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Some years ago when Al and Aquina were married and moved into their first home, the landlady said, "No pets!" That didn't bother Al, but it nearly broke Aquina's heart. No pets—that meant she couldn't have a dog. And, without a dog, life just did not seem the same! Three years later, they moved into another home, and Aquina began to hope. Maybe now she could get a dog. But now, Al objected. "We don't need a dog," he said.

Not long after, burglars broke into the Meyer home. With Al away from home so often, at night, Aquina was panic-stricken. "I don't care what you say," she told Al, "I am going to get a dog. I am not going to stay in this house at night by myself." Al agreed with her. Aquina didn't think he really meant what he said, but she took him at his word and went out one morning and brought home a black cocker spaniel. Then, with some misgiving, she waited for Al to come home.

When Al entered the room he stopped and stared at the dog. In return, the dog whined, wagged his tail, then slithered over toward Al and gave him a long soulful look, and when cockers decide to look soulful they really overdo it. Al was sunk. He just couldn't resist that look, and that wagging tail, and scooped the dog up into his arms. Now Al, too, was a dog lover. From that day on, Winnie (christened by Aquina) was Al's dog. She is now nine years old.

SHORTLY AFTER Winnie had her first and only litter of puppies, Aquina went to her first dog show. It was a specialty cocker show, and it was only then that Aquina realized there was a show type of cocker spaniel that had to conform to a standard. She became interested in "selective breeding" in an effort to breed dogs that were likely candidates for top honors. That was seven and one-half years ago. That spring she bought a black cocker puppy named Sweetie. Although Aquina preferred the buff, Al decided he liked black cockers best (perhaps because Winnie was black) and Aquina thought she would have better luck if she followed Al's preference. Although Sweetie's parents were both show type dogs, Sweetie was not, which points up the fact that although the parents may be show type dogs, it does not necessarily follow that all the puppies will be of show type quality.

However, from Sweetie's first litter of nine puppies, Aquina got her first show type cocker. In the meantime, Aquina had joined the Cocker Spaniel Club of South Louisiana, and also the Louisiana Kennel Club, which is an all-breed club. She met many persons interested in dogs, and asked some of the older breeders to look over her puppies, and advise her which to keep, and which to sell for pets, She was advised to sell all the males; and to keep the black and tan females, but she and Al decided they would each choose a male and keep him, One male was black; the other, black and tan, When the male puppies were nine months old, there was a cocker spaniel show in New Orleans, and Al and Aquina exhibited their male cockers. Each won its class. However, Toni, the black and tan male, Aquina's favorite, went on to win the best local ASCOB (which means "any solid color other than black, to include black and tan") class in the same show.

Most of Aquina's associates advised her not to become too attached to the dog, which was a very nice dog, but was too small in stature to do any top winning, or complete its championship. However, Aquina had already become very much attached to Toni. He had, indeed, become her favorite, and she said, "Well, maybe he won't win, but I'll keep him anyway, because I love him."

WHEN TONI was 2½ years old, he was taken to a fall dog show. Aquina handled the dog, herself, in the "bred by exhibitor" class, and Toni went on to win his first three-point major show.

In the meantime, Aquina had already bought a buff show type female cocker. From her litter Aquina got a golden buff male that showed quite a bit of promise and he was put with a "professional handler." However, after Toni won, the handler told Aquina that she had given him the wrong dog. He said she should have given him Toni.

Because he was her pet, Aquina did not want to put Toni with a professional handler, but after a lot of persuasion by her brother-in-law and his family (all of whom had, by that time, become interested in Aquina's dogs) she gave Toni to a professional handler, on the condition that he send Toni back home in a hurry. Seven months later, Toni came home as "Champion Toni Tancreed," He had been exhibited by the handler in numerous dog shows, which he won, and had become an AKC champion of record, Al and Aquina still have Toni.

Aquina bought two other females to bring in new blood lines, and they are sent out to the top winning dogs all over the country for breeding. All breedings are done from selective breeding programs, after Aquina has studied the pedigrees of both the males and the females. She tries to pick a male that complements the female in conformation of body, as well as blood line, although sometimes it is necessary to select a male that is considered an outcross (which means—of different blood lines).

In breeding cockers, Aquina is most particular about "sweet, lovable dispositions" because the majority of the puppies in a litter are sold for pets, and disposition is very important. This is also important in dogs that are bred to show.

WHILE AL and Aquina call breeding cocker spaniels their hobby they say it is really a part of their everyday life. They have no children, and their time away from their housework and Al's job is almost completely taken up with caring for the dogs, breeding them, feeding them, showing them, caring for the puppies and watching them grow.

Al is indispensable," says Aquina. "While I care for the dogs, watch their health, etc., Al does all the other work, such as building the kennels and the whelping boxes (assisted by his brother), keeping the kennels and the runs clean, clipping the grass in the yard, clipping the dogs, and helping with the dipping and the feeding. That is a lot of work, and you really have to love the dogs as Al does to take so much interest in them."

