Continental dogs and English pointing dogs in comparison. Different style and behavior during hunting trips.
The Epagneul Breton is a breed originating in Spain, hence the name "Epagneul", which later in England was transformed into "Spaniel". Unlike the Spaniels, which are used to raise game in flight and the Pointers and Setters locate and bring it back, the Spaniel does it all by itself. The Epagneul is a lively and very intelligent dog, with a great ability to adapt, sensitive and reserved but also expansive and easy to train, docile and obedient, calm but also playful; he also knows how to be patient with children and affectionate with owners.
As for the Italian Spinone, the latter is used by hunters who use it to stop game on very difficult terrain. The spinone is a trotter, its nature is patient and it is an absolute security for its master: generosity and intelligence reign supreme in his soul.
We now come to the comparison between the English and continental breeds in hunting with the pointing dog, a group to which both Epagneul Breton and the Italian Spinone belong. The pointing dog is used, as everyone knows, to track down partridges, pheasants and quail, even if in recent years the latter have suffered a significant amount of ammunition.
The English breeds work in pairs and have a very wide crossing movement, a characteristic that leads them to evaluate a larger portion of the land until they learn the fragrant fluvio of game. From that moment the most difficult and interesting part begins, since the dog has to go up the river up to the wild, arriving at the topical point which is the stop. During the stop the other subject must agree not to disturb the other dog that has arrived on the game. Then the last scene takes place, that is, the joining of the dog with the master and the flight of the game.
On the contrary, the continental breeds, such as the spinone and the Epagneul Breton, work close to the handler in a more limited range of action, checking the terrain in a more meticulous way. It often happens that both breeds put their snouts almost inside the ground to look for the fragrant fluvium of the game, an attitude that demonstrates the absolute preparation and accuracy with which they carry out the work for which they have been selected over time. Although the technique of continental breeds may take longer to search for game than the English ones, both the Spinone Italiano and the Spaniel Breton offer the same results as the English "cousins". Two different styles to achieve the same goal.