Showsight Editors asked the following questions to top breeders and judges in the Cocker Spaniel community, here are their responses.
- Where do you live? What do you do “outside” of dogs?
- How many years in the Cocker Spaniel? Showing? Judging? Breeding?
- What, in your opinion, is the secret to a successful breeding program?
- Do you have a favored color?
- Cockers have been extremely popular for decades; they’re now ranked #30 out of 192 AKC breeds. Is its popularity good or bad for breeders, and for the breed?
- What is your favorite dog show memory?
- Is there anything else you’d like to share about the breed? Please elaborate.
Kathleen Brock
Our home is in Gig Harbor, Washington about 55 miles south of Seattle. My husband Ron, Cocker Spaniel Brody and cat Tom enjoy walks on our seven and one-half acres. We live on Rocky Creek where salmon spawn every year. There’s bear, deer, coyotes, cougar, raccoon and many different birds here including eagles and herons. Gardening and crocheting are two of my favorite pass times.
Do I have a favored color? Although I have bred group winners in all three varieties the Buff’s in the ASCOB variety are my favorites.
When the Cocker Spaniel was at the Top of the popularity breeders didn’t like it because it encouraged backyard breeders to breed them. Now that we are number thirty we don’t like that either because there are less Cocker Spaniel entered at the shows.
As a Sporting Dog Judge my biggest concerns are hocks and straight fronts. I see many sickle, cow and luxating hocks and straight fronts with short upper arms. As a Cocker Spaniel breeder today I find longer loins, short rib cages, backs too long overall, low tail sets, straight fronts with short upper arms. The dogs look like they have short necks but really it is the lack of the correct 90 degrees of shoulder and upper arm placement. The running gear on a Sporting dog must be sound not weak or fancy.
My advice to new breeders is to find a qualified Mentor and listen to them and learn from their many years of knowledge in the breeds. Attend as many shows as possible and sit at ring side and just watch the dogs. Check for breed type and sound movement. Then attend a Field Trial or Hunt Test to see what the breed was bred to do. Ask yourself when judging can this Sporting Dog work in the field all day?
For new Judges I would apply most of the last paragraph and talk to as many different breeders as possible for each breed. Always go back to the official AKC Standard and apply it to the dogs you are going over or watching when judging. Don’t be shy, ask questions you want to do a good job for each breed you judge.
Jackie Cavallin
For the last 20 years I’ve lived in Blythewood, South Carolina. In 2011, I purchased and remodeled a home on 30 acres. Five years ago I retired from my 15 year position with a Small Arms Manufacturer and started “hobby” farming on my property. Here, I garden and raise heritage poultry—Bourbon Red turkeys for Thanksgivings, Dominique chicken for boutique meat sales, Cochins and Dark Brahma’s for egg customers. I’m a self-proclaimed “foodie”, love spending time with family and dear friends. A day visiting another farm, searching for antiques or attending a dog show always makes for a great time.
My first Cocker was whelped in California in 1994 and came to me shortly thereafter. She was the first Cocker I showed but not my first show dog. Showing began for me in 1983 after I received a Golden Retriever puppy for my birthday. While showing my Golden, I received some wise words from Judge J. D. Jones. I soon after obtained a better quality dog to show which was an Akita and my first champion. That dog became the sire of my first litter which was whelped in 1987. In late January 1997, just days after surgery for breast cancer, I whelped my first Cocker Spaniel litter. Those two sweet babies were my inspiration to get over my diagnoses and get back into the show ring. The bitch from that litter became my first Cocker champion and her dam, the foundation for Javalin Cockers.
My first Cocker Sweepstakes assignment was in 2007 and since then, I’ve been fortunate to be invited to judge many Sweepstakes including 75th and 100th Anniversary specialties. My most memorable assignment so far was being elected by my peers to judge Futurity at the American Spaniel Club National July 2018.
The secret to a successful breeding program is getting multiple experienced mentors. Those mentors should have a proven track record of producing multiple top quality dogs. Spending as much time as you possibly can attending shows with them, evaluating dogs hands on and ringside. Understanding what a structural fault is and comprehending it’s almost impossible to breed it out of a line. Going to breed seminars, totally understanding the breed standard, being able to see both the faults and virtues of your own dogs and being able to rationally select a mate for each based on the merits and shortcomings of both and their ancestors. Selecting potential show prospects from those breedings with logic and reason instead of making “heart” choices. Never forgetting that having current clear health testing of all parents is critical for the longevity of your line. Being able to admit that a well-planned breeding didn’t go as planned, eliminating those offspring from your program, digging to discover why it didn’t and using that knowledge on
future breedings.
