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.

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The American Cocker Spaniel - Facts of Origin

The American Cocker is one of the nine spaniel breeds which are all members of the sporting dog group. The history of the breed dates back to fourteenth century Europe, where the dogs were known as "spanyells" and they were bred for hunting to flush and retrieve game for their owners.

They were found in France and Switzerland but are believed to have originated in Spain. When introduced into England the spaniel breed began to form the spaniels that we know today.

The English Cocker, the English Springer Spaniel and what has become the American Cocker all share the same heritage. In the early 1800's there were two popular English spaniels of which one was the ancestor of today's English Springer Spaniel and the other a smaller cocking spaniel (referring to its specialty in hunting woodcocks). The main difference between the two popular Spaniels were their size and up until the 1870's the only qualification for a Cocker Spaniel was to weigh under 25 pounds.

In 1879 it is believed that the dog that has been looked at as the father of the English Cocker Spaniel, Obo, was born and by 1892 the Cocker Spaniel and the Springer Spaniel were recognized as distinct and separate breeds by the Kennel Club of England.

In 1881 the American Spaniel Club was formed to satisfy the needs of the large amount of breeders in North America but nevertheless there still had been some interbreeding between the Cocker Spaniels and Springer Spaniels in North America as well as in England.

In the early 1900's Cockers had become a very popular breed in North America as they were wonderful family dogs, good game dogs and at the same time having great affection for their owners. During the 1920's, some physical differences were starting to be noticed with the American cockers as their muzzles had become smaller, they had a softer coat, and were lighter in weight. Due to these changes in 1935 the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America was formed to help discourage the interbreeding of the English Cocker and the American Cocker as up until this time the English Cocker had been the recognized breed but with the differences now between the two there had become a lot of confusion.

In 1946 the American Kennel Club officially recognized the American Cocker as a separate breed and thus the separation of the two different breeds of Cocker Spaniels: The English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel.

Today, in the United States the Cocker is referring to the American Cocker Spaniel, while outside the United States the Cocker is referring to the English Cocker Spaniel.

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Considering the American Cocker Spaniel As a Pet

When searching for a dog as a pet there a number of general qualities an individual will typically require. These qualities normally include friendliness, good behavior in the presence of other dogs, gentleness in regards to young children, and a sense of loyalty towards their master. If these characteristics sound similar to the vision of owning a dog, then some consideration should be given to the American Cocker Spaniel.

From a personality standpoint, the American Cocker Spaniel meets all the general requirements of an obedient, loyal and loving pet. This breed has a casual demeanor unmatched by a variety other types of dogs. In addition, the American Cocker Spaniel is known for their trustworthy behavior pertaining to young children making them a wonderful family pet. You will be hard pressed to discover your American Cocker Spaniel in a quarrel with another dog as well.

For individuals who live alone, these dogs are arguably one of the best. They are undeniably loyal to their master and can be a delight to obedience train. American Cocker Spaniels are however, known for being energetic and do require regular exercise both indoors and out. Therefore, an individual who enjoys being outside and active will fit the personality of the American Cocker Spaniel much better than someone who is less active. The most unfortunate trait about this breed relates to their physical health.

Due to their popularity, this breed has been subject to a variety of unprofessional breeding such as that of puppy mills and backyard breeders. As a result, a number of health disorders have plagued these dogs such as glaucoma, anemia related diseases, and cardiac problems. For this reason, it is best to obtain this animal from a reputable breeder and to have it thoroughly examined by a vet prior to purchase or adoption.

Regardless of their physical health conditions, the American Cocker Spaniel is a wonderful dog for anyone searching for a family or personal pet. These dogs need the proper care from loving people who are willing to provide a quality living environment. There is a variety of information available about this breed that is worth viewing when considering the possibility of making these dogs your own. Please take the time to search various websites, articles (such as this), and books available at your local library in order to properly research this breed prior to purchase or adoption.

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Training an American Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels are known to have two types the English and the American. However, canine experts state that American Cocker Spaniel is a completely different breed from its English cousin. For one, the English Cocker Spaniel is somewhat bigger than the other, but this is relative. There are several other differences but the most noticeable is the shape of the heads. The American Cocker has a domed skull while the English breed a have more rectangular shape.

Obedience training is the key to having a well-mannered pet. Although these dog are generally calm-tempered, they can get troublesome when untrained. Since this breed is known to be independent and sensitive, they have to be trained firmly but gently. They are extremely intelligent too so when they feel your frustration, they might lose confidence and give up as well.

Housebreaking new American Cocker Spaniel puppies should be done with Obedience training and this should be concise and uncomplicated. Never strain or punish them for they may see it as off-putting and you will fail. Repetition is very important so don't think that a week is enough. Keep on doing your lessons so that it will be like second nature to your pet.

