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American Cocker Spaniel
The American Cocker Spaniel evolved in the United States from spaniels imported from Great Britain. The name cocker comes from the fact that the breed originally hunted woodcock. By the 1930s it had become so different from its English ancestors that it was given separate breed status. Responsible breeders of American Cocker Spaniel will screen their dogs for inherited eye diseases (retinal dysplasia, cataracts), hormonal disfunctions (hypothyroidism), and skin diseases (seborrhea, atopic dermatitis).
One of the oldest of the land Spaniels, the Cocker goes back as far as the 14th century. The dog got his name "Cocker" from the purpose for which he was originally used: the flushing out of woodcock from coverts and woodland.  Although kept nowadays mostly as pet, when carefully trained, he is still a good hunting and retrieving dog. Cockers have a keen smell of sense - the ability to sniff out the faintest of scents is one of the breed's best-known qualitites.
There are two varieties of Cocker Spaniels - the English and the American. The American Cocker Spaniel evolved in the US where breeders developed it from the English Cocker Spaniel to become the glamorous American type we see today. Slightly smaller than his British cousin, the American Cocker Spaniel has a more domed head and a shorter muzzle, a sloping topline and higher tail carriage. But the most noticeable difference is the abundance of coat which he carries, making him more demanding in terms of grooming.
As pet and companion, the American Cocker Spaniel's popularity has been exceptional. His small size and happy character make him an ideal house dog. Cockers are very perceptive and will notice the slightest changes around the house. They are excellent swimmers and love the water. A well-breed American Cocker spaniel is an intelligent, faithful, easily trained, and extremely loving and responsible children's companion. In the United States the breed is registered under the name "Cocker Spaniel", as is the English Cocker Spaniel in the UK which may cause confusion between these two breeds.
American Cocker Spaniel Breed Outline
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Country of Origin: | U.S.A. |
| FCI Classification: |
Group 8 -Retrievers, Flushing Dogs, Water Dogs; Flushing Dogs (without working trial) |
| Utilization: | Flushing Dog, Companion. |
| AKC Classification: | Sporting Group |
| Personality: | Intelligent, playful, highly adaptable, gentle, and fun-loving. |
| Size Category: | Small |
| Height: | 14-15 inches at shoulders |
| Colors: |
1. Black-Color variety: the solid color is black, to include black with tan points. Any solid color other than black (ASCOB), ranging from the lightest cream to darkest red, including brown and brown with tan points.
2. Parti-Color variety: two or more solid colors, one of which must be white; black and white, red and white (the red may range from lightest cream to darkest red), brown and white, and roans, to include any such color combination. |
| Other Names: | Cocker |
| Average Litter Size: | 5 |
| Life Span: | 9-15 years |
| Grooming Requirements: |
Cockers need daily brushing to avoid matting on their legs and regular trimming (at least every two months). Ears must be cleaned regularly. |
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Social skills: |
Cocker Spaniels get along with other animals and dogs. |
| Suitability for Children: | Cockers are not recommended to families with young children. Many Cocker Spaniels have behavioral problems resulting in defensive biting. |
| Exercise Needs: | Cockers do not always fit well into family life in an apartment, as they are somewhat temperamental. They need 60-80 minutes daily walk to maintain his good spirits. They love fetch games. |
| Train Ability: | Highly trainable and responsive. |
| Health & Behavior Issues: | Cocker Spaniels have several serious health problems. Responsible breeders of American Cocker Spaniel will screen their dogs for inherited eye diseases (retinal dysplasia, cataracts), hormonal disfunctions (hypothyroidism), and skin diseases (seborrhea, atopic dermatitis). |
Comments
Hello, I lost my Yorkshire Terrier last year in March
Hello, I lost my Yorkshire Terrier last year in March. It was a sudden death although she did have what I thought were minor tummy problem a few months before! One minute she was her usual self and the next she became unwell and died some seven hours later. I am still having trouble accepting losing her and when I found this website I felt I am not alone My Yorkie was called Dilly and I am lucky in one way as she did manage to reach 13 1/2 yrs old. I have another Yorkie called Ollie who is now 14 yrs old and I am dealing with his problems as he has been diabetic for 3 yrs and is blind due to this illness.
