For a bright, lively little fellow, companionable to a degree, and ready for any work that he may be asked to do, the Cocker has no rival. Does not everybody who lives in the country know him, and love him too? He is one of the handiest dogs imaginable, and it is not surprising that he enjoys a wide popularity.

His Work

Youatt tells us that in his day he was chiefly used for flushing pheasants and woodcocks from thickets into which Setters and even Springers could scarcely penetrate. From the latter bird, indeed, he takes his name. Get a small team of them, too, to bustle rabbits out of thick cover and you may have an excellent morning's sport. He is stout of heart, and will retrieve game nearly half his own weight. His superabundance of spirits may make him a bit headstrong, but he is fully amenable to judicious discipline.

His Points

He is a small dog, weighing from 20 to 25 lbs., and he is of many colours, ranging from black and black and tan to liver, lemon, or red, preferably with white markings, as making him more easily distinguishable. Fore-legs straight, with plenty of bone, but not coarse; hind-quarters powerful, with stifles well let down; the coat, though not very long, should be dense and smooth or slightly wavy.