German Shepherd Dogs have changed quite dramatically over time. You can find references to the “Americanization” of the GSD, but the change is not completely unique to the U.S. Many traits that were characteristic of the breed have been modified or have disappeared as fanciers strove to produce dogs that were more successful in the show ring or more suited to family companions than to working dogs. These changes include musculature, skeletal structure, size, drive and temperament. Besides the change in physical appearance, some of these changes have negatively impacted the health of the breed. Spinone Breeders must purposefully breed to maintain the physical and working characteristics of the breed as described in the official Standard of the breed.

All modern Shetland Sheepdogs, whether the American or English type, descend from common bloodlines first developed on the Shetland Islands in the 1700s. They were more like a Spitz breed such as today’s Icelandic Sheepdog. Throughout the 1700s they were crossbred with mainland working dogs and miniaturized by crossing with pet breeds such as the English Toy Spaniel and Pomeranian to satisfy the whims of the time. Tourist trade furthered the transformation and the breed was crossed with other breeds such as Papillons and Corgis to produce intelligent yet cute little dogs. By 1900, realizing the original working dog was disappearing, they were once again cross-bred with the Rough Collie. Since the breed standard was “finalized” in the 1950s, no further cross-breeding occurred. Although cross-breeding may be the root of the evolution of the Shetland Sheepdog, it is a cautionary tale for us as Spinone breeders.

The Bedlington Terrier, like the Shetland Sheepdog, is a combination of breeds that combine to create the unique profile of this breed. As is often the case, these unique characteristics, mainly the arched loin, became exaggerated over time and the Bedlington Terrier in today’s AKC conformation ring is notably different than the working earth dog of early days. Spinoni have unique characteristics such as divergent head planes and a segmented topline. We must refrain from exaggeration as time passes.

The Bull Terrier seems to be a designer dog that started as a practical cross of Bulldog and various terriers. When public spectacles of bull- and bear-baiting were outlawed, the bull and terrier cross of the day became a starting point for several breeds including what we know today as the Bull Terrier. In the 19th century, the Bull Terrier was modified, molded and successfully “marketed” as an attractive dog that wouldn’t start a fight but wouldn’t have trouble finishing one. The Bull Terrier moved away from looking like a fighting dog to becoming a well-heeled companion. And as is often the case, unique characteristics such as head shape became exaggerated. Sometimes change is necessary and good. But we must always consider if we are improving a flaw, or creating a designer dog to fit the whim of the day.

The Akita is an interesting case of one breed becoming two. The original breed from Japan was bred for fighting and hunting. Like many dogs that come to the United States, they are often more likely to become family companions than to be used as the hard-working dogs for which their breed was developed. Today’s Akita is, at a glance, quite similar to the Japanese dog, but is bigger in size and weight. The original breed, now in the AKC Miscellaneous class, is considered a separate AKC breed known as the Japanese Akitainu. Similar stories could be told of many sporting breeds that have diverged into what we think of as “field” lines and “show” lines – think Irish Setters, English Setters and Springer Spaniels. Spinone breeders must not let our breed diverge into two different “types.”

The Cocker Spaniel is another and more dramatic case of one breed becoming two. The Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel (two separate and distinct AKC breeds) both go back to one dog – Obo. In the mid-1870s, Ch Obo (considered the “father” of the modern English Cocker) was mated to a bitch shipped to the States where his son “Obo II” was born. Obo II became the father of what we know as the Cocker Spaniel in America. It is a great example of the malleability of the canine and even a specific breed. Ideally, Spinone breeders around the world will work to maintain ONE breed that cannot be identified as an Italian Spinone vs an English Spinone vs an American Spinone. This will not happen by accident, but only by purposeful breeding.