THE COCKER SPANIEL. 345 



to those who know how to love and appreciate a good and faithful dog. Their 

 worth can not be told in dollars and cents, nor compared with other stand 

 ards. 



I know of no other breed of dogs so generally useful and worthy of man's 

 companionship at all times and places, in town or country; although I have not 

 had persona] experience on all game, yet from close study of their ways and 

 methods, and a knowledge of their great intelligence, I am sure they would not 

 be out of place whether one hunts ducks or squirrels, 'coons, rabbits, partridges, 

 pheasants, woodcocks, or wild turkeys, and I was not at all surprised to read 

 in a recent number of the American Field that one of our best-known sports- 

 men had found them very serviceable while hunting deer. I know the Cocker, 

 and am not afraid to say that he can make himself more or less useful on any 

 game that is hunted; and unless a sportsman confines himself to some game to 

 which another breed of dogs is better adapted, there is no more useful dog for 

 him to own than a bright, active, intelligent Cocker Spaniel. 



Now let me ask, Why are they not more popular? Why are not thousands 

 instead of hundreds sold every year? When they can be utilized at all times, 

 and kept in city or country, in the house or outdoors, at an office or a hotel, 

 why are they counted by ones and twos to a county here and there, while 

 every town has almost as many Setters, Pointers, and Hounds as there are 

 men and boys who shoot? 



It is simply because the merits and good qualities of the Cocker are not 

 known to the masses. It is because our favorites have not been advertised and 

 pushed to the front as the other bre.eds of sporting dogs have; and if Cocker 

 breeders and Cocker owners would institute field trials for Cockers, thousands 

 of sportsmen would come and see them run who are now ignorant of their use- 

 fulness . Then we should see the noble little dog take his place at the front, 

 where he belongs. 



And not only as a field dog does the Cocker excel, but as 

 a pet, a house dog, a companion for children or adults, he 

 is without a rival. When desired for this purpose alone, 

 he may be bred down to twenty pounds or under. No dog- 

 is more affectionate than the Cocker, and none has so many 

 ways of showing his affection. None is more faithful as a 

 guardian of persons or property, and none more quiet, un- 

 obtrusive, or cleanly in his habits. 



In training for the house or field, be gentle, but firm and 

 patient; as soon as the dog knows what you want, he will 

 do it himself. Never, under any circumstances, use a whip 

 or speak harshly to a. Cocker; you can coax him to do any- 

 thing, but he will not stand the whip. 



It is only a matter of patience to teach a Cocker to do 

 anything that a dog can do. They can almost talk. I now 



