American Cocker Spaniel

Country: USA
Weight: 24-28 pounds
Height: 15 inches max
Coat: Long and silky, very abundant, especially the feathering
Color: Solid black (including black/tan); any solid color other than black (called ASCOB) such as chocolate, red, buff, sable, cream; particolored; not more than a third of the ground color of any of the other allowed colors, including tri
Other Names: Cocker Spaniel
Registry: FCI, AKC, UKC, TKC, CKC Group: Gun Dog

The American version of the Cocker Spaniel evolved from early spaniel imports. By the 1930s, this Cocker was much smaller than his English ancestors and had other conformation differences, so the breed was given separate status. Not long after that, in the 1940s, he had changed even more dramatically so that he bore almost no resemblance to his English counterpart.

Early AKC spaniel trials included classes for Cockers, and the little spaniel was frequently used for gunning. During the middle of the century, a Cocker served as friend and playmate in many household during the week and as a working assistant to the hunter on the weekends. For many years, no competitions were held for the Cocker's field ability, but with AKC's new hunting test for spaniels, owners can once again try their dogs with game. His modern propensity is mainly as a pet and a show dog. In the 1940s, the Cocker rose to the top spot in AKC registrations and remained there for quite a while. Knocked off by the Poodle for many years, he has recently regained that top spot in AKC registrations.

For a breed to reach the top spot in registrations and stay there, he must have a lot of good things going for him. The modern American Cocker is an intelligent, happy, trusting, as well as handsome, companion dog.

His head is domed, with a short, deep muzzle and abrupt stop. Short of back and up on leg, his usual dramatic angulation allows tremendous reach and drive all in a small package. The luxurious coat, with thick feathering on legs and belly nearly reaching the ground, creates a picture that is hard to resist by dog show judges and puppy buyers alike. But prospective owners should be aware of the care necessary to keep that lovely coat "in the pink."

Buyers should also seek the merry temperament, avoiding any fear or stand-offishness exhibited by the parents. As is often, when puppies are in high demand, the unknowlegable "backyard" breeders and disreputable puppy millers rush to fill the demand. Meticulous Cocker fanciers have some of the finest tempered animals in all of dogdom. But it is no secret that there are frightened and snappish examples of this breed produced when the only goal is selling puppies.

Inside that well-coiffed body there is still hunting instincts present. The Cocker's superabundant coat, though, makes field work difficult. Because of his happy nature and desire to please, the Cocker makes a good obedience worker. He can fit into pretty much any household, adapting to a variety of age groups and lifestyles.

All the information here was acquired/adapted from "The Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World" - written by Bonnie Wilcox, DVM and Chris alkowicz.