American Cocker Spaniel

Breed Description

The American Cocker Spaniel is a variation of the English Cocker Spaniel, developed in the USA. Originally a hunting dog, the Cocker Spaniel has become highly oriented towards show performances. This development began in the USA about 100 years ago. By 1930, this new line was developed to a point where American and English Cocker Spaniels were judged in different classes at dog shows. Swiss canine expert Hans Reber summarizes this evolution in his encyclopedia of dog breeds:

The American Cocker Spaniel has become a purely show dog and is no longer suitable for hunting due to its abundant coat.

Its brother, the English Cocker Spaniel, remains more of a hunting dog than the American, just like its ancestors hundreds of years ago. Spaniels were originally hunting dogs, specifically search dogs. They are required to track game before the hunter and either flush it out or get it to run away. This should happen at a certain distance from the hunter so he can take a good shot. After the shot, they must fetch the game. This behavior is quite complex and has deep roots, dating back to the Celts and Germans. The Cocker Spaniel was one of the first breeds in modern pedigree dog breeding and was recognized by the Kennel Club as early as 1873. The Americans stemmed from it. In 1940, a separate standard for them was developed. In 1943, the American was recognized as a distinct breed, and in 1965, the breed was acknowledged by the FГ©dГ©ration Cynologique Internationale. In Russia, about 60 puppies are registered annually, which is a significant decrease compared to the number of puppies ten years earlier.

The Cocker Spaniels originally come from English Cocker Spaniels; their name is due to the breed’s initial Spanish origins, and “cocker” appeared in connection with their successful hunting of woodcock, which these dogs helped hunters pursue.

These affectionate pets grow to about 38 centimeters in height and weigh around 13 kilograms. With long, feathery ears and a back that slopes towards the rear, this medium-sized breed has a regal appearance. It boasts long, silky fur in interesting shades!

Cockers are wonderful playmates for children and love to please. They enjoy swimming and participating in other sports with you because they have a high energy level. Bred as hunting dogs, they strive to remain active and sporty. Families with an active lifestyle and routine will gladly welcome one as a pet!The price for a puppy ranges from 20,000 to 60,000 rubles.

Appearance

The American Cocker Spaniel is a variety of the well-known original Cocker Spaniel. It has a cheerful, friendly, and loving charisma. Unlike the English Cocker, it has a round head clearly defined from the muzzle. The muzzle itself is quite short and slightly angled upward. The American has very long ears that are heavily feathered. Its sides feature very long silky fur that reaches the ground. The brow ridges are very prominent. Although the standard states that its coat should not “obscure the true lines of the Cocker Spaniel, interfere with movement, or compromise its appearance and duties as a hunting dog with moderate fur,” the reality is quite different. Due to the exaggerations of show breeding, this dog is usually unsuitable for going outside in the rain or muddy weather, let alone performing its function as a hunting dog and scavenger. Furthermore, the extremely long ears and overall long hanging fur adversely affect its health and represent a joyless existence. Various clearly defined colors and patterns are permitted, which the official standard dedicates an entire page to describing.

The active and strong American Cocker captivates with its cheerful nature. It has a rounded, refined head and a broad, square muzzle. Its lush, wavy, soft coat, long feathered ears, and charming puppy eyes make it simply irresistible.

The American Cocker Spaniel is a compact and small dog in optimal condition. It is an excellent working breed with great balance. Its rounded head and thick silky coat are particularly noticeable. It moves smoothly and coordinately, as if easily overcoming all obstacles in its path.

The American Cocker Spaniel is often confused with the English Cocker Spaniel, although they share common ancestors, they are distinct breeds.

It is small to medium-sized, standing about 37 centimeters at the withers and weighing between 10 to 12 kilograms.

It has a serviceable appearance with a refined, sculpted head, strong, bony legs, well-placed shoulders, a compact, sturdy body, and wide muscular limbs, all well-balanced.Its lifespan is around 12 years.

Отличительные черты

Голова

The head is well-developed and rounded, not flat or dome-shaped. The eyebrows and forehead are clearly defined. The midline is distinctly expressed just above the center of the crown. The area around the eye sockets is well-carved.

Морда

The head is wide, deep, and distinctly square, with even jaws. The nose is well-defined. The nostrils of black-and-tan dogs are black, while those of yellowish-brown, brown, brown-and-tan, brindle, and spotted dogs can be either black or brown.

Уши

The ears are proportional and positioned on the eye line. The skin of the ears is thin and reaches the nostrils, while the hair varies in length and texture - silky, straight, or slightly wavy.

