Hellenic Hound vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

English Water Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom but Hellenic Hound is originated from Greece. Both English Water Spaniel and Hellenic Hound are having almost same height. Both English Water Spaniel and Hellenic Hound are of same weight. Both English Water Spaniel and Hellenic Hound has almost same life span. Both English Water Spaniel and Hellenic Hound has same litter size. Both English Water Spaniel and Hellenic Hound requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Hound dog
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United Kingdom
Greece
Height Male:
49 - 51 cm
19 - 21 inches
47 - 55 cm
18 - 22 inches
Height Female:
45 - 47 cm
17 - 19 inches
45 - 53 cm
17 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
16 - 20 kg
35 - 45 pounds
17 - 20 kg
37 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
15 - 18 kg
33 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
6 - 8
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Water Dog, Water Rug
Greek Hound or the Hellenikos Ichnilatis The Hellenic Hound, Greek Harehound
Colors Available:
liver and white
Black with tan markings
Coat:
dense, waterproof, doublecoated
Short, smooth, sleek
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Stubborn, Territorial
Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Playful, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

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.

hellenic houndDeveloped in Southern Greece, the Hellenic Hound was bred to hunt hare and is an ancient breed. It is a medium sized breed with strong scent and tracking skills. It is believed to have been in existence for thousands of years. The ancestry of the breed included the Lagonikoi or laconikoi, native to southern Greece in ancient times. The breed was spread by sailors on Greece trading ships and colonization.

Todays Hellenic Hound is found throughout Europe. Kept somewhat isolated by the mountains, the breed was protected from outside breeding and they remained pure for centuries. It is a fearless, smart and hyped up purebred. The Hellenic Hound needs to have a job and if you don’t give him one, he will find one. He is smart and independent which sometimes makes him stubborn. It also takes this dog longer to mature than others, sometime between two and three years. It is not good for first time owners. Today’s hound is still a popular hunting dog and companion animal as well. They are rarely seen outside of the Greek country.

In 1996 the Hellenic Hound was recognized as the first Greek dog breed into the FCI. They are not recognized by the AKC. Its numbers continue to decline.

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.

hellenic hound puppy - descriptionToday’s Hellenic Hound is not a big dog but rather very average or medium. It is an athletic dog and looks like it. It has a balanced body with a deep chest and thick neck. It has medium height legs that are strong and muscular with paws that are prepared for the terrain it always works on. Its coat is short and tight. The colors of the Hellenic Hound are black with tan or white on the chest. Their heads are noble and rounded with a rectangle shaped muzzle. They have v shaped, long ears and round eyes. Their toe nails are black and so is their nose. It has excellent scent glands, very quick responses, speed and stamina. Their tail is thick and tapers off.

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.

Children friendliness

hellenic hound dog - characteristicsyes, they are very fond of children as long as they are carefully socialized.

Special talents

Great hunter, stamina ,scent, voice

Adaptable

He needs to have a yard or land. He doesn’t do well in apartments.

Learning

The breed is very intelligent and can be very trainable. However, they can also be stubborn and that makes training harder.

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.

hellenic hound puppies - health problemsThe Hellenic Hound is a fairly healthy breed having been isolated on the Island of Greece for the most part. They are susceptible to:

Joint dysplasia

Could be hips, elbows or knees. If untreated can lead to lameness or inability to walk.

Arthritis

Causes joint pain and can cause lameness or inability to walk.

Bloat

Can be fatal if not treated immediately. To avoid it don’t feed a large meal before or after exercise.

Hunting injuries

Can be a variety of things that occur during the hunt.

Ear infections

Need to keep the ears clean and dry in order to avoid infections.

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.

Feeding the puppy

hellenic hound dogs - caringFeed the puppy 2-3 times a day a total of 2 cups

Feeding the adult

Feed the adult twice a day a total of 2-3 cups

Points for Good Health

The Hellenic Hound has excellent stamina, speed and scenting ability.

Games and Exercises

This is a very active, athletic dog that needs to work and needs exercise. He is powerful, quick and has great endurance. It thrives on hunting but will need other activities on the days it doesn’t hunt. It needs a yard or land to play in. Agility, Field Trials, tracking, hunting and fly ball are all activities the Hellenic Hound will enjoy.

Comparison with other breeds

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  30. English Water Spaniel vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. English Water Spaniel vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. English Water Spaniel vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. English Water Spaniel vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. English Water Spaniel vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. English Water Spaniel vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. English Water Spaniel vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. English Water Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. English Water Spaniel vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. English Water Spaniel vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. English Water Spaniel vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. English Water Spaniel vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. English Water Spaniel vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. English Water Spaniel vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. English Water Spaniel vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. English Water Spaniel vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. English Water Spaniel vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. English Water Spaniel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. English Water Spaniel vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. English Water Spaniel vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. English Water Spaniel vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison