A Very Brief History of The Working Cocker
Working Cockers were originally bred to flush woodcock, which unlike other quarry species, is virtually scentless. Thus, early breeders of Working Cockers looked for a busy action in their dogs, which would lead to them running across woodcock in the course of their quartering and hunting.
Originally, the only distinction between Working Cockers and other spaniels was one of weight - "small" spaniels under 25lb, were routinely referred to as "Cockers." Any dog over 25lb was usually described as a Springer or Field Spaniel. However, over the past 100 years distinct bloodlines have been developed for Working Cockers, which have redifined both the breed and the breed standard.
Thirty years ago Working Cockers had a bad reputation. They were nicknamed the “devil dog” with some justification. Poor breeding had led to a working strain that was headstrong, not very biddable and just downright badly behaved!! Let’s just say that they weren’t the most welcome participant on a shoot.
However, all that has dramatically changed thanks mostly to the efforts of a small group of Working Cocker breeders, mostly based in Wales – which is why you will see a considerable amount of Welsh bloodlines in today’s modern Working Cocker.
With improved bloodlines came success in Field Trial Championships, and an upswing in the popularity of the Working Cocker once again. FTCh Speckle of Ardoon won the Spaniel Championship 3 years in succession between 1972 to 1974. Other Working Cockers of note include FTCh Jade of Livermere, FTCh Birky Bog Bob, FTCh Mallowdale Rakatear and FTCh Sanford Black Mamba. Welsh kennels such as Maesydderwen and Wernffrwd have also been instrumental in the resurgence of the Working Cocker.
Originally, the only distinction between Working Cockers and other spaniels was one of weight - "small" spaniels under 25lb, were routinely referred to as "Cockers." Any dog over 25lb was usually described as a Springer or Field Spaniel. However, over the past 100 years distinct bloodlines have been developed for Working Cockers, which have redifined both the breed and the breed standard.
Thirty years ago Working Cockers had a bad reputation. They were nicknamed the “devil dog” with some justification. Poor breeding had led to a working strain that was headstrong, not very biddable and just downright badly behaved!! Let’s just say that they weren’t the most welcome participant on a shoot.
However, all that has dramatically changed thanks mostly to the efforts of a small group of Working Cocker breeders, mostly based in Wales – which is why you will see a considerable amount of Welsh bloodlines in today’s modern Working Cocker.
With improved bloodlines came success in Field Trial Championships, and an upswing in the popularity of the Working Cocker once again. FTCh Speckle of Ardoon won the Spaniel Championship 3 years in succession between 1972 to 1974. Other Working Cockers of note include FTCh Jade of Livermere, FTCh Birky Bog Bob, FTCh Mallowdale Rakatear and FTCh Sanford Black Mamba. Welsh kennels such as Maesydderwen and Wernffrwd have also been instrumental in the resurgence of the Working Cocker.