Daw - it is well known (but undocumented) that there are 'sprockers' registered as working type Cockers. In fact I'd say I very likely have one. He neither looks cockery and doesn't hunt like one either. He is very very springerish indeed. He has a red 'all cocker' pedigree and low coi (<10). So I would agree that and may well have entered the gene pool much more recently than many might think. Add to that sprockers in breeding lines further back as well. Names such as 'snake' are said to be indicators. Have a read about trialling cocker breeding (not only the scientific stuff), there's some very interesting info on development of the type. Yes, inbreeding can be linked to various 'ills', but is not to blame for every one. Interestingly, many of the carriers have been more 'unusual' colours. So perhaps something else at play?