Istrian Sheepdog vs Field Spaniel - Breed Comparison

Istrian Sheepdog vs Field Spaniel - Breed ComparisonField Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom but Istrian Sheepdog is originated from Slovenia. Field Spaniel may grow 17 cm / 6 inches shorter than Istrian Sheepdog. Field Spaniel may weigh 15 kg / 33 pounds lesser than Istrian Sheepdog. Both Field Spaniel and Istrian Sheepdog has almost same life span. Both Field Spaniel and Istrian Sheepdog has same litter size. Both Field Spaniel and Istrian Sheepdog requires Moderate Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Sporting dog
Working dog
undefined
United Kingdom
Slovenia
Height Male:
43 - 46 cm
16 - 19 inches
54 - 63 cm
21 - 25 inches
Height Female:
43 - 46 cm
16 - 19 inches
54 - 63 cm
21 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
26 - 40 kg
57 - 89 pounds
Weight Female:
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
26 - 40 kg
57 - 89 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
3 - 6
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Field
Karst Sheepdog
Colors Available:
Black, Liver or Roan
Dark and Light shades of Grey
Coat:
Medium length, wavy
Long, thick and harsh
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

field spanielThe 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.

istrian sheepdogKnown also as the Karst Sheepdog, the beautiful, medium sized Istrian Sheepdog hails from Slovenia, Yugoslavia in the 1600s, being used to guard sheep. In fact, the Karst Shepherd was recognized as the Illyrian Shepherd in 1939.

The dog is fairly scarce in his own country, but interest in the dog started developing in the late 1970s. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognizes the breed and it has also been exported to the United States, being recognized by the United Kennel Club.

It is also recognized by a number of smaller kennel clubs. The dogs numbers have declined at certain periods in its history but fortunately breeding programs boosted its numbers.

Description

field spaniel puppy - descriptionThe 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.

istrian sheepdog puppy - descriptionThis is a medium sized, muscled, strong dog with an iron-grey coat that has shades of deeper grey. His beautiful coat is long, thick and fairly harsh to the touch, with the undercoat protecting the dog against cold weather.

Around the neck area the hair is longer, forming an eye-catching-like mane. The stomach area has longer hair too. He has a noble look about him with kind, brown eyes and a round skull. The muzzle of the dog is dark, the limbs long and muscular and the tail is long and covered in thick fur.

The dog is slightly longer than its height, and both males and females stand at 54 to 63cm in height and weigh between 26 and 40kg. The long tail reaches right down to the hocks. The ears of the dog are fairly short and are floppy.

Temperament:

This dog has always made an excellent guard dog, being alert and also being distrustful of strangers. He will need to be trained and socialized if you want him to be obedient to you and more amicable around children in the home as well as visitors to the home.

If he is trained and well socialized, he is able to make a good pet. However, he is an energetic dog, used to working and he isn't recommended for life in the city if there is only a tiny garden. He needs space and will require a large garden.

He will also need to be exercised and not just left to his own devices in the backyard. Because he is essentially a working dog he doesn’t easily fit into the role of pet and companion. He is a working dog and will need to be kept busy.

Characteristics

field spaniel dog - characteristicsOnce 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.

istrian sheepdog dog - characteristicsYour Istrian Sheepdog is a unique, strong-willed dog that is used to guarding, and working and he wants to be kept involved and busy.

He is wary of strangers and makes an excellent guard dog for any family home. Remember that it is never good to invest in a dog purely for guard dog purposes. A dog such as the Istrian Sheepdog is a social creature and he also wants- and needs to be part of a human family that provides him with plenty of interaction with them.

The Istrian Sheepdog is a loyal, loving dog who is capable of forming strong bonds with his human family. With proper training and socialization he makes a good friend of children and the elderly too.

Include him in all your family activities just like any human family member and he will make you a splendid, courageous pet.

Health Problems

field spaniel puppies - health problemsThe 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.

istrian sheepdog puppies - health problemsAs with many other dog breeds, the Istrian Sheepdog is a healthy dog that, because of history of hard work, is robust and able to stand up well to common dog illnesses.

However there is one dog illness that strikes many dogs and at any age, and it is hip dysplasia. This is a malformation of the hip joints.

You'll notice that your once active dog is lethargic, doesn't want to play so much anymore and battles to get up after lying down. The disease is painful for your dog and it can lead to mobility issues. The disease is diagnosed with x-rays and your vet will recommend treatment options to make life more comfortable and less painful for your beloved pet.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

field spaniel dogs - caringThe 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.

Exercise:

istrian sheepdog dogs - caringThis is a dog that is used to guarding his flock and he will need to be in a home that has a fair sized garden. He can adapt to life in the city or to the countryside, but wherever he is, he will need sufficient exercise. Take him with you on your walks or hikes and give him some rope- and ball games.

General Care:

Wherever you live in the world, when the Winter winds howl and blow in icy rain or snow, a dog is at an increased risk of illness. You decided to have a dog in your home and it is your responsibility to care for him. Winter weather is downright unpleasant and dangerous for most pets.

Bring your pet in during such weather and provide him with a warm, dry sleeping space. During hot weather, make sure your pet has a cool, shady spot to lie down in, out of the boiling sun. Whatever weather you're experiencing, your pet should never ever be without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Provide him with excellent food that is full of vitamins and minerals to keep him healthy. Learn to know what human foods can be toxic for him and cause him digestive problems.

Grooming:

Your double coated Istrian Sheepdog will need a thorough brushing at least twice a week because of his dense, double coat. He does shed and isn't a hypoallergenic dog. His thick coat can tangle easily if it isn't properly brushed and maintained.

Clip his nails when and if they grow long. Other grooming aspects for this attractive dog require checking his ears for infection and also checking his teeth as dental disease can lead to a host of serious illnesses in your dog.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Istrian Sheepdog vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Istrian Sheepdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Istrian Sheepdog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Istrian Sheepdog vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Istrian Sheepdog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Istrian Sheepdog vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Istrian Sheepdog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Istrian Sheepdog vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Istrian Sheepdog vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Istrian Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Istrian Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Istrian Sheepdog vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Istrian Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Istrian Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Istrian Sheepdog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Istrian Sheepdog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Istrian Sheepdog vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Istrian Sheepdog vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Istrian Sheepdog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Istrian Sheepdog vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Istrian Sheepdog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Istrian Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Istrian Sheepdog vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Istrian Sheepdog vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Istrian Sheepdog vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Field Spaniel vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Field Spaniel vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Field Spaniel vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Field Spaniel vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Field Spaniel vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Field Spaniel vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Field Spaniel vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Field Spaniel vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Field Spaniel vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Field Spaniel vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Field Spaniel vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Field Spaniel vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Field Spaniel vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Field Spaniel vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Field Spaniel vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Field Spaniel vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Field Spaniel vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Field Spaniel vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Field Spaniel vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Field Spaniel vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Field Spaniel vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Field Spaniel vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Field Spaniel vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Field Spaniel vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Field Spaniel vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison