THE SPANIEL (COCKER).
A. C. Wilmerding’s, 165 Broadway, New York.Watnong I.
A. C. Wilmerding’s, 165 Broadway, New York.Watnong I.
A. C. Wilmerding’s, 165 Broadway, New York.
Watnong I.
Origin.—Presumably an offshoot of the field-spaniel.
Uses.—Hunting, principally woodcock and partridge.
*Scale of Points, Etc.
General Appearance, Symmetry, Etc.—A well-built, graceful, and active dog, showing strength without heaviness. Any of the spaniel colors is allowable. (See Field-spaniel.) Weight not over 28 nor less than 18 pounds.
Head.—Fair length; muzzle cut off square, tapering gradually from the eye, not snipy; skull rising in a graceful curve from stop, and with same outline at occiput, the curve line being flatter, but still curving at middle of skull. Head should be narrowest at the eyes, and broadest at set-on of ears, and, viewed from the front, outline between ears should be a nearly perfect segment of a circle. Stop is marked, and a groove runs up the skull, gradually becoming less apparent, till lost about half-way to occiput. This prevents the domed King Charles skull, and produces a light, graceful, well-balanced head. Jaws level. Teeth strong, regular. Eyes round and moderately full, corresponding in color with coat. Ears lobular, set on low; leather fine, and not extending beyond nose; well clothed with long, silky hair, whichmustbe straight or wavy—no positive curls or ringlets.
Neck and Shoulders.—Neck sufficiently long to allow the nose to reach the ground easily; muscular, and running into well-shaped, sloping shoulders.
Body.—Ribs well sprung; chest of fair width and depth; body well ribbed back, short in the coupling; flank free from any tucked-up appearance; loins strong; length from tip of nose to root of tail about twice the height at shoulder.
Legs and Feet.—Fore legs short, strong in bone and muscle, straight, neither bent in nor out at elbows; pasterns straight, short, and strong; elbows well let down. Hind legs strong; well-bent stifles; hocks straight, and near the ground. Feet of good size, round, turning neither in nor out; toes not too spreading; soles furnished with hard, horny pads, with plenty of hair between the toes.
Coat.—Abundant, soft, and silky, straight or wavy, without curl; chest, legs, and tail well feathered; no topknot nor curly hair on top of head.
Tail.—Usually docked; carried nearly level with back. At work it is carried lower, with a quick, nervous action which is characteristic of the breed.