Press
For many years, Sonia’s work with gundogs, training and the Working Cocker has attracted the interest of the specialist press.
These archives reflect a journey, but also the development of a lasting conviction: to seek functional, well-balanced dogs with a deep bond with their handler.
Dogs, fieldwork and a philosophy
The articles gathered here tell the story of a passion lived in the field: selection, training, shooting and the bond between dog and handler.
They also trace the early years of Sonia’s work with British spaniels, a path that would gradually lead her to devote her breeding programme to the authentic English Working Cocker.
Working Cocker Girl
A feature devoted to the British origins of Sonia’s Working Cockers, their temperament, their natural abilities and that distinctive blend of drive, efficiency and closeness to their handler.
The feature shows the dogs working in the field and explores several qualities at the heart of the selection programme: instinct, retrieving, stamina, temperament and willingness to work with their handler.
Working Cocker · British origins
Before the Working Cocker, spaniels and fieldwork
The earliest archives already reveal themes that would remain central to Sonia’s work: natural ability, the relationship with the handler, training and versatility.
« Springer, le chien heureux »
A portrait of Sonia through her passion for spaniels, practical shooting, training and the relationship between dog and handler.
These articles also show the continuity of her approach: never separating a dog’s working ability from balance and the pleasure of working together.
A passion already recognised by the specialist press
Other publications followed different stages of Sonia’s journey, from her work with Springers to her specialisation in British Working Cocker lines.
Miss Springer
A portrait of Sonia centred on fieldwork, competition and the close partnership she shares with her spaniels.
Everyday work
Partnership, versatility and natural ability already emerge as the guiding principles of her approach.
A history that sheds light on the way we select today
Some of these articles belong to an earlier chapter in Sonia’s life, but they help explain the consistency of the path she has followed.
The search for driven, intelligent dogs, closely connected to people and able to express their natural abilities in the field remains the foundation of Élevage des Petits Castors today.
A history, a breeding philosophy, a passion as strong as ever.
Would you like to discover our breeding philosophy or tell us about your plans for an authentic Working Cocker from British working lines?