Deutscher Wachtelhund puppies

About the Deutscher Wachtelhund

The Deutscher Wachtelhund, the German quail dog, was rebuilt in the late nineteenth century as a versatile spaniel for professional foresters, expected to flush game from thick cover, work water and follow the blood trail of wounded deer. They weigh 18.1 to 24.9 kg and stands 46 to 53 cm, with a dense wavy coat in brown or roan, heavy feathering and long low ears. They are hard working and physically tough, biddable with their own handler, and happiest with their nose down.

This dog wants work rather than walks: tracking, water retrieves, scent games and long days outdoors. Grooming is a weekly brush through the feathering, with regular ear cleaning because drop ears trap moisture. They are rare outside hunting circles and breeders mostly place puppies into working homes. They suit an outdoor, active owner. Give that nose a serious job, because a Wachtelhund kept as a family spaniel with nothing to do soon starts roaming and getting restless.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Deutscher Wachtelhund puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Hip dysplasia, screened by hip evaluation of breeding stock
• Chronic ear infections caused by long drop ears, found on a vet ear exam and reduced by routine cleaning and drying
• Inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation

Your Deutscher Wachtelhund puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Deutscher Wachtelhund.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 18.1 to 24.9 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 24.9 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other medium breeds

More on the Deutscher Wachtelhund

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Sources

• akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
• fci.be for country of origin
• Health notes from Deutscher Wachtelhund breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/deutscher-wachtelhund/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: Steffen Heinz ( Caronna ), CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.