AKA: Cocker Spaniel

Description: The American Cocker Spaniel has very distinct features, which includes its long hanging ears and its medium-length coat. It has a round head, a wide and deep muzzle, and a square jaw. Its upper lip can be seen to cover the lower jaw completely, and the teeth forms a scissors bite. The nose is black, especially on black dogs. But there are some that has a brown nose. The eyes are round and the rims are slightly oval.

The body of an American Cocker Spaniel is compact. It has a short back, where the topline slopes gently from the front to the back. Dewclaws on the front and rear legs should be removed. The tail is carried on a line with its back and is constantly in motion. The feathery coat is silky, flat, or slightly wavy and can be cared for easily. It should be trimmed enough so as not to hide the Cocker Spaniel’s true lines and movements.

Dynamics: The American Cocker Spaniel can be either a gun dog or a family pet. It is cheerful and sweet, and it doesn’t challenge a master’s authority that much. Its tail-wagging is proof to its playful and merry nature. The Cocker Spaniel is usually good with children. It has to be socialized well with people and other animals to avoid the development of shyness. It is fairly easy to train. The Cocker Spaniel is also used for hunting, tracking, retrieving, watchdogging, and agility.

Breed Group: Gun Dog, Sporting

Weight: 15-30 lbs (7-14 kg)

Height: 14 ½ inches (36.8 cm), 15 ½ inches (38 cm)

Color: The Cocker Spaniel may come in buff, black, and other solid colors. But it can also come in black-and-tan and parti-color like white with black, white with bluff, etc.

Country of Origin: The American Cocker Spaniel was originally bred from the English Cocker Spaniels that came to the United States.

Activities: The American Cocker Spaniel has plenty of stamina. It loves to play and run. Taking it out for an exercise and daily walks is great for its well-being.

Grooming: In grooming the Cocker Spaniel, brush its coat daily and shampoo frequently. Clip the hair regularly and be careful not to pull out silky hair.

Other Info: The American Cocker Spaniel has a life expectancy of about 12-15 years. Major health concerns for the breed include catarcts, glaucoma, and patellar luxation. It is also prone to hip dysplasia, ectropion, entropion, PRA, allergies, seborrhea, lip fold pyoderma, otitis externa, liver disease, urolithiasis, prolapse of nictitans gland, CHF, phosphofructokinase deficiency, and cardiomyopathy. Gastric torsion, elbow dysplasia, and IMHA are included. Cocker Spaniels will do okay in apartments as long as they are taken outdoors or exercised form time to time.