Although you aren't required to purchase supplies for training, it is good that you have the basics. For leash training, an important part of the whole training session, an appropriate collar and leash are needed. Get something that will reinforce good behavior like dog treats although a good petting and verbal approval will do just as well. A great way to train your dog is to introduce them to their surroundings and other people. Socialization is important.

Training sessions' success can be achieved when gradually made. Ten to fifteen minutes, two to three times a day will be enough. Note that dogs can be bored and like children, they have short attention spans. Don't do complicated commands immediately. Like everything, you should start them with the most basic ones like letting them know what "no" or a shake of the head means. Commands like "Sit" or "Stay" are good initial lessons as well.

Although you can hire a professional trainer or enroll your puppy in a class, remember that you will be dealing with them in the future and that the dog will stay most often in your house. It is better to learn a lot about American Cocker Spaniel training that leaving your fate with the dog on someone else's hands.

All this will take time and you may encounter a few bumps along the way. Anticipate the common displays of disobedience or even aggressive behavior. American Cocker Spaniel training consist of the punishment and reward system but in this case, you ignore the wrongdoing not punish and reward the good behavior. Again, patience and consistency is the key

Remember, there are no bad students, only bad teachers. This dog want to please you and they will do their part and try their best as long as you do it well. Make the most out of the experience and come out with the most-behaved American Cocker Spaniel in your town.

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Cocker Spaniel Health Problems - Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA)

Auto-immune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a blood disorder. This condition results when red blood cells are destroyed by the immune system faster than the rate at which new ones can be produced, resulting in anemia. The Cocker Spaniel is susceptible to this blood disorder, which occurs most commonly in middle-aged dogs. The condition of AIHA may be mild and hardly noticeable, or it may be sudden in onset and severe.

Symptoms of AIHA are usually vague and indistinct, such as poor appetite, weakness, listlessness, and lethargy. The dog may have a rapid heartbeat and rapid breathing. If you examine his gums, you may notice that they are pale, or they may be yellowish due to jaundice as a result of the breakdown of red blood cells.

Reduced red blood cell counts means reduced oxygen being transported to the organ tissues. Most dogs that die with this condition do so in the first few days due to kidney, liver, or heart failure, or because of a bleeding problem.

Conventional treatment includes the use of corticosteroids to slow the destruction of red blood cells. Sometimes, chemotherapy drugs may be given as well. Most forms of AIHA are treatable but, as mentioned above, death may occur due to blood loss and/or organ failure.

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The American Cocker Spaniel - A Real Friend

The American Cocker spaniel in one the most popular dog breeds in the United States. It has a compact stature and is considered a small dog breed. Between the 1930's and the 1940's this dog breed has been crowned number one by the AKC (American Kennel Club) for seventeen years. The American cocker spaniel is a descendant of the sprinter spaniel, the field spaniel, and the shorter English cocker spaniel. The word cocker refers to chasing wood cock.

The Cocker spaniel came to the United States in the 1880's. The American Cocker spaniel were bred specifically as a hunting dog, they specializes in hunting birds and rabbits. One unique feature about this dog is that, they are nonhound breed, which are specialized in chasing fur instead of feathers. When in hunting mode, these dogs are extremely determined to hunt down their prey so that they can please their owner. These dogs have a lot of fur and require a trip to the groomer more often compared to other dog breeds however, the long fur gives this dog a luxurious look overall. These dogs do require a considerable amount of attention, but they tend to be great companion dogs.

The breed has a bit of spring in its step; and is known to have an alert expression on his face, and an ecstatic tail wagging. One of the major issues facing the breed is the issue of over breeding, which is the result of this breeds huge popularity. Over breeding has a negative effect on the health of this breed as well, health problems include: juvenile cataract of the eyes and other eye problems which are the most common type of health problems this breed faces.

Thus to conclude all; this is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. These dogs are known for their beauty and their hunting skills. They make great companion dogs, and will go through great lengths to please their owner. However, this popularity has backfired on this breed, as it has resulted in over breeding of this breed and this has resulted in a number of health problems in this breed. If you are planning to get this breed, make sure you find a good breeder, which has a clean record and has some sort of record to prove it. Try to avoid puppy mills as puppies from puppy mills can have a number of health issues.

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Cocker Spaniel Health Problems - Distichiasis

Distichiasis is a condition that refers to ingrown eyelashes and is rather common in Cocker Spaniels. It occurs when the eyelashes grow abnormally, placing them in direct contact with sensitive eyeball tissue. The hairs are often long and stiff and grow out of oil glands within the eyelids. In most cases there are multiple improperly grown hairs, and both eyes are affected.

If left untreated, the eyelashes rub continuously on the eyeball, causing pain and constant watering of the eye. Eventually, the lashes can cause a tear in the dog's cornea, which may result in scarring and vision loss.