Do I have a favored color? For me the Cocker Spaniel is the loveliest of all the breeds. All of the varieties and colors are just gorgeous. Because we have three separate varieties that also means we have a lot of bloodlines that all hold their own stories. For me, trying to investigate and educate myself on all three was more than I felt I could do justice to so I picked one—parti colored.
Is the breed’s popularity good or bad for breeders, and for the breed? Cockers were the most popular for many years. As a result, many uneducated breeders rushed to produce an over-abundance of poor quality dogs with a multitude of health issues and conformational short comings to fill the demand. Some of those still haunt our breed today. Even though Cocker Spaniels are not as popular as they once were, we continue to have many of the same issues. With the costs of showing continuing to rise, the litters from experienced and well educated breeders are in decline but the gap is being filled. It’s being filled by newer breeders, some of which lack appropriate knowledge of our breed as well as, unscrupulous breeders. In my opinion, this is resulting in a lower overall quality of my breed.
My MOST favorite show memory is a tough question! I’ve had so many fabulous experiences over the years. January 2005 at American Spaniel Club Flushing Spaniel show stays close to my heart. In the 9-12 Futurity Puppy dog class, littermates placed first , second and third. One went on to go Futurity BV and their litter sister was awarded Best Of Winners. The judges, Patricia Darke, Futurity and Kathleen Patterson, Parti Variety, are both long time and well respected Cocker breeders. I was beyond elated with those awards.
Obviously, Cocker Spaniels are my favorite breed. Not too big, nor too small and are sturdy with a long lifespan. Wonderful, merry temperaments and a breed that has the potential for so many avenues of enjoyment beyond their companionship. Aside from conformation competition they often excel in the field, obedience rings, agility, tracking and other areas. They are a wonderfully versatile breed and as we like to say “Cockers Do It All”.
Patricia Darke
Patricia Darke started in Cocker spaniels in 1985 under the prefix Darkehaven and finished 90 champions in 20 years with a limited breeding program. Patty bred a number of all breed Best In Show dogs both in the US and Internationally.
She is a lifetime member of the American Spaniel Club. She held the position of American Spaniel Club Foundation President, Executive Director, Vice President and Fundraising Chair as well as ASC Board Member. She is also a lifetime member of the Hiawatha CSC and past member of Lake Minnetonka KC.
She was a long time member of both the Standards Committee and the Judges Education Committee and is currently serving as a Mentor for the Judges Education Committee.
Patty is a Registered Corporate Coach™ and is the Founder, Owner and President of Darke & Associates, an HR Consulting Firm located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
I live in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. I own and run an HR Consulting firm, Darke and Associates, www.darkeassociates.com I also like to stay active by working out, dancing, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
I spent 35 years in the breed, 20 years breeding and showing, I have been judging for another 15. I bred under the prefix Darkehaven and had approximately 90 champions. The dogs successfully competed in all forms of competition and made great companions.
The secret to a successful breeding program? Several things.
1. Choose a good mentor. This mentor will have your best interest at heart and will want you to grow, however they will let you make your own choices and learn from them when you need to. They will cheer you on and cry with you and no matter what… be your biggest supporter through it all. They should be giving, positive, knowledgeable and successful.
2. Develop a “constant learner” mentality. I spent countless hours pouring over magazines studying pedigrees, reading books on structure, going to shows, watching the dogs in the groups through BIS. I checked every book out of the library! I talked for hours on the phone about structure and pedigrees, gaining key knowledge on specific dogs to plan future breedings that would include critical linebreeding or outcrossing.
3. Start with the best possible bitch and breed her right. One without the other is useless! I bought a beautiful six month old linebred bitch (who became a BISS, national winner) and then bred her back to one side of the pedigree and then to the other, solidifying genotype and phenotype and this set Darkehaven up for the future generations to come. At the time that I went to buy her I was young, had just had my daughter and bought a home. Paying for this dog was not in the budget but the breeder who later became my mentor saw something special in me and pushed me. It was a stretch at that time to get her however I never regretted it.
4. Be objective, limit and linebreed whenever possible! I bred a bitch a very limited number of times which meant that I had to be extremely careful about the breeding, educating myself fully before doing it. There were no “test” breedings done ever. I went into each breeding fully expecting that it would be an excellent one. I spent much time doing my homework. I am sure that was a big part of my success.
