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1 DOG NEWS Australia page 44 They answered A.1. Glenayden Cockers have been breeding quality Cockers for the past thirty eight years. Cocker Spaniels stole my heart as a young girl as my first, a gold bitch named Cindy was my best friend, my love relationship started then. A.2. Yes I believe so, with our top dogs being very competitive throughout the world. A.3. It can happen but feel not as much as it used to, I do believe with correct judges training and education of current judges, colour is no longer the main reason dogs are awarded A Quality Cocker Can Be Any Colour!! A.4. Type, Balance, Soundess, Cockery, Merry.. A.5. A lot of dog in a little package, not weedy nor rangy, strong and compact, a dog that can if asked, I do believe with correct judges training and education of current judges, colour is no longer the main reason dogs are awarded A Quality Cocker Can Be Any Colour!! work all day. A.6. Yes of course and we as dedicated breeders are now doing everything possible to breed healthier Cockers with the access to all the testing procedures readily available in current times. More promotion is required to reach the general public on our aim to breed healthier tested dogs to ensure the wellbeing of our sport and all breeds as we progress into the future where tougher restrictions will impact us all. A.7. Contact the Breed Club to attain a list of members who have signed our code of ethics, test stock, and offer full after sale service and advice of their prospective puppy. Avoid pet shop puppies and unregistered breeders, check premises, be happy with conditions, meet parents if possible at least one, if happy purchase after all questions and queries have been met to their own satisfaction, and remember price is not indication of quality!! Ann O Keefe Glenayden Cocker Spaniels *************** A.1. We bought our first Cocker in 1997, we had lost our beautiful old Boxer and wanted another dog with a similar temperament but smaller...a good friend of mine had 2 that she had bought from Mac Formston Brightleaf and my brother had one from Karleen Bennett Royoni and I just loved them... A.2. I think it appears that there less consistency in breed type today because there are far less entered at Unfortunately we don t see very many different coloured Cockers shown here in Australia, unlike the US or UK...so the judges don t get the same exposure to all the different colours. most shows so the differences are far more noticeable. A.3. Unfortunately we don t see very many different coloured Cockers shown here in Australia, unlike the US or UK...so the judges don t get the same exposure to all the different colours. I think that it is something that must be addressed during the judges training. It is also the responsibility of the breeders to only take the best quality dogs of any colour into the show-ring. A.4. Type, Temperament, soundness, substance, cobby. A.5. This breed is not meant to move around the ring like an Afghan Hound, it is a Gundog and is meant to be able to work all day. A.6. Yes, every living thing has some sort of health issue but with careful breeding and health testing we can limit the issues. A well bred and well looked after Cocker is a very healthy little dog. A.7. Buy from a reputable breeder make sure whom ever you choose to purchase your pup from is a member of their states Breed Club eg in NSW it is The Cocker Spaniel We asked Breeders Q.1. How long have you been breeding Cocker Spaniels? Why are they your chosen breed? Q.2. Is the Cocker Spaniel in the show rings of Australia & NZ more or less consistent in breed type than say 15 years ago? Q.3. Is there prejudice by judges when it comes to colour in the Cocker Spaniel? Q.4. Could you list in order of priority the 5 most important points you think a judge should look for in the Cocker Spaniel? Q.5. If you were able to add a sentence to the Cocker Spaniel breed standard what would it be? Q.6. Does the Cocker Spaniel have any health problems? Q.7. What would your advice be to a potential puppy buyer when looking for a Cocker Spaniel? Society of NSW.Never buy for colour, temperament is far more important, be patient you may have to wait a few months for the right pup. Never ever buy from a pet shop. Anna Hatherly Bellebriar Cocker Spaniels *************** A.1. Carol has been breeding Cocker Spaniels under the Occuli prefix for 27 years. Starting in South Africa and moving to Australia seven years ago. Carol loves their personality with their ever wagging tail and melting eyes. Our kennel prefix Occuli is derived from the Latin word for eyes. Don has been involved in the Occuli