Глаза

The eyes are round, full, and directed straight ahead. The shape of the eye rims gives them a slightly almond-like appearance. They are neither too small nor protruding. The expression in their eyes is intelligent, alert, soft, and attractive. The color of the iris ranges from dark brown to black in black, black-and-tan, yellowish-brown, and cream colors, as well as in darker shades of spotted and brindle. In red and brown coats, the color is dark hazelnut; in spotted and brindle, it is lighter hazelnut; the darker, the better.

Зубы

The jaws are strong, with a proper scissor bite, meaning the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth and are perpendicular to the jaws.

Корпус

Верхняя часть тела имеет примерно одинаковую высоту в холке и длину от холки до основания хвоста. Грудь глубокая, расположение самой нижней точки не выше локтей. Ребра глубокие и имеют отличную изогнутость на всей их длине. Тело короткое как на соединениях, так и на боку. Высота тела на боку немного меньше, чем у последнего ребра. Спина у собаки крепкая, равномерно наклоняется и слегка опускается от холки к основанию хвоста. Бедра широкие, округлые и мускулистые, придавая собаке компактный и прочный вид, который выражает ее силу. Она никогда не должна выглядеть длинной и низкой.

Конечности

Плечи собаки глубокие, хорошо очерченные и крепкие, без выпуклостей. Передние конечности должны быть мускулистыми, прямыми и иметь крепкий костяк. Они должны быть поставлены близко к телу, под лопатками. Локти хорошо опущены и не вывернуты ни внутрь, ни наружу. Запястья короткие и крепкие. Задние конечности имеют крепкий костяк и мускулистую заднюю часть тела с хорошими углами в коленях и мощными, четко очерченными бедрами. Коленный сустав крепкий и не проскальзывает. Скакательные суставы сильные и хорошо опущены; если смотреть сзади, задние конечности движутся параллельно или в состоянии покоя. У собаки лапы компактные, но не раздвоенные, округлые и крепкие, с глубокими, прочными подушечками и шерстью между пальцами; аппозиция пальцев. Движения координированные, плавныеи и легкие, при этом хорошо покрывающие землю.

Хвост

Раньше обычно купировался. Купированный хвост, обрезается на 3/5 своей исходной длины. Прикреплен и сохраняется на одной линии с верхней частью спины или немного выше. Никогда не поднимается слишком высоко или опускается настолько низко, чтобы выглядеть робким. Во время движения собаки хвост радостно движется. Не купированный: хвост прикреплен на одной линии со спиной. Умеренной длины. Опушение пропорционально шерсти собаки. Более плотный у корня и постепенно сужающийся к концу. Держится на одной линии с верхней частью спины или немного выше, но никогда не согнут назад или опущен настолько низко, чтобы указывать на робость. Во время движения собаки хвост радостно движется.

Шерсть

The head of this breed has short, thin fur, while the body has medium-length fur with enough undercoat for protection. The ears, chest, belly, and legs are well-furred, but not so densely that they conceal the body shape or restrict the dog's movement, which should be athletic. The most important aspect here is the texture of the fur. It should be silky, smooth, or slightly wavy. Excessively curly, woolly, or cotton-like fur is undesirable.

Окрас

Черные: грудасто-черные, с отсутствием коричневых или печеночных оттенков в блеске шерсти. Черно-подпалые и коричнево-подпалые (классифицируются как однотонные окрасы) имеют определенные подпалые отметины на основном черно- или коричнево-окрашенном теле. Подпалые отметины должны быть четкими и хорошо видимыми, а цвет подпала может варьироваться от светло-кремового до темно-красного. Количество рыжевато-коричневых отметин должно быть ограничено не более десяти процентами от цвета особи, превышение этого лимита нежелательно. Плохая видимость подпалых отметин формируется кольцом или их отсутствие в любой из указанных зон также является нежелательным. Присутствие или отсутствие подзатылочных отметин допускается на груди по желанию. Крайне нежелательна подпалость на морде, которая поднимается вверх и сливается с мордой. Любые однотонные окрасы, кроме чисто черных, допускаются. Во всех вышеперечисленных однотонных окрасах небольшое количество белого на груди и на горле, хотя и нежелательно, допустимо, но белый цвет в других местах является крайне нежелательным. Разноцветные: обязательно наличие двух или более четко очерченных цветов. Основной цвет, который составляет девяносто процентов или более, является крайне нежелательным, а вторичный цвет или цвета, ограниченные одним местом, также крайне нежелательны. Чалые классифицируются как разноцветные окрасы и могут иметь любую распространенную чалую окраску. Триколор представляет собой любой из указанных окрасов в сочетании с рыжевато-коричневыми отметинами. Подпалые отметины предпочтительно расположены по тому же рисунку, что и у черно-подпалых.

