Temperament
Gentle, Friendly, Sociable, Sensitive.
Health problems to know about
- Congenital deafness
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Allergic skin disease
Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.
Daily care
Two hours of exercise a day, with off-lead running in safe, fenced space. Brush the feathering two or three times a week and check ears often. Train with praise: harsh handling backfires.
A good fit for
Active families with children, multi-dog homes, and people who walk or run in the countryside every day.
Probably not ideal for
Flats, homes with pet birds, owners out all day, and anyone who cannot secure a garden against a scent-led wanderer.
Sources
Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.
