meet the...Russian Spaniel
Breed Summary
Breed Group Group 11: Gun Dog Breeds
Sub-group :
Origin Country Russia
Weight Males: 20-35 pounds. Females: 20-35 pounds.
Height Males: 15-18 inches. Females: 15-18 inches.
Other Name(s) Rosyjski Spaniel
Breed Type Pure
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Origins
Russian-born Spaniel dogs share a common ancestry with the English Spaniels, whose ancestors came from Spain. These dogs, bred from English Springer Spaniel, Field Spaniel, and a few other flushing dogs available at the time, were utilized by Russian sportsmen as far back as the late 1800s. While they never reached the height of popularity seen by the Cockers, Russian Spaniels retain a strong following in their native country and a growing following in the United States.Breed Characteristics
Head: Mesaticephalic skull type, moderately long, and in proportion to the rest of the body. The topskull is slightly arched at the sides, forming an oval when viewed from above. In profile, the topskull appears slightly arched to almost flat. The brows are only moderately developed, not heavy. The occiput protrusion is slight. The head and skull are smoothly muscled, appearing neither coarse nor chiseled. There is a slight taper from the skull toward the muzzle when viewed from profile or above. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
Eyes: Moderately large in size, oval, open almond, or diamond in shape, and hazel, amber, or medium to dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. Haws should never be visible or exposed. The eyes are full, yet never prominent or bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Moderate to somewhat long in length, highly mobile, somewhat trailing, extending to the tip of the nose when held forward. They are set level with, or just below, the level of the eyes. They are lobular, hanging close to the head.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad throughout, appearing as a rectangle but without sharp angles. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. The upper and lower jaws are well developed, approximately equal in length, have good bone substance, and are never snipey or weak.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented, black, or self-colored, according to the coat. The nostrils are well opened.
Neck: Moderately long length allows for good head carriage and movement. It is graceful yet strongly muscled, with a good arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut and without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The prosternum is slightly well-developed.
Body: Compact, solid, and of good substance, the body displays strength without heaviness and stamina without raciness. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Tail: Set neither high nor low but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, typically level with or slightly above or below the level of the topline but never tucked. The tail is usually in constant, merry action. The tail may be left natural (preferred) or docked short to approximately 1/2 of its original length. Natural tails are of a moderate length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight or gently curved.
Movement: The movement of the Russian Spaniel breed is energetic, lively, effortless, efficient, and sound. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament: The Russian Spaniel breed is gentle, affectionate, and merry, with boundless enthusiasm and energy. This breed is eager and willing to please. Field types still exhibit a deep desire and instinct for fieldwork. They are natural at retrieving and make excellent water dogs as well. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Breed Standard
BREED GROUP 11: Gun Dog Breeds
Proportions: The body is somewhat rectangular in proportion, with the length of the body measured from the point of the forechest to the point of the rump, being slightly greater than the height at the withers. The ideal body-height-to-length ratio is approximately 5:4 to 10:9. The distance from the withers to the base of the tail is approximately equal to the distance from the withers to the ground. Russian Spaniels should never appear cobby, heavy, or overly refined and racy, although they are somewhat up on the leg. The weight of males or females is always in proportion to height.
Head
General Appearance: Mesaticephalic skull type, moderately long, and in proportion to the rest of the body. The topskull is slightly arched at the sides, forming an oval when viewed from above. In profile, the topskull appears slightly arched to almost flat. The brows are only moderately developed, not heavy. The occiput protrusion is slight. The head and skull are smoothly muscled, appearing neither coarse nor chiseled. There is a slight taper from the skull toward the muzzle when viewed from profile or above. The head is clean-cut and without excess skin or wrinkles.
Expression: Soft, alert, gentle, attentive, lively, and intelligent. Never appearing hound-like or mournful.
Stop: The stop is moderate but fairly defined.
Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is 1:1, with the topskull being equal to the muzzle.
The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is somewhat parallel to slightly convergent.
