(By Chris Pritchard)
Introduction
The earliest mention of the dogs we have come to regard as Spaniels can be found in English literature and is contained in the celebrated "Master of Game," an elaborate treatise on hunting. This was the work of Edward Plantagenet, second Duke of York, and Master of Game to his uncle, Henry IV., to whom the work is dedicated. The "Master of Game," was written between the years 1406 and 1413, and although none of the manuscripts, of which some sixteen are in existence, is dated, this date can be fairly accurately fixed, as the author was appointed Master of Game in the early 1400's and was killed at Agincourt on 25th October 1415.
The Duke's chapter on Spaniels, however, is mainly a translation from the equally celebrated "Livre de Chasse," of Gaston Comte de Foix, generally known as Gaston Phoebus, which was written in 1387, so that we may safely assume that Spaniels were well known, and habitually used as aids to the chase both in France and England, as early as the middle of the fourteenth century.
The comparatively “modern” Spaniels were developed in the late 1700's and the early 1800's from couching dogs of Medieval Europe and possibly hounds.
In the late 17th century the flintlock gun was introduced into Britain, making it possible for sportsmen to engage in 'flying shooting' as opposed to netting - and this is what prompted the development of the Spaniel and various other Gundog breeds.
Although popular wisdom attributes the source of the spaniel to Spain, British canine historian Colonel David Hancock traced the word “spaniel” to the French verb Espanir, “to crouch or flatten,” and even further back to the Latin Explanere and the Italian Spianare, also “to flatten or flatten out.” He also found the old Italian verb Spaniare, meaning “to get out of a trap or net.” Hancock believed that the dogs originated with the Romans and were called spaniels to describe a hunting style of crouching and springing to flush game into the hunters nets or for the falcons or sight hounds to pursue.
The Spaniel family is without any doubt one of the most important of the many groups which are included in the canine race, not only on account of its undoubted antiquity, and, compared with other families, its well authenticated lineage, but also because of its many branches and subdivisions, ranging in size from the majestic and massive Clumbers to the diminutive toys.
Moreover, the different varieties of Setters undoubtedly derive their origin from the same parent stock, since we find them described by the earlier sporting writers as "setting" or "crouching" Spaniels, in contradistinction to the "finding" or "springing" Spaniel, who flushed the game he found without setting or pointing it. As time went on, the setting variety was, no doubt, bred larger and longer in the leg, with a view to increased pace; but the Spaniel-like head and coat still remain to prove the near connection between the two breeds.
All the different varieties of Spaniels, both sporting and toy, have, with the exception of the Clumber and the Irish Water Spaniel (who is not, despite his name, a true Spaniel at all), a common origin, though at a very early date we find them divided into two groups viz., Land and Water Spaniels, and these two were kept distinct, and bred to develop those points which were most essential for their different spheres of work.
The development of the distinct breeds of Spaniel
Unlike the present day, the early spaniels originated from litters that had the same parents. The parents were spaniel like in appearance although their pedigrees were often unknown in many instances. Good record keeping wasn't maintained and the breeders tended to name their dogs with simple names. Therefore it was common to find that “Mary” had whelped a litter to “Bob”. The unanswered question is who was Mary or Bob and which Mary and Bob were they!
Once the pups were born & as they developed and matured they were then classified according to size. By 1885, three general classifications were established: Cockers, used for flushing woodcock weighed up to 25 lbs., the larger dogs, 17-18 inches tall and weighing 35 to 45 lbs. were Field or English spaniels. English spaniels included Springer's, Field's, Sussex, and the Clumber spaniel. In 1893 the Kennel Club set up a separate stud book for cockers.
Miniature, or toy, spaniels fancied by King Charles and the Duke Norfolk were called "Comforters" and we know these spaniels as Toy spaniels today. At this time liver and black were the primary colours. It is not until some time later that the breeds were separated and started being breed being from homozygous (having two identical versions of a specific gene) parents. The Field Spaniels retained the solid colours (liver and black) although parti-coloured specimens did occur, however these were usually culled. The Sussex spaniel remained liver, the Welsh and Springer spaniels were liver and white and latterly black and white or liver and white for the English Springer and red and white for the Welsh Springer. Cocker Spaniels diversified from liver and black to red, black and tan in the solid colours and a variety of parti-colours.
The Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel’s were developed to locate the whereabouts of the live quarry by scent & then to flush the quarry out of the hiding places by going into and under bushes and brambles to disturb the quarry and bring it out into the open.