I primarily linebred and outcrossed several times in the 20 years that I bred. I did take some risks, the outcrosses were always a risk and one of those paid off exceptionally well. This one was also linebred on some great old dogs.
Do I have a favored color? If you look in my closet you would say black. I have had American Spaniel Club winners in all three of the varieties however I am best known for my ASCOBS. There are times that I walk in a ring and see a dogs expression and say “I recognize that!”.
Is the breed’s popularity good or bad for breeders, and for the breed? I am saddened by the decline in numbers of our breed and by the overall decline of all AKC breeds. I do not think it is a good thing for our breed and I believe the breed and breeders overall are at risk.
My favorite dog show memory? Well it could be the time we got snowed in at spaniel club for several days. We ran out of most food and clean linens but I don’t think that anyone was bored. We had so much fun! However, I have so many good memories and have made so many great friends over the years it really is tough to name just one. This particular time just stands out.
What gets rewarded gets bred. The head: The head is the hallmark of the Cocker spaniel. As judges, we need to educate ourselves. The bluebook is an excellent guide for this. As breeders, we need to know exactly what our breed should look like and aspire to breed the best every time.
The topline: A couple more points, our standard calls for a topline to be slightly sloping when moving. Judges need to recognize and reward this. It is very possible to get a slightly sloping topline with a proper layback of shoulder, good forechest and strong driving rear.
Structural issue: If you were to ask me what the biggest issue was today in the breed I would answer “improper shoulder layback”. And I think breeders (and some judges) do not understand correct shoulder blade layback. They also get confused when the dog has a lot of forechest and feel that this is either a substitute for layback or is layback when in fact it is neither.
We have some really good Cockers in the ring today. I judged the ASC in January 2019 and saw some excellent examples there and am thrilled that some of the older breeders and handlers are still around to help the younger ones.
Finally, if there is a new exhibitor in the Cocker spaniel ring, as a judge I encourage versus discourage them because it is a more difficult breed to trim, show and train. It takes perseverance. I was that person at one time. Please be that judge and exhibitor that promotes our breed! Thank you in advance.
Tom Dowell
I live in Powhatan, Virginia. I am the owner of Loch Lomond Kennel. I have bred and shown Cocker Spaniels since 1983 and got into English Setters as well in 2001. I recently retired from 40 years in the IT world. I have judged many sweepstakes over the years as well as the Futurity at ASC. I am proudest of the fact that in 2017 I was the first non-licensed individual to judge several varieties as well as Best of Breed at the Cocker National. In 2018 I traveled to Sweden to judge the Swedish American Cocker National. Both were truly humbling honors. With retirement I finally have the opportunity to do my dogs full time as well as handle for select clients. In my time outside the kennel I enjoy gardening, especially working with day lilies.
My opinion of the current quality of purebred dogs? I think in some ways we as breeders of purebred dogs have made some improvements, but we have also made mistakes. The truly dedicated breeders are staying with correct type and following function in their breeds. Unfortunately, those dedicated breeders are becoming extinct. The world today lends itself to immediate gratification more than thinking years down the road. I think this is probably the biggest contributor to the decline in dedicated breeders. There are so few people coming into the sport, the expense of the sport, the constant battle with AR fanatics and ultimately the time it takes if you are going to do it right are major factors in the decline of our sport. In Cockers the decline in folks joining as breeders has one in my opinion huge issue. It’s a breed that takes a lot of time due to all the coat we have bred on them. Learning to properly groom that coat takes years and that kind of time doesn’t exist in most people’s world anymore. Also, our breed has for many years been a “handler” breed. Unfortunately, that can lead to what I call “cheap champions”. There are a lot of dogs gaining their championship that in reality shouldn’t because of who’s on the end of their lead and their ability to turn a sow’s ear into a silk purse. Then those proud owners many of whom don’t have a clue set out to breed their new unworthy champion.
