What did the initial shared ancestry of the English Springer and Cocker Spaniel mean regarding their litters before formal separation?

Answer

A single litter could produce both larger and smaller dogs performing the same flushing work.

Because the ancestors of the Springer and Cocker Spaniels were grouped under the general 'Land Spaniels' umbrella without strict size separation initially, genetic variation within a single litter was common. Litters were not uniformly destined to be one breed or the other; rather, they could produce puppies of varying sizes. The smaller dogs in that litter would tend toward the Cocker specialization (flushing woodcock), while the larger ones would eventually develop into the Springer type. This shared, recent common ancestry explains why the genetic pool remained closely linked until the weight threshold was strictly enforced during registration processes in the late 19th century.

What did the initial shared ancestry of the English Springer and Cocker Spaniel mean regarding their litters before formal separation?

Related Questions

Where do the earliest ancestors of the English Springer Spaniel primarily trace their origins?What term was used to categorize the ancestors of the Springer Spaniel based on their environment before breed specialization occurred?Which now extinct breed is widely regarded as the direct progenitor of the modern English Springer Spaniel?What specific weight threshold was instrumental in formally distinguishing Springer Spaniels from Cocker Spaniels?In what year did the Kennel Club officially recognize the Springer Spaniel as a distinct breed separate from other spaniels?What unique characteristic defines the Welsh Springer Spaniel lineage that sets it apart from the English Springer ancestral line?What was the primary function that dictated the early working characteristics of the ancestors of the ESS?Which specialized game species did the smaller Land Spaniels, leading to the Cocker Spaniel, focus on flushing?When standardizing the English Springer Spaniel, what functional trait was prioritized over purely aesthetic features?What did the initial shared ancestry of the English Springer and Cocker Spaniel mean regarding their litters before formal separation?
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