THE COCKER. 
211 
and the energetic manner in which it carries out the wishes of its master. There are two breeds 
of Field Spaniels, the one termed the “ Springer,” being used for heavy work among thick and 
thorny coverts, and the other being principally employed in woodcock shooting, and called in 
consequence the “ Cocker.” The Blenheim and King Charles Spaniels derive their origin from 
the Cocker. Some of these Dogs continually give tongue while engaged in the pursuit of game, 
and utter different sounds according to the description of game which they have reached ; 
while others are perfectly mute in their quest. Each of these qualities is useful in its way, and 
the Dog is valued accordingly ; only it is needful that if the Dog be one that gives tongue, 
it should not be too noisy in its quest, and should be musical in its note. 
POMERANIAN DOG . — Oanis familiaris domesticus pomeranus. 
While hunting, the Spaniel sweeps its feathery tail rapidly from side to side, and is a very 
pretty object to any one who has an eye for beauty of movement. It is a rule that, however 
spirited a Spaniel may be, it must not raise its tail above the level of its back. For the pur- 
pose of sport, a Spaniel must be possessed of a thick coat, as it is subject to continual wetting 
from the dripping coverts through which it has to force its way. It should be also a tolerably 
large Dog, not weighing less than fourteen pounds, if possible, and may with advantage weigh 
some thirty or forty pounds, as do the breed known by the name of the “ Clumber” Spaniels. 
These last-mentioned animals work silently. 
The Cocker is altogether a smaller animal, seldom weighing above twenty pounds, and 
very often being only ten or twelve pounds in weight. It is an active and lively animal, 
dashing about its work with an air of gay enjoyment that assists materially in enlivening the 
spirits of its master. There are many breeds of this Dog, among which the English, Welsh, and 
Devonshire Cockers may be mentioned as well-known examples. 
It is a courageous little creature, retaining its dashing boldness even when imported into 
the enervating Indian climate, which destroys the spirit of most Dogs, and even reduces the 
stubborn bull-dog to a mere poltroon. Captain Williamson, in his book of “ Oriental Field 
Sports,” records an instance of rash courage on the part of one of these little Dogs. 
“X was shooting near some underwood, rather thinly scattered among reedy grass, growing 
