(back cover) Spaniels, members of the Sporting Group, are among the most versatile of all breeds. They are great hunting dogs, easy to train for all canine sports, and most important of all, they make wonderful companions. This book will tell you all about the different spaniel breeds, presenting tailor-made advice on care and training. Best of all, owners tell their own heart-warming stories of the love and companionship in their experiences of living with spaniels. Illustrated throughout with stunning photography, Living With A Sporting Spaniel is the perfect book for every spaniel enthusiast. ( flap copy) Merry, tail-wagging, and full of fun, spaniels are among the most affectionate and companionable of all dogs. Members of the Sporting Group, Spaniels are divided into nine different breeds, each with its own distinctive appearance, personality, and specific working attributes. Find out about: The American Cocker Spaniel The American Water Spaniel The Clumber Spaniel The English Cocker Spaniel The English Springer Spaniel The Field Spaniel The Irish Water Spaniel The Sussex Spaniel The Welsh Springer Spaniel In Living With A Sporting Spaniel, the historical background of each spaniel breed is examined. Readers will find advice on picking a puppy, feeding it, and maintaining preventive health care. A chapter devoted to each breed traces its development, its recognition, and its present-day status. An outline of individual breed standards includes details on what each breed should look like. Perhaps most important to prospective owners, this book gives an in-depth analysis of the character and behavior traits of each spaniel type, focusing on preferred lifestyles, trainability, and working ability. Readers will also find practical advice on grooming both the household pet and the show dog, as well as exercise and general health recommendations. Spaniels are well known for their liveliness and intelligence, and readers will find guidance on which sports their spaniel is best suited for, ranging from the dog's traditional role as a shooting companion to the increasingly popular disciplines of agility, competitive obedience, and canine freestyle. The book also discusses the role of spaniels who work as therapy dogs and as highly-valued search dogs, sniffing out drugs and explosives. Julia Barnes is a writer who specializes in dog care and training. She has enlisted the help of individual breed experts to make Living With A Sporting Spaniel a true celebration of the nine different spaniel breeds.