Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1951-07-26
Cocker Spaniels
Outnumber Rivals

It's cocker spaniels, two to one.
These flop-eared, feathery-haired
little clowns are registered in the
kennel clubs of all English-speak-
ing countries in greater numbers
than any other breed, reports the
National Geographic Society.
In the United States, official fig
ures of the American Kennel Cub
showed 81 ,257 new cocker registra-
tons last year, compared to 29,-
9SS for beagles, their closest rivals.
Cookers continue to run well ahead
in 1851. Some authorities place
their total number, registered and
unregistered, at two and a half
million, out of an estimated dog
population of fifteen to twenty
five million, including CANNES of
uncertain lineage.
Britons Like Them Too
In England, the cocker spaniel
recently was recognized as top
dog, numerically speaking, among
the more than three million dogs
licensed annually. This preference
has been exported, along with
sample dogs, to Australia and In
dia, where cookers have ranked in
first place for several years.
British records show that AL
satians are second on registration
lists, with Pekingese third and fox
terriers fourth.
Americans have been tickle in
their love for dogs. The English
setter was the first recorded fav-
orite, rejecting an emphasis on
sporting dogs. During the late
nineties, the massive st. Bernard
took first place, to be supplanted
by the collie.
The Boston terrier came into his
own during the 1920's. He re-
manned at the top of the list, with
some competition from Airedales
and German shepherds, until about
1885 when the cocker moved out in
front.
Historically, the cocker spaniel
is relatively new. James Farrow,
an Englishman, generally is con-
sidered the founder of the breed
His dog, Obo, born in 1879, was the
first of the modern cookers. Obo
II was brought to the United
States and set a standard which is
still adhered to in this country.
Early, ancestors of the modern
cocker were Kin Charles spaniels
A spaniel was mentioned as early
as 134O-1400 in Chaucer's "Wif
of Battle prologue: GAS spanyel,
she vol on him lepe."
Shakespeare acknowledged the
spaniels ingratiating personality
when he, wrote, "You played a
spaniel and think with wagging OF
your tongue to win me-"
During the nineteenth century
there were many field spaniels. in
England, varying greatly in size
1t became the custom to refer to
the smallest of a litter as "cock,
ers," presumably because they
were too small to retrieve anything
larger than woodcocks.
1t was not until 1892 that this
breed gained recognition in the
British Stud Book.
Increasingly, the cocker is be-
coming famous for his cheerful dis
position rather than for his hunt
ing ability, although field tria
clubs have attempted to maintain
the hunting-dog talents of the
| breed.
Preliminary 1851 figures of tn,
American Kennel Club show tina
cookers are well in the lead, will
1884 new listings. Beagles con
tinue in second place with 11,216
but the boxer is moving ahead O
last years third-place winner, thu
collie. Other 1851 leaders, in or
der of number are, dachshunds
Boston terriers, Chihuahuas, Ger
man shepherds, Pekingese ant
springer spaniels.