| Species | Dog |
|---|---|
| Origin | Netherlands/France |
| Size Category | Medium |
| Category | Dog |
| Original Purpose | Hunting/Pointing/Retrieving |
| Weight Range | 20–27 kg |
|---|---|
| Height Range | 51–61 cm |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Juvenile Stage Ends | 14 months |
| Senior Age Threshold | 10 years |
| Exercise Needs | High - minimum 60-90 minutes daily vigorous exercise including running, swimming, and field work |
|---|---|
| Grooming | Weekly brushing, occasional hand-stripping; low-shedding wiry coat |
| Annual Exam Focus | Hip/elbow evaluation, eye exam (PRA/cataracts), thyroid panel |
| Routine Care | Feed 2-3 smaller meals to prevent bloat/GDV; use slow feeder bowl; avoid elevated food bowls; prophylactic gastropexy recommended |
| Condition | Onset Stage | Risk | Hereditary | Screening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia | adult | medium | Yes | Recommended |
| Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) | adult | medium | Yes | Recommended |
| Cataracts | senior | medium | Yes | Recommended |
| Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV/Bloat) | adult | medium | No | N/A |
| Elbow Dysplasia | adult | low | Yes | Recommended |
| Hypothyroidism | adult | low | Yes | Recommended |
| Entropion | juvenile | low | Yes | Recommended |
| Panosteitis | juvenile | low | No | N/A |
| Risk Level | Low-Medium |
|---|---|
| Ideal BCS | 5/9 |
| Visual Cues | Ribs easily palpable with slight fat covering; visible waist from above; abdominal tuck evident from side |
| Daily Activity | 75 minutes |
| Litter Size | 6–9 |
|---|---|
| Dystocia Risk | Low |
| CHIC Required Tests | OFA Hip evaluation, OFA Elbow evaluation, Thyroid panel (OFA), Eye exam (CERF/OFA) |
| Recommended DNA Tests | PRA genetic panel, Hip/Elbow radiographs, Thyroid function test, Cardiac evaluation |
| Neonatal Weight | 280–400 g |
|---|---|
| Growth Notes | Reaches full height by 12-14 months; full weight by 14-18 months. Critical socialization window 3-14 weeks. Fear periods at 8-11 weeks and 6-14 months. Females may mature slightly earlier than males. |
| Vaccine/Health Schedule | Standard puppy vaccination schedule (DHPP at 6-8, 10-12, 14-16 weeks; Rabies at 12-16 weeks). Leptospirosis recommended for hunting/field dogs. Bordetella if in group settings. Tick prevention essential for field work. |
| Temperature | Tolerates wide temperature range (-10°C to 30°C); wiry double coat provides insulation in cold and water; avoid prolonged heat exposure above 32°C |
|---|---|
| Humidity | Adaptable to various humidity levels; coat dries quickly after water work |
| UVB Requirement | Standard outdoor access; benefits from daily outdoor time for mental stimulation and exercise |
| Diet | High-quality protein-rich diet; active sporting dog formula recommended; omega-3 supplementation for joint and coat health; feed 2-3 meals daily |
| Common Issues | Hip dysplasia, PRA, cataracts, GDV/bloat, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, entropion, panosteitis |
| Anxiety Proneness | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Top Triggers | Extended isolation from family; lack of exercise; confinement without mental stimulation; loud sudden noises; changes in routine |
| Separation Anxiety Risk | High |
| Calming Interventions | Gradual desensitization to alone time; puzzle toys during absence; calming music; exercise before departure; crate training as safe space; avoid dramatic departures/arrivals |
| Enrichment Needs | Daily vigorous exercise (60-90 min); nose work and scent games; puzzle feeders; swimming opportunities; field training or hunting; social interaction with family; rotating toy selection |
| Cognitive Dysfunction Risk | Low-Medium |
| Sociability Score | 8/10 |
| Locomotion | Smooth sustained gallop in field; feline-style stalking and crouching when on point; strong swimmer with natural water entry; agile movement through dense cover |
|---|---|
| Social | Extremely people-oriented; follows owner room to room (velcro dog); gentle with children; may be reserved with strangers initially; good with other dogs when socialized; strong pack bonding |
| Comfort | Seeks physical contact with family during rest; enjoys being brushed; stretches frequently after rest; circles before lying down; prefers elevated resting spots with view of family |
| Stress/Displacement | Destructive chewing when bored/anxious; excessive barking; pacing; escape attempts; house soiling when stressed; lip licking and yawning in unfamiliar situations |
| Breed-Specific | Pointing instinct (rigid body, extended neck, raised paw); natural retrieving drive; water entry without hesitation; feline-style stalking approach to game; strong prey drive toward birds and small animals |
| Types | Alert bark (short, sharp); excitement yip; separation whine; contentment grumble/mutter; play growl (non-aggressive); rare howl during extended isolation |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 200-2500 Hz |
| Tendency | Moderate |
| Primary Modality | Body language primary (pointing stance, tail position, ear orientation); vocalization secondary for alerts and emotional states; scent marking for territory |
| Tail/Body Signals | Rigid horizontal = on point/high alert; rapid wagging = excitement/greeting; slow wag = uncertain/assessing; tucked = fearful/submissive; relaxed low = calm/content |
| Top Problems | Separation anxiety (destructive behavior when alone); excessive alert barking; prey drive toward small animals; counter surfing; escape attempts from yard |
|---|---|
| Medical Etiology | Hypothyroidism-related lethargy or irritability; pain from hip/elbow dysplasia causing aggression; vision loss from PRA/cataracts causing startle reactions |
| Fear/Anxiety Etiology | Separation anxiety (high risk); noise phobia (moderate); stranger anxiety if under-socialized; generalized anxiety from insufficient exercise/stimulation |
| Frustration Etiology | Barrier frustration; leash reactivity toward birds/small animals; demand barking for attention; destructive chewing when under-stimulated |
| Learned Behavior | Attention-seeking barking reinforced by owner response; jumping on people; pulling on leash toward scents; food stealing from counters |
| Cognitive Dysfunction | Disorientation and confusion (onset 11+ years); disrupted sleep-wake cycles; loss of house training; decreased social interaction; repetitive behaviors; staring at walls |
| AI-Trainable Signals | Point stance (rigid body, extended neck, bent legs, tail rigid) = bird scent detection; play bow with bouncing = desire for interaction; leaning against owner = affection/security-seeking; intense stare with raised paw = high-value stimulus; nose nudge = attention request; circling with tail up = excitement/anticipation |
|---|---|
| Context-Dependent Vocalizations | Short sharp bark = alert/stranger approaching; sustained whine = separation distress or desire to go outside; low grumble = contentment; excited yipping = anticipation of outdoor activity; howl (rare) = extended isolation distress; soft whimper = seeking comfort |
| Interspecies Communication | Generally gentle with other household pets when properly introduced; strong prey drive toward birds and small animals; cat compatibility requires early socialization; communicates play intent clearly with exaggerated body language; respects established hierarchy with other dogs |