Dogs at Work – Hunting Spaniels

Hunting is so much more demanding in the way of actual *work* as opposed to “performance” as in a test or trial. There is a world of difference between scaling ledge and embankments, fighting through acres of briar coated fields, and wading through brush covered swamp and bog for 2, 3, 4, 5 hours, often for naught, as one would in an actual hunt – and running for 15 minutes at a time in a field already loaded with birdscent, as one might do in a test or trial. Hunting takes a sound, powerful build, and tons of heart.

This is important stuff very relevant to the nature of the breeds. After all, these dogs were hunters for the table before hunting became a competitive event.