Spaniel Dogs for Adoption in Pasadena, CA

A typical spaniel weighs roughly 20 to 50 pounds, though the range is wide. Toy spaniels weigh much less, English Springers and Cockers fall in the middle, and male Irish Water Spaniels can reach about 55 to 68 pounds. For a mixed spaniel, your veterinarian can help estimate a healthy adult weight and keep the dog lean.

Use a veterinarian-approved ear cleaner. Fill the canal with the solution, massage the base of the ear for about 30 seconds, let the dog shake, then wipe the visible part with gauze or a cotton ball. Avoid cotton swabs. If the ear looks red, smells bad or seems painful, skip cleaning and see your veterinarian.

Smaller spaniels usually reach their full height at around 9 to 12 months, while larger types such as Springers may keep filling out until 18 months to two years. Growth rates vary with size, mix and nutrition. Your veterinarian can advise on feeding and when your dog has reached adult size.

Spaniels are known for their long feathered ears, soft expressions, wagging tails and affectionate, people-focused nature. They are also known for their strong noses and for flushing and retrieving game birds. Many love water and mud, and many are famously sensitive, cheerful companions that want to be wherever their family is.

Many spaniels are affectionate, cheerful and sociable, and they like being close to their people. They are energetic, sensitive and usually eager to please, with a busy nose that loves to explore. They often need daily exercise, regular grooming and ear care, and many dislike long hours alone. Temperament varies with the type, mix and background.

A spaniel usually looks like a compact, sturdy dog with long, low-hanging ears, a gentle expression and a medium-length coat that is silky, wavy or curly. Many have feathering on the ears, chest, legs and belly. Colors range from solid black, liver or red to white with patches or roan. Size varies from toy Cavaliers to heavy Clumbers.

There is no widely recognized special name for a group of spaniels. People most commonly say a pack, as with other dogs, and a group of puppies is a litter. Hunters sometimes use informal terms for working dogs, but none is standard, so pack is a safe choice.

No single spaniel is always the calmest, but the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Clumber Spaniel are often described as gentler and more laid-back than Springers or Field types. Even calm types need daily walks and company. Age matters too, so an adult dog's energy is easier to judge than a puppy's.

The English Toy Spaniel and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are generally the smallest spaniels. English Toy Spaniels are typically under about 14 pounds, and Cavaliers a little heavier. Both were developed as companions rather than gun dogs. Among sporting spaniels, the American Water Spaniel and Cocker types are on the smaller side.

A spaniel is a dog from the family developed to find, flush and often retrieve game birds. Typical features include long, feathered drop ears, a silky or wavy coat, a soft expression and a strong nose. Looks alone are not proof in a mixed dog, since other breeds can share these traits.

It depends on your activity level, home and grooming time. Springers and field types suit active households, Cavaliers and older Cocker types often suit calmer routines, and water spaniels need coat care. Look at the dog's energy, how it does with children and other pets, and its ear and coat condition, then meet the dog.

Spaniels traditionally find, flush and retrieve game birds for hunters. Today most are family companions, and many also work as detection dogs, therapy dogs or competitors in dog sports such as agility, field events and scent work. Even pet spaniels often enjoy sniffing, fetching and swimming, because those activities use their original instincts.

The Irish Water Spaniel is usually the lowest shedder, thanks to its dense curls that shed very little. Other curly-coated types, like the American Water Spaniel, shed less than silky-coated spaniels but still shed seasonally. No spaniel is shed-free, and low-shedding coats usually need regular brushing and trimming to prevent mats.

No, spaniels are not herding dogs. They are sporting dogs developed to flush and retrieve game birds. Some may still chase birds, squirrels or other small animals, which comes from their hunting instincts rather than herding. Secure fencing or a leash, and good recall training, matter more than herding-style management.

Work a little detangling spray or conditioner into the knot, then gently loosen it with your fingers. Hold the ear near the base so the skin does not pull, and use a wide-toothed comb from the tips upward. Mats close to the skin should go to a groomer or veterinarian, and never cut them with scissors.

No spaniel is the best family dog for every home, but Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Cockers and English Springers are commonly described as friendly with children. Springers are very energetic and may knock over small children, while Cavaliers need less exercise. Supervise young children.

Many people find spaniels rewarding. They are often affectionate, sociable and eager to please, and they can fit active families well. They also need daily exercise, regular brushing and ear care, and many dislike long hours alone. Since spaniel covers many types and mixes, how well one suits you depends on that particular dog.

Yes, many spaniels are bird dogs. They were developed to find birds in dense cover and flush them into the air for hunters, then often retrieve them. This differs from pointers and setters, which indicate birds by freezing. Pet spaniels may still chase or stalk birds, so use a leash or fenced area.

A common rule of thumb is about five minutes of walking per month of age, once or twice a day, so a three-month-old puppy gets roughly 15 minutes per session. It is a guideline, not a strict limit. Avoid forced running on hard surfaces, and ask your veterinarian about vaccination timing before public outings.

Check your spaniel's ears weekly for redness, odor or discharge, and dry them thoroughly after swimming and baths. Clean with a veterinarian-approved cleaner when needed, but do not over-clean or use cotton swabs. Ask your groomer or veterinarian whether trimming ear hair helps, and have allergies checked, since they often contribute to infections.