AN ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL SURVEY
CAROL CALLAHAN
MICHAEL FAULKNER 1. Where do you live? What do you do outside of dogs? I live in Center Cross, Virginia. Outside of dogs, I am the Executive Director for a local Health Center, Writer and Artist. 2. Number of years owning, showing and/or judging dogs? I have been showing dogs for 46 years and judging dogs for 20. 3. Describe your breed in three words: Proud, upstanding and Spaniel. 4. What traits, if any, are becoming exaggerated? The English Springer Spaniel has always been exagger- ated in the United States. From outline, color & markings and coat, the breed has undergone several exaggerations for decades. 5. What are your “must have” traits in this breed? What shortcomings are you willing to forgive? First and foremost the basic essence of “SPANIEL” is required, followed by a balanced, well-proportioned dog, free from exaggerations. Typical carriage and tempera- ment is a must. It is essential that the exhibit be upstand- ing with correct balance. The English Springer Spaniel is the tallest of all flushing spaniels and should never appear low to the ground. Correct head properties are essential for all Spaniels, as these subtle characteristics define the breed and separate them from their close cousins. I always forgive a dog that may not be as polished as others in support of correct make and shape. I have also never been one to pass out ribbons based on the need to have solid body marking and complete white collars around the neck. I could care less about markings. 6. While judging, do you see any trends you’d like to see continued or stopped? I am thrilled to see English Springer Spaniels with a bit more leg, less extreme front and rear construction (four legs underneath the dog) and less focus on choosing breeding stock based on color, markings and extremes in structure. It is nice that dogs from around the world are being appreciated and incorporated into the estab- lished breeding programs in the US. I recently saw a photograph of respected Breeder/Judge Mrs. Kathy Lorentzen awarding a beautiful bitch (with tail and ticking) a prestigious win at a show on the East Coast. I later discovered that this particular bitch was related to a dog I recently admired and awarded the breed to in South America.
1. Where do you live? What do you do outside of dogs? I live in Spokane, Washington. I like to read, work cross- word, jigsaw puzzles and watch movies. 2. Number of years owning, showing and/or judging dogs? We have owned English Springer Spaniels since 1960 and began judging them in 1978. 3. Describe your breed in three words: Moderate, affectionate and medium-sized. 4. What traits, if any, are becoming exaggerated? Over-angulated rears. 5. What are your “must have” traits in this breed? What shortcomings are you willing to forgive? Must haves: a proper Spaniel head with correct eye, soft expression, good temperament and proper movement. I’m willing to forgive less-than-ideal feet and shyness in puppies only. 6. While judging, do you see any trends you’d like to see continued or stopped? I am pleased to see that poor temperament is not being tolerated as much as it was when we first began exhib- iting. I would definitely like to see less racing of dogs around the ring, which often destroys the proper movement. 7. What, if any, are the traits breeders should focus on preserving? There are way too many dogs in the ring today that either have an incorrect croup, tail set and carriage or they are groomed to appear that way. Our standard calls for a gently sloping croup and a tail that is carried either horizontally or slightly elevated. There are far too many dogs with Terrier tail carriage. An incorrect croup leads to other problems, such as movement. 8. Has the breed improved from when you started judging? Yes. As noted previously, poor temperament is not con- sidered acceptable and breeders are testing for genetic problems that we failed to do when we started. 9. Are there aspects of the breed not in the standard that you nonetheless take into consideration because breeders consider them important? I try to judge according to what is written in our breed standard. 10. Can Judges Education on this breed be improved? I wish there was more time to show dogs of all ages and quality and to see dogs moving properly.
S HOW S IGHT M AGAZINE , A UGUST 2015 • 279
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