Minority report
The Field|June 2023
A sensible approach to outcrossing is essential if our vulnerable native spaniel breeds are to have a future. But it appears that, for some, purity is more important than survival
David Tomlinson
Minority report

I RECENTLY had a long chat with a spaniel enthusiast who argued, quite convincingly, that the only spaniels we need are cockers and springers, and that all the others are a waste of time. Britain has no fewer than seven native breeds of spaniel. We all know the English springer and the cocker but the other five – Welsh springer, field, Sussex, Clumber and Irish water – are rarities with such tiny populations that the Kennel Club classifies them as vulnerable native breeds. To qualify as vulnerable, a breed must have fewer than 300 registrations a year. In 2022, these five minority breeds only produced 651 puppies between the lot of them.

My acquaintance pointed out that the minority spaniels have such small populations and such little genetic variation in their blood that they are all doomed anyway. If we continue breeding from such a small pool of dogs, then their outlook is gloomy, with ever-increasing problems from genetic diseases. He went on to talk about the coefficient of inbreeding (COI) in these breeds and what it meant for their future.

All the minority spaniels have active breed clubs but if you look at their websites you will be hard-pushed to find mention of COI, as it’s not a subject that they are comfortable with. The COI measures the common ancestors of dam and sire, and indicates the probability of how genetically similar they are. There are advantages and disadvantages to being genetically similar. Dogs that are genetically similar produce puppies that look like them. If you breed a cocker with another cocker, the puppies will almost certainly look like cockers.

This story is from the June 2023 edition of The Field.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the June 2023 edition of The Field.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE FIELDView All
Rory Stewart - The former Cabinet minister and hit podcast host talks to Alec Marsh about the parlous state of British politics, land management and his deep love of the countryside
The Field

Rory Stewart - The former Cabinet minister and hit podcast host talks to Alec Marsh about the parlous state of British politics, land management and his deep love of the countryside

The gently spoken 51-year-old former Conservative Cabinet minister is a countryman at heart. That's clear: he even changes into a tweed waistcoat for the interview, which takes place at his London home and begins with a question about his precise career status. Having resigned from the Commons and the Conservative Party in 2019, the former diplomat and soldier has reinvented himself, first with an unconventional but promising run as an independent for the London mayoralty (abandoned because of COVID19 in 2020) and then as a media figure, co-hosting one of the country's most popular podcasts, The Rest Is Politics, alongside Alastair Campbell, the former Labour spin doctor.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Fodder
The Field

Fodder

Local fare with the feel-good factor.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
Celebrating the game changers
The Field

Celebrating the game changers

Once served only in the traditional manner, the fruits of our forays now find their way into all manner of diverse and delicious dishes, say Neil and Serena Cross

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
The first civil engineer
The Field

The first civil engineer

John Smeaton left an indelible mark on the field of engineering and, three centuries after his birth, his legacy remains as strong as ever

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
School spirits
The Field

School spirits

From grey ladies and ghostly gardeners to more malign entities, public schools are a rich repository of unnatural phenomena

time-read
8 mins  |
November 2024
'A long way from Piccadilly or Pall Mall'
The Field

'A long way from Piccadilly or Pall Mall'

Marking 150 years since the birth of Sir Winston Churchill, Dr Conor Farrington explores this eminent statesman’s often-overlooked 1907 tour of British East Africa: a journey rich with enchanting natural beauty and sporting adventure

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024
Top of the pups
The Field

Top of the pups

Canines in all their guises were celebrated at The Field Top Dog Awards lunch at Defender Burghley Horse Trials whether eager on the peg, patient at home or perpetually making mischief

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
Angling for success
The Field

Angling for success

It’s never too early to shape up for next season’s salmon and trout, and these top fishing schools are here to help

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024
Talking scents
The Field

Talking scents

The canine nose is an astonishingly complex piece of biotechnology that man has harnessed for sustenance and sport for thousands of years

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024
Wall-to-wall excitement
The Field

Wall-to-wall excitement

Criss-crossed by formidable drystone walls, the High Peak Harriers’ scenic country provides a day out with an exhilarating difference

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024