Country of Origin: USA
Lifespan: 13-14 Years
Male Height: 14.5-15.5 Inches
Male Weight: 24-28 Pounds
Female Height: 13.5-14.5 Inches
Female Weight: 24-28 Pounds
American Kennel Club Classification : Sporting GroupCanadian Kennel Club Classification : Sporting DogsKennel Club (Great Britain) Classification : Gundog
American Cocker Spaniel Characteristics
The American Cocker Spaniel has been referred to as the "merry cocker", and merry he is. Playful, amiable, cheerful, sweet and sensitive are a few words to describe this dog. This dog loves to play and frolic. He gets along exceptionally well with children, but children must be taught to treat the dog in a gentle manner.
The amazing beauty of this animal only comes at a huge cost, and that cost is hours and hours of grooming. If you cannot afford the money to have this dog clipped and brushed on a regular basis, or you aren't willing to do it yourself then you should steer clear of this breed. The American Cocker Spaniel has a tendency to become overweight, so food monitoring and exercise is necessary. The furry feet of this dog can drag in all kinds of dirt into a house.
American Cocker Spaniel History
The American Cocker Spaniel is a direct descendent of the English Cocker Spaniel. Many were brought over to North America from England in the late 1870's. How they developed is not entirely clear, but the American hunters preferred a smaller dog for hunting quail and other small game birds. The American and English Cocker Spaniels were considered varieties of the same breed until 1946 when the AKC created two distinct categories. Once they were separated, they surged in popularity and became the number one dog in North America. The breed wasn't recognized by the English Kennel Club until 1968. The breed's huge popularity almost became its downfall as indiscriminate breeders were breeding without concern for the dog's temperament. Responsible breeders saw this happening and they took it upon themselves to turn this trend around, and today you will find that great temperament that made them famous in the first place.
In the height of their popularity in the show circuit, it was near impossible for any colour other than the blacks to win. The breed club was granted permission to even the playing field by having the breed represented in three different colours: black, parti-coloured, and ASCOB (Any Solid Colour Other than Black).
The Cocker Spaniel
The name "cocker" hails from the woodcock, a bird this spaniel was initially bred to hunt. Excellent retrievers with sensitive mouths, er Spaniels are great at hunting all sorts of birds in difficult terrain. Because they are originally hunting/water dogs, their skin tends to be super oily. Though the English er is regarded as a companion dog because of his good nature, the intrinsic talents of this breed fall in the realm of hunting, retrieving, competitive obedience and agility.
A compactly crafted, medium-sized dog with long floppy ears that reach to the nose when pulled forward, this breed is strong, well-balanced, and solid with medium length hair. Their inky oval eyes have an unyielding intelligence about them--enough to make you melt.
These companion dogs are energetic, merry, and easy to love. Naturally affectionate, they are wonderful with children--to a point. Though gentle and playful, they do not tolerate teasing and taunting very well. With strangers, this dog is a socialite and will chat it up with the best of them. A great watch dog, the English er Spaniel barks if anyone knocks on the door and they obey orders respectfully.
Though this breed is generally outgoing, some individuals in the breed can be quite reserved. In fact, temperament varies widely in this breed. Some er Spaniels suddenly become enraged and bite their owners for no apparent cause--this is known as "Cocker rage." Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be an effective way to treat this. Some female ers can be fairly nt and should not be placed with passive owners. Because of their long ears and their love for outdoor exercise, this breed is prone to ear problems due to heat and/or bacteria. During the summer, the ears should be checked for grass seeds and signs of infection and cleaned often to remove wax buildup. HealthyPetNet Ear Care will help this kind of debris to rise to the surface, allowing you to clean it out with ease. Hanging so close to the ground, the ears become quite vulnerable to ticks and dirt. It is highly possible for this breed to go deaf if the ears are left unchecked.
Grooming is also a must. These dogs are also known for their skin challenges. Because of their oily skin and various allergies, itching, lesions and sores can occur often. Board certified dermatologists suggest that these dogs should be washed 8-10 times a week!
Make sure you give this breed plenty of exercise because a low thyroid, which these dogs are known for getting, can result in obesity.
If you plan to trim down this summer, this dog is the perfect companion. This breed loves exercise and has plenty of stamina. You'll find yourself struggling to keep up.
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