Saturday, May 4, 2013

Historical Hounds-My Own Brucie

Who was the most famous American show dog of all time?  Today is the  birthday of one of the top contenders-My Own Brucie.  


Born May 4, 1935 Brucie was the son of Red Brucie, 


considered to be the father of the modern American Cocker Spaniel.

My Own Brucie won best in show at Westminster in 1940  and 1941 and he won best in the sporting group for three years running, a rare achievement.   Brucie's popularity helped cement the American Cocker Spaniel as the most popular breed in America in the 1940s.  A fact well represented in advertisements from the era, like the one below for a television showing two  kids and a dog, that looks not unlike Brucie, enjoying their new TV.



Sadly Brucie died at the age of 8 from kidney disease.  Since Brucie was a popular sire and his father was the foundation dog for the breed, his kidney disease brings to mind the concern over the "popular sire effect."  Meaning, one dog becomes the sire of too many and thus restricts the breeds gene pool.  Since Cocker Spaniels are prone to kidney disease it is possible that the prevalence of the problem in the breed traces back to Brucie or his father, but of course impossible to know for sure.

Brucie was surely a lovely dog and helped to create one of Americas best breeds.    Below is a video of Brucie's Westminster win:



8 comments:

  1. What a handsome pup was Brucie. Pity about the kidney problems. We did not the breed was prone to such ailments. Have a super Saturday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  2. Wow, see I love reading your posts, I am always learning new things! Never knew about Brucie or the kidney issues! Thanks for the email too! Will be emailing ya back soon! That photo you did of the Flat Iron Bldg. made that a must see for me!!

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  3. Brucie was a great dog for sure...but I have to share something a little embarrassing with you now...when I glanced at the title of your post in google reader and saw "My Own Brucie" and knowing you're from NYC area I thought you'd written about Cousin Brucie the DJ...honest, i'm blushing now even thinking of it...

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  4. Oh Gizmo! He cracks me up! What a beauty that Brucie was. Hope you are having a great weekend!

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  5. Me too Finn.. Brucie was gorgeous. Have a wonderful weekend xxoox Hugs

    Mollie and Alfie

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  6. Brucie sure was a handsome woofie!

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  7. Brucie looks adorable! Thanks for introducing us to this famous pup!

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  8. This was a great post - I enjoyed the little history of my grandfather's dog, many thanks!

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