When Toni came back from the handler with all the honors he won, Al was as thrilled as Aquina. Nothing could persuade them to sell either Toni or Winnie. Toni's daughter, Dottie, is a good producer, and from her first two litters, Aquina says she has two very good show prospects. She has been told that Toni's grandson is an exceptionally good specimen, but Aquina says as much as she loves him, he can never take Toni's place in her heart. To Al, Winnie is tops, and even at her comparatively advanced age, she was presented with the family heirloom, a silver coffee pot, a bouquet of red roses, and dubbed "Best in Yard." Sweetie passed away not long ago.

AQUINA GIVES the following hints on caring for cockers. She feeds the older dogs once a day. They each get a cup of dry meal and a half pound of horse meat. The puppies are fed three times a day. Up to three weeks the puppies nurse. Then supplementary foods are added to the diet: Cereal and milk, with a half teaspoon of cod-liver oil added for each, in the morning; at noon, cereal and milk with a little horse meat added, and at night, just cereal and milk. The amount each pup should be fed depends on its size and appetite. As the puppies grow older, the amount of cereal and milk is increased, while more horse meat and a portion of one of the dry dog foods are added.

Al and Aquina work very hard keeping the cockers clean, and their dogs never have fleas or ticks. All the dogs exhibited at shows are dipped before being put into the kennel runs, and all dog crates disinfected. When females are brought for breeding, the male cocker is disinfected just to be sure that he has not picked up any stray fleas from the visitor.

FOR THOSE dog lovers who have never before bred cocker spaniel show dogs (and much of this information can also be applied to show dogs of other breeds) here are some hints:

"Inbreeding" is mating between brothers and sisters and if faults are dominant, it accents them. However, on the other hand, if virtues are dominant, they will be accented. It has been claimed that "inbreeding" tends toward weakness, but apparently, this is not true. "Linebreeding" is mating between grandparents and grandchildren, or between cousins, and is considered desirable.

Regarding cocker spaniel standards, the skull should be rounded, well-developed, with no indication of flatness. The eyes should be dark and well set. The throat should be clean, and the muzzle should be deep and broad. The chest should be deep, with no protrusion at the shoulder. The ribs should be well sprung, and lowest point at the elbows. The neck should be long, and it should blend into the withers. The back should have an even slope, and should be short; the tail should be high set, and the hindquarters should be muscular and well-rounded. At the withers, the height of the body should be approximately the length of the withers to the tail set-on. The ears should be set low.

Take your time trimming your dog. Don't hurry. You cannot rush through this job. First you must be sure the dog is dry, and all snarls combed out. You should also see to it that all fleas and other parasites are removed, before starting to work. Do not use the clipper on the body—only on the head, ears, and front of neck. Go over these very lightly and firmly with the clipper, so that you do not pull out the hair. Be sure the clipper is sharp. Do not remove the hair between the toes. Just trim around the front of the feet. Foot should appear round and solid. Do not cut the hair on front legs. Just trim, and then smooth the hair down. Be sure to comb underneath your dog. Do not bathe your dog until you have completed the trimming process.

Clean out the dog's ears with clean cotton swabs. Clean the teeth, removing all tartar.

Thin out the top of the shoulders and the neck. Use thinning shears on the top of the shoulders and on the body, and don't rush this job. Use your thinning shears on the rump. Take your time, do a good job, and you will be rewarded with a trim, smart looking dog.

Cockers are bred for several purposes: Show qualifications, for the field, and for temperament. This latter includes the field cocker, and the obedience group. The things looked for in a field cocker are brains, bird instinct, and temperament, and in addition to this, the animal must be a cheerful dog, who likes his work, in order to be a success in the field.

TO BE eligible for point-show competition in a show approved by the American Kennel Club, a dog must meet the following requirements: It must be: a purebred dog of one of the breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club; registered or eligible for registration with the American Kennel Club, and have no faults that might disqualify it, such as alteration, or lameness, or those which have been set up by the standard for that particular breed, and it must be at least six months old.

Here are the regular classes for dogs competing for points in their particular sex or breed: Puppy class, over six months and to nine months; nine to twelve months—dogs which have never won a first prize except in puppy class; novice, bred by exhibitor—dogs (except champions) which are exhibited and owned by the kennel or person registered as breeder with the American Kennel Club; American-bred dogs (except champions) born in the United States through mating which has occurred in the United States; open class—all dogs, including champions. The judge awards ribbons in each class. Blue is first; red, second; yellow, third; white, fourth.

After your dog has been in the regular classes, there are many other steps upward, in this order: Winners' Classes; Best of Winners; Specials Only; Best of Breed; Best of Opposite Sex; Best of Group; and Best in Show. This last "Best in Show" is the ultimate in honors, and is designated by a rosette of either red, white and blue, or by the colors of the sponsoring group.

An association of single breed fanciers or a local kennel club may sponsor a show, but all shows which give points toward a championship, are staged under the rules of the American Kennel Club, 221 Fourth Avenue, New York 3, New York. This club licenses superintendents and judges, registers purebred dogs, and keeps records of all points and awards given to every dog at every American Kennel Club show.

