Springer time

© Stephen Ward

There's a fab pic of an English Springer Spaniel on the banner image of the Kennel Club's homepage at the moment (above), selling "happy, healthy dogs".

It's selling a lie, though, because a dog like this would never win in the KC show-ring.

Here's the English Springer Spaniel that won BOB at Crufts this year, Sc Ch Trimere of Allenie.

© The Kennel Club

What does the breed standard say about the coat on an English Springer Spaniel?
 
"Close, straight and weather resisting, never coarse. Moderate feathering on ears, forelegs, body and hindquarters."

Moderate?

For goodness sake, this is supposed to be a working dog!