Breeds / Medium
Deutscher Wachtelhund puppies
A German hunting spaniel bred for foresters, tough, driven and scent obsessed in the field, steady and cooperative with the handler it works for.
The facts
- Size class Medium
- Country of origin Germany
- Adult weight 18.1 to 24.9 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 40 to 55 lb
- Adult height 46 to 53 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Low
- Coat type Medium wavy and double
- Typical lifespan 12 to 14 years
- Good with children Reliably good
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
Where these come from:
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. It weighs 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. It is hard working and physically tough, biddable with its own handler, and happiest with its 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. It is rare outside hunting circles and breeders mostly place puppies into working homes. It suits an outdoor, active owner. The mistake is taking one as a family spaniel and giving it no serious job for its nose, which is when the roaming and restlessness start.
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 is straightforward, but start handling the coat, feet and ears in week one anyway so it is never a fight later. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its 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
From Deutscher Wachtelhund breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/deutscher-wachtelhund/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
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.
Other medium breeds
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.