The biggest concern I have about my breed? While I think it’s an issue across the board in Cockers breeding to the “dog of the day” has been a real issue that has led the breed down a road to lack of correct front assembly and bone. People seem to forget that while they may not do it often anymore the Cocker is a Sporting dog and should be bred with the conformation to back that up. One of the greatest attributes on the Cocker is its beautiful head built for carrying birds. The muzzles are far too short in many cases and the head overall too small. Many would struggle to carry a parakeet much less a woodcock or pheasant. Going back to correct front assembly, rarely do you find a dog that has proper reach. Steep shoulders plague the breed in an attempt to get that sloping topline. Also, it seems to be that a Cocker needs to fly around the ring with flash and pizzazz when nothing could be further from the truth. I would like to see that flashy dog in the field working all day as it was bred to do, it wouldn’t last an hour.
The biggest problem facing me as a breeder? I love showing my dogs as well as those of others. Like everything there are ups and downs. I have always prided myself on not being kennel blind and I think that has served me well. No one is more critical of my dogs than I am. It’s too expensive to be blind and end up with that expensive pet on someone else’s couch. I am the last person you want to come to if you don’t want to hear my real opinion about your dog or mine for that matter. My biggest problem honestly is finding something else that I want to breed to and bring into my line.
The best advice I can give to a new breeder is the three L’s. Look, Listen and Learn. If you do nothing else soak up as much knowledge as you can before you go toward a whelping box or for that matter buy your first dog. Find yourself a great mentor, you will not have success or longevity without one. But always be open to learning from others. Ask questions of everyone. READ your breeds standard and if there’s something you don’t understand or can’t visualize ask. Something was said to me many years ago about a dog I bred and was showing by someone who’s opinion I truly valued. “This dog should probably never be beaten BUT he will be, and it will probably be by the worst thing in the ring. If you can’t take the heat don’t go in the kitchen.” Those are words to live by in the show world. Lastly, know that this world of showing and breeding is not for the faint of heart.
As for new judges PLEASE insure you know the standard before you hand out the first ribbon. DON’T be afraid to withhold a
ribbon if you deem it necessary. Most importantly always make sure you are looking at the CORRECT end of the lead when making your decisions. You are judging breeding stock with four legs
not two.
I think the most common fault I see in my personal breeds are lack of correct type. Many of the dog’s lack correct angles along with a lack of bone and substance.
I love breeding and exhibiting my dogs. I am very passionate about them and the sport of showing. It really bothers me that more people don’t experience the thrill of reading pedigrees, planning a breeding and hopefully seeing that dream come to fruition in that special puppy. I haven’t done a lot of breeding over the years as the job that paid the mortgage didn’t lend itself to that. But I have been very blessed when I did venture to the whelping box. I’ve never had huge winning dogs that ranked highly or broke records. That isn’t why I do this. My greatest joy has always been seeing that promising puppy become all it could be.
Do I have a favored color? First and foremost I like a good Cocker regardless of color. But like all I do have my favorites. A true Silver Buff will always have my heart as that was the color of my first Cocker and foundation for Loch Lomond. Silver is followed closely by Black and Tan.
Is the breed’s popularity good or bad for breeders, and for the breed? A breed being popular with the public has its pros and cons. The pros of course are it’s easier to find homes for those in the litter that don’t make the cut for the show ring. The biggest con is that when a breed becomes popular all types of people tend to jump on the wagon and start breeding them. Many do so without doing the proper health testing or giving any care to socialization. This occurred with the Cocker several decades ago when it was at its height in popularity and bad temperament became a huge issue in a breed that should be known for its wonderful temperament.
Nancy Foley
I live in Noblesville, Indiana with my husband David.
Outside of dogs, I spend time with my husband and my two grown children. Most of my time outside of dogs is spent working as a Consultant in the Life Sciences/Pharmaceutical Industry.
My opinion of the current quality of purebred dogs? Obviously I’m concerned about the overall drop in participation in our sport, especially in conformation. I believe this trend has negatively affected the overall quality of most breeds. We still see very high quality animals at the top of our sport but the depth of quality overall
has diminished.
With respect to Cockers, my primary concern is the loss of breed type—plain heads, lack of balance poor toplines and tail sets. The loss of breed type is so lacking I’m afraid it is becoming mainstream and acceptable. The loss of type includes losing the fundamental traits of a breed which are essential to their purpose—a lack of balance be it straight front compared to the rear or a straight rear compared to the front. Poor toplines, loss of rib spring… all traits that are essential to a breed intended to work efficiently in the field.
For many years, I’ve been line breeding “at home” and now I find the need breed out. Identifying quality stud dogs is challenging. I recently did a pedigree breeding, an outcross, and the jury is still out on the quality of the litter but my fingers are crossed!
