Deutscher Wachtelhund German Spaniel

Kelby - our German Spaniel pictured here - is one of three that we own. Our farm, like most, is in a rural county with lots of wide open spaces, cultivated and not. We carefully train them not to ever, ever chase our farm animals: no ifs, ands or buts. However, there's one type of animal that they are encouraged to chase: pests. We wanted to have German Spaniels here to help us keep rodents under control. We always know when our dogs are on to one, because they use their voice when they're on the trail of something. We encourage the chase when we hear them barking and howling at some unwanted varmint. And, believe me, out here, we need all the help we can get to control these unwelcome visitors.

Kelby sleeps in a room with his German-born mother, Duchess, and his brother, Dash, and the three of them are wonderful companions. Our 'real' kids are all grown and have moved out, so it's just me and and my husband and these three special companions - and they're working dogs too. Besides rodent control, my husband Jack trained all three dogs to hunt waterfowl and they seem to really enjoy going out with him.

I actually enjoy grooming their coats, which Jack and I do frequently. It's a great bonding activity for all of us.