Serbian Hound vs Field Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Once known as the Balkan Hound, the Serbian Hound is a scenthound, an ancient dog breed that dates back to the 11th century. He has always been a hunting dog, hunting in packs, but today he is essentially a pet and a companion.

Although the breed is very popular in Serbia, they have not spread much outside of the Balkan region. The first description of the Serbian Hound dates from 1905. The first standard for the dog was published in 1924.

This dog isn’t recognized by the AKC but he has been recognized by the FCI in 1940 and in 2006 by the United Kennel Club.

The Field Spaniel was developed to retrieve game, being developed in 19th century England as a hunting companion. Today they are still used as hunting dogs but he is essentially a family companion and show dog.

He was developed to be a medium-sized, all-black dog. Until 1901, spaniels were divided by weight, with the Field Spaniel being the bigger dog.With developing the breed, the Basset Hound was introduced and then English Springer Spaniels were also brought into the mix.

Today the Field Spaniel is still a rare breed even in the UK. To promote the breed, the dog has been registered as a Vulnerable Native Breed by the Kennel Club.

The Serbian Hound isn’t a particularly large dog. He is medium sized, standing at between 44 to 56cm in height and weighing in the region of 11 to 23kg. The coat of the dog is a red or tan color with a black saddle.

The hair is short, thick and shiny with the hair being slightly longer over the thigh area. The ears are high set, are of medium length and are floppy. The average litter size for these dogs is 3 to 6 puppies.

Temperament:

The good-natured Serbian Hound makes a loving and devoted pet. He’ll get on well with children too. They’re friendly dogs with a relaxed disposition, but to maintain that easy going characteristic, they will need to be well exercised.

They’re intelligent dogs with an independent side to them, and some training and socialization will be recommended.

The Field Spaniel is a medium sized dog, standing at 43–46cm in height and weighing between 18–25kg. The single coat of the Field Spaniel is fairly long with the traditional feathering at the legs, belly, chest and tail.

The coat comes in solid colours of black, liver or roan. You might also find some ticked markings of white. The tail of the Field Spaniel is traditionally docked with the ears being long and floppy.

Temperament:

Happy, busy and active, the Field Spaniel makes an excellent family pet. They get on well with children and with other pets in the home. It is the kind of dog, that while friendly with all members of his human family, he forms a strong bond with one member whom he regards as special.

Bright and intelligent, he is also a dog that does well when socialized and trained, being more docile and less excitable than Cocker spaniels. The Field Spaniel is a dog who thrives on being busy and won’t relish lying around with nothing to do. He loves water and where there is a dam or pond, he’ll be there and want you to join him.

The Serbian Hound is a working dog that just loves being busy, and he can keep busy for a long time as he has plenty of stamina.

He is an easy going dog, laid back, social and lively as well as being loving and loyal. They’re independent and strong-willed as well as being intelligent. You shouldn't have any difficulty training and socializing him, and it will round your pet off nicely, making him an even better companion and pets.

Once people have owned any of the Spaniel breeds, they discover what a wonderful friend the dog is. He is loyal, loving, protective, brave, confident, fun-loving and smart. He isn’t aggressive but he may not like a stranger to reach out and pat him.

The Field Spaniel is a wonderful dog and he will adapt to life in the city or in the countryside, just so long as he has his beloved human family close by.

Your Serbia Hound can live to be 12 to 15 years of age, but just like with other dogs, he will need to be watched for some of the common dog diseases there are. Cancer, bloat, skin infections and kennel cough are all diseases to look out for.

Ear Infections:

Ear infections are common in dogs with floppy ears. You need to check inside your dog’s ears as an ear infection can be a painful condition. You’ll see your dog scratching at his ears and shaking his head.

Most ear infections are caused by bacteria and yeast or even ear mites. You can’t play around with an ear infection and the veterinarian will take a sample from the affected ear. Most people don’t like to fiddle around with the inner ear and prefer to leave this grooming part to the vet or a professional groomer.

The Field Spaniel is a robust dog breed and can live to be 12 – 14 years of age. Apart from watching for ear infections with his long ears, there are some common dog illnesses that are worth knowing about -

Cataracts:

Most older dogs have hardening of the lens and this is when the lens turns a whitish or greyish colour. However if your dog has cloudy eyes, it doesn’t simply mean he can’t see well as he often can. Once a lens has a cataract, some people try nutritional support of the lens which can work to lessen the severity of developing cataracts.

Surgery can help but a veterinary ophthalmologist can determine if cataract surgery is needed as most times it isn’t. If you can’t afford surgery, it is still important to have your dog evaluated by a veterinary ophthalmologist so that you avoid further complications with your pet’s eyes.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy is another eye disease, a degenerative disease that affects the photo-receptor cells where they deteriorate over time and can eventually lead to blindness in the affected dog.

Grooming:

Serbian Hounds with their short coats are low maintenance. Yes, they do shed throughout the year, and have some seasonal shedding. A good brush twice a week will be adequate for this dog.

Check your Serbian Hound’s ears and eyes for infection. Also, as you brush him, take note of any new or unusual lumps you come across.

As a medium-sized dog, if you choose to feed your dog kibble, it will need to be according to size, his age and activity levels. Read the labels carefully to make sure you know how to feed your Serbian Hound the best way.

Choose kibble that has a good selection of vitamins and minerals in it. Try and provide your pet with some home made food too and add it twice a week to the dry kibble to give him some variety and a tasty treat.

Boiled chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach are simple foods – good for a dogs digestion. By also adding a bit of raw meat to his food you help him maintain a healthy coat and skin.

Fresh, cool water should always be available to him around the clock.

Exercise:

As a hunting breed, this dog has a lot of stamina and energy. He is going to require a good deal of exercise every day. Walks are always a good thing but he’ll want more energetic action – runs, ball games and some swimming.

Toys and equipment that can provide him with mental stimulation will be good for him too as he is a mentally sharp dog.

Grooming:

The Field Spaniel has medium-length to long hair and to avoid matting of the hair, the coat will need to be brushed a least twice a week. Many Spaniel owners take their pets to professional groomers to get the coat and ears trimmed.

Check your Spaniels ears inside and out regularly, because loving water the way he does, the ears inside can remain damp and become a breeding spot for infection.

Remember to also check your Field Spaniel’s teeth as dental disease can be the root cause of many diseases.

Diet:

Your Field Spaniel is an active breed and you want to be sure to feed him a high-quality commercially manufactured dog food which has been formulated for his activity level. Every now and again mix in some cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken and also add in a bit of raw meat from time to time. Ensure cool, fresh water is always available.