The origin of the breed, the standard of appearance of the Breton Epagnol, character and health, advice on care and training, interesting facts. Nuances when buying a puppy. These are very unusual dogs. How much speed, excitement and desire to work in them. Animals with a very flexible mind. They are distinguished by great devotion to the owner and a tender attitude towards all family members.
The origin of the Breton Epagnol breed
The country of origin of the species cannot be determined for certain, but the French consider it their national breed. Breton dogs are called epagnoles and spaniels. There is a version suggesting their relationship with the Spanish avian dogs. The word "epagnol" comes from Old French and means - to lie down. Previously, birds were hunted not with weapons, but with nets. So that only prey would fall into the trap, the dogs, having found the game, stopped, and then lay down. Many dog handlers, based on the name "spaniel" which means "Spanish" in French, claim that its homeland is Spain.
The first written records of these dogs date back to 1850. It was at this time, in London, that the book was published: "Memories of a Hunt in Britain". It was written by the priest, the Reverend Father Davis, who preached in these places and was a passionate lover of hunting. The dogs described by him were very reminiscent of modern epagnoles. Their special working qualities were also noted. The old-fashioned British spaniels that made their way to England mingled there with local cops, mostly Pointers. According to the dog handlers, it did them good, having adopted from them their excellent sense of smell, stance and broad search. Later, they returned to France in about the same form as they are now. At the end of the 19th century, they were recognized as a separate breed.
The Bretons were first shown as a separate species in 1896. A little later, in 1901, a society of lovers of these dogs was created. It was also engaged in the development of the criteria for the standard. There was a lot of controversy about this. The first color standard was meant to be "natural", but nothing was explained in detail about it. The length of the tail also caused heated debates. Dogs were born with scanty tails and thought for a very long time whether to stop them or not. Subsequently, they decided not to interfere with the creation of nature, and over time, dogs with longer tails degenerated.
In 1930, animals were first brought to the United States, and they immediately began a big "boom". Demand exceeded all reasonable limits. In the post-war period, the breed declined in Brittany. Many individuals died as a result of disease, hunger, and fighting. After 1945, the epagnoli brought from America revived the breed again. It has five varieties. Three of which differ from each other only by the color of the coat, and the other two, in size and a number of other characteristics.
Hunters of the Brittany Peninsula, with its famous Picasso Pass, used this breed to catch burrowing game, not as a cop. At the beginning of the 20th century, experts noticed the great usefulness and mobility of the rack, which distinguished English dogs brought to France. From that moment, work began to improve the working qualities of the spaniel by crossing it with a setter and a pointer.
Thanks to selective selection, the once ordinary spaniel, over the course of several decades, has reincarnated into what is today considered the pearl of French cynology. For a long time now, the "Breton" has been imported to almost all countries of the world and was able to earn the trust of hunters who have adapted to other breeds. It turned out to be not so difficult for him. At first, people were skeptical of him, but later came to the unanimous conclusion that this dog is not afraid of thorny thickets, thick reeds and water. She is able to overcome any obstacle, and has the passion of a true hunter.
Umberto Maranoni, one of the most famous breeders of this breed, said: "It is a great pleasure for me to see that today this dog has established itself in the field of competition." In the competition, they achieved a place of honor among the cops, both in quality and in the number of victories, thereby entering the number of breeds in greatest demand. The activities of the Cavalier Maranoni have left a big mark in the history of the breed, thanks to careful selection work over the course of fifty years. Many champions of the breed came from his kennel "Kopizara".
To this day, Breton epagnoli are very popular. In their homeland, according to an unofficial version, there are approximately one hundred thousand of them. Of this number, more than five thousand purebreds are registered. They are brought in not only as assistants at hunting events, but also as companion friends at home. Despite the fact that there are not many of them in Russia, they have already won the hearts of many city hunters.
External standard and description of the Breton Epagnol breed
The Breton Epagnole has a strong constitution. The height at the withers is 45–47 cm in bitches and 46–51 cm in males.
- Head rounded shape with protruding muzzle and lips. A head in the form of a worn-out shoe is considered a breed characteristic.