Do I have a favored color? I have always preferred and primarily bred buffs. I do occasionally breed to black. However, a good Cocker is a good Cocker, in any color.
Anytime your dog is popular, in my opinion it can have a negative affect on the breed. The popularity drives demand and demand can sometimes be at odds with important things like health testing and selective breeding. Most dangerous is that it can drive an increase in “backyard breeding”. Currently, the #30 ranking for Cockers is probably more of a negative in that it makes it sometimes a challenge to find good homes for companion puppies.
Advice to a new breeder or a new judge to my breed? My advice: find a mentor—a long time breeder, and hang on! For new breeders: listen, go to specialties, nationals, and seminars. Buy or breed to the best out there and keep doing that. As for new judges, go over dogs—lots of Cockers! The good and the bad. Don’t disregard poor type in the breed just because it’s the norm. Find the ones with the best breed type and soundness and go from there. Study, study, study.
The most common fault I see when traveling around the country is generic dogs.
Jessica
(Brickett) Legath
I live in North Central Florida. I have a husband, five kids and my parents. We live on five acres and my husband and I just recently bought a new home in eastern Pennsylvania. I am a breeder, I am a handler and soon to be a judge.
I was born into Cocker Spaniels. My parents are breeders and they gave been in the breed for over 50 years. Our kennel name is Brickett’s Cockers. I am also a handler of 30 years and my daughter Rachael also has a hand in Cockers. She is 17.
The secret to a successful breeding program? You should know the standard enough to understand what’s missing in the quality of each dog just by watching them move. Pedigree’s are important to understand but the overall look should be envisioned. If you know the faults on your bitch, then don’t breed to a dog who may have the same faults. Watch the classes at National and Mark your catalog on your picks and compare to see the parentage. Then strive for “the look” you are trying to achieve in your bitch.
Do I have a favored color? I absolutely love buff, red and white, red roan and sable.
Is the breed’s popularity good or bad for breeders, and for the breed? I think the popularity is a good thing. We love our breed and why shouldn’t everyone love our breed.
My favorite dog show memory? When I was 13, I had my first show dog. His name was Macgyver. He was a little black and white male I got from a breeder in Maine named Judy Koch; Still-Pine Cockers. I showed him against all the top handlers at a specialty in Connecticut. I was very worried I would never be able to win those elusive majors. But that day, not only did I win a major; it was four points, But the specialty judge was the late great Mr. Teddy Young Jr. The place was roaring with excitement and cheers and I just cried. What a day for sure.
Cockers are a loving dog. Sweet in nature. They are very loyal to whoever feeds them. But also to whoever cares and takes time out to love them. They need discipline for confidence believe it or not. But are soft and understand without harsh punishment. A simple hug will go a long way with a Cocker Spaniel.
Judie Posner
I grew up on a peninsula in New York called Rockaway, which was technically part of Queens so I am a product of the NYC school system. I graduated Far Rockaway HS in 1972 and started studying with The North American School of Animal Sciences, so you could say dogs have always been my passion.
In 1971 I received my first dog from my mother, she was a silver buff Cocker purchased at a pet store, and her undying loyalty and devotion won my heart for the breed and I haven’t been without a Cocker since.
Shortly after High School I relocated to Long Island and raised my three children there while I perfected my grooming skills and learnt the true standard of my chosen bred. That’s when I decided to obtain a show puppy. After many months and a great deal of research “Encore” was born. I choose that name thinking about the theater, when your performance is finished and you are encouraged to return to the stage it is referred to as an “Encore” and here I am 46 years later.
My current club affiliations include American Spaniel Club, being a board member of South Atlantic Cocker Spaniel Club, and a founding member as well as past president of The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Northern Florida.
Over the years I have had the privilege of owning, breeding and loving BIS, BISS, National Variety winners and numerous top ten Cockers in the black and ASCOB variety in both the USA and Asia.
I reside in north central Florida, beautiful Ocala, the horse capital of the U.S.
Is there an “outside” of dogs? They do, by choice, mandate the majority of my time. That being said ,I enjoy spending time with my children, grandchildren and friends most of which are “dog people” as we are a special bred of folks. I also love traveling especially cruising.