For the first part of the 19th Century there appear to be no records of any dogs that were actual cocker spaniels (no real surprise as the breed wasn't recognised in its own right until 1885, additionally the dogs tended to be owned by wealthy land owners and were in the care of their kennel staff). Record keeping wasn't a priority & many dogs were give simple names, these simple names were oft repeated in the same kennel and in those of the kennels of other land owners!
The first recognised cocker (as a separate spaniel strain) was probably the Black & Tan dog called 'Burdett's Frank' (circa 1855), pedigree not traced, owned by Sir. Francis Burdett. 'Frank' was the sire of 'Burdett's Bob' (born 1856) who sired 'Jones Bob' who in turn sired 'Bullock's Flirt'. Flirt is the Great, Great Grandmother of Ch. Obo.
One of the breeders of Cockers whose dogs appear in the first stud book of 1874 is Mr W Boulton of Accrington in Lancashire. He also bred some of the most influential Field Spaniels of the time, all bred from the same stock. These first two Cockers were named Regent and Regal (litter brothers). These two brothers are predominantly Boulton bred in every generation and on their bitch line go back to a Black bitch known as 'Jet' or 'Fan'. Probably named 'Fan' by her breeder and renamed to 'Jet' when Boulton purchased her. 'Jet was born in 1857 and goes back on her sire line to 'Burdett's Bob'.
It is not easy to find authentic pedigrees from the past, but Mr. C. A. Phillips alleged he could trace his own strain back to 1860 and was able to publish the pedigree of Rivington Dora (Tri-Colour, born 1901) for 18 generations. She goes back to 'Burdett's Frank' on her 11th generation, therefore there must be a 7 generation pedigree for 'Burdett's Frank' hidden away somewhere!
In 1870 Mr Richard Lloyd founded a kennel of spaniels. His stock encompassed both Field and Cocker spaniels. He based his lines on Mr. Bolton's, Mr Bowers and the Rev. Shields lines & proceeded along quite different lines to his contemporary Mr Farrow (Obo's breeder). Mr Richard Lloyd's first entries in the stud book were with Beauty and Countess.
Mr Lloyd subsequently went back to the Field and Sussex lines to secure an important brood bitch called Frivolity (born 1873) from Dr Spurgin. 'Frivolity' goes back to 'Burdett's Frank' & to a dog called Lloyd's Charley, therefore picking up on the original Richard Lloyd line (before the 'Of Ware' affix).
Upon the death of Richard Lloyd his son Hubert Summers Lloyd took over the kennel and adopted the 'Of Ware' affix in 1906. With his keen eye for a dog he took the kennel forward in a different manner to his father. Currently the 'Of Ware' line is in the stewardship of Jennifer Lloyd Carey who is the daughter of H S Lloyd.
In 1880 the most famous of all the "pillars" of the Cocker stud, Mr. James Farrow's Obo (born 14/06/1879), made his first appearance in public, he and his litter sister Sally having been born the year before. He won the highest honours that the show bench can give, and the importance of his service to the breed both in his owner's kennel and outside it, can scarcely be over-estimated. Nearly all of the best blacks, and many of the best parti-coloured Cockers, are descended from Obo (photo).
Meanwhile, although the blacks were far the most fashionable colour, Mr. C. A. Phillips, another keen breeder of the time bought two bitches from Mr. James Freme, of Wepre Hall, Flintshire. He succeeded in breeding from one of them, whom he had named Rivington Sloe (Black & White, born 1886), she was a daughter of Ch. Obo and out of Fan (who I believe was an unregistered black bitch). In due course, Rivington Sloe was put to Bredaboy (Black) & produced the much admired dog Rivington Signal (Black, born 1889), (Photo). He was subsequently mated to Rivington Blossom (Black & White, born 1886) and produced Rivington Bloom (Black & White, born 1892). She was in turn the dam of Rivington Redcoat (Liver, born 1893). Redcoat's father was a black dog called Rivington Riot (Rio x Rivington Sloe).
The Rivington dogs proved almost, if not quite, as valuable to the parti-colours as Obo did to the blacks, and formed the foundation of Mr. J. M. Porter's Braeside strain which afterwards became so famous. Mr Porter's line started in the mid 1880's.
