Tweed Water Spaniel vs Prazsky Krysarik - Breed Comparison

The Tweed Water Spaniel is extinct. Fortunately, we have some beautiful dogs that come from this dog. It is involved in bringing about the Golden Retriever. They were athletic dogs from Berwick-upon-Tweed.

It was in 1816 that Richard Lawrence wrote of the origins of the Tweed Water Spaniel which is thought to have come from the Newfoundland dog. It is believed that huntsmen used these dogs to retrieve the ducks and geese they shot. This purebred dog wasn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club or the FCI.

The Pražský Krysařík is a small breed of dog from the Czech Republic.

You won’t find this dog outside the Czech Republic, which is a pity, because as one of the smallest breeds, it’s a great choice for people with small properties.

It’s not a new breed, and there are records of it having been around in the Middle Ages, being valuable for catching rats.

The breed went through a decline in the 1980s, but their breeding program was started, although it isn’t an FCI acknowledged breed.

The Tweed Water Spaniel had a curly liver-colored coat with a long feathery tail and medium-sized floppy ears. It is thought that he was a large dog standing at between 50 to 60cm in height and weighing between 25 and 32kg.

The Tweed Water Spaniel, regarded as a moderate shedder, would have required being brushed from time to time.

Temperament:

The Tweed Water Spaniel had so many wonderful characteristics that made him a splendid family pet. He was smart and able to learn basic commands. He was also very playful and would have made a robust, playful friend for children.

They made gentle, loyal companions for their human family and wee able to get on well with other pets in the home. They would have got on well with other pets in the home too and it is believed that they were amicable enough to have been suited as a therapy dog.

They made good watchdogs too, being active and alert, just loving the outdoors. They’re well suited to life in the country or a home with a big garden and wouldn’t like to be cooped up on a small property in the city.

The Pražský Krysařík is a small dog standing at between 20 and 23cm in height and weighing between 1.5 and 4kg.

The Prazsky Krysarik may be small, but he is robust with a broad chest and a lean body with a fragile, lizard like head, much like a Chihuahua. The legs are fragile and thin. The ears are fairly large and erect and he has a long tail. The coat is short, thin and glossy and is mostly black and tan.

Temperament:

The Prazsky is known for its playful, lively nature, and they’re spunky and intelligent dogs too and will be more than capable of being trained and socialized.

Even though he is such a tiny dog, it will be to his benefit to have him trained and socialized.It makes the dog well balanced and they become well behaved so you can take them anywhere.

They are such friendly, social little dogs too and they love being around their human family. They certainly don’t like being left in the backyard, cut off from their human companions.

They're small enough to be indoors a lot, being able to easily slot into life in the city or in the countryside. They get on well with children and other pets but kids will have to be taught how to treat him with kindness and respect, as those tiny little legs could snap.

Intelligent, courageous and friendly, it seems such a pity that the Tweed Water Spaniel is extinct because he seemed to have been a super dog.

Luckily we have dogs such as the Golden Retriever that remind us of what a good family pet he was.

A Prazsky is a dog just like any other – he just wants to be a member of the family. He badly wants the love and attention of his human family but he wants to give love and attention in return too.

They make wonderful pets and he is more than willing to put aside playing outdoors to come inside and just be by your side.

These little dogs are a great choice for those looking for a small-sized dog. They’re such friendly, responsive little dogs and they don’t come with many health-related issues. The Prague Ratter adapts well to city or country living and he is prepared to be loyal and loving wherever you take him.

Because this dog is extinct and because no health records were kept, it is assumed that he would have had the same health issues as a Golden Retriever. Typical health issues of this dog would include hip dysplasia, obesity, cardiomyopathy.

Obesity:

This is a preventable disease in dogs, and if dog owners only knew what damage they do by allowing their dogs to become obese. Certainly, obesity shortens a dog’s life.

It is mind-boggling to realize that scientific evidence tells us that fat tissue is biologically active, secreting inflammatory hormones and also putting stress on the dog’s joints. Obese dogs develop an increased risk for cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

Cardiomyopathy:

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle characterized by an enlarged heart. The heart doesn’t function properly with the ventricles becoming enlarged. The muscle wall of the heart becomes thinner and this causes the heart to lose the ability to pump blood to the rest of the body.

Fluid can accumulate in the lungs. This can all lead to congestive heart failure. Your dog will battle to breathe, be panting and coughing, have an extended abdomen and may even collapse.

The Prazsky is a robust dog but there are some diseases that can affect a dog, and skin symptoms such as itchiness or an unusual lump will need to be seen to.

Other problems such as excessive drooling, cloudy eyes with discharge, distended abdomen and discolored gums are all reasons to seek the help of your vet. Small dogs like this tend to be prone to dental disease, so keep an eye on his teeth.

Some people look at buying health insurance because they know too well that veterinary costs can add up quickly, even for a tiny little dog like this.

Grooming:

The Tweed Water Spaniel had floppy ears and as a water dog, he may well have had ear infections in his day. One wonders if dog owners of that time were aware of the need to have the inside of the dog's ears clean and dry.

The Tweed Water Spaniel would have needed to have his eyes checked too. Pus in the eyes could indicate the dog wasn’t well.

Exercise:

The Tweed Water Spaniel would have required a lot of exercise and would have loved long walks and hikes. He wouldn’t need an invitation to go swimming and if you threw a stick or ball into the water, he’d be right there, jumping right in.

If you were a person that thrived on an active life this dog would have been for you.

Diet:

Nobody really knows what the Tweed Water Spaniel would have eaten in the 19th century when he was around. He’s the kind of dog you’d have to be careful with as he could put on weight easily.

If he were around today, you’d give him a high quality commercially manufactured food that was designed for large, active dogs. No doubt in those days, the owners gave the dog scraps off the table.

Today if you wanted to give your dog home-made food, you’d stick to healthy foods such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some healthy vegetables such as spinach, carrots and sweet potatoes.

Puppies would have required 4 bowls of food a day while the adult dog would require 2 meals a day.

Diet:

It doesn’t matter what size dog you have, each one requires high quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared.

Portion sizes should be appropriate to your dog’s size and activity levels. Dogs thrive on simplicity when it comes to food as this prevents them having digestive problems. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots all chopped up and added to your dog’ dry kibble as a treat every now and again will do wonders for your pet.

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

Grooming:

The short, smooth coat of the Pražský Krysařík makes him a truly low maintenance little dog. Just give him a brush twice a week and wipe him down with a damp cloth and he’ll always be gleaming like a new penny.

Have his nails trimmed and always check his teeth during these grooming sessions. Smalls dogs battle with dental disease, and this can cause havoc in the body of your small pet.

Exercise:

Walk your tiny pet at least once a day. It just gives him the chance to sniff around a bit and see the world in a new light. He doesn’t require a lot of physical activity, but they will still need regular exercise to stave off obesity.

Get your Pražský Krysařík spayed or neutered if you’re not intending to allow your pet to have puppies. These little dogs can have between 1 – 3 puppies. There are many pros to this procedure for dogs.

Make sure his vaccinations are up to date to avoid some of the deadly dog diseases you get such as parvo-virus, distemper and rabies.