THE "AMERICAN" COCKER SPANIEL
PROFILE OF AN AMERICAN BREED
by Lee Weston
     When I was young, my father brought home a seven month old American Cocker Spaniel.  She had been subjected to mistreatment and had been in danger of being put down by her former owners for not being trainable.  For fourteen years, this beautiful Cocker Spaniel was a part of my family's life and I will carry the memory of her for all my life.  She waited for me to return home from school every day, and was always there with excited wagging of her stubby little tail and a happy expression in her lovely brown eyes.  She was there when I cried, allowing me to hold her close, she knew that she was helping me get through the dramatic ups and downs of being a teenager.  She was my friend when I felt all alone.  She was there for all of us, thriving on our love.  On our part, we had never had a more expressive, devoted companion as this Cocker Spaniel.  She was more than a pet, she was a member of our family.

     The American Cocker Spaniel is the smallest member of the Sporting Group.  They should measure between 14" and 15" to the withers, and weigh between 18 and 23 pounds.  They possess a profuse, silky coat which when they show in conformation makes the dog appear to float around the ring.  There are three classes of color for the American Cocker Spaniel

     The American Cocker Spaniel is an elegant, small-sized dog.  He possesses an artistically sculptured head, a dramatic sloping top line and has a short muzzle, rounded cranial area and a deep stop between the large, prominent eyes.  He is no longer a true sporting breed, but some dogs can be turned loose in a field, and they know how to work a quarter without being taught.
     Cocker Spaniels can be exuberant, fun-loving and highly intelligent.  If they are not trained properly, the Cocker can be a great disappointment in that they will become destructive and very disappointing as a family pet.  The American Cocker Spaniel must have human companionship.  These dogs cannot be backyard dogs, or put in a crate for 12 to 14 hours per day, or ignored.  They thrive on gentle handling, affection and consistency.  They are very tuned in to their owner's moods and tone of voice.
     The American Cocker Spaniel is very high maintenance when you consider caring for their coats.  Even with a "sporting" cut, the hair needs to be brushed and combed every day.  If you are interested in showing your dog, you're talking hours of time investment.  All Cocker Spaniels are susceptible to ear infections due to the long ear covering, so the ears need regular checks and cleaning.
     To find the best Cocker Spaniels, do not go to a retail store, do not deal with puppy mills.  Some lines have undesirable traits such as fear biting, nervous wetting and shyness.  To find a good breeder, go to a dog show.  Approach the exhibitors and/or handlers, the best time is after they have finished showing.  Ask if they have time to talk to you about their breed of dog.  Understand that there is a great deal of preparation and concentration in the presentation of a show dog in the ring.  Most dog people love to talk about their particular breed of dog.  Knowledge about the breed of dog you are bringing into your family will not be wasted, and may even prevent heartbreak and save a great deal of money for medical bills.

Return to Cocker Spaniel Directory
Return to Bark Bytes Home
copyright and disclaimer
All rights reserved. No part of this publication shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without written permission from Bark Bytes, Inc.