The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-09
COCKER SPANIEL

Of all the varieties of Spaniels the Cocker is by far the most popular. They are the handiest and the most useful, and are right merry. clever little fellows The origin or makeup of the woodcock dog, cooking Spaniel or Cocker, differed in various countries. but in all was a result of crossing the land Spaniel (an- cupatory or feather-huntlng dog) with some other breed. The English Cocker was first made in the fifteenth century by crossing the land Spaniel, which was ob- tained in purity from Netherlands. Dem mark and Poland. with the Ban dog Ito give courage to face thorny thickets." The English have since crossed it with many breeds, noticeably in the seven teenth century with the Chinese CPeki- nese) to make small Marlboro Blenheims. in the nineteenth century with the Chow to make Mute and the black Titritan via the Field Spaniel route to get the deep muzzle or strong face which the English so desire. Today in England the Cookers vary very much in type; there are the Welsh Cocker, the Devonshre Cocker and show Cocker. In this country there is only one type-the short-coupled, we'll balanced, sturdy, good-fronted, flat-coat- ed dog with a nicely chiseled head. The colors of the old stock Cookers are white and orange; the white and liver, and in the highest type of dog white, liver and crange the white and black comes from later crossings, and last the solid colors- liver, red and black The head should not be so heavy or so high in occiput as the Field Spaniel, with a nicely devel- oped muzzle or jaw; lean, but not snipey. The forehead perfectly smooth, rising  into a well-developed skull. The eyes should be expressive, merry and active, not hound-like, passive and dreamy nor
 "vermint' like as the Terrier, the pupil and iris distinct-for a Spaniel has a
 gaZe-quality-eye which can discern form
 and distinguish color; the eye in color should match the coat colors and be from
 light hazel il. the lighter colored partis
 to jet black in the solid blacks. The nose
 should be delicate not large and coarse
 nor widespread, insuring the most exquis-
 tte scenting power of the ancupatory dog.
 Ears lobular set on low, nicely protected
 with a suTiciercy of wavy feather (never
 curled). The neck strong and muscular,
 ani neatly set on to fine sloping shoul-
 ders. The body not so long and low as in
 other breeds of Spaniels, more compact
 and firmly knit together Shoulders slop-
 ing and fine and chest deep and well de- veloped, with the back and loin immense
 ly strong and compact. The tail should
 have hanging feather, graceful, net club like, carried with freedom not dragged in the mud, and when at work it's action should be incessant. The legs must be well boned, feathered and straight. Feet firm, round and cat-like. The coat flat or waved and silky in tex ture, never wiry. woolly or curly, but with sufficient feather of the right sort. We reproduce specimen on this page Jr fine Cocker Star of Bethlehem owned and highly valued by the HazeIdel1 Kennels, 1l220 South Talman avenue, Chi cago, Morgan Park. The side view shows the animal to it's full worth and the ex- pression of the face is extra good In
 markings 1t is above the average, and is great favorite with the owner of this kennel.