Complete Limited Softcover Collectors Series – Hunting Dog Confidential
An incredible holiday gift for those dog lovers you know!
- Offer Ends in March
- $50 in Savings
Hunting Dog Confidential is a limited collection of dog history, culture, and stories in a coffee-table-quality publication that is timeless. Each volume features the dogs that hunt alongside humans around the world in pursuit of waterfowl, upland birds, big game, and more. From retrievers to pointers, from tracking hounds to bear dogs, we will tell the stories of the mainstream and the obscure. The high-quality writing, photography, and artwork filling two hundred pages will take readers on a timeless, international journey.
Description
Hunting Dog Confidential is a limited volume collectors series that will not be reprinted.
Heidi –
Field Bred English Springers and Cockers have th he first 1/3 of their tails docked. Show bred springers and cockers leave only 1/3. It is a very important distinction when looking for a reputable breeder who can help find the right match for you.
Jeff –
You have to prove to me the who, what, when and why of “how to dock a springer’s tail.” Is this a commandment someone found in stone somewhere: “DOCK ONLY THE FIRST 1/3….” I think this is a personal choice only. I think springers with long tails are ugly.
Heidi –
Jeff, you are absolutely right it is a personal choice. However their are traditions on both sides. On the field bred side a tail that is left un docked can be prone to injury; however, docking it a bit shorter, only removing the first third, with a preference for a white tip has throughout history shown to be beneficial. A springer will become very animated when on game, birds or rabbits. The tail can help the hunter recognize this behavior. And a longer tail makes for more visibility when questing. It also is an indication that the breeder has held true to the tradition of the breed and has bred for hunting traits, and conformation. Not for a certain coat color, pattern, or arbitrary appearence. A tail that is docked down to leaving only 1/3 is a dog that has been bred for appearacne or those unfamiliar with what a true field bred springer is and what traits have been coveted and chosen to bring about the wonderful natural instincts of the dog. A show bred dog has long been removed from a program selecting for these qualities. And if you compare the two, they are very diffrent looking in apperance, and it is obvious to see how form has followed function.
In short, the length of the tail is a very good indication of what type of springer it is. Is it one bred selectively for a century for one purpose or the other. It can also be an indicator of a dog bred out of ignorance of the centuries of progress with no real purpose to better the breed.
Doug –
Jeff, The shorter tail on the bench bred is more about show than hunting. The longer 2/3 tail in the purpose of hunting line is for the handler to better see tail reaction to bird scent. Docking in and of itself is to reduce injury when hunting heavy thorny cover. I have a 13 year old female field bred that has a short tail. Some field trial judges did have negative comments about it. But I never cared she is an AKC Master hunter and a HRC 500 point champion retriever. I have a 10 foot wall in my home office lined with her ribbons metals and trophies.
Jim Giacobbe –
I’ve been an ethical breeder of Field-bred English Springer Spaniels for over 40 years. This article was ok at best. To say “Field Springers have a fairly good retrieving instinct” is not only an insult to the breed but 100% incorrect. In addition she leaves out the most important genetic issues suck as PFK and Retinal Dysplasia. This article was obviously written by someone not at all knowledgeable about Field-type Springers. It’s peppered with information about Bench-type Springers. And doesn’t even mention Field Spaniels. Please do some more research before you decide to write articles. Thanks so much. Jim owner and operator of Briar Ridge Springers
Beau Roy –
Relax Jim. Who cares how long you been breeding! Just great to see an article on spaniels, when everything seems to be on labs theses days
Jim Giacobbe –
They say ignorance is bliss…..
Doug –
I have to say I am glad Field bred ESS don’t have the following and popularity like labs. The last thing we need is a silver springer LOL.
Gary –
No matter which tail style you choose, when you have a springer that has all of the positive traits, then you have a great dog that is to be cherished for a lifetime. I have owned field springers for more than 45yrs. and have had memorable moments with each and every one of them.
They are truly a pleasure to train and appreciate!!
Drew –
Nothing against a 2/3 dock, but the length of the tail has zero influence on the dogs ability and doesn’t make you any better of a hunter.
Pay attention to the breeder and lineage. A good springer shows you a lot more in the field than the last inch of white hair on its tail.
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