prefix and Cocker Span- Don & Carol Mahoney iels since Carol came to Australia but has always had a great love for the breed, which developed when he lived in Townsville when he handled the breed on occasions for a friend from Mount Isa. A.2. While Carol cannot comment of the breed from 15 years ago compared to the present, we believe there is a consistency within the roan coloured specimens but the solid colours do not always reflect type similar to the roans. As breeders we strive for consistency of type as a first priority and the biggest compliment any competitor has made to us was after taking both challenges said You out-typed me today. A.3. We believe many judges appear to have a colour prejudice. Some seem to prefer roans while others prefer solids - blacks and gold in particular. It is our belief that colour should be the last consideration when considering the merit of a Cocker Spaniel as long as the We believe many judges appear to have a colour prejudice. Some seem to prefer roans while others prefer solids - blacks and gold in particular. It is our belief that colour should be the last consideration colour is within the breed standard. A.4. A Cocker Spaniel must immediately impress as a merry little sporting dog (the second smallest dog in the Gundog Group), which is evidenced by the wagging of the tail. The head planes should be parallel and of equal length with the ears set level with the eyes. The muzzle must be square with strong jaws capable of holding game and have a scissor bite. The body to be square from the withers to the ground compared to Continued on page 56

2 DOG NEWS Australia page 45

13 DOG NEWS Australia page 56 They answered Continued from page 44 the length of body and the top line should be level. Many exhibitors are stacking their Cocker Spaniels with sloping top lines. We see this as a major problem with the breed today. They should cover ground well with a good true through action displaying good reach of forequarter and drive from the hindquarter. A.5. The description of the eye shape in the standard reads full, but not prominent. We would like to see eye shape better defined. A.6. PRA and FN are known major problems in the breed. At Occuli we have all our breeding stock DNA tested for a number of congenital diseases and only breed from dogs where both parents are DNA tested clear of genetic health issues. A.7. Do not get too wrapped up in colour. After all, just like when buying a new car, you cannot always get the colour you want. Look for a puppy that looks well rounded, has a lustrous coat and who wags its tail. Also ask to see DNA results for genetic health problems for both parents. If you are looking for a puppy to show we strongly recommend that you insist that you are given outright ownership of the dog if you have paid the full asking price. If for any reason after buying a puppy you find you can no longer have a dog in your life, we recommend that you first contact the breeder before making any arrangements to re-home the dog. Quite often this is less stressful to the owner as the breeder may well have potential clients who prefer a more mature dog than a puppy. Don & Carol Mahoney OCCULI Cocker Spaniels *************** A.1. Bolwarra Cockers came into existence in 1974 with my first Cocker a blue roan bitch supposedly pick of the litter, picked out by Liz Harper of Lambrigg Fame. Maybe the whole litter were pets anyway we loved this pup and took her along to shows which she didn t enjoy but somehow I was bitten by the show bug. Our family had a Cocker Spaniel when I was a small child who was our guardian and followed us everywhere. So when I got married and started my family I had to have another Cocker Spaniel, I really love the breed and can t think of another breed I like as much. A.2. Yes I believe it is, there are good examples of the breed and others not so good. Back in 2001 we had some very lovely Cockers such as Gr Ch Feenix Fair Star; we also had more Cockers being shown. A.3. No I don t believe there is. The quality in different colours is what the judges are looking at and breeders should be looking at breed type first, colour is only secondary. My blue roan and tan dog Supreme Champion Bolwarra Saint Nick has been awarded not because of his colour but for his type. A Temperament the Cocker should display confidence and a merry tail action. 