Stephens Stock vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison

English Water Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom but Stephens Stock is originated from United States. Both English Water Spaniel and Stephens Stock are having almost same height. English Water Spaniel may weigh 38 kg / 83 pounds lesser than Stephens Stock. Both English Water Spaniel and Stephens Stock has same life span. Both English Water Spaniel and Stephens Stock has almost same litter size. Both English Water Spaniel and Stephens Stock requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Hound dog
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United Kingdom
United States
Height Male:
49 - 51 cm
19 - 21 inches
35 - 50 cm
13 - 20 inches
Height Female:
45 - 47 cm
17 - 19 inches
32 - 46 cm
12 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
16 - 20 kg
35 - 45 pounds
41 - 58 kg
90 - 128 pounds
Weight Female:
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
39 - 55 kg
85 - 122 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 8
3 - 6
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Water Dog, Water Rug
Stephens' Stock Mountain Cur Little black dog Little Darkies
Colors Available:
liver and white
Black or dark gray; white markings may appear on the neck, and feet , chest
Coat:
dense, waterproof, doublecoated
Short, smooth/rough outer coat; short, dense, soft undercoat
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Stubborn, Territorial
Aggressive, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Playful
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

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.

stephens stockThe Stephens Stock is a member if the Cur dog breeds. They are a scent hound bred in southeastern Kentucky by the Stephen’s family. For generations the dogs were simply known as the “little black dog”. The Cur breeds are dogs with a mixture of ancestry and the Stephens Cur is no different. However, the name Cur now means a working dog from the South in the United States. They were known as hunting and guard dogs, chasing wild boar, squirrel and raccoon. They were also called the Mountain Curs throughout Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia.

These mountain working dogs came close to extinction by the 1940’s but four separate breeders set out to save the Mountain Curs. They were the founders of the Mountain Cur Club and involved Woody Huntsman of Kentucky, Carl McConnel of Virginia, Dewey Ledbetter of Virginia and of course Hugh Stephens of Kentucky. Later the name of the club was changed to the Original Mountain Cur Breeders Association or OMCBA. The Mountain View Cur, the Treeing Cur and the Stephens Stock Cur were the results of their efforts.

In the 1970’s Stephen’s decided that his Cur was different from the original Mountain Curs and should be a separate breed. He formed the Stephen’s Breeders Association and the breed was recognized as distinct from other Curs. However, it was not recognized by the UKC (United Kennel Club) until 1998.

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.

stephens stock puppy - descriptionThe Stephens Stock Cur is a breed of medium size, dark dogs – either very dark grey or black. Their heads are domed, and the muzzle is short with dark eyes. The breed’s chest is broad and deep with a neck of medium length and either a rough or smooth coat. They are smaller than the other Curs like the Black Mouth Cur or the Mountain View Cur.

They are strong and capable of treeing their prey. Their body is longer than it is high, and they have powerful and long legs. Their appearance is sleek and elegant. The nose is dark and square, and their stance is alert and that of a watchdog. This is an athletic hunting dog that is aggressive in the field and chilled at home.

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.

Characteristics

stephens stock dog - characteristics1. Children friendliness - They are tenacious on the hunt but once at home they love children.

2.Special talents tenacious – treeing prey

3.Adaptability They are adaptable if you can get them the exercise, they need every day. They won’t do well in an apartment without going to play and run somewhere else every day.

4.Learning ability - highly intelligent, eager to learn.

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.

stephens stock puppies - health problemsThe Stephens Stock Cur is a fairly healthy breed, fairly isolated in the hills and mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee. They are prone to a few health conditions but there are no genetic and breed specific issues.

  • PRA Progressive Retinal Atrophy can lead to blindness.

• Ear and Eye Infections. Keep them clean and keep debris out of both ears and eyes after hunting.

  • Deafness is seen in some.
  • Dental issues have been seen in some.

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.

stephens stock dogs - caring1.Feeding the puppy -Feed puppies a quality food desired for medium breed, high energy dogs. Puppies should eat 3 times a day about a total of 2 cups.

2.Feeding the adult Feed a high quality dog food with plenty of protein and designed for medium size dogs. Feed a total of 3 cups over 2 meals a day.

3.Points for Good Health – They are energetic and tenacious.

4. Games and Exercises – This is a very high energy treeing hunting dog with remarkable speed and agility. They need exercise – both physical and mental. One walk a day will not do it for these dogs. Have a fenced in yard or take them to organized activities like field trials, agility, flyball, hunting, search and rescue or barn hunt. They love to hunt with their people.

Comparison with other breeds

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  40. Stephens Stock vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Stephens Stock vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Stephens Stock vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
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  44. Stephens Stock vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Stephens Stock vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Stephens Stock vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Stephens Stock vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Stephens Stock vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Stephens Stock vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Stephens Stock vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison