Description: The American Cocker
Spaniel has a sturdy, compact body and a cleanly chiseled and refined
head, with the overall dog in complete balance and of ideal size. This
spaniel has long drop ears and a usually docked tail. They have a double
coat in which the top coat is silky and medium length, while the under
coat is dense. There is intense feathering on the ears, chest, belly
and legs. American Cocker Spaniels have a much thicker coat and elegant
trousers as opposed to their cousin the English Cocker Spaniel. They
come in many colors. Cocker Spaniels can be black as well as ASCOB (Any
solid color other than black), parti-colored, and with or without white
markings on the chest and throat, or with tan points on them. Known
as a merry Cocker, they have charmed themselves into many households
through out the world making them the world's most popular household
pet. Cocker Spaniels are lively and excited to see people, they relish
in their presence. Cockers can adjust well to any setting. They are
at home in the city, suburban or rural areas. They have a strong drive
to work, are intelligent, affectionate and quite trainable. American
Cocker Spaniels may suffer from quite a few inherited health problems,
but their affable personality makes up for health concerns. An excellent
bird and small-game hunter, American Cocker Spaniels make a great companion,
good with children and an all-around friendly pup.
Other Names: Cocker Spaniel, Cocker, Cocking Spaniel
Type: Gun Dog
Height:
Females: 14 inches. Males: 15 inches. Any Cocker over 15 inches will
be disqualified from the show ring.
Weight: 18 -28 lbs.
Colors:
Black, jet black, shading of brown or liver in sheen of coat
undesirable; black and tan, brown and tan, with definite tan markings
on jet black or brown body; parti colors and tricolors. They can also
be ASCOB (Any solid color other than black), including chocolate, red,
buff, sable, or cream.
Coat: Short and
fine on head, medium length on body, with enough undercoat to give protection.
There is profuse feathering on the legs, chest and bottom of the drop
ears. Fur is long and silky.
Temperament:
Cocker Spaniels are active, friendly, lively and fun. They love to be
around people and are always willing to please. They can be lazy if
not exercised, but are certainly willing to go out on a walk. They are
affectionate, affable, and very good with kids. They are also good with
other pets. They should never be suspicious or untrustworthy, and should
usually be joyful in appearance and attitude. They are gentle, merry,
outgoing and loving. They do not respond well to harsh training, and
should be trained with a gentle hand. They have a happy nature and fit
in easily to any lifestyle.
With Children: Yes, if from good
blood lines they are exceptionally good with children. Avoid puppies
with parents who are standoffish or suspicious, as this is not a trait
that should be in Cocker Spaniels.
With Pets: Yes, sociable and gentle.
Special Skills: Field sports dog,
bird dog and companion.
Watch-dog: High.
They are very alert and conscious of their surroundings.
Guard-dog: Low. Spaniels
are friendly to anyone.
Care and Training:
Need careful grooming for about forty-five minutes twice a week is definitely
necessary for the American Cocker Spaniel. Daily brushing of the fur,
or once every two days is optimal. Their fur can mat and get dirty easily.
They adapt well to a city dwelling or rural country, but need sufficient
exercise to prevent them from becoming overweight. Daily walks will
do fine to keep the pup healthy and in shape. Cocker Spaniels are trainable
and learn quickly, but do not respond well to harsh training. They should
be trained with a gentle hand.
Special Needs: Grooming and exercise.
Learning Rate: High. Obedience -
High. Problem Solving - Low. American Cockers were very eager to please,
and are willing to obey.
Activity: Indoors
- Medium. Outdoors - High. Cocker Spaniels are lively when excited.
Living Environment: Apartment, house,
country or city as long as they are exercised, the American Cocker Spaniel
will adapt. An owner of a Cocker Spaniel should be willing to spend
time grooming their coat and handling them every day, as their coats
can mat easily. The best owner for this breed would be a loving family
or individual, or the elderly, who live in the city, suburbs
or rural country environment who can give daily walks and attention
to the coat.
Health Issues: The Cocker Spaniel is quite hardy, but may experience a variety of inherited disorders such as eye and ear infections, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia. Other health concerns include PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), hypothyroidism, cataracts, von Willebrand's disease, and slipping stifles.
Life Span: 10 -
14 years.
Litter Size: 4 - 6 puppies.
Country of Origin:
USA
History: The name of the
Cocker Spaniel comes from what they were once used for, hunting woodcock.
Despite his name, the American Cocker Spaniel is in fact originally
a breed of Spanish blood. The Spanish Spaniel is considered to be the
oldest of the recognized spaniels. Developed by crossing setters and
spaniels, it was during the seventeenth century they were divided into
the water and land spaniels. Legend says that the Cocker Spaniel was
first brought to America in 1620 aboard the Mayflower, but much speculation
is needed on this theory. In 1892 the Cocker Spaniel was recognized
as a breed in England. In the late 1870s the breed was brought to the
United States and here was developed into quite different lines from
the English Cocker. Americans and English Cockers were soon bred for
different reasons, the English more for hunting, and the American more
for show. Soon, the new version of Cocker Spaniel needed a name, and
it was decided on American Cocker Spaniel. In 1946 the American was
registered as a separate breed. The breed was still used for
hunting, although bred for appearance. The breed would be used to hunt
on the weekends and would be used as a playmate and companion during
the weekdays. Currently, the American Cocker Spaniel does not exercise
its hunting skills nearly as much as before, but is widely used and
recognized as a companion all across the world today. Due to its popularity,
some lines contain standoffish and untrusting dogs, which are most likely
the result of puppy mills. American Cocker Spaniels are among the best
breeds for temperament, thus making a shy or suspicious Cocker Spaniel
a poor choice.