2. The silhouette has to be correct with good bone and substance 3. A correct head and expression showing a bright gentle expression 4. A Cocker is a sporting dog and so should be sound and eager to work 5. Cocker should have a soft silky coat not too profuse and not hiding the outline of the dog A.5. General Appearance: Merry, A Cocker is cobby meaning well rounded with substance in a small package. Weight to height shows this dog should not be shelly and under done in bone and substance, but have a well-rounded rib coming well back to short loin. sturdy, sporting; well balanced; compact; measuring approximately same from withers to ground as from withers to root of tail. I would like to add the following to the General Appearance of the standard - A Cocker is cobby meaning well rounded with substance in a small package. Weight to height shows this dog should not be shelly and under done in bone and substance, but have a well-rounded rib coming well back to short loin. Definition of cobby adjective (of horses, dogs, and other animals) shortish and thickset; stocky. A.6. The Cocker can be prone to some minor problems like hypothyroidism, canine hip dysplasia (CHD), cataract, and kidney disease. There is deafness in our breed although not common. Ears can be a problem and need to be cleaned regularly. Cardiomyopathy can also occasionally be seen in the breed. We do DNA testing for PRA and FN. A.7. Please buy your puppy from a registered breeder. Check to see they are doing DNA testing and are concerned about health and good temperament. Ask if you can see the parents and view the pups. Please ring the Canine Kennel control to find where you can find registered breeders or go to one of the Cocker Spaniel clubs and ask for recommended breeders. Megan Markotany Bolwarra Cocker Spaniels We asked Breeders Q.1. How long have you been breeding Cocker Spaniels? Why are they your chosen breed? Q.2. Is the Cocker Spaniel in the show rings of Australia & NZ more or less consistent in breed type than say 15 years ago? Q.3. Is there prejudice by judges when it comes to colour in the Cocker Spaniel? Q.4. Could you list in order of priority the 5 most important points you think a judge should look for in the Cocker Spaniel? Q.5. If you were able to add a sentence to the Cocker Spaniel breed standard what would it be? Q.6. Does the Cocker Spaniel have any health problems? Q.7. What would your advice be to a potential puppy buyer when looking for a Cocker Spaniel? A.1. I started with Cocker Spaniels in 1948 I bred my first litter of Cockers gold, in 1950, in those days every 2 nd house owned a Cocker Spaniel. Why are they my chosen breed, they are great with children, are an all-rounder as I call it. They are a good size for the average home and because they were bred for the gun and a retriever, they love water, they are an adaptable dog, and can be easily trained with the correct owners, they respond beautifully to voice, and most importantly love to please their owners. A.2. Looking back, through the years, No in the early days the Cocker had no size restriction, but had weight, I think that it was a good thing to bring in size, together with the weight, they are a balanced dog, and this improved the overall balance of the dog. Cockers Spaniels, 15 years ago did not carry quite as much coat, that they have today, they have become more of a show dog, and glamour dog, they are very rarely used for retrieving, and the gun which really is sad, in lots of ways, years ago we had retrieving clubs where Cocker Spaniels were very popular, and Cockers, held their own against the bigger retrievers. I do think, also most importantly, is the over exaggeration of the Cocker Spaniel, leaning more towards the American type rather than the cobby English type Cocker Spaniel. A.3. Unfortunately, the judges today, do have a preference, with colour, and they, believe, I think, that colour can mean type. The bone structure and skeleton, and overall balance of the Cocker, should be the same irrespective of colour. We are fortunate to have many colours in the Cocker Spaniel, in our standard, they should be shown, and judges should take more notice of the colours. I imported the first black white and tan to Australia, in the late 50 s it was almost considered to be an alien, and it took two well-known reputable gundog judges to award him best in show, before he was really recognized. A.4. I do and always will think SHOULDERS, are so important in a Cocker Spaniel, they should be able to move in the ring, (by this I don t mean at 100 miles an hour) they are a gundog, they should be able to step out, not pitta patta. Balance, which is mentioned several times in the standard, hindquarters, and a good round bum. Heads also are a top priority, we are losing our muzzle, they are supposed to be able to carry birds without damaging the prey, and TOPLINE is something we are also losing, also FORECHEST, which comes with good shoulders. FEET are also important