Ebony
left this world for the Rainbow Bridge on December 2, 2004. The Cockers
Ebony And Tramp
Ebony
left this world for the Rainbow Bridge on December 2, 2004.
You can read her memorial here: Tribute to Ebony
See Tramp's puppy pictures here.
(Well if Millie Bush can write a book we can have a web page.)
We are cocker spaniels. Ebony's full name is Castletop's Lady Star Ebony. She was born on May 24, 1995. Tramp's full name is Castletop's Tramp Bella Notte Fudge. He was born on September 17, 2001. Ebony and Tramp are related to each other. Ebony's father was Tramp's Great Grandfather twice. They are the luckiest dogs on this planet. They live with people who love them and take the best care of them. Cocker Spaniels are special. Well, yes I am biased. But we are!!! Look at the Disney movie "The Lady and the Tramp" if you don't believe me. Did you know that Cocker Spaniels are the smallest member of the sporting group?
Here is more official information about Cocker Spaniels
Cocker
Spaniel
Sporting Group
Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Cocker Spaniel is the smallest member of the Sporting Group. He has a
sturdy, compact body and a cleanly chiseled and refined head, with the overall
dog in complete balance and of ideal size. He stands well up at the shoulder on
straight forelegs with a topline sloping slightly toward strong, moderately
bent, muscular quarters. He is a dog capable of considerable speed, combined
with great endurance. Above all, he must be free and merry, sound, well balanced
throughout and in action show a keen inclination to work. A dog well balanced in
all parts is more desirable than a dog with strongly contrasting good points and
faults.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size-- The ideal height at the withers for an adult dog is 15 inches and
for an adult bitch, 14 inches. Height may vary one-half inch above or below this
ideal. A dog whose height exceeds 15½ inches or a bitch whose height exceeds
14½ inches shall be disqualified. An adult dog whose height is less than 14½
inches and an adult bitch whose height is less than 13½ inches shall be
penalized. Height is determined by a line perpendicular to the ground from the
top of the shoulder blades, the dog standing naturally with its forelegs and
lower hind legs parallel to the line of measurement. Proportion--The
measurement from the breast bone to back of thigh is slightly longer than the
measurement from the highest point of withers to the ground. The body must be of
sufficient length to permit a straight and free stride; the dog never appears
long and low.
Head
To attain a well proportioned head, which must be in balance with the rest of
the dog, it embodies the following: Expression--The expression is
intelligent, alert, soft and appealing. Eyes--Eyeballs are round and full
and look directly forward. The shape of the eye rims gives a slightly almond
shaped appearance; the eye is not weak or goggled. The color of the iris is dark
brown and in general the darker the better. Ears--Lobular, long, of fine
leather, well feathered, and placed no higher than a line to the lower part of
the eye. Skull--Rounded but not exaggerated with no tendency toward
flatness; the eyebrows are clearly defined with a pronounced stop. The bony
structure beneath the eyes is well chiseled with no prominence in the cheeks.
The muzzle is broad and deep, with square even jaws. To be in correct balance,
the distance from the stop to the tip of the nose is one half the distance from
the stop up over the crown to the base of the skull. Nose--of sufficient
size to balance the muzzle and foreface, with well developed nostrils typical of
a sporting dog. It is black in color in the blacks, black and tans, and black
and whites; in other colors it may be brown, liver or black, the darker the
better. The color of nose harmonizes with the color of the eye rim. Lips--The
upper lip is full and of sufficient depth to cover the lower jaw. Teeth--Teeth
strong and sound, not too small and meet in a scissors bite.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck--The neck is sufficiently long to allow the nose to reach the ground
easily, muscular and free from pendulous "throatiness." It rises
strongly from the shoulders and arches slightly as it tapers to join the head. Topline--sloping
slightly toward muscular quarters. Body--The chest is deep, its lowest
point no higher than the elbows, its front sufficiently wide for adequate heart
and lung space, yet not so wide as to interfere with the straightforward
movement of the forelegs. Ribs are deep and well sprung. Back is strong and
sloping evenly and slightly downward from the shoulders to the set-on of the
docked tail. The docked tail is set on and carried on a line with the topline of
the back, or slightly higher; never straight up like a Terrier and never so low
as to indicate timidity. When the dog is in motion the tail action is merry.
