Breed History
As early as 1570 spaniels came from Spain to England, and there diverged into two types. Your land and water spaniels. Pups from the land spaniels were often divided by size; the small ones became known as the cockers or woodcock, and the medium-sized ones became the springers. The larger ones eventually became the setters. From the earliest springer other spaniels have developed until now there are at least ten varieties of sporting spaniels. In the 1800's they started breeding the small spaniels to the small spaniels, and the large spaniels to the the large spaniels. Dogs under 25lbs were labeled cockers, and dogs over 25lbs were labeled springers. In 1892 the two breeds were officially identified as the English Springer Spaniel for flushing and springing game, and the English Cocker Spaniel for hunting woodcock. The Springer Spaniel was officially recongnized as a distinct breed by the England Kennel Club in 1902, and registered in Canada in the years 1913-1914. Around the 1930's the breed became judged by their appearanc as well as their field skills, the Springer began to diverge in type. Dogs breed for the show ring became heavier, stockier, and developed longer, more profuse coats. They tend to have a darker dominant colour (liver or black with white, or tri) and became know as the bench Springer. The field Springers are slightly smaller bone with much less coat. The field Springers are also know as the performance Springer. They are mostly white in colour with a slightly longer docked tail. The field Springers have superior hunting ability, keen sence of smell, a strong instinct to retrieve, and amazing speed and endurance. Although the bench bred Springers are very good athletes with the inherented instinct to hunt, the serious hunters still perfer the field Springers for hunting. The Springer Spaniel has earned a reputation as an outstanding all-purpose sporting dog and has accounted for some spectacular winning in the show ring. Both types make an excellent family companion. |