I cannot imagine life without him so I cherich each day. Hope to get to know some of you who have gone through the same.
My name is Yvonne and I live in England.
Posted by Guest_5171 on Sunday, June 19, 2011
My cocker spaniel, Tyler, passed yesterday morning
My cocker spaniel, Tyler, passed yesterday morning...not a good mothers day! He was 9 and a half. We have no answers for his death. I found him lethargic on the living room floor when I woke. He has occasional seizures, and I noted feces on the kitchen floor. So I figures he had one during the night. He was so tired and weak, I picked him up and tried arousing him, bologna didnt even interest him. Within 5 minutes, he stretched out his legs, burried his head in my lap and stopped breathing. We rushed hi to the vet, but it was too late. I am so devistated, eyes still swollen from crying. Trying to be strong today for my 3 year old who keeps asking for TY TY. Since you had a cocker, have you ever heard of anything similiar? Just wish I had answers, and I wish I wouldve opted for an autopsy, when I called 12 hours later asking for one, they said too much time had passed. uuggghhhh. Awful loosing a loved pet.
Posted by Guest_5137 on Monday, May 09, 2011
My cocker spaniel just passed away yesterday
(3/11/2011) at the age of 13 years and 22 days, she was deaf in the last year but we swear that she learned how to read lips
My cocker spaniel just passed away yesterday
(3/11/2011) at the age of 13 years and 22 days, she was deaf in the last year but we swear that she learned how to read lips. In her youth she was hard to train for "tricks" but as she got older she learned and loved it. We will miss our Little Lady very much.
Posted by Guest_5075 on Saturday, March 12, 2011
Cocker Spaniel Breed
WONDERFUL PETS & COMPANIONS!!! I have had the wonderful opportunity of owning 3 cocker spaniels. The first one was buff and was the sweetest dog, very intelligent and friendly, my second a red and white was like a son to me, super intelligent, attentive, loveling and would always know exactly how I felt and his most important action was to try to please me, unfortunately he passed away last year, but he left me his son, he still doesn't quite summs up everything his dad meant to me, but the most important thing about him is that he would give his life for my son, they enjoy vastly each others company!!!!
Posted by Guest_4150 on Friday, May 22, 2009
Grooming your Cocker Spaniel
A Cocker Spaniel requires time and energy (and money) for grooming. An unkempt, unclipped cocker spaniel is a mass of knots and may even develop skin sores if the mats get too large or the skin becomes moist under the mats.
Show grooming is extremely labor intensive. Breeders said it took them 3 to 4 hours to do a dog. All show grooming is done by hand, with no scissors or electric clippers. If you are going to enter your Cocker in a show, call the breeder or hire a handler for the first tie. Do not take the dog to a commercial grooming salon for a show clip. Be aware that the American Cocker si a "Coated breed." In show terms, this means that the look and conition of the coat have a lot to dog with whether the dog wins or loses. Show coats take a lot of time to grow, and a lot of care to maintain. Therefore, the American Cocker is not a good breed if you want to show a dog once a month or a few times a year and keep him as pet during the rest of the time. Short coated breeds are much better suited for this type of dual purpose.
Pets will require a trip to the groomer every 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the clip and the ahir of the dog. If your dog runs outside a good deal through grass or bushes, keep the clip short and easy to care for if grass, leaves and twigs become entangled in it. If your dog stays inside most of the time, and you like the look of a longer cut and don't mind the brushing, less frequent visits to the groomer will make a longer clip more appropriate.
Regular basing is necessary. One thing that makes a Cocker a pet instead a show dog is a "cottony" coat. Although they are still lovely to look at, they are harder to maintain and have more of a tendency to mat than a good show coat.
Posted by Guest_3511 on Monday, April 28, 2008
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