I’ve had Cockers for 46 years as loving companions, Been showing actively since 1987, bred my first litter in 1974, I’ve come a long way baby. I am seriously considering going for my judging license , but I am struggling with the ethical issue of should a judge exhibit. I’ve seen way too much that irk me with judges campaigning dogs and then having those same handlers have their “ string” presented to them by others. It’s a personal ethic matter for me
The secret to a successful breeding program is not being kennel blind! No one dog/bitch can fix everything. Recognize the strong points and work with them. Learn your pedigrees, and for Pete’s sake learn the difference between phenotype and genotype. Dedication and passion are imperative.
Do I have a favored color? I truly ADORE the black and black and tans, but there’s nothing wrong with a good buff.
Is the breed’s popularity good or bad for breeders? When any breed becomes popular it is the downfall of it. It happened to the Cockers in the 50s and 60s as they became a top commodity for every puppymill, breeding farm and back yard breeder as a cash crop. This created horrific health and temperament problems which some (health-wise) still plague us today. Genes are a funny thing, they can come back and bite you many generations later.
I commend the group of us and the AMERICAN SPANIEL CLUB for the diligent effort put forth in health testing and only breeding CLEAR DOGS.
My favorite dog show memory? There are soo many, the BIS at Trap Falls KC under breeder judge LaMar Mathis, being there for my friend Arvind DeBraganca when he broke the BIS record for smooth dachshund bitches with his breeder, owner, handled girl JANA, but I guess my personal favorite was winning BOV at our winter national.
I have had many breeds along with Cockers over 46 years and nothing comes close to the loyalty, devotion, intuitive instinct and general all round fun of a Cocker. They have no idea how small they areas they face the world with confidence and a “never met a stranger” attitude. A true sporting dog that willingly does competition, performance, field and “couch potato” to appease the people that they love.
Judith Webb
We live in the quiet Corner of Connecticut and when Im not taking care or grooming my dogs I like to paint.
I have been in the breed over ten years, first in the agility ring then bred our first litter ten years ago.
The secret to a successful breeding program? I really don’t feel I have been in it long enough to really comment on what the secret is, but if I was to comment on me and my breeding program, I do feel I have grown.
It’s important to have a good foundation bitch and this is not always easy as no one really likes to sell their very best.
I was very lucky, one of my dear friends gave me a beautiful bitch and she has tuned out to be not only a good bitch but also no matter who I breed her to, she gives me herself or better.
I have surround myself with wonderful mentors, and have friends that are happy to talk pedigrees and dogs, all this helps me make the best decisions for my breeding program.
Do I have a favored color? I really don’t have a favorite color, but there are a few colors I don’t care for.
Is the breed’s popularity good or bad for breeders, and for the breed? I would like to think its good for the breed but unfortunately not always the case
It can result in greed and many just breeding to sell with no health testing or with the betterment of the breed in mind.
My favorite dog show memory? I have so many but my very favorite is when a dog that I bred and raised went BISS, I am not ashamed to say I cried.
Jeff Wright
I live in Topeka Kansas. I was born and have lived there all my life. I have devoted my life to breeding showing and I’m a professional dog handler.
I feel that the overall quality in dogs has changed primarily due to the fact that most all of the big kennels and breeders are no longer here. We have fewer lines to mix our gene pool with which makes creating more quality much harder. American Cockers are also affected by this. Everyone breeds to the same stud dog which limits our diversity in our gene pool.
My biggest concern about Cockers is the lack of balance between front and rear assemblies and the lack of correct movement. Breed type is my most important thing, for without breed type, you have just a dog.
The biggest problem facing breeders, or new judges is the lack of knowing basic structure and correct movement. Perfect balance between front and rear assemblies and effortless movement. Correct reach is not lifting and a pounding front. A good dog is one that possesses a good head dark eyes and soulful expression.
Proper proportions, from the head mussel and skull, width and length, to length of neck to the back, and height of leg. All parts must fit together and in harmony. It’s the sum of all the parts that make up a good dog. The perfect balance in front and rear will be evident in the effortless movement and ground covering fewer steps to get around the ring. A dog will appear to be moving in slow motion, rather than the quick jerking steps working hard to move forward. I feel that this is what appeals people to love a
Cocker Spaniel.
The most common fault I see is the lack of breed type and balance. Balance is key, but understanding breed type is my biggest concern. dog for each breed. The standard is a written description of a perfect dog for each breed. Studying the standard, and learning the basic structure and bone placements are crucial to know how to breed better dogs that conform to the standard. Knowing the function of the Cocker is also helpful in evaluating the breed. It’s a flushing Spaniel that can work all day in a field so balance is important to the stamina for this task.
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