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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