What do I think about ESS?


After comments from my friends, when I explained about the BOTM project, I decided to write a few of my thoughts about the breed.  I've only been active in the breed since 1996.  I am not qualified to represent the fancy as a whole. This page should not be used to form opinions, these are strictly my personal feelings about ESS.

We have a written and illustrated standard.  I wish judges and breeders would start using these tools. My  pet peeves for dogs not following the standard - not being true to "type":

1.  Round/Droopy Eyes
2.  Excessive Coat
3.  Poor movement = poor conformation
4.  Poor Temperament
5.  Blocky/coarse heads

No matter what arguments are put forth, first and foremost an ESS is a SPORTING DOG.  Sporting dogs can't have droopy eyes with lots of haw showing - they would get all types of seeds, grasses, etc. in their eyes.  Sporting dogs can't have an abundance of coat - they'd get caught in brush and flounder in water.  Sporting dogs can't hunt properly if they have poor movement, they would easily tire and hurt themselves during a normal day's hunt.  I have awful visions of ESS becoming like their cousins, the American Cocker Spaniel.  If people want to change a breed so much, perhaps they should change breeds and find one more like their "ideal" dog.

I'm a "head" person.  I'll fall every time for a dog with a proper head.  I was reading the Illustrated Standard the other day and came across this:
The skull and muzzle are parallel and of apparent equal length,
The skull is twice the width of the muzzle,

A special word...careful attention must be paid to identifying and rewarding correct head type and expression.  Absence of proper head planes (seen in many variations); rounded top skull; prominent occiput; insufficient length or depth of muzzle; narrow, "snipey" muzzle or excessive, "hound-like" lips; lack of pigmentation; light eyes; loose fitting eye rims; expression that is harsh, challenging, or fearful; stop that is either lacking or too abrupt, or brows that are too prominent, are all INCORRECT.  Remember that the Springer's head and expression are UNIQUE and ESSENTIAL elements of  breed type.

Just because I had nothing better to do during the Winter months, I decided to take pictures of the "tops" of some of my favorite dog's heads.  I took pictures and then put graphs over the tops of the heads to see if their ratios were correct.  I've uploaded them to this web site in  2 parts if you are interested in seeing them (you have to hit the back button on your browser to get back to this page as there are no links in the pdf files).  It is interesting as normally you don't "look" at a dog from the top of their heads and this put it all into perspective for me - made me realize there really was a reason (not just a personal preference) why dogs with broad skulls just didn't "look right".
Heads Part 1.
Heads Part 2 .

I do not hunt my dogs, but I do train them for field work.  We all find it very enjoyable work and the camaraderie is wonderful.  I participate in hunt tests, but not field trials.  Field trials are subjective, just as the conformation ring is subjective.  Hunt Tests are similar to Obedience Trials or Tracking Tests - there is a written standard for each level of testing and the dogs either qualify or don't qualify.  There aren't any placements given.  I prefer this style of noncompetitive dog sport.

There shouldn't ever be a spaniel that needs a dominant aggression reduction program.  This temperament DOES NOT FIT our written standard.  Every once in a while, a dominate aggressive dog will pop up after five generations of wonderful dogs.  Most reputable breeders today do not breed these dogs and "hats off" to them for making this wise decision.

I prefer a smooth moving, solid topline, soft expressioned ESS.  I also love ticking and tri-colors.  There isn't any more expressive spaniel than those with tan eyebrows!  I don't like ESS with cockery heads - not that I dislike cockers, they just aren't ESS. I don't like blocky or snipey heads or dogs without any stop at all.  I prefer males at the top of the standard  - 21"  and females at 20".   I  dislike undersize ESS (males under 19", females under 18").  ESS are supposed to be the largest of the flushing spaniels.

I dislike that some people in the UK as well as the United States want to split the breed. I don't believe that any split would benefit the breed.   It might benefit people's egos, but not the dogs.  By splitting the breed, whether it be between bench & field or European & American, it limits the size of the gene pool.  There are too many health issues in ESS to eliminate any gene pool options.

I like silly but willing to please dogs.  I like the dogs that have the ability to "turn on" when asked but also know how to "settle down" when requested. I like a dog that is just as happy snuggling on the sofa as they are running  out in the field or agility ring.  I don't mind when an ESS acts silly in the obedience ring and has a good time - it entertains the crowd and sometimes the judges.  I love the versatility of ESS - from field trial & show champion dogs that do therapy work, to "pet" dogs that do Search & Rescue.  For an ESS of proper "type", anything that you ask of them they will do, and do with joy and selflessness (though I'm sure the "what a good dog" isn't exactly selfless - they get a reward).  They want so badly to please people, it doesn't matter if you're a family member or not, they'll still love you if you let them.  This is why I love this breed and why I'll do my best to help protect their heritage.

Tracey Johnston