All About American Cocker Spaniels

The American Cocker Spaniel is the smallest sporting spaniel in the American Kennel Club and one of the most admired in the country. In 2007, the Cocker Spaniel ranked as the 17th most popular type of dog in the United States, out of 157 total breeds. Although the American Cocker Spaniel is a fairly recently developed breed, spaniels are one of the oldest types of dogs, with references to the Cocker found in Chaucer's and Shakespeare's literature. Cocker spaniels were specifically bred around the 1890's and the word cocker refers to the tendency to use this kind of spaniel while hunting woodcocks. The American subdivision of the breed began around the 1930's, as dog fanciers began noticing the differences of the breeds in conformation shows. About 15 years later, a formal division was made between the English and American Cocker Spaniels.

Physically, this dog is appealing as both a house pet and working canine. Dark, expressive eyes compose one of the breed's signature traits and highlight its lively, friendly temperament. Cockers weigh about 18-28 pounds and are split in three different color varieties in conformation shows. Black, ASCOB (Any Solid Color other than Black), and parti-colors are the acceptable coat colors of the breed. Black includes solid black and black and tans while ASCOB includes solids ranging from silver to dark cream to deep red. Parti-color cockers include dogs that have an approved color plus any large area of white. Although other coat colors do exist, such as merle, they remain a source of controversy and are usually indicative of the inclusion of other breeds.

Temperamentally, the American Cocker Spaniel is a friendly, joyous, and trusting breed, making them a good choice as a family pet. They are eager to please which aids in training for both obedience and hunting purposes. They are typically good with children and other pets, even though they are of hunting origins. Because of their soft demeanor, harsh punishments are not recommended.

The American Cocker Spaniel is a healthy breed although they are susceptible to a number of health problems. It is important to buy your dog from a responsible breeder who screens for known health issues such as ear infections, progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, and cataracts. Additional physical concerns that buyers need to be aware of include hip dysplasia and luxating patellas.