The Working Springer Spaniel

About this book

The working springer spaniel had long been the most popular sporting breed throughout the English-speaking world. A versatile hunting and retrieving dog its drive and energy give it an attractive temperament but make it difficult to handle. Keith Erlandson is one of the worlds top breeders and handlers of both the working springer and cocker. In this book he describes the knowledge he has gained from more than 37 years experience with both breeds. Illustrated with 16 pages of photographs The Working Springer Spaniel includes individual chapters on the origins of the springer; obtaining a spaniels puppy; hip and eye tests; pretraining procedures; training equipment; dogging guns and ammunition; early obedience lessons; steadiness to dummies and introduction to retrieving; introducing the gun; retrieving real game; hunting and steadiness to game; a breakdown of game scent; dropping to shot; blind retrieves; jumping; water work; walking to heal; artificial lines; punishment; soft and hard mouths; the principles and practicalities of breeding; field trials in Britain USA Canada and Europe; the working cocker; woodcock and cocking spaniels. The book is essential reading for anyone who owns or is thinking of owning a working springer or cocker spaniel.