Tweed Water Spaniel
Encyclopedia
The Tweed Water Spaniel, or Tweed Spaniel, is a breed of dog
extinct since the 19th century. It is most well known for being involved in the early development of the modern Curly Coated Retriever
and Golden Retriever
breeds of dog. They were described as a generally brown athletic dog from the area around Berwick-upon-Tweed
near the River Tweed
and close to the Scottish Borders. A type of water dog
, the breed was not well known outside the local area. This breed may have been created by crossing local water dogs with imported St. John's Water Dog
, another breed of dog which is also now extinct.
, Northumberland
, just south of the River Tweed
was noted as being "long famous" for a breed of Water Spaniel of which were "invariably brown".
In 1816, Richard Lawrence wrote of the origins of the Tweed Water Spaniel "Along rocky shores and dreadful declivities beyond the junction of the Tweed with the sea of Berwick
, water dogs have derived an addition of strength, from the introduction of a cross with the Newfoundland
dog, which has rendered them completely adequate to the arduous difficulties and diurnal perils in which they are systematically engaged." It must be noted that although the quote refers specifically to the Newfoundland breed, it is actually more likely that it means the now extinct breed of the St. John's Water Dog
which was sometimes referred to by its homeland's location of Newfoundland and Labrador
.
Stanley O'Neil, an expert in Flat-Coated Retriever
s wrote of the Tweed Water Spaniel in a letter during the late 19th century, "Further up the coast, probably Alnmouth, I saw men netting for salmon. With them was a dog with a wavy or curly coat. It was a tawny colour but, wet and spumy, it was difficult to see the exact colour, or how much was due to bleach and salt. Whilst my elders discussed the fishing I asked these Northumberland salmon net men whether their dog was a Water-Dog or a Curly
, airing my knowledge. They told me he was a Tweed Water Spaniel. This was a new one on me. I had a nasty suspicion my leg was being pulled. This dog looked like a brown Water Dog to me, certainly retrieverish, and not at all spanielly. I asked if he came from a trawler, and was told it came from Berwick."
Linda P. Case, of the University of Illinois, speculated that the Tweed Water Spaniel was so named because it was developed on the estate of Lord Tweedmouth
, and in fact was simply the original name for a breed of dog that later became the Golden Retriever
. However this theory is against the documented evidence, as the early development of the Golden Retriever was fully documented and listed the three Tweed Water Spaniels involved specifically by breed.
except that it had a heavier muzzle and a pointed skull. The dog also had thick, slightly feathered, hound
-like ears, droopy lips, and forelegs that were feathered, but hind legs that were not. Their size was that of a small retriever, with a liver coloured curly coat. Instances of offspring which were liver coloured but tan below the knees were noted in Hugh Dalziel's 1897 work British Dogs: Their Varieties, History, Characteristics, Breeding, Management, And Exhibition, although the author speculated that this may have been due to Bloodhound
ancestry in one of the parents of the litters.
The breed was known for its intelligence
, courage and sporting ability.
, Lord Tweedmouth, was developing a been which was known at the time as a "yellow Retriever". This was unusual, as typically during this period all Retrievers were black. The main pairing from which the modern Golden Retriever
s are said to have descended were from a dog named Nous who was a rare yellow Wavy Coated Retriever, and a female Tweed Spaniel named Belle who was given to Majoribanks by his cousin David Robertson. Four yellow puppies were produced from this pairing, named Ada, Crocus, Primrose and Cowslip.
Belle was the not only Tweed Spaniel in Majoribank's kennel. A further dog simply named Tweed was kept, although records show that he was never bred from as he died at any early age. A second dog named Tweed was bred from, to Cowslip from the previous Tweed/Retriever pairing which produced a further yellow puppy named Topsy. The two breeds were only crossbred two or three times, but began the development of the modern Golden Retriever.
several breeds were used to bring their characteristics into this new breed. These included Poodle
s, Wetterhoun
s, Barbet
s, Irish Water Spaniel
s and breeds that are now extinct including the Large Rough Water Dog and the Tweed Water Spaniel. The Curly Coated Retriever has been considered pure-bred since the early 20th century.
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
extinct since the 19th century. It is most well known for being involved in the early development of the modern Curly Coated Retriever
Curly Coated Retriever
The Curly Coated Retriever is a breed of dog originally bred in England for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. It is the tallest of the retrievers and is easily distinguishable by the mass of tight curls covering its body...
and Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a medium-sized breed of dog. They were historically developed as gundogs to retrieve shot waterfowl such as ducks and upland game birds during hunting and shooting parties. As such, they were bred to have a soft mouth to retrieve game undamaged and have an instinctive love...
breeds of dog. They were described as a generally brown athletic dog from the area around Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick-upon-Tweed or simply Berwick is a town in the county of Northumberland and is the northernmost town in England, on the east coast at the mouth of the River Tweed. It is situated 2.5 miles south of the Scottish border....
near the River Tweed
River Tweed
The River Tweed, or Tweed Water, is long and flows primarily through the Borders region of Great Britain. It rises on Tweedsmuir at Tweed's Well near where the Clyde, draining northwest, and the Annan draining south also rise. "Annan, Tweed and Clyde rise oot the ae hillside" as the Border saying...
and close to the Scottish Borders. A type of water dog
Water dog
Water dogs, once called Water Spaniels, are a type of gun dog and count among their number some of the oldest dog breeds. With the advent of kennel clubs many water spaniels were accepted under the names including the designation retriever rather than water spaniel. As the name implies, water dogs...