Character

The Cocker Spaniel is a loving, affectionate companion. It has an extremely friendly, people-oriented nature without quirks. It is playful and would love to release energy outdoors, as there still resides a passionate hunter within. By nature, it would like to engage in its long-standing passion of digging along a tow line. It must have explored every fence and bush to track a scent and, if needed, follow it. Fearlessly, it would go through thickets, even into the water. It is allowed to do all this today due to extreme breeding to become a show dog. Its long coat, extreme ears, and other breed characteristics make this nearly impossible. Today, as a companion dog, it is permitted long walks in nature, provided the ground is dry and not too muddy or dusty. American Cockers are eager to learn and are always interested in exploring new things. They are easy to handle even for beginners.

The Cocker Spaniel is a sweet, caring, and reliable family friend that gets along well with children, other pets, and elderly people. It is a favored family dog, which is one of the reasons for its popularity. This delightful companion and loyal family member is very sociable and caring, making it beloved by all.

Cocker Spaniels are usually friendly and playful dogs with excellent temperaments. They get along with other animals in the home, whether they are dogs, cats, or small pets. When sufficiently socialized, Cocker Spaniels are friendly and peaceful towards strangers and other creatures.

Joyful, free, healthy, and eager to work are the main characteristics of a Spaniel.

Their temperament is balanced, with no hint of timidity.

Content and Care

Caring for an American Cocker Spaniel can be quite a task. You need to groom the American every day. Their ears also need to be checked regularly and professionally taken care of. Too long hair and too long ears can hinder an American Cocker from running.

Their beautiful coat makes you want to spend more time maintaining it. Grooming can be intensive and potentially expensive. Some prefer to leave grooming to professional groomers every six to eight weeks. However, daily brushing at home is also necessary to prevent their fur from getting tangled.

Their nails should be trimmed monthly, and their ears should be checked weekly for dirt, redness, or unpleasant odors that may indicate an infection. Spaniels are prone to ear infections, so it’s important to always be vigilant.

Cockers usually shed. They have a double coat with a fluffy undercoat and short or long silky hair on top. Frequent grooming and occasional baths are needed during these shedding periods to remove excess hair.

These affectionate breeds stand 38 centimeters tall and weigh 13 kilograms. With long feathered ears and a back that slopes towards the rear, this medium-sized breed has a regal appearance. They have long silky hair in interesting shades!

Cockers are wonderful playmates for children and love to please. They enjoy swimming and other sports with you because they have high energy levels. Bred as hunting dogs, they strive to remain active and athletic. Families with an active lifestyle will be happy to welcome them as pets!Since Americans love to eat a lot and quickly, they are prone to obesity; it is essential to monitor their diet and treats closely. Quality low-calorie or diet food can be purchased at specialty stores.

Training and Education

The American Cocker Spaniel is a wonderful and friendly companion, but it requires active interaction with people. This breed learns quickly and is suitable for those who are just starting to explore the world of dogs. It needs loving care from its owners and will gladly return that affection. It has a calmer temperament compared to other spaniels, but it still wants to go outdoors every day. It is quite adaptable to living conditions and fits well in an apartment. The American Cocker Spaniel is a very friendly four-legged friend that desires to learn, making training easier for its owner. Rules must be established and adhered to, including by the two-legged friends. It quickly grasps these rules, but it is clever enough to recognize any inconsistencies and use them to its advantage. One should never confuse consistency with rigidity or cruelty, as this can cause psychological harm to the dog. Management should be based on a close bond between the owner and the dog. This makes it easily trainable and allows even novices to handle it successfully.

The American Cocker Spaniel is a dog that is relatively easy to train. They seek nothing more than to please their family and be with them, which facilitates their learning. However, they are very sensitive and react to corrections and disapproving tones in their owner’s voice. They become counterproductive when faced with harsh words. It is advisable to use positive reinforcement to maintain motivation and focus on training.

The Cocker Spaniel is an active dog that can maintain good muscle tone, although this breed does not require extensive exercise to burn off excess energy. They need a brisk 30-minute walk to feel comfortable. They enjoy getting their exercise by fetching a ball or another toy. If your Cocker has a dog friend, you should play with it and get some movement in. Zoos offer elite breed puppies with a complete set of documents.

