of this dogs that were found disseminated in the country and he got engaged in the regeneration of this breed. Despite the strong competition of the hunting Spaniels, the German Spaniel imposed itself especially among the forest guardians.

In the Dutch Frisia, there is an analogous breed of hunting dogs. It was selected to work in water and it was used to hunt otters because of its great aggressiveness. It is the Wetterhoun, characterized among other things by its long hair from the ears and because of its curled tail. The hair is curly and greasy. Nowadays, in Frisia, this breed is not used for hunting but as a guard dog. But it has kept the qualities of a hunter, and the farmers frequently used them to catch moles.

Wachtelhund. Size: 45-52 cm. Weight: 25 kg approximately. Colors: brown, often with white patches on the chest and toes, or white with patches or small brown patches (brown roan 1). Other colors are not wanted. The snout and the eyes are brown. The hair is thick, bright and wavy, curly in the neck, the base of the neck and the ears. The legs have patches and the tail has a tuft. Between the toes there must be as less hair as possible. On the sides, the hair is often longer and it pours down. The flat head though without stop is a typical feature. In any case it should not look like that of a Spaniel.

Wetterhoun. Size: male 50-55 cm; female 48-53 cm. Weight: 35 kg approximately. Colors: black, brown, blue roan, or with black or brown patches over a white background.