, the breed was not well known outside the local area. This breed may have been created by crossing local water dogs with imported St. John's Water Dog
St. John's Water Dog
The St. John's Water Dog, also called the St. John’s Dog or the Lesser Newfoundland, was a naturally occurring dog breed from Newfoundland. Little is known of the breeds that went into its creation, although it was likely a random-bred mix of old Irish, English, and Portuguese working breeds. The...
, another breed of dog which is also now extinct.
History
The village of NorhamNorham
Norham is a village in Northumberland, England, just south of the River Tweed and the border with Scotland.It is the site of the 12th century Norham Castle, and was for many years the centre for the Norhamshire exclave of County Durham...
, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
, just south of the River Tweed
River Tweed
The River Tweed, or Tweed Water, is long and flows primarily through the Borders region of Great Britain. It rises on Tweedsmuir at Tweed's Well near where the Clyde, draining northwest, and the Annan draining south also rise. "Annan, Tweed and Clyde rise oot the ae hillside" as the Border saying...
was noted as being "long famous" for a breed of Water Spaniel of which were "invariably brown".
In 1816, Richard Lawrence wrote of the origins of the Tweed Water Spaniel "Along rocky shores and dreadful declivities beyond the junction of the Tweed with the sea of Berwick
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick-upon-Tweed or simply Berwick is a town in the county of Northumberland and is the northernmost town in England, on the east coast at the mouth of the River Tweed. It is situated 2.5 miles south of the Scottish border....
, water dogs have derived an addition of strength, from the introduction of a cross with the Newfoundland
Newfoundland (dog)
The Newfoundland is a breed of large dog. Newfoundlands can be black, brown, gray, or black and white. They were originally bred and used as a working dog for fishermen in the Dominion of Newfoundland, now part of Canada. They are known for their giant size, tremendous strength, calm dispositions,...
dog, which has rendered them completely adequate to the arduous difficulties and diurnal perils in which they are systematically engaged." It must be noted that although the quote refers specifically to the Newfoundland breed, it is actually more likely that it means the now extinct breed of the St. John's Water Dog
St. John's Water Dog
The St. John's Water Dog, also called the St. John’s Dog or the Lesser Newfoundland, was a naturally occurring dog breed from Newfoundland. Little is known of the breeds that went into its creation, although it was likely a random-bred mix of old Irish, English, and Portuguese working breeds. The...
which was sometimes referred to by its homeland's location of Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
.
Stanley O'Neil, an expert in Flat-Coated Retriever
Flat-Coated Retriever
The Flat-Coated Retriever is a gundog breed originating from the United Kingdom. It was developed as a retriever both on land and in the water.-Appearance:...
s wrote of the Tweed Water Spaniel in a letter during the late 19th century, "Further up the coast, probably Alnmouth, I saw men netting for salmon. With them was a dog with a wavy or curly coat. It was a tawny colour but, wet and spumy, it was difficult to see the exact colour, or how much was due to bleach and salt. Whilst my elders discussed the fishing I asked these Northumberland salmon net men whether their dog was a Water-Dog or a Curly
Curly Coated Retriever
The Curly Coated Retriever is a breed of dog originally bred in England for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. It is the tallest of the retrievers and is easily distinguishable by the mass of tight curls covering its body...
, airing my knowledge. They told me he was a Tweed Water Spaniel. This was a new one on me. I had a nasty suspicion my leg was being pulled. This dog looked like a brown Water Dog to me, certainly retrieverish, and not at all spanielly. I asked if he came from a trawler, and was told it came from Berwick."
Linda P. Case, of the University of Illinois, speculated that the Tweed Water Spaniel was so named because it was developed on the estate of Lord Tweedmouth
Dudley Marjoribanks, 1st Baron Tweedmouth
Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks, 1st Baron Tweedmouth was a Scottish businessman and a Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1853 until 1880, when he was elevated to thepeerage as Baron Tweedmouth...
, and in fact was simply the original name for a breed of dog that later became the Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a medium-sized breed of dog. They were historically developed as gundogs to retrieve shot waterfowl such as ducks and upland game birds during hunting and shooting parties. As such, they were bred to have a soft mouth to retrieve game undamaged and have an instinctive love...