How to Choose a Puppy

Choosing an American Cocker Spaniel puppy is a responsible step that requires careful consideration. This breed is known for its friendly nature, intelligence, and playfulness. To ensure your new pet becomes a beloved family member, follow these guidelines when selecting a puppy.

First, determine your needs and lifestyle. American Cocker Spaniels are active and energetic dogs that require plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation. Make sure you are ready to dedicate time to walks and playtime. If you have children or other pets, ensure the puppy will feel comfortable in your family.

The next step is to find a trustworthy breeder. Look only to reputable breeders who have a good reputation in the dog breeding community. Research reviews and recommendations. A good breeder will always be willing to provide information about the health of the puppy’s parents, their temperament, and living conditions.

Pay attention to the conditions in which the puppies are kept. They should be clean and safe. Healthy puppies are usually active and playful, with clear eyes and a shiny coat. Observe the puppy’s temperament: choose one that shows interest and sociability, but is not overly aggressive or timid.

Make sure the puppy has undergone all necessary veterinary check-ups and vaccinations. Request health documents from the breeder, including information about tests for hereditary diseases such as hip dysplasia and eye conditions. The health of the parents is also important, as it can affect the future puppy’s health.

Consider the age of the puppy. The ideal age for getting a Cocker Spaniel puppy is between 8 and 12 weeks. At this age, puppies are more receptive to socialization and training. Ensure the puppy has all necessary documents, including registration and vaccination information.Also, think about the puppy’s sex. Males tend to be more independent and may show more aggression, while females are often more affectionate and people-oriented. The choice of sex depends on your preferences and the role you want the dog to play in your family.Don’t forget to set a budget. The price of an American Cocker Spaniel puppy can vary depending on lineage, breeder reputation, and region. Typically, costs range from 30,000 to 80,000 rubles. Also, consider future expenses for food, veterinary care, grooming, and maintenance.Finally, don’t rush your decision. Try to meet several puppies, ensuring your choice is based on love and mutual understanding. The right puppy will become your loyal friend for many years to come. By following these recommendations, you can select a healthy and happy American Cocker Spaniel puppy that will be a cherished member of your family. Zoonika offers the

Health and Diseases

The health of the American Cocker Spaniel is an important aspect to consider when choosing this breed. Like any other dog, they can be susceptible to various diseases, some of which may have a genetic predisposition. Being aware of potential health issues can help owners take timely measures to maintain their pet’s health.

One of the most common diseases in American Cocker Spaniels is hip dysplasia. This condition occurs when the joint develops improperly, leading to pain and limited mobility. Dysplasia can manifest as lameness or reluctance to engage in physical activity. Regular veterinary check-ups and attention to physical activity can help prevent this condition.

American Cocker Spaniels are also prone to elbow dysplasia, which can cause similar symptoms. Pets with a predisposition to this disease may experience discomfort during movement, making it important to monitor their activity. Providing a balanced diet and maintaining an optimal weight can reduce the risk of developing this condition.

Additionally, American Cocker Spaniels are susceptible to eye diseases, such as cataracts and glaucoma. These conditions can lead to deteriorating vision and even blindness if not diagnosed and treated in time. Owners should closely observe their dogs’ behavior and consult a veterinarian at the first signs of vision problems, such as redness of the eyes or cloudiness.

Skin issues are also quite common among this breed. American Cocker Spaniels can suffer from allergies, which may manifest as itching, redness, and rashes. Often, allergic reactions are triggered by food or external factors like pollen and the fur of other animals. Ensuring proper nutrition and regular bathing can help maintain skin and coat health.

Ear diseases are another prevalent issue for Cocker Spaniels, particularly due to their long, floppy ears, which can retain moisture and create a favorable environment for bacteria and infections. Regular ear cleaning and inspections can help prevent the development of infections and ensure the pet’s health.Furthermore, it’s crucial to monitor the weight of the American Cocker Spaniel. Excess weight can lead to various health issues, including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Adhering to a balanced diet and engaging in regular physical activity is vital for the health and longevity of your pet.To ensure the health of the American Cocker Spaniel, it is recommended to conduct regular veterinary check-ups, maintain proper nutrition and physical activity, and monitor the condition of the skin and coat. The health of your pet is a result of a comprehensive approach that includes care, attention, and timely medical intervention. With early detection and treatment of health issues, your Cocker Spaniel can be a loyal friend for many years to come.