Muzzle: The muzzle is full, deep, and broad throughout, appearing as a rectangle but without sharp angles. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. The upper and lower jaws are well developed, approximately equal in length, have good bone substance, and are never snipey or weak.
Lips or Flews: The lips are fairly clean and fit rather well over the teeth and jaws. The upper lip should be sufficiently deep as to give the muzzle its rectangular appearance, without extending below the lower plane of the bottom jaw, never pendulous, loose, or “wet.” The corner is slightly rounded.
Nose: The nose is well-pigmented, black, or self-colored, according to the coat. The nostrils are well opened.
Cheeks: The cheeks give some fill beneath the eyes. They are flat to smoothly muscled, never appearing coarse.
Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level or scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work are not to be penalized.
Eyes: Moderately large in size, oval, open almond, or diamond in shape, and hazel, amber, or medium to dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. Haws should never be visible or exposed. The eyes are full, yet never prominent or bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Any signs of entropion or ectropion are incorrect for this breed.
Ears: Moderate to somewhat long in length, highly mobile, somewhat trailing, extending to the tip of the nose when held forward. They are set level with, or just below, the level of the eyes. They are lobular, hanging close to the head.
Body and Tail
General Description: Compact, solid, and of good substance, the body displays strength without heaviness and stamina without raciness. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters.
Neck: Moderately long length allows for good head carriage and movement. It is graceful yet strongly muscled, with a good arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut and without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap.
Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. The prosternum is slightly well-developed.
Topline: Slightly sloped from slightly prominent withers to croup. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is short, taut, and flat, and level (or slightly arched) yet supportive. The back is never swayed or roached.
Croup: Broad, moderately long, muscular, and gently sloped.
Underline: A slight to moderate tuck-up is present. The underline is taut and firm without any indication of sagging or excess weight.
Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided.
Tail: Set neither high nor low but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. The tail is carried in accordance with the dog’s mood and energy level, typically level with or slightly above or below the level of the topline but never tucked. The tail is usually in constant, merry action. The tail may be left natural (preferred) or docked short to approximately 1/2 of its original length. Natural tails are of a moderate length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints when held down. The tail may be straight or gently curved.
Forequarters and Hindquarters
Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. The shoulder blades are long and approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm.
Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The point of the elbows is approximately half the dog’s height at the withers.
Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, of moderate bone, and parallel to one another.
Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns.
Pasterns: Never weak or broken.
Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are long, equal in length, strong, sturdy, of moderate bone, and well-muscled.
Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another.
Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another.
Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns.
Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters.
Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads.
Coat
Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog.
Coat Type: The hair on the face, head, and front of the forelegs and hindlegs is short, fine, and close. The hair on the body is somewhat close, fairly longer (being medium-long in length), more abundant, and may be flat to slightly wavy and silky in texture, never wiry, curly, or profuse. The undercoat is dense and protective. The ears, backside of the forelegs, hindlegs below hocks, chest, underline, and tail are fringed or well feathered. A topknot may or may not be present. Profuse hair that is unfitting for a working dog will be severely penalized. The use of clippers is prohibited and will be disqualified.
Coat Color or Pattern: Solid colors in black, liver, and any shade of cream to red, including yellow, lemon, golden, and tan to dark mahogany. Black or liver with tan points or sable. Any of the listed colors or patterns with white ticked or roan markings. Parti-color: any of the above-listed colors and patterns with approximately equal parts of white, ticked, or roan coat markings. Roans in the following colors: black (called blue), orange, lemon, liver, black (blue) and tan, liver, and tan, all with or without patches of permissible corresponding colors and patterns.
Movement
The movement of the Russian Spaniel breed is energetic, lively, effortless, efficient, and sound. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring.
Temperament
The Russian Spaniel breed is gentle, affectionate, and merry, with boundless enthusiasm and energy. This breed is eager and willing to please. Field types still exhibit a deep desire and instinct for fieldwork. They are natural at retrieving and make excellent water dogs as well. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed.
Faults
All dogs should be in proper, healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.
