English Water Spaniel vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison

English Water Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom but Bullenbeisser is originated from Germany. English Water Spaniel may grow 13 cm / 5 inches shorter than Bullenbeisser. English Water Spaniel may weigh 14 kg / 30 pounds lesser than Bullenbeisser. Both English Water Spaniel and Bullenbeisser has almost same life span. English Water Spaniel may have less litter size than Bullenbeisser. Both English Water Spaniel and Bullenbeisser requires Low maintenance.

History

The English Water Spaniel breed is extinct and has been since the early 1900’s. It was last seen in the 1930s. The breed was a hunting breed, diving for duck and hunting other waterfowl. Legend has it that Shakespeare was referring to this breed of dog in Macbeth when he refers to the “water rug”. Again, in Two Gentlemen of Verona one of the character states about another that “She hath more qualities than a water-spaniel.’

The English Water Spaniel came along before the Irish Water Spaniel and had a part in the development the Curly Coated Retriever, the American Water Spaniel and the Field Spaniel. The English Water Spaniel looks somewhat like a Poodle/Springer Spaniel cross or a Collie. It is not known whether the English Water Spaniel was part of the development of the Irish Water Spaniel.

When the English Water Spaniel was first developed the UKC had a “Water Spaniels other than Irish” and the English Water Spaniel had no standard written and accepted for it yet. But by 1967 the breed was extinct. Still the American Water Spaniel and the Flat Coated Retriever are believed to be descendants of the English Water Spaniel.

Known also as the German Bulldog, the Bullenbeisser was a strong dog which is now unfortunately extinct. There were two regional types – the Brabanter- and the Danziger Bullenbeisser.This Molosser-type dog was native to Germany and was bred for different hunting purposes.

Nobody is quite sure what dogs are included in Molossers, but they are essentially large dogs bred to hunting and rescue, tending to have a shorter muzzle. The Bullenbeisser is famous for the role the dog has played in the development of the wonderful dog we have today, the Boxer. In fact, some Bullenbeissers were crossed by the Boxer Kennel Club of Germany with Bulldogs from the UK.

Not much is known about the history of the Bullenbeisser, but the breed also has a history in the lands of the Holy Roman Empire. The dog was at first a type of Mastiff, large and with the typical brachycephalic head, and used for hunting because of their power.

To improve their dogs, many Bullenbeisser breeders began crossing their dogs with English Bulldogs, introducing a white coat to the Bullenbeisser. Other breeds were also crossed with the dog such as the Bull Terrier, but by the end of the 19th century, the traditional Bullenbeisser was slowly dying out. It was in the late 1870s that German breeders, Hopner, Konig and Roberth used the dog to bring about a new breed, which today is known as the Boxer.

Description

Resembling the Springer Spaniel, poodle, collie and setter the English Water Spaniel has very little in common with the Irish Water Spaniel in respect to looks. The English has a narrow and somewhat longer head their than other spaniels and they have long furry ears. Their body is stout, and they are shaped like a barrel – more like a Clumber. With long legs and large feet, it is ready to take to the hunt. There coat was waterproof, and their toes were webbed.

The Boxers lineage comes from the Bullenbeisser. The Bullenbeisser was a fierce, courageous dog, noted for its hunting abilities. The dog was developed into the Boxer so that its body become more defined and more streamlined.

Described as a medium to large muscular dog, standing roughly 63cm in height, he would have weighed in the region of 32kg. He had a short coat, brown eyes and short to medium ears which were half erect, half floppy.

Brown to fawn in color, he had a long tail which was later docked to give the dog a more distinctive, attractive look. The dog also got its attractive fawn color from the English Bulldog. Loyal, active and loving, the Bullenbeisser was a true family dog with a close affinity to children.

Characteristics

The English Water Spaniel was aloof with strangers but loyal with his hunter. He was a little stubborn and an excellent water dog. They loved being in the water and could enter it without making any noise so as not to frighten his prey. He was highly intelligent and trainable. He also was very affectionate with his people.

Information on the extinct Bullenbeisser is limited, but because he was used to bring about the Boxer you can be sure that he would have been fearless, courageous and territorial of his property and of his human family.

The Bullenbeisser would have been a good watch-dog and with the right kind of loving care, a most awesome and loving family companion.

Health Problems

The English Water Spaniel is a fairly healthy breed given to some fairly common disorders such as:

Hip Dysplasia

Can lead to lameness and arthritis

Cardiac abnormalities

Arterial fib and flutter and other problems that could lead to death.

