That picture of Tiku(??) is priceless!
And yes, Middie CAN be the first cropped springer!
I think I'm stealing Smudge from MP though and breeding him to Bailey... docking (rottweiler style) and cropping (briard style) the whole litter and marketing the NEW and IMPROVED American Springer Spaniel, the first cropped and docked spaniel!
Dang, I forgot Bailey's spayed!