Definition of: spaniel

(span′yəl) noun
1. A small or medium–sized dog having large pendulous ears and long silky hair: used especially for hunting small game in the fields, retrieving water birds, etc.
2. One who follows like a dog; an obsequious follower. [<OF espaignol Spanish (dog)]
—Blenheim spaniel
A variety of English toy spaniel having a white coat with rich chestnut or ruby–red markings: originally bred at Blenheim, England, from cocker spaniels sent to the Duke of Marlborough from China: formerly used for woodcock shooting, now usually a pet.
—Clumber spaniel
A small, stout–bodied, short–legged spaniel having a straight silky coat usually white with lemon markings: named from Clumber, the estate of the second Duke of Newcastle, where they were bred.
—cocker spaniel
The smallest of the sporting spaniels, of solid or various coloring, characterized by sturdy body and rather short legs: an excellent retriever, especially in thick covers and swamps, and named for its special skill in woodcock hunting.
—English springer spaniel
A spaniel of moderate size, strongly built, with a long and broad skull, deep chest, and wavy or flat coat; usually liver and white or tan, black and white or tan, etc.: named for its characteristic method of flushing game.
—field spaniel
A black or varicolored spaniel used for hunting small game, having a long, low body, short legs, and a larger, stronger appearance than the cocker.
—Irish water spaniel
A sporting dog of a breed developed in Ireland, having a curly, waterproof, liver–colored coat: used especially as a duck retriever.
—Japanese spaniel
A breed of toy dog, thought to have originated in China, squarely built with small–boned feathered legs, a proportionately large head, and a long, straight coat which may be black and white or red and white.
—King Charles spaniel
An English toy spaniel, originating in the Far East at an unknown date, having a long, silky, black–and–tan coat, feathery ears and feet, rounded head, and a short, turned–up nose.
—Sussex spaniel
A field spaniel bred in Sussex county, England, somewhat slow in speed, having a very keen nose, massive muscular body, heavy head, rather large ears, long back, short large–boned legs, and a thick coat of a rich, golden–liver color.
—Welsh springer spaniel
A dark, rich red–and–white sporting spaniel of uncertain origin, found chiefly in Wales and the west of England: larger than the cocker, and an excellent watchdog.