Degenerative Myelopathy

This is a disease seem in several “Dwarf” breeds such as Corgis, as well as in many spaniels. This is the canine version of Lou Gehrig’s Disease or ALS and it is fatal.

In general, medium to large breeds like the Bullenbeisser have a lifespan of 10, 11 or 12 years. The life expectancy of these dogs relied much on the lifestyle they led and their diets.

The Bullenbeisser had a deep chest and this made dogs like this prone to gastric dilatation and bloat which can be life-threatening and which requires immediate veterinary intervention. The dog with this disease has distension of the abdomen and extreme discomfort, wanting to vomit but being unable to do so.

Hip Dysplasia:

Hip Dysplasia is a disease which is more common in larger dogs and is an abnormal formation of the hip socket, resulting in lameness accompanied by painful arthritis.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

The English Water Spaniel is not an overly energetic dog and has a tendency to over eat. Feed him 1 to 1.5 cups of high quality dry dog food over two meals each day.

Health issues

In addition to the health issues mentioned earlier, the English Water Spaniel is also prone to:

Baldness

Pattern baldness – is genetic and occurs on the neck and back of the hind legs.

Cataracts

English Water Spaniels can have these in old age like most other breeds.

Retinal Dysplasia

Clumps form in the retinal tissue and can lead to blindness

Exercise and games

The English Water Spaniel was a worker and an outdoor athlete at a time before organized canine games and activities such as agility and flyball. They loved to swim, and they loved to hunt. Without a job to do they could become barky and destructive.

Grooming:

The Bullenbeisser was a mastiff like breed with a short, easy-to-care for coat. He would have required a good brushing down at least twice a week to remove the coat from loose hairs. As an active, outdoor-type dog, he would have had to have his ears checked for dirt and the possibility of infection.

Exercise:

Although the Bullenbeisser was a hunting dog, he no doubt led an active outdoor lifestyle. Dogs such as the Boxer and the Mastiff, which are descendants of this dog are the kind of dogs which will need to be exercised regularly, taken on walks and given lots of running games with a ball.

Diet:

As a medium to larger breed with lots of energy, the Bullenbeisser would have no doubt had home-made food from his master’s table. This food would have included meat and vegetables. As a hunting dog he would have had the chance to get in some raw meat which is imperative for the health of any domesticated dog today.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Molosser dogs
Origin:
United Kingdom
Germany
Height Male:
49 - 51 cm
19 - 21 inches
53 - 64 cm
20 - 26 inches
Height Female:
45 - 47 cm
17 - 19 inches
51 - 62 cm
20 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
16 - 20 kg
35 - 45 pounds
25 - 34 kg
55 - 75 pounds
Weight Female:
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
23 - 34 kg
50 - 75 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
8 - 11
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Water Dog, Water Rug
German Bulldog
Colors Available:
liver and white
Fawn or Brownish
Coat:
dense, waterproof, doublecoated
short and dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. French Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  2. Flat-Coated Retriever vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  3. Finnish Spitz vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  4. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  5. English Water Spaniel vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  6. English Water Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  7. English Water Spaniel vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  8. English Water Spaniel vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  9. English Water Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  10. English Water Spaniel vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  11. English Water Spaniel vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  12. English Water Spaniel vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  13. English Water Spaniel vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  14. Field Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  15. Lagotto Romagnolo vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  16. Formosan Mountain Dog vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  17. Shikoku vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  18. Slovakian Hound vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  19. Small Munsterlander vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  20. Sussex Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  21. Kooikerhondje vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  22. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  23. West Siberian Laika vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  24. Wetterhoun vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  25. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  26. Catahoula Bulldog vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  27. Cao Fila de Sao Miguel vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  28. Finnish Hound vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  29. Chow Chow vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  30. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  31. Dalmatian vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  32. Golden Doodle vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  33. Pomsky vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  34. Sakhalin Husky vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  35. Other vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  36. Chinese Shar Pei vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  37. Olde English Bulldogge vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  38. English Springer Spaniel vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  39. Old English Bulldog vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  40. Schnauzer vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  41. Puggle vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  42. Brittany vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  43. King Charles Spaniel vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  44. Fox Terrier vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  45. Schnoodle vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  46. Collie vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  47. Pharaoh Hound vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  48. English Setter vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  49. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison
  50. Catahoula Leopard vs Bullenbeisser - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds