The Spaniel family is without any doubt one of the most important of the many groups which are included in the canine race, not only on account of its undoubted antiquity, and, compared with other families, its well authenticated lineage, but also because of its many branches and subdivisions, ranging in size from the majestic and massive Clumbers to the diminutive toys which we are accustomed to associate with fair ladies’ laps and gaily decked pens at our big dog shows.

Moreover, the different varieties of Setters undoubtedly derive their origin from the same parent stock, since we find them described by the earlier sporting writers as “setting” or “crouching” Spaniels, in contradistinction to the “finding” or “springing” Spaniel, who flushed the game he found without setting or pointing it. As time went on, the setting variety was, no doubt, bred larger and longer in the leg, with a view to increased pace; but the Spaniel like head and coat still remain to prove the near connection between the two breeds.

All the different varieties of Spaniels, both sporting and toy, have, with the exception of the Clumber and the Irish Water Spaniel (who is not, despite his name, a true Spaniel at all), a common origin, though at a very early date we find them divided into two groups, Land and Water Spaniels, and these two were kept distinct, and bred to develop those points which were most essential for their different spheres of work.

The earliest mention of Spaniels to be found in English literature is contained in the celebrated “Master of Game,” the work of Edward Plantagenet, second Duke of York, and Master of Game to his uncle, Henry IV., to whom the work is dedicated. It was written between the years 1406 and 1413, and although none of the MSS., of which some sixteen are in existence, is dated, this date can be fairly accurately fixed, as the author was appointed Master of Game in the former and killed at Agincourt in the latter year.

His chapter on Spaniels, however, is mainly a translation from the equally celebrated “Livre de Chasse,” of Gaston Comte de Foix, generally known as Gaston Phoebus, which was written in 1387, so that we may safely assume that Spaniels were well known, and habitually used as aids to the chase both in France and England, as early as the middle of the fourteenth century.

In the eighteenth and early part of the nineteenth century the Spaniel was described by many writers on sporting subjects; but there is a great similarity in most of these accounts, each author apparently having been content to repeat in almost identical language what had been said upon the subject by his predecessors, without importing any originality or opinions of his own.

Many of these works, notwithstanding this defect, are very interesting to the student of Spaniel lore, and the perusal of Blaine’s Rural Sports, Taplin’s Sporting Dictionary and Rural Repository, Scott’s  Sportsman’s Repository , and Needham’s Complete Sportsman, can be recommended to all who wish to study the history of the development of the various modern breeds.

The works of the French writers, De Cominck, De Cherville, Blaze, and Megnin, are well worth reading, while of late years the subject has been treated very fully by such British writers as the late J. H. Walsh (“Stonehenge”), Mr. Vero Shaw, Mr. Rawdon Lee, Colonel Claude Cane, and Mr. C. A. Phillips.

Nearly all of the early writers, both French and English, are agreed that the breed came originally from Spain, and we may assume that such early authorities as Gaston Phoebus, Edward Plantagenet, and Dr. Caius had good reasons for telling us that these dogs were called Spaniels because they came from Spain.

The following distinct breeds or varieties are recognised by the Kennel Club:
1 Irish Water Spaniels
2 Water Spaniels other than Irish
3 Clumber Spaniels
4 Sussex Spaniels
5 Field Spaniels
6 English Springers
7 Welsh Springers
8 Cocker Spaniels

Each of these varieties differs considerably from the others, and each has its own special advocates and admirers, as well as its own particular sphere of work for which it is best fitted, though almost any Spaniel can be made into a general utility dog, which is, perhaps, one of the main reasons for the popularity of the breed.

The curly-coated Retriever is commonly believed to be of earlier origin than his flat-coated relative, and he is of less pure descent.  He probably owes ancestral tribute to the Poodle. Such a cross may conceivably have been resorted to by the early Retriever breeders, and there was little to lose from a merely sporting point of view from this alien introduction, for the Poodle is well known to be by nature, if not by systematic training, an excellent water dog, capable of being taught anything that the canine mind can comprehend. During the early years of the nineteenth century the Poodle was fairly plentiful in England, and we had no other curly-coated dog of similar size and type apart from the Irish Water Spaniel, who may himself lay claim to Poodle relationship; while as to the Retriever, either curly or flat coated, he can in no sense be assigned to any country outside of Great Britain.

The presumption is strong that the “gentleman from France” was largely instrumental in the manufacture of the variety, but whatever the origin of the curly-coated Retriever he is a beautiful dog, and one is gratified to note that the old prejudice against him, and the old indictment as to his hard mouth, are fast giving place to praise of his intelligence and admiration of his working abilities.

Speaking generally, it seems to be accepted that he is slightly inferior in nose to his flat-coated cousin, and not quite so easy to break, but there are many keepers and handlers who have discovered in individual specimens extraordinary merit in the field combined with great endurance.

