copyright Ruth Ginzberg - all rights reserved

Cocker Spaniels were originally bred for the work of assisting the hunter in procuring upland game for the table. Woodcock were the specialty of the Cocker Spaniel; that is where the 'Cocker' Spaniel got its name! Here you see Barney 'quartering' a field. When a flushing spaniel 'quarters,' he goes back and forth quickly in an efficient zig-zag pattern about 30 feet in front of the handler. He uses all his senses, but particularly his nose, to locate any game that might be present. Upon locating a game bird, he 'flushes' it ... the distinctive move that earned 'flushing' spaniels their designated working niche. He does this by springing toward the bird and causing it to take wing. A well trained flushing spaniel should immediately stop as soon as he flushes a game bird, so he can visually follow the flight of the bird, and 'mark' the location where it falls, should his handler decide to shoot it. The spaniel then looks to the handler for further instructions. If the bird is shot, the spaniel will immediately be sent to retrieve it. This level of training is sometimes difficult to achieve, but it is necessary in order to ensure that the spaniel does not put himself into harm's way while dashing to fetch a bird before the handler has ascertained the safety of attempting the retrieve. Hunting etiquette requires that all shot game be accounted for and removed from the field immediately after being downed. It is considered extremely unethical to leave wounded game in the field. Therefore, every shot bird must be located and retrieved as quickly as possible. It is a Spaniel's job quickly to locate and retrieve shot birds, no matter how far away they may have fallen, and no matter how difficult the retrieve. Thus, the assistance of a well trained spaniel actually aids in responsible hunting practices. Spaniels are far better at quickly locating and retrieving shot game than a human hunter alone could be. As a spaniel bred to assist the upland game hunter, the Cocker Spaniel was never expected to do water fowl retrieving. But he was expected to be able to retrieve an upland game bird that happened to fall into a pond or river!

Although Cocker Spaniels are more often seen in the conformation ring or in the pet owner's favorite chair (!) than in the field these days, Barney demonstrates that Cocker Spaniels still can, and do, do the work of their ancestors. And Barney truly looks forward to those days when he sees his owner getting out the field gear. It is obvious that he knows deep down that this is a life activity that is in his blood. Barney's owner believes that dogs are just like people in this respect: Life is a whole lot more fulfilling when you have a job that you love!