Spaniel

A group of dog breeds traditionally bred to flush game from cover or retrieve it. Spaniels include distinct breeds such as the Cocker Spaniel and English Springer Spaniel.

Connect

Gundog: A dog bred to assist hunters by locating, flushing, pointing to, or retrieving game. Spaniels belong to the gundog tradition, especially its flushing and retrieving roles.
Cocker Spaniel: A spaniel breed developed for flushing and retrieving game, now also widely kept as a companion dog. The Cocker is among the best-known spaniel breeds and has both working and companion lines.
English Cocker Spaniel: A British spaniel breed developed for flushing and retrieving game, especially woodcock. The breed's name preserves its historical association with hunting woodcock.
Pointer: A hunting dog that locates game and indicates its position by pointing toward it. Pointers indicate game for hunters, while spaniels commonly flush it into motion.
Flushing dog: A hunting dog trained to drive game animals from cover into the open. Flushing game from dense cover is a defining traditional task for many spaniels.
English Springer Spaniel: A spaniel breed traditionally used to spring game from cover and retrieve it. Its name reflects the springing or flushing role associated with spaniels.
Welsh Springer Spaniel: A Welsh spaniel breed traditionally used to spring game from cover. It represents a distinct regional lineage within the broader spaniel group.
Setter: A hunting dog that locates game birds and indicates their position, traditionally by crouching or setting. Setters signal where birds are; spaniels generally work through cover to flush them.
Retrieving dog: A dog trained to find and bring shot or wounded game back to its handler. Many spaniels retrieve game, though retrieving is not their only traditional function.
Field trial: A competition that tests the hunting abilities of sporting dogs under simulated or actual field conditions. Field trials evaluate the scenting, flushing, steadiness, and retrieving skills bred into working spaniels.