American Cocker Spaniel

History

Originating in the 14th century is the very popular hunting, gun dog, the American Cocker Spaniel. Many may be surprised to find out that the Cocker Spaniel is much more popular than the American Cocker Spaniel, in which the Cocker Spaniel was bred from originally. This breed shows excellence in tracking, agility, hunting, retrieving as well as their watch dog skills.

Appearance

Both males and females measure in between 14-15 inches in height, and typically weigh 17-30 pounds in weight. This breed is built longer and lower to the ground than other breeds, with a distinct round skull, coming to an abrupt stop and forming into a broad, rectangular muzzle. This breed has a large black or liver colored nose at the end of their muzzle, and two dark, almond shaped eyes. They are considered a medium sized breed, and are covered in a slightly wavy type of hair that is available in black and white, white and red, white and liver, and all solid colors as well.

Temperament

The American Cocker Spaniel is an active breed that would be best suited in a home environment with a fenced in yard, given the ability to run and play as they please, safely. This breed does well with children and other pets that it is raised along side of, and will be sure to be a great watchdog within your home boundaries. This breed is very popular among hunting men and women due to their drive to learn, obey and be alongside their owner. It is important to note that with any dog breed, it is important that your dog understand clearly who is the pack leader within your home. Generally speaking this is a wonderful family dog if raised properly and with positive reinforcement training methods only.

Grooming

Daily brushing and bathing when needed. This breed does shed. Pay special attention to their hair and skin after being outside in wooded areas if you are using your Cocker Spaniel for any hunting or outdoor activities.

Special Notes

IMPORTANT NOTE: This breed is known to be difficult to fully housebreak. A properly fenced in yard is recommended prior to adding this breed to your home to ensure safety and well-being of your new addition as well as others. We fully recommend properly educating yourself about the American Cocker Spaniel prior to adding one to your family. Do not add this dog to your home unless you are able to provide life long physical and financial care. All dogs originate from wolves (Canis Lupus). Each breed of dog was originally created by mixing different breeds together in an effort to bring forth certain characteristics. Once a breeder has created acceptable “breed characteristics” within their bloodline and these “breed characteristics” have shown to be reliably reproduced in the offspring for three (3) generations, the bloodline may be upgraded from the category of “foundation stock” to “pure-bred”. The same “pure-bred” breed standards vary from different continents, countries, territories, regions, breed clubs, and canine pure-breed registries depending on the goals of their breeders. Dog DNA testing companies can have accurate results for a specific bloodline of a small colony of dogs. However, there are tens of thousands of different bloodlines in the world which have not yet been tested for marker baseline results by Dog DNA testing companies as of 2017. For this reason Dog DNA testing companies do not guarantee the 100% accuracy of their breed lineage results and will also show different marker results for the same pure-bred breed in different continents, countries, territories, regions, breed clubs, and canine pure-breed registries depending on the goals of their breeders.