Dog Breed:
COCKER SPANIEL
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The Standard The Cocker Spaniel is small dog, 15
inches at the withers (top of the shoulder blades), with a medium-length, double coat;
long, pendulous ears; and a merrily wagging stumpy tail. Females are slightly smaller than
males. Cocker color is divided into black, parti-color, and any solid color other than
black (ASCOB in show catalogs). Black includes black-and-tan and should be jet black
without liver or brown shadings. The tan markings are to be over the eyes, on the muzzle
and cheeks, undersides of ears, on all legs and feet, and under the tail. Tan on the chest
is optional. Parti-color includes any color, including the mixed color known as roan,
patterned with white. A third color is permissible. ASCOB includes blonde and red, with or
without tan markings. Small white markings are permitted on the throat and chest of solid
color Cockers, but nowhere else.
The Cocker could not have become the top dog in the US unless it had a good
temperament. A well-bred Cocker is sweet, loyal, cheerful, playful, trustworthy, easily
trained, adaptable -- all those things most sought after in a family pet. It needs a
moderate amount of exercise and will get pudgy if allowed to be a complete couch potato.
Its sensitivity may be its only drawback, for discipline must be gentle or the Cocker may
wilt. However, the popularity of the breed has almost been its downfall: Puppy mills and
backyard breeders have flooded the market with poorly-bred specimens that are yappy,
snappy, nervous, high-strung dogs that are difficult to train and handle.
The original breed of Cocker dates back to the 1300s. The American Cocker Spaniel (or
Cocker Spaniel as it is called in the USA) shares the same ancestry as the English Cocker
Spaniel until the mid 1800s.. At that time, a stud named Obo II came to the United States
where he attracted a great many fanciers. Soon after, changes began to occur and there
emerged two distinct types of Cockers. One retained the original longer-bodied, heavier
conformation, the second was lighter, with a shorter back, longer legs and heavier coat.
Efforts were made to distinguish the two breeds and in 1947, the newer variety was
officially called the Cocker Spaniel (American) and the original was renamed the English
Cocker Spaniel. The American Cocker Spaniel was first registered by the AKC in 1878. The
name cocker comes from the dog's proficiency at hunting woodcock. This breed loves to play
in the water and outdoors, and would be happiest with an active family in either the city
or country. The typical lifespan of a healthy Cocker is about 12 - 15 years.
Height: 14.5 - 15.5" (36.8
- 36.8cm) for dogs, 13.5 - 14.5" (34.3 - 34.3cm)
for bitches
Weight: 24 - 28 lbs (10.7 -
12.5 kg)
Coat Type: The silky coat may
be straight or slightly wavy and is most profuse on the legs and underside. Colors may be
any solid color or parti-color which is white with any other well-defined color. Regular
grooming is necessary as may be some trimming. Matting is a common problem
Temperament: The Cocker Spaniel
is a playful and loyal breed which usually will get along well with other animals. These
are gentle, sweet and trusting dogs, but they should be socialized at a young age to avoid
being timid when they are older. It is no wonder the Cocker Spaniel is one of the most
popular dogs. These dogs have also been known to be timid and can suffer from excitable
urination.
Health Problems: Epilepsy is
highly suspected to have a genetic component in this breed along with eye diseases and hip
dysplasia.
Special Interest: This breed
ranked as the most popular dog for some 15 years in the 40s and 50s, and still remains in
the top 10 today.
Classifications:
AKC: Group 1 - Sporting Dogs
CKC: Group 1 - Sporting Dogs
KC: Sporting - Gundog Group
FCI: Group 8
ANKC: Group 3 - Gundogs
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More information about the Cocker
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