Braeside Bustle (Blue Roan) was whelped in July 1894 and put parti-coloured Cockers on the map. Braeside Bustle (photo) was line bred to Mr Lloyd's Frivolity and his sire was Mr Lloyd's Viceroy (S: Toots x D: Coquette) who incidentally were both black! His paternal Great, Great Grandmother is Rivington Sloe.
During this period, the type mostly favoured was that of a dog rather long in the body and low on the leg than it is at present, but the Obo family marked a progressive step in the formation of the breed, and very rightly kept on winning under all the best judges for many years.
The move away from long & low cockers started with the liver, white & tan bitch named Champion Rivington Ruth (born 1903) (Photo). She was by a blue roan called John Bull and out of Rivington Dora. 'John Bull' has five lines back to Braeside Bustle.
At the same time the black bitch Sh Ch Jetsam Bowdler (born 1903), who was also higher on the leg and more 'cobby' had an influence on the make and type most akin to today's 'modern' cocker. Jetsam Bowdler's true origins are somewhat unknown. She was purchased by Mr Peele and was previously named Schwab Powder (Pax x Bess).
The next change in the 'type' occurred when necks became more lengthened and less 'stuffy'. The original type cockers were intended for flushing & therefore needed to be low to the ground and the length of neck had no relevance. Once cockers were expected to retrieve as well as flush they needed a muscular neck of sufficient length to be able to accommodate the carrying of heavy game. This feature came down the lines from Brad'ood Bob (Ch Dixon Bowdler x Ch Tissington Frocks). Champion Tissington Frocks was an English Springer Spaniel. She was a result of a union between the English Springer's called Tissington Silence x Tissington Fun. Tissington Silence's father was an English Setter named Carew Rollick.
Another popular sire of the day was the blue dog Fairhome Rally (born 1912), (Photo) He was extensively line bred to Ch. Ben Bowdler and Ch. Bob Bowdler, both sons of Braeside Bustle whose Great, Great Grandfather was Ch. Obo.
Fairholme Rally was the sire to many successful & popular offspring who in turn contributed to the breed as we know it today & quite notably through his blue roan grandson Ch. Invader of Ware, (Photo), born 1922. Ch. Invader of Ware went on to produce many offspring including Ch. Churchdene Invader who was the father to the famous Champion Whoopee of Ware (Best Gun Dog & RBIS Crufts 1934 56 CC, 28 BIS).
There were many successful dogs of the past who were bred & exhibited by the founders of the breed, however the most successful kennel and the one that has had the greatest of influence on all 'modern day' cockers is the 'Of Ware' kennel. 'Of Ware' & their progeny have won in excess of 3,000 C.C's and have shaped the breed more than any other kennel in the history of the breed.
These early Cocker spaniels formed the foundation of the breed as we know it today and lie behind all the current day dogs.
The Cocker Spaniel Club was founded in 1902.
For information on the other spaniel breeds visit: The Sussex Spaniel, The Clumber Spaniel, The Welsh Springer Spaniel, The English Springer Spaniel, The Field Spaniel and The American Cocker Spaniel.
Conclusions
It can be seen from the histories of the separate Spaniel breeds that our current day dogs all shared the same foundations. I don’t think that we will ever be sure who the first Spaniel was or where he came from but through the determination and foresight of the early day enthusiasts we have derived the subdivisions of the breed that we hold so dear today.
The breeds may have diversified in many ways but they all share the same wonderful characteristics. They are loyal and devoted dogs who have great abilities in the field. Their stamina is outstanding and they will work happily all day, often in the harshest of weather or environment.
Their versatility is unique, they have the ability to find prey in the most adverse of surroundings, they will flush, spring or drive their pray into the open and once shot and dispatched by the Guns’ the majority of them will move heaven and high water to retrieve the fallen birds. These are gently and carefully returned to their master and arrive undamaged due to the softness of their mouths. Their temperaments are sound; they have happy natures and are a joy to behold.
Their wonderful predisposition is not only of benefit in a working sphere but also as companions. Their biddable natures make them delightful pets that provide a great deal of joy to their owners.
Bibliography:
- The Heritage of the Dog by David Hancock
- The Cynographia Britannica by Sydenham Edwards
- Dogs and All About Them by Robert Leighton
- Pet Owner's Guide To The English Springer Spaniel by Don Miller
- The White Spaniel by David Hancock
- A History of the Cocker Spaniel by Peggy Grayson
- The Clumber Spaniel by Peggy Grayson
- The Sussex Spaniel by Peggy Grayson