Deutscher Wachtelhund
德國鵪鶉犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Deutscher Wachtelhund (German Spaniel) is a medium-sized, long-haired, very muscular flushing dog recreated in the 1880s from the old Stöber of Bavaria, with a scenting and blood-tracking ability the AKC compares to a Bloodhound — it can follow a 40-hour-old wounded-game trail and must give tongue on a fresh one. The FCI standard describes a lively, friendly, assured, very docile and adaptable dog, neither nervous nor aggressive, with a strong desire to find, a fine nose, a love of retrieving and water work, and sharpness with game and vermin. In Germany it is owned only by hunters and gamekeepers; the German club requires hip and elbow X-rays of both parents before any mating, and the North American club reports no persistent significant health issues.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 46–53cm |
| Weight | 18–25kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–14years |
| Breed group | AKC: fss FCI: 8 |
| Role | Sporting |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 2/ 5 |
| Exercise | 45–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 5/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 4/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
General health screening
The AKC says the Wachtelhund is in general a healthy dog with few genetic problems, and the North American club lists "no persistent significant health issues" among the breed's characteristics. Ask your vet about routine screening appropriate to an active gundog, and check the long, feathered drop ears regularly.
Hip dysplasia
The German parent club (VDW) uses an estimated breeding value to contain hip dysplasia: both parents must be X-rayed and graded HD A, B or C under the VDH scheme, dogs graded D or E are barred from breeding, and 30% of every litter must be X-rayed. Ask your breeder for both parents' hip grades.
Elbow dysplasia
The German parent club also makes elbow X-rays compulsory: both parents must be graded ED-free or ED 1, and dogs graded ED 2 or 3 are barred from breeding. Ask your vet if you notice front-leg lameness, especially in a growing dog.
Behaviour
Lively, docile, and driven to find
The FCI standard describes the German Spaniel as lively, friendly, assured, very docile and adaptable, neither nervous nor aggressive, with a strong desire to find, a fine nose, firm tracking, reliable tonguing, a love of retrieving and water work and sharpness with game and vermin — working independently but in a controlled manner when properly trained, a versatile gundog for woodland with heavy cover and water. The AKC says its blood-tracking ability is comparable to a Bloodhound's and that it must vocalise on a fresh game trail to tell hunters where it is.
A hunter's dog with an off switch
The AKC says the breed is virtually unknown to the German non-hunting public and is owned only by hunters, gamekeepers and professional hunters in Germany; as a hunting breed it does best with at least a moderate amount of space to run, play and sniff, and its long, wavy, well-feathered coat needs regular weekly grooming. The North American club, which breeds only dogs that pass performance tests of hunting qualities, temperament and conformation, describes a versatile flushing, retrieving and tracking dog that is easily trained on feathered and furred game and whose "off switch" makes it a great dog to live with in the house.
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Deutscher Wachtelhund
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — German Spaniel (standard no. 104, group 8)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Deutscher Wachtelhund — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]German Spaniel — FCI standard no. 104 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]FCI-Standard No. 104 — Deutscher Wachtelhund (German Spaniel), 12.03.1999 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Zuchtbestimmungen des Vereins für Deutsche Wachtelhunde (VDW) — breeding regulations, 2018 (German) — Verein für Deutsche Wachtelhunde e.V. (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]Deutscher Wachtelhund North America Club (DWNA) — home page — Deutscher Wachtelhund North America Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
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Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.