The Cocker Spaniel - Companion, Shooting Dog And Show Dog - Complete Information On History, Development, Characteristics, Standards For Field Trial And Bench With Some Practical Advice On Training, Raising And Handling

Ella B. Moffit

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Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing many of these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Informations

• Publié par: Read Books Ltd.
• Date de parution: 08 janvier 2021
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781528763486
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 3 Mo

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THE COCKER SPANIEL
Companion, Shooting Dog and Show Dog
Complete information on history, development, characteristics, standards for field trial and bench with some practical advice on training, raising and handling.
BY ELLA B. MOFFIT
Revised and Enlarged Edition

ILLUSTRATED



1943
CH. STOCKDALE TOWN TALK
Owned by the Stockdale Kennels
(Pedigree See Page 264 )
TO THE MEMORY OF ROWCLIFFE WAR DANCE THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED
FOREWORD
C OCKERS have been a habit of mine for a great many years and the longer I go on with them the more I realize how many problems confront the novice enthusiast. This, of course, is true with any hobby but is emphasized in the breeding of animals. In a measure the enthusiasm of the novice gets him over difficulties which might seem insurmountable to the more seasoned and so is Nature s way of compensation. Many of us have realized the necessity of a comprehensive work on the breed and it is my intention as far as it lies in my power to set down such information as I, with the invaluable assistance of friends, authorities and fellow breeders, have been able to gather together with such experience of my own as I think may have value. It is not my office to criticize breeders, judges or dogs. The illustrations are of dogs which have merited recognition by reason of their record alone. Whether I, personally, like or dislike a dog is not a reason for its appearance or non-appearance in this book, but due to the courtesy of the owner who has made the publication of the picture available, it helps the record and makes possible a sufficiently representative collection of specimens of indubitable merit to assist in the forming of a mental picture of what a Cocker should be and does look like. This, in part, is my answer to the enigma of the model. As you study these illustrations and I urge you to do so as part of the message I have for you, you will, I hope, arrive at an ideal of your own. In so far as I have been able to obtain them, these pictures represent many of the outstanding Cockers that have been bred in the United States, east and west. They show evolution. And I think they also show that to standardize the well-balanced dog with the best from each is yet to be done. This is where your contribution is going to advance this aim. In the next few years it seems to me to be a vitally important step to improve the type in the working Cocker and to develop the working Cocker out of the proper type. Here of course I am treading on dangerous ground! There is a distinct difference of opinion in the ranks of the working Cocker promoters. In its proper place, I shall further elucidate this statement.
In brief, therefore, the field for improvement is vast. There is always room for the good sportsman whether his interest be the very fascinating pursuit of top honors in shows or field trials, the contribution of improvement through breeding or in the simpler but equally joyous and satisfactory pursuit of developing for yourself a good Cocker whether as a companion for the family or a pal in the shooting expeditions. And so my mission is to supply you with a book of reference, to answer some of the hundred questions that I answer annually in matters relating to care, training, families, how to show, whether they are good hunters, or in other words, what, when, why and where.
This book does not treat in more than a general way with details of feeding, mating or disease. This is the age of specialists and the author does not feel qualified to compete in this field with the one who has made a study of these phases under a variety of circumstances. The system of management evolved at my kennel is proving successful for the conditions existing with such changes from time to time as are necessary to keep them modernized according to the latest findings of science. This system, however, might be wholly impractical in another kennel where conditions of available space, seasonal changes or conditions of personnel demand entirely different handling.
It is my purpose to introduce the breed to some, to facilitate familiarity for others and also to act as a reference and guide in the ways and means of showing, of using for the gun and of getting the best out of the endless possibilities for pleasure, work and companionship of the greatest little dog that has been evolved out of centuries of earnest endeavor.
INTRODUCTION
I DEDICATE this book to Rowcliffe War Dance because it is fitting that I should do so. Of all dogs that I have owned I think he did the most for Cockers and for Rowcliffe. No great physical beauty was his. A rusty, funny face with eyes that talked; not any too large though massive for his height; his heart, his courage, his nose and his bird sense gave him a place in public competition, in the hearts of those who shot over him as well as of those that saw him do his work on land and water. In 1924, 1925, 1926 we were fighting the battle of reinstating the Cocker as a shooting dog of merit. In War Dance developed the specific for the need. All who saw him, read about him or judged him became convinced. One or two have thought it necessary to deflate my conceit by pointing out to me the superiority of the top dogs of today. I assure them that this is not necessary. I am glad to say that the more recently developed Cockers have more leg, hence more drive and speed. There would be something very wrong with our progress if this were not so, but in dedicating this book to War Dance I do so because we should not forget his value in teaching us the game.
Frank Dole loves to talk of War Dance. He followed him from his first entry in public competition to his untimely death at five years old a few weeks after winning his largest stake at Cornwall. I asked him to put down his impressions. Here they are:
Coming home from the field trials at Cornwall in the autumn of 1929 with those two veteran experts, Dr. James G. Hair and Dr. William Bruette, just one thing stood out in our conversation that has lingered in my mind. That was the great performance we had seen given by a grand little Cocker Spaniel, Rowcliffe War Dance. He had beaten the best specimens of his own breed and one of the classiest lot of Springer Spaniels to be found anywhere.
The consensus of that talk might easily be summed up in direct quotations something like this: That little spaniel, War Dance, gave a performance today that was a classic and compares favorably with the work of some of the great Pointers and Setters of the past. He showed almost human intelligence and the way he rounded up that final bird was a marvel.
And it was marvelous too. The manner in which he retrieved a bird, almost as large as himself, fully 150 yards, must compare favorably with any performance we have even seen. His work there and in earlier trials was a deciding factor in reestablishing the Cocker Spaniel on this side of the water as a field trial dog and not merely a bench show poser. His untimely death was certainly a hardship on the breed.
I shall certainly never forget this great little dog, with his rich red and white coat. He was sociable, merry and serious by turns. When after a bird, no cover was too punishing nor any distance too great for him. He would go to his work seriously yet with the pleasure of doing a task well fairly standing out all over him. He would pick up the game gently, never mouthing or fooling about it, and with head held high and little tail wagging gaily, deliver the game promptly.
Thanks to this dog and other fine field workers, the Trial Cocker Spaniels have improved greatly in their work. We have seen especially in the past two years, many Cockers that impressed us greatly but we have yet to see another combining so many of the great qualities that went to make Rowcliffe War Dance a grand huntsman and a marvelous companion and friend.
I am deeply indebted to this great little dog for my education in the field and that of scores of others.
My appreciation is expressed to Dr. Phillips, Lydia Hopkins and Francis J. Squires for their contributions; to the editor of the American Kennel Gazette for allowing the publication of Dr. Phillips article. I am deeply indebted to those many who so cheerfully responded to my requests for photographs and to the many who assisted me with this book.

