American Cocker Spaniel

The American Cocker Spaniel is an excellent hunter and excels in flushing out and retrieving birds. It is also extremely popular as a household pet and is an attractive, affectionate, adaptable animal and an excellent companion.

Origin and history

The American Cocker is smaller than the English Cocker, has a much thicker coat and, although originating from England, has been bred along different lines in the United States. Its elegant trousers and length of coat are the simplest means of clear identification.

An American Cocker was first shown in America at Manchester, Jew Hampshire, In September 1883, and when permission was given by the American Kennel Club for the two varieties to be shown, there was great enthusiasm for the American Cocker.

American Cocker Spaniel Puppies

Good points

• Adaptable to town or country living
• Beautiful
• Excellent family pet
• Intelligent
• Obedient

Take heed

• Needs lots of grooming
• Progressive retinal atrophy exists In this breed

Size

The Ideal height at the withers for an adult dog is 15in (38cm) and for an adult bitch 14in (35.5cm). Height may vary 112in (13mm) above or below this ideal. A dog whose height exceeds 15V2in (39.5cm) or a bitch whose height exceeds 14112in (37cm) or an adult bitch whose height IS less than 13112in (34cm) should be penalized.

Exercise

It must be remembered that the Cocker Spaniel was originally bred for hunting and, although it adapts happily to the role of companion and family pet, it will obviously fit in best with families who are prepared to give it two good walks a day and have a garden for it to romp in.

American Cocker Spaniel Information

General appearance
A very serviceable-looking dog with a refined head; standing on straight legs and well up at the shoulders; of compact body and wide, muscular quarters. The American Cocker Spaniel's sturdy body, powerful quarters and strong, well­boned legs show it to be a dog capable of considerable speed combined with great endurance. Above all it must be free and merry, sound, well-balanced throughout, keen to work, equable in temperament and with no suggestion of timidity.

Colour
Blacks should be Jet black; shadings of brown or liver in the sheen of the coat are not desirable. Black and tan (classified under solid colours) should have definite tan markings on a jet black body. The tan markings should be distinct and plainly visible, and the colour of the tan may be from the lightest cream to the darkest red colour. The amount of tan markings should be restricted to 10 per cent or less of the colour of the animal; tan markings in excess of 10 per cent should be penalized. Tan markings not readily visible in the ring, or the absence of tan markings in any of the specified locations, should be penalized. In all the above solid colours, a small amount of white on chest and throat, though not desirable, is allowed; but white in any other location should be penalized. Parti­colours: Two or more definite colours appearing in clearly defined markings are essential. Primary colour that is 90 per cent or more should be penalized; secondary colour or colours that are limited to one location should also be penalized. Roans are classfied as parti-colours and may be of any of the usual roaning patterns. Tricolours are any of the above colours combined with tan markings. It is preferable that the tan markings be located in the same pattern as for black and tan.

Head and skull
There should be a good square muzzle with a distinct stop mid-way between the tip of the nose and the OCCipUt. The skull should be well developed, cleanly chiselled, neither too fine nor too coarse. The cheek bones should not be prominent. The nose should be sufficiently wide to allow for the acute scenting power of this breed.

Body
The body is short and compact. The distance from the highest point of the shoulder blades to the ground is 2in (2.5cm) longer than the distance from the shoulder to the set on of the tail.

Tail
This should be set on slightly lower than the line of the back; it must be carried in line with the back and never cocked up. The tail should not be docked too long nor too short to interfere with its action.

Feet
Feet should be firm, thickly padded and caHike.

American Cocker Spaniel Feeding & Grooming

Grooming

The American Cocker with its luxuriant coat needs frequent brushing and combing and a bath and trim every eight to ten weeks. It IS best to ask the breeder for advice or to visit a professional dog groomer because the skull and muzzle hair must be trimmed to precise accepted lengths with electric clippers. The neck and shoulders must also be scissored carefully with feathering left on the legs, ears and belly. Feet must also be trimmed. ObViously you may wish to attend to this ritual yourself, but it is advisable to be shown the procedure by an expert first.

Feeding

Recommended would be 13-200z (369-587g) of a branded, meaty product with biscuit added in equal part by volume, or 2-3 cupfuls of a dry food, complete diet, mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to V2 cup of hot or cold water.

Resources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Home || Small Dogs || Medium Dogs || Large Dogs || Care

© 2004 www.Dogs-Care.Com. All Rights Reserved.