What specific weight threshold was instrumental in formally distinguishing Springer Spaniels from Cocker Spaniels?

Answer

25 pounds

The definitive separation of the English Springer Spaniel line from its smaller relative, the Cocker Spaniel, was formally cemented based almost entirely on size, which corresponded to specialization in hunting different types of game. The general dividing line established during the registration process was set around the weight of 25 pounds. Dogs that registered below this weight benchmark were classified as Cocker Spaniels, typically tasked with flushing woodcock from dense thickets. Conversely, dogs weighing above that 25-pound threshold were classified as Springer Spaniels, bred for the stamina required to cover broader fields and handle slightly larger ground game. This numerical division, while seemingly arbitrary, marked the institutional splitting of a previously shared genetic pool of Land Spaniels.

What specific weight threshold was instrumental in formally distinguishing Springer Spaniels from Cocker Spaniels?

Related Questions

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