Obo II
Encyclopedia
Ch.
Obo II (1882–1895), was an American Cocker Spaniel
who is considered to be the father of the modern breed, though physically, he was different from today's American Cocker. During his day, he was a successful show
dog, winner of many Best-in-Show titles.
s that his owner, Farrow, spoke of an offer made from America, "The dog's stock did so well in America that one hundred guineas was offered by an American breeder for the use of this Spaniel for one season's stud service. The offer was refused."
, was already a cocker spaniel breeder in America when he attempted to purchase Obo from Farrow in England. He was turned down, but managed to purchase Chloe II, a successful female Cocker Spaniel show dog and had her mated to Obo prior to her being shipped to the United States.
From Chloe II's litter came two males, Obo II and Black Silk, and a female named Black Gem. Black Gem would die from distemper
after returning from winning the Produce Stake at a New York show.
Obo II was shown for the first time at Manchester, New Hampshire
in September 1883, where he placed first. He would go on to have further wins at Lowell
, New Haven, Connecticut
and New York
. Obo II's trophy for Best Cocker Spaniel from the New Haven Kennel Club show in 1884 was gifted to the American Spaniel Club in 2004. Obo II's American Kennel Club
number was 4911.
His puppies were also highly successful, winning puppy prizes at Lowell, first and second at New York and the top three puppy places at New Haven. Four of his best known offspring are Red Brucie, Sandspring Surmise, Midcliff Miracle Man and Limestone Laddie. In addition, Obo II was the sire of the first dark red Cocker Spaniel in America, Little Miss Rover.
Obo II died on January 2, 1895, and was buried on the property of his owner in Salmon Falls. Today, the grave is located behind an elementary school in the city of Rollinsford, which is the modern name for Salmon Falls. At the request of the American Spaniel Club, the grave site was registered with the Rollinsford Historical Society as a historical monument.
Obo II was the first American example of the Obo type which was recognisable on both sides of the Atlantic in many dogs with the prefix "Obo" or "Omo". H. S. Lloyd in the 1939 edition of The Popular Cocker Spaniel pointed out that compared to the Cocker Spaniel breed of the 1930s that the Obo type was low to the ground and a "trifle full in eye".
Championship (dog)
Championships are awarded to dogs who have passed through a process of selection at dog shows. Traditionally, a championship was received at a conformation show, but championships are now offered for dogs who have attained a high degree of perfection in other dog sports as well.-The conformation...
Obo II (1882–1895), was an American Cocker Spaniel
American Cocker Spaniel
The American Cocker Spaniel is a breed of sporting dog. It is a spaniel type dog that is closely related to the English Cocker Spaniel; the two breeds diverged during the 20th century due to differing breed standards in America and the UK...
who is considered to be the father of the modern breed, though physically, he was different from today's American Cocker. During his day, he was a successful show
Conformation show
Conformation shows, also referred to as breed shows, are a kind of dog show in which a judge familiar with a specific dog breed evaluates individual purebred dogs for how well the dogs conform to the established breed type for their breed, as described in a breed's individual breed standard.A...
dog, winner of many Best-in-Show titles.
Background
The Obo kennel of Spaniels were owned by James Farrow, who was breeding dogs from the 1870s onwards. Obo II's sire and namesake, Obo, was whelped on June 14, 1879. F. E. Schofield, an authority on Spaniels, wrote, "Obo, it goes without saying, was the greatest force in the revival of the Cocker." Obo was so well known for his victories in conformation showConformation show
Conformation shows, also referred to as breed shows, are a kind of dog show in which a judge familiar with a specific dog breed evaluates individual purebred dogs for how well the dogs conform to the established breed type for their breed, as described in a breed's individual breed standard.A...
s that his owner, Farrow, spoke of an offer made from America, "The dog's stock did so well in America that one hundred guineas was offered by an American breeder for the use of this Spaniel for one season's stud service. The offer was refused."
Birth and career
J. P. Willey of Salmon Falls, New HampshireNew Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, was already a cocker spaniel breeder in America when he attempted to purchase Obo from Farrow in England. He was turned down, but managed to purchase Chloe II, a successful female Cocker Spaniel show dog and had her mated to Obo prior to her being shipped to the United States.
From Chloe II's litter came two males, Obo II and Black Silk, and a female named Black Gem. Black Gem would die from distemper
Distemper
Distemper may refer to:*A viral infection**Canine distemper, a disease of dogs**Feline distemper, a disease of cats**Phocine distemper, a disease of seals*A bacterial infection**Equine distemper, or Strangles, a bacterial infection of the horse...
after returning from winning the Produce Stake at a New York show.
Obo II was shown for the first time at Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
in September 1883, where he placed first. He would go on to have further wins at Lowell
Lowell
- In the United States :* Lowell, Massachusetts** Lowell National Historical Park** Lowell * Lowell, Arkansas* Lowell, California* Lowell, Florida* Lowell, Indiana* Lowell, Bartholomew County, Indiana* Lowell, Maine* Lowell, Michigan...
, New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Obo II's trophy for Best Cocker Spaniel from the New Haven Kennel Club show in 1884 was gifted to the American Spaniel Club in 2004. Obo II's American Kennel Club
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. Beyond maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes and sanctions events for purebred dogs, including the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, an annual event which predates the official...
number was 4911.
His puppies were also highly successful, winning puppy prizes at Lowell, first and second at New York and the top three puppy places at New Haven. Four of his best known offspring are Red Brucie, Sandspring Surmise, Midcliff Miracle Man and Limestone Laddie. In addition, Obo II was the sire of the first dark red Cocker Spaniel in America, Little Miss Rover.
Death and legacy
Modern writers consider Obo II to be the father of the modern American Cocker Spaniel. He was different to the modern breed, being 10 inches (25.4 cm) tall with a long body.Obo II died on January 2, 1895, and was buried on the property of his owner in Salmon Falls. Today, the grave is located behind an elementary school in the city of Rollinsford, which is the modern name for Salmon Falls. At the request of the American Spaniel Club, the grave site was registered with the Rollinsford Historical Society as a historical monument.
Obo II was the first American example of the Obo type which was recognisable on both sides of the Atlantic in many dogs with the prefix "Obo" or "Omo". H. S. Lloyd in the 1939 edition of The Popular Cocker Spaniel pointed out that compared to the Cocker Spaniel breed of the 1930s that the Obo type was low to the ground and a "trifle full in eye".