It is not certain that any great improvement has been effected in the variety during recent years, but there are particular dogs to-day who are decidedly better than any that existed a dozen years or more ago, when such celebrities as True, Old Sam, King Koffee, Ben Wonder, Doden Ben, Lad and Una, were prominent, and there is no doubt that the curly coats attained show form in advance of the flat-coated variety.

The coat of the curly Retriever plays a very important part in his value and personality. There are many kinds of coat, but the only true and proper one is the close-fitting “nigger curl,” of which each knot is solid and inseparable. A coat of this quality is not capable of improvement by any method of grooming, for the simple reason that its natural condition is in itself perfect. The little locks should be so close together as to be impervious to water, and all parts of the body should be evenly covered with them, including the tail and legs.

A bad class of coat, and one which readily yields to the faker’s art, is the thin open curl which by careful manipulation can be greatly improved. Another bad quality of coat is one in which, upon the withers and over the loins in particular, the curls do not tighten up naturally, but are large, loose, and soft to the feel. Regarding the dog as a whole, the following may be taken as an all-round description:

GENERAL APPEARANCE—That of a smart, active, clean-cut and alert dog, full of go and fire a sportsman from stem to stern.

HEAD—Long and not weedy in the muzzle, nor thick and coarse in the skull, but tapering down and finishing with a stout broad muzzle.

SKULL—Should be flat and moderately broad between the ears, which are rather small, and well covered with hair.

EARS—Should lie close to the side of the head, but not dead in their carriage.

FACE—The face should be smooth, and any indication of a forelock should be penalised.

EYE—The eye should in all cases be dark and not too deeply set.

NECK—Well placed in the shoulders and nicely arched, of moderate length and yet powerful and free from throatiness.

SHOULDERS—Well laid back and as free from massiveness as possible, though there is a decided tendency in this variety to such a fault.

LEGS—Straight and well covered with coat. The bone should show quality and yet be fairly abundant.

FEET—Compact and hound-like.

BODY—Should show great power, with deep, well-rounded ribs. As little cut-up in the flank as possible.

TAIL—Strong at the base, set on in a line with the back and tapering to a point, the size of the curls upon it diminishing gradually to the end.

HIND-QUARTERS—Should show great development of muscle, with bent hocks, the lower leg being strong and the hind feet compact. Any suspicion of cow hocks should be heavily penalised. 

COLOUR—Mostly a dull black. Some liver-coloured dogs are seen with very good coats and bodies, but their heads are generally thick and coarse, and the colour of their eyes does not always match, as it should do, with the colour of the coat. A few dogs of this colour have achieved distinction on the show bench.

Puppy training is a fun and enjoyable experience for you and your puppy. Puppies are not human and they do not necessarily understand your language and mannerisms. You have to be very careful during every step of the puppy training because even a minor mistake during the training program could be counterproductive.

These mistakes could delay or even derail the training process and lead to development of strange behavior and responses in your puppy. The worst part is that most of the puppy trainers keep on committing these mistakes due to ignorance. Each repetition reinforces the undesired behavior and ultimately the puppy becomes incorrigible.   

Most of the puppy owners commit these training mistakes because of carelessness or excessive love and affection for the puppy. For example, the most common complaint of puppy owners is that their puppy does not come when called. The harder they try to correct this behavioral disorder, the more she refuses to come.

The development of this disorder has a simple explanation. Puppies are very playful and energetic by nature. They enjoy playing and going out. However, puppy owners use the ‘come’ command only when the puppy is going back home, ending a training program or to confine the puppy to the crate.

In short, the word ‘come’ is associated with all sorts of uncomfortable and unwelcome events for the puppy. She understands that ‘come’ indicates the end of fun and outing, putting on the leash and collar, or being confined to the crate. Why should she accept the command, which means the end of fun for her? This is the reason why many puppies refuse to come when called.

Some owners further aggravate this problem. The puppy has refused to come when called for two or three consecutive times. This is a reason sufficient to make a puppy owner red with anger. Now the owner starts shouting and yelling at the puppy, which makes the puppy even more scared and confused.

After repeated efforts when the puppy finally obeys and comes back, she gets a reprimand and or a beating as a reward. Imagine the impression it leaves on the puppy’s mind. She automatically assumes that she will get a reprimand if she obeys the ‘come’ command.

The better alternative would have been to associate ‘come’ with some good experiences and rewards for your puppy. You should use the ‘come’ command during her outing and play to offer her a warm hug or pat. Try to associate ‘come’ with fun, happiness and the things that your puppy loves to do. The more you associate ‘come’ with good things and rewards the easier it will be for you to ensure flawless and swift compliance.

Always keep in mind that good puppies are not born but made by owners and trainers. They are born as puppies and this is how they are going to behave unless you provide them sufficient motivation to behave otherwise.