Your dog is judged by the "standard of perfection for each breed." The dog is not only checked and studied as it stands, but also when it is in motion. The judge considers muscular firmness, as well as firmness of bone; the texture of the dog's coat and the condition of its teeth are also taken into consideration. So, if you want your dog to win, pay strict attention to its beauty, and structural build, and breed carefully to conform with the Standard of Perfection for its breed.

AQUINA SAYS if you are seriously thinking of breeding show dogs, your best bet is to secure a copy of "The Complete Dog Book," which is the official publication of the American Kennel Club. This book contains chapters on diseases of dogs, first aid, care of the dogs, breeding and whelping, terminology used in describing the dog; it gives the breed histories, and standards of sporting dogs, working dogs, terriers, toy dogs, and non-sporting dogs. It contains many illustrations of the various breeds. It also lists the "member specialty clubs" and invites dog fanciers to write to them (The American Kennel Club—address elsewhere in this article) for information on any of the specialty clubs listed.

Queried on the risk in raising dogs, and the hard work involved, Aquina said, "If you love dogs, and raising them is a hobby you enjoy, then it is not hard work but a pleasure." In regard to risk, Aquina had this to say: "There is a risk involved whenever your hobby concerns working with living things—whether they are dogs, birds, goldfish, or plants and gardens. You can minimize that risk by taking good care of the dogs, birds (or whatever you may be interested in), feeding them properly, seeing to it that their kennels, cages, etc., are free from vermin, just as in the case of plants and gardens, you must watch your soil, feed and water your plants properly, and use great care in selecting the plants you put into your garden. Otherwise, you will not have satisfactory results."

Al and Aquina derive many kinds of profit from their hobby—the joy of seeing their dogs win, and of owning the trophies; the opportunities their hobby has brought them of making many, many new friends in, and outside, of New Orleans; and, of course, the profit in money, which is put right back into "stock" or new dogs for their kennel. To this may be added the great pleasure of owning and loving their cockers, and Luzita, the Bedlington.

ALTHOUGH SHE could breed her dogs oftener, Aquina only breeds about six litters a year. The average is six puppies to a litter (some litters are more—some are less). About half of those puppies are sold for around $35 apiece, as pets; the other half, having show dog possibilities, are sold for $50 to $75 apiece, which totals about $1,700 for the year. After deducting food, medical, and advertising bills, the money profit is about $250. Each year this money is used to buy fine cockers to add to her kennel, or to repair and build new kennels, because Aquina is more interested in improving the blood lines in her kennels and putting the money back into stock, than in using it to buy small luxuries for herself.

Al and Aquina advises anyone owning more than ten dogs to buy the food and the vitamins wholesale. In doing this, you will save about thirty-five per cent on the cost.

Even though you may not breed a show dog, Al and Aquina feel that you will get a great deal of satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment, in breeding healthy, happy cockers for pets. Known for their wonderful dispositions, their soft, knowing eyes, and their love of play, cockers make ideal pets. They are in great demand, and a good, healthy, happy cocker puppy will almost sell itself on sight. Of course, if you are fortunate enough to own a champion cocker, his or her puppies will bring a great deal more than is paid for cockers simply wanted for pets.

AQUINA'S MASCOT, Luzita, a Bedlington terrier (presented to her by Al as a gift) has already earned more than her original cost. She presented Al and Aquina with two puppies, for which they were offered half again as much money as Luzita originally cost, but they could not bring themselves to part with the puppies at this time.

Aquina was warned that originally Bedlingtons were bred to be fighters and the Bedlington would probably attack the cockers, but instead all the dogs have become wonderful friends, Luzita developing a very peaceful, happy disposition, which she demonstrates to the extent of going through the cockers kennels, washing their faces.

In the Mobile Specialty Show (Mobile, Alabama) in October, 1955, Aquina's Khaki, three years old, received the purple ribbon ("Winners' Dog") and two more points toward his championship, and he also brought home the red and white rosette, and a pair of silver candlesticks for "best opposite sex to best of variety," in the same show.

Al and Aquina use newspaper advertisements, word of mouth advertising by pleased customers (who not infrequently buy one cocker, and are so happy about it, that they return for another) and they also occasionally advertise in the various pet magazines.

When selling a cocker for a pet, they try to make sure that the dog will find a good home and will receive good treatment. They go into detail with the prospective customer, and have become fairly apt in discerning whether the customer really loves dogs. If not, they would rather not sell a puppy to that customer.

THE COCKER is called the smallest of the sporting dog family. It is said that the name "cocker" was given to the spaniel because it was especially useful to huntsmen on woodcock. The cocker has been exhibited in the United States since the 1880s, and was entered in the Kennel Stud Book of England in 1892. The cockers bred in the United States differ from the English cocker spaniel in several ways. When trained, the cocker is a good hunting dog, and since the dog takes to water easily, it is also good at water retrieving.

Aquina says that cockers are very trustworthy and love to be with a family in a home—that is why they are so very popular as pets. There are many colors in cockers. These include the red, black, buff, the liver and cream, and the parti-colors of black and tan, and black and white. Occasionally a few "liver and whites" will be discovered, as will a few "tri-colors" (combinations of black, tan and white).