Forequarters
The shoulders are well laid back forming an angle with the upper arm of
approximately 90 degrees which permits the dog to move his forelegs in an easy
manner with forward reach. Shoulders are clean-cut and sloping without
protrusion and so set that the upper points of the withers are at an angle which
permits a wide spring of rib. When viewed from the side with the forelegs
vertical, the elbow is directly below the highest point of the shoulder blade.
Forelegs are parallel, straight, strongly boned and muscular and set close to
the body well under the scapulae. The pasterns are short and strong. Dewclaws on
forelegs may be removed. Feet compact, large, round and firm with horny pads;
they turn neither in nor out.
Hindquarters
Hips are wide and quarters well rounded and muscular. When viewed from behind,
the hind legs are parallel when in motion and at rest. The hind legs are
strongly boned, and muscled with moderate angulation at the stifle and powerful,
clearly defined thighs. The stifle is strong and there is no slippage of it in
motion or when standing. The hocks are strong and well let down. Dewclaws on
hind legs may be removed.
Coat
On the head, short and fine; on the body, medium length, with enough
undercoating to give protection. The ears, chest, abdomen and legs are well
feathered, but not so excessively as to hide the Cocker Spaniel's true lines and
movement or affect his appearance and function as a moderately coated sporting
dog. The texture is most important. The coat is silky, flat or slightly wavy and
of a texture which permits easy care. Excessive coat or curly or cottony
textured coat shall be severely penalized. Use of electric clippers on the back
coat is not desirable. Trimming to enhance the dog's true lines should be done
to appear as natural as possible.
Color and Markings
Black Variety--Solid color black to include black with tan points. The
black should be jet; shadings of brown or liver in the coat are not desirable. A
small amount of white on the chest and/or throat is allowed; white in any other
location shall disqualify.
Any Solid Color Other than Black (ASCOB)--Any solid color other than
black, ranging from lightest cream to darkest red, including brown and brown
with tan points. The color shall be of a uniform shade, but lighter color of the
feathering is permissible. A small amount of white on the chest and/or throat is
allowed; white in any other location shall disqualify.
Parti-Color Variety--Two or more solid, well broken colors, one of which
must be white; black and white, red and white (the red may range from lightest
cream to darkest red), brown and white, and roans, to include any such color
combination with tan points. It is preferable that the tan markings be located
in the same pattern as for the tan points in the Black and ASCOB varieties.
Roans are classified as parti-colors and may be of any of the usual roaning
patterns. Primary color which is ninety percent (90%) or more shall disqualify.
Tan Points--The color of the tan may be from the lightest cream to the
darkest red and is restricted to ten percent (10%) or less of the color of the
specimen; tan markings in excess of that amount shall disqualify. In the case of
tan points in the Black or ASCOB variety, the markings shall be located as
follows:
1) A clear tan spot over each eye;
2) On the sides of the muzzle and on the cheeks;
3) On the underside of the ears;
4) On all feet and/or legs;
5) Under the tail;
6) On the chest, optional; presence or absence shall not be penalized.
Tan markings which are not readily visible or which amount only to traces, shall
be penalized. Tan on the muzzle which extends upward, over and joins shall also
be penalized. The absence of tan markings in the Black or ASCOB variety in any
of the specified locations in any otherwise tan-pointed dog shall disqualify.
Gait
The Cocker Spaniel, though the smallest of the sporting dogs, possesses a
typical sporting dog gait. Prerequisite to good movement is balance between the
front and rear assemblies. He drives with strong, powerful rear quarters and is
properly constructed in the shoulders and forelegs so that he can reach forward
without constriction in a full stride to counterbalance the driving force from
the rear. Above all, his gait is coordinated, smooth and effortless. The dog
must cover ground with his action; excessive animation should not be mistaken
for proper gait.
Temperament
Equable in temperament with no suggestion of timidity.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Height--Males over 15½ inches; females over 14½ inches.
Color and Markings--The aforementioned colors are the only acceptable colors or
combination of colors.
Any other colors or combination of colors to disqualify.
Black Variety--White markings except on chest and throat.
Any Solid Color Other Than Black Variety--White markings except on chest and
throat.
Parti-color Variety--Primary color ninety percent (90%) or more.
Tan Points--(1) Tan markings in excess of ten percent (10%); (2) Absence of tan
markings in Black or ASCOB Variety in any of the specified locations in an
otherwise tan pointed dog.
Approved May 12, 1992
Effective June 30, 1992
American Spaniel Club, Inc.
Secretary : Dorothy MustardAddress: 30 Cardinal Loop, Crossville, TN , 38555-5899
Club Type: Specialty
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More pictures of Tramp
