| In this dual pet portrait of a young liver and white springer spaniel and an older black & white cocker spaniel Ann was asked to portray them exactly as they were. She was asked to leave the skin bald around the eyes and muzzle of the springer spaniel where he had suffered from puppy mange at kennels before weaning. The cocker bitch was beginning to show signs of ageing around the muzzle and in her eyes. The English Cocker is no doubt one of the oldest types of land spaniel. Their origins can be traced back to 14th century Spain. Prior to the 1600's all types of spaniels were categorised together; the larger ones being used to spring game and the smaller ones to flush out woodcock. Hence the names Springer and Cocker were derived. In 1892, the Kennel Club of Great Britain differentiated the two breeds separately. In the 1930's, the Cocker was the most popular breed of dog in Britain and there he stayed for almost 20 years! On the other side of the Atlantic, Americans were using the same breeding stock to develop a slightly different Cocker. In 1940, the Kennel Club then split these Spaniels into American and English. Highly intelligent dogs who are very easily trained, Cockers like to please and are eager to learn. The skull should be well-developed and cleanly chiselled with a distinct stop.The jaws should be strong with a complete scissor bite. The eyes should be full and either dark brown or brown although dark hazel is allowed in the liver-coloured varieties, with an intelligent, gentle, bright and merry expression. The ears should be lobular set on low level with the eyes, well-covered with straight, silky hair. The muscular neck should be moderate in length and set into sloping shoulders. The body should be strong and compact with a level topline which should gently slope towards the tail. The forelegs should be straight and well-boned, and the hind legs well-rounded and very muscular and again well-boned with a good bend of stifle. The feet should be firm, thickly padded and cat-like. The tail should be set on slightly lower than the line of the back and carried level. It is customarily docked. The English Springer Spaniel is a gundog which is used for flushing, or springing game in the field. They are the ideal breed for the rough shooter as they will work all day, on land or in the water. These dogs are very popular within a family environment, a good all rounder. It is one of the most versatile of the sporting dogs. The English Springer Spaniel is a compact, medium sized sporting dog with long ears. This dogs expression is alert, kindly and trusting, just think of the expression 'spaniel eyes'. When they look up at you with those deep brown or dark hazel eyes they could get away with anything. Springers are friendly dogs that are always eager to please. They are well proportioned dogs, nicely balanced, built to cover rough ground well and quickly. |
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