Little Pawz -- American Cocker Spaniel -- Small Dogs -- Small Dog Breed Information -- Toy Dogs -- Miniature Dogs -- Dog Breeds

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 a beautiful, affectionate breed that will make an excellent companion in either city or country surroundings.

The Breed Standard states: The American Cocker Spaniel's sturdy body, powerful quarters and strong, well-boned legs show it to be a dog capable of considerable speed combined with great endurance. Above all it must be free and merry, sound and well-balanced.

Size
Height: Dogs: 15 inches (38 cm); Bitches: 14 inches (35.5 cm) at the withers
The height may vary 1/2 inch (13 mm), but should not exceed or be below this variance

Coat
On the head, short and fine; on the body, medium length, with enough undercoating to give protection. The ears, chest, abdomen, and hind legs are well feathered, but not so excessively as to hide the American Cocker Spaniel's true lines and movement or affect his appearance and function as a sporting dog. The texture is most important. The coat is silky, flat or slightly wavy, and of a texture which permits easy care. Excessive or curly or cottony textured coat is to be penalized.

Colour
Black Variety: Solid colour black, to include black with tan points. The black should be jet; shadings of brown or liver in the sheen of the coat are not desirable. A small amount of white on the chest and /or throat is allowed, white in any other location shall disqualify.

Any solid colour other than black and any such colour with tan points. The colour shall be of a uniform shade but lighter colouring of the feather is permissible. A small amount of white on the chest and/or throat is allowed; white in any other location shall disqualify.

Particolour Variety: Two or more definite, well-broken colours, one of which must be white, including those with tan points; it is preferable that the tan markings be located in the same pattern as for the tan points in the Black and ASCOB varieties. Roans are classified as particolours, and may be of any of the usual roaning patterns. Primary colour which is ninety per cent or more shall disqualify.

Tan Points: The colour of the tan may be from the lightest cream to the darkest red colour and should be restricted to ten per cent or less of the colour (of the specimen), tan markings in excess of that amount shall disqualify. In the case of tan points in the Black or ASCOB variety, the markings shall be located as follows: (a) A clear tan spot over each eye
(b) On the side of the muzzle and on the cheeks
(c) On the undersides of the ears
(d) On all feet and/or legs
(e) Under the tail
(f) On the chest, optional — presence or absence not penalized. Tan markings which are not readily visible or which amount only to traces, shall be penalized. Tan on the muzzle which extends upward, over and joins shall also be penalized. The absence of tan markings in the Black or ASCOB variety in each of the specified locations in an otherwise tan-pointed dog shall disqualify.

Exercise
It must be remembered that the American 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 yard to romp in at its heart's content.

Grooming
The American Cocker Spaniel with its luxuriant coat, needs daily brushing and combing, and a bath and trim every 8 – 10 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 carefully scissored, and 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 learn the procedure first.

Feeding
Recommended would be 1 1/2 cans (13.3 oz 376 g size) name-brand dog food with a biscuit, or 3 cups of a dry dog food. Always provide an ample supply of fresh water for your American Cocker Spaniel.

Origin and History
The American Cocker Spaniel is smaller than the English Cocker Spaniel, 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 identification.

An American Cocker Spaniel was first shown in the United States at Manchester, New 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.

Celebrity Owners
Barry Williams who played Greg Brady on The Brady Bunch has a Cocker Spaniel named Buffy. Oprah Winfrey has two Cocker Spaniels: a chocolate brown Cocker named Soloman, and Sophie, a black Cocker Spaniel.

Read more about the American Cocker Spaniel.