- Muzzle - expressive and funny, not too long. Shorter than the skull, in a 2: 3 ratio. The nasal trunk is straight or slightly curved. The nose is open and slightly angular. Its color is darker than the color of the dog's coat.
- Eyes lively and expressive. Dark amber colors. In harmony with the color of the coat.
- Ears set high, slightly rounded. Almost without fringe, although covered with wavy hair.
- Neck the "Breton" is of medium length, without dewlap.
- Frame - short, square format. Never concave. The chest is deep with broad, rounded ribs. The croup is slightly sloping.
- Tail. May be born without a tail, but those born with a longer tail are docked. It can be maximum 10 cm in length.
- Front limbs with dry muscles, the backbone is powerful, but the hind ones - with wide, muscular, very rich thighs, abundantly covered with fringes.
- Paws. The toes are tightly pressed and have almost no hair.
- Coat thin on the body, but not too thin.
- Color - white-orange, white-chestnut, white-black, tricolor black or savras.
The character of the Breton epagnol
A small treasure of the canine kind. These animals are literally programmed to obey you. They are distinguished by a kind, affectionate disposition. Always ready to receive affection from their master. Epagnoli is adored by all family members. Always strive to take care of children.
The animals are very welcoming, which distinguishes them from other Pointing Dogs, which behave more independently, and quite correctly in relation to others. But the "Bretons" can be stroked by anyone. They are happy to live in an apartment, which means that they will be wonderful indoor pets.
Breton epagnoli are expansive and love to play with children. They are smart, always mobile and tireless. They can be transported anywhere without any special means. Always obedient. With a very stable nervous organization. They never bite. Excellent dogs that deserve such an owner who would be able to appreciate their excellent qualities.
Breton Epagnol health
Breton Epagnoli is a fairly healthy breed. On average, they live up to 12 years. To keep the dog in perfect shape, it needs to be well fed. Therefore, first of all, carefully consider the diet. It is through food that the animal receives the substances that its body needs. For optimal results, your pet should receive the required amount of protein, fat, carbohydrates and mineral salts. A balanced diet is a prerequisite for the harmonious development of the body, preparing the dog for an active, adult life, increasing its resistance to infections and diseases.
"Bretons" are a favorite target for all kinds of parasites. These intruders wind up and multiply between the hairs, on the skin and under the skin, making the animal restless and causing it to constantly itch. The most common parasites fall into two categories: those that settle on the surface of the skin (ticks, fleas) and those that invade (helminths). All these inconveniences can be easily prevented by observing adequate hygiene rules and using the latest drugs. Provided they are used correctly, they can save a dog from such "troubles".
But no one can completely replace a veterinarian, so you should regularly take your pet for examinations.
Care Tips for Breton Epagnoles
- Wool. Doesn't require much effort at home. They need to be bathed once a week using special shampoos and rinses.
- Ears. They need to be given special attention. Since they are long, this means they are susceptible to infections. Therefore, it is necessary to clean and check the auricles regularly. This is easy to do: the ear is filled with a product, a small massage is done, and the excess dirt is wiped off.
- Eyes. If the eyes of the epagnol are dirty, then they need to be wiped towards the inner corner. This can be done with a cotton pad and an irritation-soothing liquid.
- Teeth. To avoid problems with the dental cavity, brush your teeth regularly. All the necessary pastes and brushes can be bought at pet stores. Provide your favorite Breton with edible bones for brushing your teeth. You can buy him preventive toys made from special materials.
- Claws. Hunting dogs are active, run a lot, and their claws are grinded. Otherwise, they need to be cut or filed. The claws on the dewclaws of the animal must be removed systematically.
- Feeding. Homemade food is often unbalanced and time-consuming to prepare. Recently, there has been a widespread use of ready-made feeds suitable for immediate consumption. The most serious firms, after long and scrupulous research, have learned to produce feed designed for specific physiological conditions of the animal. For example: height or physical activity. When choosing concentrates, you should be very careful, preferring the products of companies conducting special research on the selection of their composition. There is a misconception that a hunting dog, it is simply vital to gnaw bones. In fact, it is very dangerous! The intestines of the animal become clogged, and the bones of the bird have sharp edges at the fracture and can damage it. And the teeth of your Breton Epagnol will grind down faster. You can only give your pet cartilage, but no bones!
