Which now extinct breed is widely regarded as the direct progenitor of the modern English Springer Spaniel?
Answer
The Norfolk Spaniel
The Norfolk Spaniel holds a critical place in the evolutionary history of the English Springer Spaniel. This breed, which has since become extinct, was favored specifically in the county of Norfolk and was highly valued due to its superior stamina and appropriate size for field work. The genetic lines and desirable field characteristics of the Norfolk Spaniel were essentially absorbed into the emerging standardized type that would eventually become the English Springer Spaniel. The decline of the Norfolk Spaniel as a separate recognized registry is directly connected to the push for standardized sporting dogs during the 19th century, allowing its successful traits to solidify the Springer line.
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?