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Read about the first International Breeders Symposium for English Springer breeders below. Click here to read about Tail Docking, and other issues:-

International Breeders Seminar May 31 2003 Toledo, Ohio, USA By Jennifer Lawrence Tholia English Springer Spaniels Moderated by Kathy Lorentzen (Ocoee), Event Co-ordinator David Swank Panel Members Tarja Hovila, Jennifer Lawrence, Karen Foster, Julia Merriman About 18 months ago David Swank, the President of the Greater Pittsburgh English Springer Spaniel Club, contacted me and outlined a concept for a Springer event that sounded innovative and very, very exciting. Basically, he and Kathy Lorentzen (Ocoee) conceived the idea of conducting a symposium that compared the breed over 3 continents - the USA, Scandinavia and Australia. The roles played by David and Kathy were diverse - David THE organiser and Kathy, who put together a Power Point programme that contained pictures of dogs from around the world and was basically utilised as a visual prompt for an interactive comparison on the breed. The seminar was co-ordinated in conjunction with the Toledo/Ohio All Breeds Kennel Club who ran back-to-back shows the weekend of May31/June 1. The breed was judged on the Saturday by Tarja Hovila who awarded a 5 point major and Best of Breed to the Winners bitch from the Bred by Exhibitor class who was half & half English and American breeding; namely TKB's Where Eagles Dare. Best Opposite was awarded to an English import (an Earthbound son) - Am Ch Eastriding Exclusive who has done well in the American show ring; gathering Specialty points. Best Puppy was a bitch of pure American breeding (who went Reserve the next day) and Winners Dog was Peachstone Spirit of Hilcrst. On Sunday, Pat Trotter awarded the Breed to a veteran bitch - Am Ch Crown Royal's Black Tea Leaves - who went on to take Group 2. Sunday's BOW was also from English stock - Hillcrest Kocrk Pinebend Bet - from the 6-9 Puppy Bitch Class. (She also won her class on the Saturday under Dr Hovila.) Winners dog on Sunday was a popular win for owner/handled - Keswick Georgian Xact Timing TD  who finished on the day and Best Opposite went to another Keswick bred dog - Am Ch Keswick Unsung Hero CD English Springer Spaniel devotees, breeders and exhibitors alike (even a couple of aspiring judges) came from as far away as Texas, California and Nova Scotia; all keen to participate in this an inaugural event. David Swank and Scott Lenz hosted a getting-to-know-you dinner on Friday May 30 at a wonderful (albeit a chain, nonetheless it was gooood) Italian restaurant. Good times were had by all and of course, conversation centred around the breed generally, hereditary disease specifically and, of course, the seminar. As you readers know, on virtually every continent except North America, the English breed Standard is used and for those of you who haven't read the American Standard, take it from me, it is a much weightier tome! Some comic during the seminar suggested it looked like lawyers had written it! So, as Saturday's dog show was a done deal we all gathered at David and Scott's early evening. Our hosts had initiated a "raffle" which included some fabulous prizes including something typically Scandinavian plus a gift from Australia. (I contributed a pair of Aussie wool pull-on slippers that, believe me, were being eyed off by one and all; especially as the evening was not very Spring-like!). David had organised a walled marquee for the seminar and once food and drinks had been consumed, everyone started to gather in the tent for this much-heralded event. After introducing the seminar, the moderator got the ball rolling by asking the panel to nominate the differences that they saw between the Standards. The Australian panel member suggested heads, tail sets and movement with Dr Hovila adding "size". Pictures feature early English heads (left) and a drawing from the current American Standard (right). A very long discussion ensued on the similarities and differences but some commonly held beliefs and opinions emerged and it became apparent that there was a consensus amongst attendees that where the breed was weak in one country, it (seemed) to be strong in another. Heads, eye colour, front assemblies, length of backs, correct rib length, croups were all anatomical points that were covered in depth and all these points were accompanied by pictures. (Please note many more than I've utilised in this report.) Pictures (some of many) utilised when discussing front assemblies Pictures utilised of open coated bitch on your left; same bitch but "coloured in" on your right. The attendees also felt that cosmetic differences; i.e. markings, absence or presence of ticking, docked/undocked tails, the amount of coat a dog carries, grooming and handling all serve to make the dogs look more different than what they really are. The visual presentation that was the backdrop for the seminar clearly demonstrated this fact. Health-related issues were touched upon but everyone agreed that hereditary disease was a topic that could take up a whole day! And in fact, it will as the American National Breed Club are running a Health Forum in conjunction with the National Show this coming September and, again, there will be an Australian representative in attendance. The formality of the seminar finished at about 11pm but spirited, up close and personal discussions were continued (in the warmth) of David & Scott's house with, of course, a round of drinks to finish up. All agreed it was a fabulous event; all agreed it could have gone on much longer and plans are already underway to repeat the seminar in 2005. And I believe the Scandinavians are hosting a similar event next year. As good dog people do the world over, Sunday saw everyone rise and shine for the show after which we headed on to David's for yet more food and beverages and a chance to get to know each other a little better.  During the day, Tarja, Julia and myself were given the opportunity of assessing the puppies who attended. This was yet another good opportunity for discussion. This too was a wonderful day which finished up around 5 in the afternoon. Needless to say I slept all the way home to our front door in Michigan Why did I participate? Well, the obvious answer is I was invited. And honoured to be so I might add. However, a quote from Richard Beauchamp's book on Type continues to run through (haunts) my mind. It goes something like: "The best breeds.......are those in which a 'good one' is a good one everywhere. Regardless of what part of the world in which a top-class dog is bred, it is seen in the same light as those who really know the breed and is used well in breeding programs." I'd like to see that achieved for the English Springer Spaniel!