CH. OVERCROSS PEPPER, 1911
Owned by Mrs. Haley Fiske

CH. MEPALS IONIAN
Owned by Mrs. Haley Fiske

CH. MIDKIFF CREME DE LA CREME
Owned by Lucknow Kennels
CONTENTS
F OREWORD
T ERMINOLOGY C HART
I.
H ISTORY

Early history. Uses of Spaniels in early days. Measurements of Farrow s Obo. First importation to United States. Changes in type.
II.
T HE M ODERN C OCKER

General appearance of the Cocker of today. Temperament. Should be of workmanlike size. Importance of sire. Importance of brood bitch. How to select sire and dam. What to aim for in breeding. Standard.
III.
C OCKER C HARACTER

A word picture of disposition, traits. Avoiding shyness. Importance of handling to avoid shyness. Uses of the Cocker. B. Suggestions to prospective purchaser. Importance of acquaintance with outstanding traits and character of breed. Dealing with reputable kennels.
IV.
C OLOR B REEDING BY D R . P HILLIPS
V.
P UPPIES

Introduction to new home. Avoid clamor, housing-house-breaking and feeding.
VI.
C ARE OF B ITCH IN W HELP

Elementary advice. Books on the subject. Whelping. Care of puppies, docking tails, weaning.
VII.
D IET OF P UPPIES AND M ATURE D OGS
VIII.
D ISTEMPER

Serums. Avoiding sure cures. Protection to others. Incidents of innocen