english springer spaniel Q&A WITH CAROL CALLAHAN, RUTH KIRBY, KATHY LORENTZEN, LINDA RIEDEL & TERRY STACY
4. Do you think the dogs you see in this breed are better now than they were when you first started judging? CC: Yes, I think our breed is more uniform from one side of the country to the other and poor temperament is not overlooked as it once was. RK: Overall, I think the Springers were better when I first started judging. However, I do think the temperaments have improved over the years, and I applaud the breeders for their dedication in this respect. KL: As in virtually any breed, we have pockets of very good dogs around the country and a whole lot of mediocre. I don’t feel like much has changed in the 16 years I have been judging. LR: I don’t think the present day Springers are any bet- ter than when I first started. I will say they are better groomed and presented today and there is more consistency in the class competition. However, I do feel breeders are forgetting that our breed standard has not changed and more attention to breeding to our standard needs to be emphasized, and less emphasis on just winning. TS: There have always been quality dogs since I began judg- ing and the numbers vary from year to year. I believe we have some very nice dogs currently. 5. What do you think new judges misunderstand about the breed? CC: I feel many new judges do not understand proper ground-covering gait in our breed, mistaking fast move- ment for correct. In addition, our breed has lost the chiseling in the skull that is so necessary for a soft Spaniel appearance and improper heads are rewarded. RK: Preferred markings are not mentioned in the Springer standard. While a white blaze and collar may result in a flashier dog in the show ring, please judge the dog on its merits rather than its markings. KL: New judges are often confused about silhouette, as they are frequently presented with a number of different ones. This breed should have a long head, long neck, long laid back shoulder blade and corresponding upper arm, a topline that is nearly level and a croup that slopes gently to the tail set. Please remember that this is the tallest, longest-legged of the land Spaniels. They are somewhat more Setter-like than any of the other flushing Spaniels. New judges also misinterpret the word upstanding. It means that the dog carries the same profile moving as standing. It does not mean that the dog should have its head back over its shoulders looking up at the sky. Dogs naturally put their heads somewhat forward when mov- ing for balance and coordination. This breed should not sink to the ground when moving as some Herding breeds do. That is what upstanding means. It does not mean that they should have exaggerated side gait and head carriage
3. Are there any traits in this breed you fear are becoming exaggerated? CC: Not only fear, but know—excessive coat and over-grooming. RK: I was honored to judge the Springer National last year and thought quite a few of the exhibits had an exagger- ated, pronounced stop as well as a domed rather than “flat on top” skull. Those features combined with large, round, protruding eyes gave the dogs an unappealing and inappropriate headpiece and expression. I was also concerned with the Terrier-like tail sets and high tail carriage. While most of the Springers were in lovely coat and condition, unfortunately the grooming on many was exaggerated and sculpted that led to an unnatural barbered appearance. KL: Unfortunately this breed has become far too exagger- ated in many ways. Much too upright in front assembly coupled with rears that are far too long in second thigh and a pelvis that is too flat—these things in combination produce a silhouette that is a caricature, not that of a proper Spaniel at all. LR: Since ESS are a competitive breed in the group I feel they have suffered several exaggerations affecting breed type. I feel there is far too much emphasis on markings and excessive coat and flashy showmanship. There is far too much color products in use, making it difficult to assess correct coat color and texture. These are not traits that make a correct Sporting dog. We have lost correct head type, size and substance. I see a great change in heads, too much top skull, rounded with too much stop, more like Cocker type, with narrow, short muzzles and rounded eyes. This head type will not enable the dog to hold a large, perhaps angry and wounded pheasant and carry it in rough terrain. TS: Too many dogs have become racy and Setter-like. “WHILE A WHITE BLAZE AND COLLAR MAY RESULT IN A FLASHIER DOG IN THE SHOW RING, PLEASE JUDGE THE DOG ON ITS MERITS RATHER THAN ITS MARKINGS.”
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