- Walking. Every day, "Bretons" need at least an hour of training. They will be grateful to you if you provide them with the opportunity to run in an open space.
Breton Epagnol training
Breton epagnoli love to please their owner, so they are easy to train. Puppies at the age of two months are taken away from the bitch and begin to train them. At this stage, they do not talk about training, since it begins at 7-8 months. Up to this age, puppies remember best. They are taught everything related to behavior in the house: cleanliness, initial commands ("sit", "lie down", "to the leg", etc.).
At 8 months, they begin to train. The dog is accustomed to game, that is, it cannot be touched when it takes off. While standing over the game, the dog should not move. Then they teach how to search for a trail in a cross way - 80 meters to the left and right at a fast pace. At the same stage of training, the dog is trained to shoot. She must wait for the master's command to bring the wounded animal. They also arrange training on the water - they "lead" the dogs to the ducks. The pet is taught that he must give the duck, the owner leaves, and only after that he can shake himself off.
Pointing dogs are looking for game in the forest, in the swamp, and in the field. In open areas, the search for a dog can cover up to 150 meters in each direction - "shuttle". The animal's move is at full gallop. In bushes, forests and thickets, it is necessary to cut it. There, the direction of the air jets is changeable and the dog works in "eights" with circular detours.
When the epagnol finds a game, he stands in a "stance" and does not move until the owner approaches it. Then it slowly moves towards the game, which is called "pulling". Then the dog makes a sharp jerk - "eyeliner". The bird takes off and the hunter shoots. At the time of the shot, the animal must lie down.
Interesting facts about the Breton Epanyola
They have won more doubles than any other breed. That is, they can be used not only in natural conditions, but they also perform in the ring.
Despite the fact that they can work at a great distance from the hunter, they never let him out of their field of vision. This makes training the dogs very easy. They follow any order. A person only needs to indicate the direction, and the dog will tirelessly "iron" the field in search of prey. Neither thorny grass nor other smells are able to distract him from what he loves. To say about the sense of smell of these dogs that it is wonderful is to say nothing. About a man with excellent intuition in France, they say that he has a nose like an Epagnol.
They can, as the hunters say, "catch the smell" at a great distance. In the open area, they smell a flock of birds at a distance of almost 70 meters. They have a very sensitive nose that turns them into real hunting machines. It is large, wide and open. Allows you to breathe deeply and smell more. Bretons have a sense of smell 25 times stronger than humans.
Nuances when buying a Breton puppy
A Breton breeder must be a dedicated fan of the breed. Carry out a careful selection of producers, often importing them from their countries of origin, in order to constantly renew the blood. Test them personally in work exams and in show rings. With great attention must study the character, type, merits and demerits of the applicants.
A lot of patience is required from the dog breeder. Individuals for mating are selected in such a way that the puppies obtained from them are distinguished by the maximum balance between natural qualities, the typicality of the breed and the harmony of forms. Such work allows the offspring to combine the best qualities of their parents and ancestors.
Improving the breed is costly, which is unlikely to pay off due to the small number of puppies received. Therefore, amateur breeding can be called the pinnacle of dog breeding nobility. Dog breeding is an art, not a craft. Therefore, if you decide to get this particular breed, you better turn to professional breeders.
Very often, when choosing a puppy, the question arises: "Which gender to prefer?" As for the bitches, they are more affectionate, affectionate and mature earlier. However, during heat, which occurs twice a year and lasts twenty days, they are not suitable for hunting. The male is more enduring and can work all year round, but he is more annoying and less obedient.
If you are not a hunter, and want to have this dog for home adoration, then it needs to provide active physical activity. When you cannot create the necessary conditions for the full-fledged maintenance of the "Breton", then get a dog that is more suitable for you. The breed is quite popular, but the best breeding individuals are still abroad. In an average pricing policy, a Breton Eponyole puppy will cost from $ 100 to $ 1000. Cheaper puppies will cost with some deviations from external criteria.
You will learn more about the Breton Epanyola from this video:
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