Sporting Dogs

The Weimaraner. Weimaraner originated as a versatile sporting dog at the Court of Weimar in the 19th century. Almost certainly there is a link between the Weimaraner and the German Short-haired Pointer but the Weimaraner is remarkable for its silver or mouse-grey colouring and light amber eyes.

The Weimaraner first stalked deer, bear, and savage wild boar. When big game grew scarce in Germany, he took to pointing and retrieving birds. An intelligent and friendly breed and a good worker with the gun. Kennel life wounds his dignity, for he is a proud and home-loving family dog.

The Cocker Spaniel. It is likely that the smaller spaniels in a litter were trained to hunt woodcock. Hence the "cocker", as contrasted with the larger dogs, now known as English Springers or Field Spaniels, who were used to spring game.

Slightly larger than its American counterpart the English Cocker has been highly popular for decades, and justifiably so, for it is lively by nature, and beautiful to look at. There is no more cheerful little dog than the Cocker, always busy and never bad-tempered. Coat is thick, silky, sleek and lying flat to body; heavily fringed on front legs, but not too profuse and never curly. Colours range from solid black to solid white with a wide range of parti-colours in between. Height 15-17 inches. Tail docked and carried low. Ears long, set low and well clothed with hair; they should be able to extend to the tip of the nose. The skull and forehead are sufficiently developed to provide plenty of brain space whilst the muzzle is well developed and square. The Cocker Spaniel has proved such a charming and merry companion that it is only a minority of them who are trained for the hunt.