HISTORY OF SPANIELS IN THE FIELD

1980 - SPRINGERS ON THE LINE’S first issue, was a 16 page, black and white newsletter, published by Ron Baldwin, National Editor Francis Ruff. It was a quarterly published “for the interest and advancement of the English Springer Spaniel” with a circulation of less than 400.
( View a cover of "On The Line" 1986 here)

1983 - The cover name changed to For Field Spaniels ON THE LINE emphasizing the
field or hunting aspect of our sport.

1984 - A new organization, ON THE LINE, Ltd. was formed with Vance Van Lannen,
Publisher & Roger Houk, National Editor.

1986 - Art Rodger bought ON THE LINE, LTD. , became President/Publisher/Editor and
changed the Corporate goal to “publish quarterly for the interest and advancement of all flushing spaniels” thus broadening the target subscriber to include all hunting spaniel owners. The magazine at that time was 28 pages, B&W with a circulation of about 500.

1989 - SPANIELS IN THE FIELD This new name was announced in the winter, 1989
issue. We quote from part of that announcement “We first started thinking about a name change last summer when results from our READERS SURVEY told us that we had more subscribers who were primarily hunters than field trailers--43% listed hunting as their primary interest, 35% listed trialing and 22% listed both equally.

In view of this the name, ON THE LINE, seemed far too narrow as it is strictly a field trial term.

To make a long story short, it looked like it was time to change to a name that more accurately described what our magazine was all about. We considered FLUSHING SPANIELS, HUNTING SPANIELS, SPANIEL ACTION, SPORTING SPANIELS and many other names before deciding that SPANIELS IN THE FIELD best described what we talk about and report on.

Also in this year SPANIELS IN THE FIELD changed to full color front and back cover, a 64 page magazine with a circulation of 1400, more than triple its starting number.

2000 - Art Rodger stepped down after 14 years as owner / editor and SPANIEL IN
THE FIELD and was purchased by Harry Henriques. Many full color pages
were added and a continued effort was made to tackle issues of hunting,
trailing as well as a focus on the activities of the various clubs. In 2001 the
Henriques had to relinquish their ownership due to an illness and the
magazine changed owners.

2005 - Today twenty-five years after the first issue of the magazine, SPANIEL IN THE
FIELD is making its debut under the ownership of Kuni Smith. It will be printed in Spring and Fall with an online issue at sitf.com web site.

2007 - SPANIEL IN THE FIELD is being published 4 times a year: in February, April, July and October, and continues with additional articles in an online issue at sitf.com web site

All in all our goal is to expand the magazine to include a wide variety of topics and issues. We have a great staff that is eager to bring to readers the news, calendars, trial results and stories that will hopefully enhance the joys or ownership of these special dogs.

Our web site: www.sitf.com and the magazine work together to update and inform all about the advancement of all flushing spaniels.

SPANIELS IN THE FIELD
TEL. 212 988 9144
For Mail: PO BOX 1737
NEW YORK NY 10021

DEDICATED TO THE PROMOTION AND ADVANCEMENT OF ALL FLUSHING SPANIELS