Home   Index    German version

Spaniels are undoubtedly among the most loved breed of dogs in the world. Although originally hunting dogs, they have become extremely popular in the last few decades simply as pets. The spaniel has thus fulfilled all its original promise, as traditional hunting dog, as a faithful friend in the family but also as a dog which can be used for sporting occasions. Allusions to the origin of the spaniel can be found in many sources and the origin of the spaniel offers an interesting field of study to whoever is interested in long genealogical histories.

All together now ...
Cocker (English) - American Cocker - Sussex
Clumber - Irish Water - Welsh Springer - Field - English Springer - American Water
Photo © by Helga Horsten

---

Remark: Taildocking is forbidden by law in: Netherland Norway Sweden Finland Denmark Germany Switzerland

New Tail Standard by The Kennel Club (UK)

American Cocker
Tail
Customarily docked.
Docked: Docked by three fifths of tail. Set on and carried on a line with topline of back or slightly higher. Never straight up and never so low as to indicate timidity. When dog in motion, merry tail action.
Undocked: Set on a line with topline of back. Moderate length. Feathering in proportion to the coat of the dog. Thicker at the root and tapering towards the tip. Carried on a line with the topline of back, or slightly higher, but never curled over the back or so low as to indicate timidity. When dog is in motion, merry tail action.

Clumber
Tail
Customarily docked.
Docked: Set low. Well feathered, Carried level with back.
Undocked: Set low. Well feathered, carried level with back. Strong at root, tapering gradually to the tip. Of moderate length.

Cocker (English)
Tail
Set on slightly lower than line of back. Must be merry in action and carried level, never cocked up.
Customarily docked.
Docked: Never too short to hide, nor too long to interfere with, the incessant merry action when working.
Undocked: 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.

Springer (English)
Tail
Customarily docked.
Docked: Set low, never carried above level of back. Well feathered with lively action.
Undocked: Set low, never carried above level of back. Well feathered with lively action. In balance with the rest of the dog.

Field
Tail
Customarily docked.
Docked: Docked by one third. Set on low. Never carried above level of back. Nicely feathered, with lively action.
Undocked: Set low. Never carried above level of back. Nicely feathered with lively action. Reaches approximately to the hocks. Of moderate length in balance with the rest of the dog.

Sussex
Tail
Customarily docked.
Docked: Set low and never carried above level of back. Lively actioned. Customarily docked to a length from 13-18 cms (5-7 ins).
Undocked: Set low, of medium length, and not carried above the level of the back. It should taper gradually to a point and be moderately feathered.

Welsh Springer
Tail
Customarily docked.
Docked: Well set on and low, never carried above level of back. Lively in action.
Undocked: Well set on and low, never carried above level of back. Lively in action. Feathered. In balance with the rest of the dog.

July 2001
The Kennel Club