HISTORY OF THE COCKER SPANIEL

In the late 1800's and early 1900's, "...most spaniels were unclassified and unclassifiable." In those days, size was usually the only factor in determining in which class a Spaniel would be entered.

During this time, dogs that would later come to be known as English Springer Spaniels, Sussex Spaniels, and Field Spaniels were probably all shown as *Field Spaniels* because of their size (over 28 lbs.). However, while the colors listed with the individual entries give some indication of this, there is no definitive evidence as such.

On the other hand, it is generally agreed that the earliest Cocker Spaniels shown at Westminster were most likely English Cockers in type. At Westminster, the distinction between "American type" and "English type" was made for the first time within the Cocker classes in 1937, but only one winner was selected as Best Cocker Spaniel and went forward to the Group. The two were finally separated in 1943 at Westminster when Spaniels (Cocker) and Spaniels (English Cocker) Variety winners both advanced into the Sporting Group.

Here are the divisions and designations as taken from the Westminster catalogs through the years:

In 1877, entries were in these classes:

1. Cocker Spaniels  (colors were given for each individual breed entry, either liver and white, or black

2. Field Spaniels of any other breed (colors were given in each individual breed entry as liver and white; lemon and white; orange and white)

3. Irish Water Spaniels

4. Retrieving Spaniels other than pure Irish  (this class was offered only in 1877 and 1878)

In 1878, a separate class was offered for the first time for Clumber Spaniels.

In 1879, the Cocker and the Field Spaniels were combined into one breed class: Cocker or Field Spaniels.

In 1881, the Cocker and Field Spaniels were again separated into the following breed classes:

1. Field Spaniels (large size), dogs over 28 lbs., bitches over 25 lbs.

2. Cocker Spaniels, dogs under 28 lbs., bitches under 25 lbs.

In 1882, those Spaniel Classes (excluding Irish Water Spaniels and Clumber Spaniels) were combined for dogs and bitches:

1. Spaniels (other than black) over 28 lbs.

2. Cocker Spaniels (other than black) under 28 lbs.

3. Black Spaniels over 28 lbs.

4. Black Cocker Spaniels under 28 lbs.

In 1883, the classes were changed again:

1. Field Spaniels (any color) over 28 lbs.

2. Cocker Spaniels (other than black) under 28 lbs.

3. Cocker Spaniels (black or black and white) under 28 lbs.

In 1884, the classes were:

1. Field Spaniels (any color) over 28 lbs. - no change

2. Cocker Spaniels (liver or black) under 28 lbs.

3. Cocker Spaniels (any color other than liver or black) under 28 lbs.

No changes until 1889, when it became:

1. Field Spaniels (black)

2. Field Spaniels (liver)

3. Field Spaniels (other than liver or black)

4 .Cocker Spaniels (black)

5. Cocker Spaniels (other than black)

 In 1890:

1. Field Spaniels (over 28 lbs.)

2. Cocker Spaniels (not exceeding 28 lbs.) - black

3. Cocker Spaniels (not exceeding 28 lbs.) - any other color

1891: no weights specified for Field Spaniels, but classes again divided by color (black and liver).

1895: One class for Field and Sussex Spaniels

In 1899, the terms A.S.C.O.B (Any Solid Color Other than Black) and Parti-Color appear for the first time but are not separated into different classes or Varieties.

Norfolk Spaniels (later became English Springer Spaniels) are entered in the Miscellaneous Class in 1916 and 1917. An English Springer Spaniel is entered in the Miscellaneous Class in 1921. A class is offered for Springer Spaniels beginning in 1923 and this eventually becomes  English Springer Spaniels in 1930.

The Parti-Color Cocker becomes a separate Variety in 1943, while Blacks and ASCOBs are judged together as Solid Colors. In 1944, the solid colors are separated so that there are now three separate Varieties (Black, ASCOB, Parti), with each sending a representative to the Sporting Group.

It is generally acknowledged that the Cocker Spaniels exhibited at  Westminster beginning in 1877 were probably of the English type. However, no  differentiation is made until 1937, when "English type" and "American type" were used to describe the entries in Cocker Spaniels. English Cocker

Spaniels first competed as a separate variety at Westminster in 1943, and the American type continued in the three varieties of Cocker Spaniels, resulting in four dogs advancing to the Sporting Group competition.