What action caused dogs to earn the "Springer" designation over ancestral land spaniels?
Answer
Flushing or springing game birds into the air
The historical lineage of the breed traces back to general 'land spaniels' existing for centuries. The specific designation 'Springer' arose because these dogs were bred specifically to flush, or 'spring,' game birds directly into the air, making them available for hunters or falcons to pursue. This function separated them from the smaller spaniels, which the Duke of Norfolk in the 1800s kept for hunting woodcock, those smaller dogs eventually becoming recognized as Cocker Spaniels. The longer-legged dogs capable of this flushing action became known as Springer Spaniels, a specialization that led to the official recognition of the English Springer Spaniel breed later on.
Related Questions
What two functionally diverged strains of the English Springer Spaniel are prevalent in the UK?What action caused dogs to earn the "Springer" designation over ancestral land spaniels?What is the primary selection metric emphasized for the Show Line (Bench-bred) variety?How do the coats of Field Line (Working-bred) dogs typically differ from Show Line counterparts?Approximately by what decade did the breeding of the Dual type English Springer Spaniel begin to fade due to specialization?What is the minimum daily exercise duration recommended for the English Springer Spaniel breed generally?Which two types of spaniels were prominent in the 19th century before the official English Springer Spaniel split?What is the typical standing height range for male English Springer Spaniels at the shoulder?Which colors are technically unacceptable for placing in a conformation show ring for some registries, despite being seen in the breed?What hereditary health conditions should responsible English Springer Spaniel breeders screen for?