German Spaniel
JER-man SPAN-yul
Germany· Throughout Germany
The German Spaniel, or Deutscher Wachtelhund, is a medium-sized, long-coated flushing dog developed in Germany for forest hunting and blood tracking.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Medium
Exercise needs
2 hours+ per day
Home size suited to
Medium or larger
Grooming frequency
Weekly brush
Coat length
Medium to long
Sheds
Moderate
Lifespan
12-14 years
Town or country
Country only, active hunting home ideal
Garden size needed
Large, secure
Where it comes from
Origins of the German Spaniel
Recreated in the early 20th century from the old German Stoberhund flushing dogs, the German Spaniel (Deutscher Wachtelhund) was bred to work the dense forests of Germany, flushing game for the gun and tracking wounded deer, a role that demanded a persistent, thick-coated dog able to push through brush unfazed.
- Region
- Throughout Germany
- Climate it was bred for
- Temperate, mixed forest and farmland
- Original job
- Flushing and retrieving game, especially from dense cover and water
The long read
About the breed
Its working role in dense woodland shaped a persistent, tenacious dog with an excellent nose, strong drive and the stamina to track wounded game over long distances, traits that make it prized by professional hunters to this day.
As a companion it is affectionate and loyal but very high-energy and strong-willed, generally suited to active hunting households rather than sedentary pet homes; without a job it can become frustrated.
The breed remains closely tied to hunting in Germany and central Europe and is relatively unknown outside working circles, with numbers controlled to preserve its working ability.
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Friendliness
3/5
How openly the German Spaniel greets people it does not know.
Trainability
3/5
How readily the breed takes to training in an ordinary home.
Energy
3/5
How much daily exercise and stimulation the breed expects.
Barking
3/5
How vocal the breed tends to be day to day.
Grooming
3/5
How much coat work the breed needs to stay comfortable.
Suits a first-time owner
3/5
How forgiving the German Spaniel is for someone taking on their first dog.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Skull
The German Spaniel's skull is judged on balance rather than size — proportionate to the body, with a clean cheek and a stop typical of the breed. Coarseness or an over-refined head are both faulted.
Timeline
History & development
1890s
Stoberhund ancestry
The breed descends from the old German Stoberhund, a general-purpose flushing dog.
1903
Breed club founded
The Wachtelhund club was established to standardise the type.
1930s
Refinement for forest work
Breeders focused selection on tracking ability and cover-busting drive.
1996
FCI recognition
The breed received formal FCI recognition.
2000s
Working specialisation continues
The breed remains tightly linked to German hunting associations, which control breeding for working ability.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Compact and muscular with a strong, level back.
- coat
- Dense, long, slightly wavy, with heavy feathering on ears, legs and tail.
- ears
- Set high, long and well feathered, hanging close to the head.
- eyes
- Dark brown, lively and attentive.
- head
- Broad skull with a moderate stop and a strong, medium-length muzzle.
- size
- 45-54cm, no strict division by sex
- colour
- Solid brown, brown roan, or brown and white, sometimes with tan markings.
- temperament
- Tenacious, high-drive and hardworking, needs a job and strong handling.
- general appearance
- A medium-sized, sturdily built spaniel with a long, dense coat and an alert, energetic bearing.
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
Dogs like this
German Spaniels added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
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Made for the German Spaniel
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own German Spaniel illustration — and one everyday accessory that suits any dog.
The book
Pawpoint: The Complete Dog Breed Book
Every officially recognised breed plus the unofficial ones nobody else documents. 400+ pages, hardback, printed and shipped from the UK.
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Framed poster
German Spaniel Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our German Spaniel illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
German Spaniel Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the German Spaniel illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
German Spaniel Mug
Ceramic mug with the German Spaniel illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Slicker & Deshedding Brush
Self-cleaning slicker head for coats of every length.
Fits any dog
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