Gundog Training Forum

Roach backed Spaniels are as good as Queen Anne legged, anathema to anyone who like to see a business-like, efficient working dog. If you want a roach backed breed buy a Whippet. I did mention a while back that there were too many roach-backed Cockers in photos of Trialling dogs, I seem to remember being shouted down for that comment too! Does winning make us blind to faults much as the Show people have managed to evolve awful dogs for similar reasons?

Merry Christmas everyone!

Erlandson would turn in his grave!

Strathcraig wrote:
I was helping a friend look for a Springer stud dog and I was recommended to look at dogs with a "nice roach back" by an A Panel judge

Well, either he had one with a roachy back or his mate had!!!

Naj wrote:Erlandson would turn in his grave!

Over half the people at a spaniel trial these days would ask if he plays for Man Utd!!!

Dawnrazor wrote:

Strathcraig wrote:
I was helping a friend look for a Springer stud dog and I was recommended to look at dogs with a "nice roach back" by an A Panel judge

Well, either he had one with a roachy back or his mate had!!!

Aye he did actually lol

Ha!! Knew it!!!

Judy wrote:Roach backed Spaniels are as good as Queen Anne legged, anathema to anyone who like to see a business-like, efficient working dog. If you want a roach backed breed buy a Whippet. I did mention a while back that there were too many roach-backed Cockers in photos of Trialling dogs, I seem to remember being shouted down for that comment too! Does winning make us blind to faults much as the Show people have managed to evolve awful dogs for similar reasons?

Merry Christmas everyone!

The roach back cockers Judy, that'll be all the springer blood in them!!!
Merry Christmas

I lead a very sheltered life and I have not to my knowledge bred a roach back Springer - nor have I bought one in.
The worst case of Queen Anne, total malformation not just a bend, I have seen was from a pup of Moonreed Flush - but there was apparently an accidental mating by him (dam hip scored and total in single figures) and the pups were OK.
Rothievale's earlier comments re hips and roach - my Glen is half brother 4/3 and to my Zane 3/3 and to her Moss 5/3, and Edgegrove's Kevin 3/2 and I don't think any of them are roach backed but a lot of different dam lines.
Glen has pups 3/3, 3/3, 4/4 and one at 16 total that was a boat dog. Zane has pups FCI A and 4/4.
I'd say Glen is old fashioned (5 gen Rytex Clear) and Zane is Art and Tweed both sides - modern.

Dawnrazor wrote:

Naj wrote:Erlandson would turn in his grave!

Over half the people at a spaniel trial these days would ask if he plays for Man Utd!!!

it's sad, really.

I have always thought it cruel to breed a roach back dog, just so it looks 'good' hunting.