Choosing an American Cocker Spaniel

Dogs

The cocker spaniel is a very popular pet, available in two distinct versions, one of which is the American cocker. It is typically known as a companion pet and is a little smaller than the English cocker. Often ranked as one of the top dog breeds, the cocker spaniel is the smallest member of the sporting dog family and was accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1892.

History and Origin

Spaniels of all kinds have been faithful hunting companions for centuries. They are a large family of dogs and mentioned in literature as far back as the mid 1300s. Over time, the spaniel family was divided into land spaniels and water spaniels. In the middle of the 19th century, breeders began to pay more attention to standardizing and developing specific breed lines in the land spaniel group. Eventually, the English cocker line and English toy spaniel line were begun.

By the late 1800s, the English cocker could be found in the United States. In 1946, the cocker spaniel was officially divided into two separate breeds; the American cocker spaniel and English cocker spaniel, both recognized by the AKC.

The name cocker is disputed and some feel that the name refers to the breeds proficiency as a hunter of woodcocks.

Appearance

The cocker spaniel is a medium-sized handsome dog. The head is round with a smooth forehead. The muzzle is broad, the jaws square and the ears hang long. The tail is often docked around the time of birth. The American cocker has a slightly more chiseled head and shorter muzzle than the English version.

The hair coat is one of the most distinguishable characteristics. It is silky, slightly wavy and of medium length and has a thick undercoat that protects them from cold and damp weather. The American cocker's hair coat is a little longer than the English cocker. The cocker comes in a variety of colors: Black, black with tan, cream, dark red, brown with tan, buff and others. Parti-color refers to a hair coat of two or more solid colors, one of which must be white.

Size

The American cocker stands with a height of 15 to 16 inches at the shoulder and weighs 22 to 28 pounds.

Personality

Overall, the cocker spaniel is a cheerful dog that is willing to please. As with other spaniels, the cocker is energetic and needs regular exercise. If not allowed to exercise, behavioral problems often develop.

Home and Family Relations

Well suited for city or country life, the breed has natural protective instincts that make him a good watchdog. If raised with children, cockers can do well. Older cockers not exposed to children early in life tend not to tolerate their antics. The American cocker has been associated with some temperament problems.

Training

Cocker spaniels have an inherent desire to hunt and they make capable gun dogs. They can be easily trained to flush and retrieve game. Even though they are land spaniels, they can adapt to water.

In addition to hunting training, the cocker spaniel is easily trained in obedience.

Special Concerns

Cockers should not be left alone for extended periods of time. This can lead to frustration and subsequent behavioral problems and destructiveness. With the increase in popularity of the cocker spaniel, indiscriminate breeding practices have resulted in temperament problems. Some are nervous and can be aggressive toward strangers.

Due to their long hair coat, the cocker must be groomed frequently.