remembering they should be a firm round and thickly padded not flat and splayed. Lastly MERRY this is mentioned in the standard several times, they are a happy dog, and their I imported the first black white and tan to Australia, in the late 50 s it was almost considered to be an alien, and it took two wellknown reputable gundog judges to award him best in show, before he was really recognized. tails should indicate this, as they travel round the show ring. A.5 I think overall the standard as read is good representation of our breed. A.6, The Cocker Spaniel, on the whole, is a healthy dog, with the careful breeding of reputable breeders, P.R.A. F.N. is with Cocker Spaniels, with testing which is available to breeders, and we are eliminating this. Our registered breeders today are having their dogs tested, where years ago we were not able to do this. A.7. Firstly I advise potential puppy owners, to see if possible both parents, to make sure this is the breed that will fit in with their family. Have they done their homework on the breed, making sure they have the backyard, for this particular dog? Making sure all relevant health tests, have been carried out. Karleen Bennett Royoni Cocker Spaniels

14 DOG NEWS Australia page 57 The Breed Standard GENERAL APPEARANCE: Merry, sturdy, sporting; well balanced; compact; measuring approximately same from withers to ground as from withers to root of tail. CHARACTERISTICS: Merry nature with ever-wagging tail shows a typical bustling movement, particularly when following scent, fearless of heavy cover. TEMPERAMENT: Gentle and affectionate, yet full of life and exuberance. HEAD AND SKULL: Square muzzle, with distinct stop set midway between tip of nose and occiput. Skull well developed, cleanly chiselled, neither too fine nor too coarse. Cheek bones not prominent. Nose sufficiently wide for acute scenting power. EYES: Full, but not prominent. Dark brown or brown, never light, but in the case of liver, liver roan, and liver and white, dark hazel to harmonise with coat; with expression of intelligence and gentleness but wide awake, bright and merry; rims tight. EARS: Lobular, set low on a level with eyes. Fine leathers extending to nose tip. Well clothed with long straight silky hair. MOUTH: Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. NECK: Moderate in length, muscular. Set neatly into fine sloping shoulders. Clean throat. FOREQUARTERS: Shoulders sloping and fine. Legs well boned, straight, sufficiently short for concentrated power. Not too short to interfere with tremendous exertions expected from this grand, sporting dog. BODY: Strong, compact. Chest well developed and brisket deep; neither too wide not too narrow in front. Ribs well sprung. Loin short, wide with firm, level topline gently sloping downwards to tail from end of loin to set on of tail. HINDQUARTERS: Wide, well rounded, very muscular. Legs well boned, good bend of stifle, short below hock allowing for plenty of drive. FEET: Firm, thickly padded, cat-like. TAIL: Docked: Set on slightly lower than line of back. Must be merry in action and carried level, never cocked up. Never too short to hide, nor too long to interfere with, the incessant merry action when working. Undocked: Set on slightly lower than line of back. Must be merry in action and carried level, never cocked up. Slightly curved, of moderate length, proportionate to size of body giving an overall balanced appearance; ideally not reaching below the hock. Strong at the root and tapering to a fine tip; well feathered in keeping with the coat. Lively in action, carried on a plane not higher than level of back and never so low as to indicate timidity. GAIT/MOVEMENT: True through action with great drive covering ground well. COAT: Flat, silky in texture, never wiry or wavy, not too profuse and never curly. Well feathered forelegs, body and hindlegs above hocks. COLOUR: Solid colours Black; red; golden; liver (chocolate); black and tan; liver and tan. No white allowed except a small amount on chest. Particolours: Bicolours: Black and white; orange and white; liver and white; lemon and white. All with or without ticking. Tricolours: Black, white and tan; liver, white and tan. Roans: Blue roan; orange roan; lemon roan; liver roan; blue roan and tan; liver roan and tan. Any colour or marking other than the above is undesirable. SIZES: Height: Dogs approx cms ( ins) Bitches approx cms ( ins) Weight approx kgs (28-32 lbs) FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog, and on the dog s ability to perform its traditional work. NOTES: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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