. However this theory is against the documented evidence, as the early development of the Golden Retriever was fully documented and listed the three Tweed Water Spaniels involved specifically by breed.
Appearance and temperament
The Tweed Water Spaniel had a long tail and a curly, liver-colored coat, and looked similar to the Irish Water SpanielIrish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel is a breed of dog that is the largest and one of the oldest of spaniels.The Irish Water Spaniel is considered one of the rarer breeds with the AKC in terms of registrations but is still widely respected and sought-after for its unusual qualities.-Appearance:The Irish Water...
except that it had a heavier muzzle and a pointed skull. The dog also had thick, slightly feathered, hound
Hound
A hound is a type of dog that assists hunters by tracking or chasing the animal being hunted. It can be contrasted with the gun dog, which assists hunters by identifying the location of prey, and with the retriever, which recovers shot quarry...
-like ears, droopy lips, and forelegs that were feathered, but hind legs that were not. Their size was that of a small retriever, with a liver coloured curly coat. Instances of offspring which were liver coloured but tan below the knees were noted in Hugh Dalziel's 1897 work British Dogs: Their Varieties, History, Characteristics, Breeding, Management, And Exhibition, although the author speculated that this may have been due to Bloodhound
Bloodhound
The Bloodhound is a large breed of dog which, while originally bred to hunt deer and wild boar, was later bred specifically to track human beings. It is a scenthound, tracking by smell, as opposed to a sighthound, which tracks using vision. It is famed for its ability to discern human odors even...
ancestry in one of the parents of the litters.
The breed was known for its intelligence
Dog intelligence
Dog intelligence is the ability of a dog to learn, think, and solve problems. Dog trainers, owners, and researchers have as much difficulty agreeing on a method for testing canine intelligence as they do for human intelligence...
, courage and sporting ability.
Golden Retriever
Towards the end of the 19th century, Sir Dudley Coutts MajoribanksDudley Marjoribanks, 1st Baron Tweedmouth
Dudley Coutts Marjoribanks, 1st Baron Tweedmouth was a Scottish businessman and a Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1853 until 1880, when he was elevated to thepeerage as Baron Tweedmouth...
, Lord Tweedmouth, was developing a been which was known at the time as a "yellow Retriever". This was unusual, as typically during this period all Retrievers were black. The main pairing from which the modern Golden Retriever
Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a medium-sized breed of dog. They were historically developed as gundogs to retrieve shot waterfowl such as ducks and upland game birds during hunting and shooting parties. As such, they were bred to have a soft mouth to retrieve game undamaged and have an instinctive love...
s are said to have descended were from a dog named Nous who was a rare yellow Wavy Coated Retriever, and a female Tweed Spaniel named Belle who was given to Majoribanks by his cousin David Robertson. Four yellow puppies were produced from this pairing, named Ada, Crocus, Primrose and Cowslip.
Belle was the not only Tweed Spaniel in Majoribank's kennel. A further dog simply named Tweed was kept, although records show that he was never bred from as he died at any early age. A second dog named Tweed was bred from, to Cowslip from the previous Tweed/Retriever pairing which produced a further yellow puppy named Topsy. The two breeds were only crossbred two or three times, but began the development of the modern Golden Retriever.
Curly Coated Retriever
During the formation of the modern breed known as the Curly Coated RetrieverCurly Coated Retriever
The Curly Coated Retriever is a breed of dog originally bred in England for upland bird and waterfowl hunting. It is the tallest of the retrievers and is easily distinguishable by the mass of tight curls covering its body...
several breeds were used to bring their characteristics into this new breed. These included Poodle
Poodle
The Poodle is a breed of dog. The poodle breed is found officially in toy, miniature, and standard sizes, with many coat colors. Originally bred as a type of water dog, the poodle is highly intelligent and skillful in many dog sports, including agility, obedience, tracking, and even herding...
s, Wetterhoun
Wetterhoun
The Wetterhoun is a breed of dog traditionally used as a hunting dog for hunting small mammals and waterfowl in the province of Friesland in the Netherlands. The name of the dog comes from the West Frisian Wetterhûn meaning "water dog." Plural of Wetterhoun is Wetterhounen in Dutch...
s, Barbet
Barbet (dog)
The Barbet is a breed of dog; it is a medium-sized French water dog. It is listed in Group 8 by the , the French Kennel Club.- Description :...
s, Irish Water Spaniel
Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel is a breed of dog that is the largest and one of the oldest of spaniels.The Irish Water Spaniel is considered one of the rarer breeds with the AKC in terms of registrations but is still widely respected and sought-after for its unusual qualities.-Appearance:The Irish Water...
s and breeds that are now extinct including the Large Rough Water Dog and the Tweed Water Spaniel. The Curly Coated Retriever has been considered pure-bred since the early 20th century.