American Cocker Spaniel

Height: 13.5 - 15.5 inches
Weight: 24 - 28 pounds
Life span: 12 - 15 years
AKC group: Sporting
AKC rank: 16

Breed History | Background:

Spaniels were developed at least by the 1300s to flush birds into nets or to waiting falcons.
Later, they were also used to find and point birds and were specialized by their size, terrain, and type of bird.
The Cocker Spaniel, which was used for woodcock, was first mentioned in 1790.
Cocker Spaniels were in America by the late 1800s.
The AKC recognized the Cocker Spaniel in 1878.
The Cocker Spaniel was the most popular breed in America from 1936 to 1952.
As the Cocker became known as a show dog, winning Cockers tended to be smaller, longer legged, and rounder headed than the original stock from England.
In 1946, the AKC split the breed into English Cocker Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels. Only in America are these names used; elsewhere they are known as Cocker Spaniels and American Cocker Spaniels, respectively.
Cockers were such a part of Americana that Cocker celebrities included Spot (of Dick and Jane “See Spot Run” fame), Cover Boy Butch (25 times a Saturday Evening Post cover model), Lady (Lady and the Tramp), and the Coppertone Cocker.
Cocker Spaniels were once again the top breed in America from 1983 to 1990.
The breed is divided into three varieties according to color: Black (solid black or black and tan); ASCOB (which stands for Any Solid Color Other than Black, and includes cream, red, brown, and brown and tan); and Particolor (spotted or roan).

Behavioral concerns:

Makes an exuberant and entertaining companion.
Usually very good with children.
A happy dog, not easily bothered by things.
Eager to please and quick to learn, but can be so excitable that it has difficulty minding.
Does best with reward-based training involving food.
Outgoing toward strangers.
Gets along well with other pets and dogs.
Enjoys retrieving.
Usually enjoys swimming.
Some bark a lot.
Some are overly submissive. Submissive urination is not uncommon.

Suggested exercise needs:

Makes a fairly calm housedog if given adequate exercise.
Requires daily exercise in the form of a long walk, jog, or energetic games.
A good candidate for dog parks.
Obedience training is essential not only for control, but for the mental exercise it provides.

Grooming:

Coat is fairly long, silky, and either flat or wavy.
The coat needs brushing and combing two to three times a week to prevent mats.
Professional grooming and clipping is required once a month.
Special attention should be paid to keeping the eyes clean and clear of stray hairs.
The ears must be checked weekly for problems.
Shedding is average.

Suggested Nutritional Needs:

Cockers have a tendency to become overweight.
Adult dogs should be fed a balanced diet, with restricted calories if the dog starts to gain too much weight.
Puppies should be fed a balanced a puppy food.

Medical conditions seen:

Glossary