Symptoms to look out for include:

• Squinting
• The dog is rubbing the affected eye with his paws
• The affected eye may look irritated, red and/or swollen

Distichiasis is treated by removing the eyelashes that are causing the problem. This can be done by cryotherapy - freezing the hair follicles at their base along the eyelid. However, the lashes often re-grow. Another method which is the most permanent way of removal is by electrolysis. It involves placing a tiny needle inside the hair follicle and then killing it with a pulse of electricity.

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Cocker Spaniel Health Problems - Cherry Eye

Cherry eye is a common problem in American Cocker Spaniels. Medically known as "nictitans gland prolapse", or prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid, cherry eye is an eye condition in which the gland of the third eyelid comes out of its normal position and becomes red and swollen, making it looks like a cherry - thus the name cherry eye.

It is not difficult to see and diagnose this eye condition. If your dog has cherry eye, you can see the following signs and symptoms:

• A pink or red mass protruding from the corner of the eye closest to the nose.
• Sometimes a mucous discharge from the eye can be seen.
• The lining of the eyelid may become red.
• Your dog may scratch or rub the affected eye.

The preferred treatment of this eye condition is to surgically reposition the gland.

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Information on the American Cocker Spaniel

The American Cocker Spaniel is the smallest of the gun dogs and is typically used for hunting wild birds and small game. Their small size and good disposition make them easy to keep as a pet when not hunting. Their long coat tends to require a fair amount of maintenance with regular grooming and brushing necessary.

Appearance

Height: 14 1/2 - 15 1/2 inches
Weight: 15-30 pounds
Lifespan: 12-15 years

The American Cocker Spaniel has very long hanging ears, a rounded head, and a profuse, silky, feathered, medium-length coat. The upper lip hangs down, covering the lower jaw completely. The eyes are round, set on so they look straightforward. The tail is docked to 2/5 its original length.

The American Cocker Spaniel's coat sheds twice a year and requires attention to grooming. The colors vary and include solid black, sable, liver, cream or white, and any combination of the three.

 Show dogs can be any color, but a mixture of black and white makes it easier to spot hunting dogs in the field. Solid sable colored dogs can be difficult to spot in the field and are less desirable for hunters. Because the breed's long, soft coat tends to pick up debris, many hunting dog owners have their dogs given a short puppy cut in the summer to make the animal easier to groom and more comfortable.

Use in Field 

The American Cocker Spaniel is a gun dog generally used in hunting birds and small game. Bold and keen to work, and with a small physique, it is ideal for flushing out quarry in the field. As they are not instinctive retrievers, hunters will often use a Retriever as a hunting companion to an American Cocker Spaniel.

The breed has plenty of stamina. They tend to be spirited dogs and can be very easily excited. These Spaniels are, however, an intelligent breed and eager to please. They need firm, loving leadership and daily exercise. Harsh training is ineffective. With a fair amount of time and patience they can even be trained to retrieve.

At Home
American Cocker Spaniels are versatile animals with a happy, loving, and active nature. They get along well with other dogs and children, making them excellent additions to most families. Cockers will do okay in an apartment if they are adequately exercised, and are fairly active indoors. They are gentle and trusting, lively, playful and devoted.

History
The American Cocker Spaniel, often known as just the "Cocker Spaniel," originated in the United Kingdom as the English Cocker Spaniel and was brought to the United States near the end of the 19th century. The name "cocker" came about because Spaniels were originally used for hunting woodcock in England. The American breed is noticeably smaller than the English Cocker Spaniel. American Kennel Club established it as a breed separate from the English Cocker Spaniel in 1947.

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American Cocker Spaniel Dog Breed Temperament, Health Issues, Grooming, and Living Conditions

Temperament: The American Cocker Spaniel dog is keen to work and can be playful and devoted that need socializing, well to avoid extreme shyness. This breed needs firm, loving leadership, with lots of long walks and exercises daily, to be happy. This is one of the easiest breeds to train. It is wise to remember the leadership needs to be the human, or the dog may suffer from small dogs syndrome and here, we would see a completely different dog. The owner has to be the alpha, showing good pack leadership. The daily mental and physical exercise will stop most behaviour problems such as guarding aggressively an object or obsessively barking. With a good owner, who understands the canine behaviour, the dog will be happy and content.

Health issues: Unfortunately, this breed has many health issues from problems with the eyes, and the major concerns can be hip dysplasia, PRA, liver disease, CHF, IMHA, and a host of many more health problems. Carefully check with a veterinarian and good reputable breeders for a full list of health issues, before considering this breed.

Grooming: Daily eye care is important with this breed as they tend to tear. The coat can be left long, which will require daily brushing, gentle brushing is best. This coat needs bathing and frequently needs clipping, every other month, if desired. This breed needs regular trimming and is an average shedder.

Living conditions: The American cocker spaniel will be fine in an apartment providing, they have had their exercise. A small garden is all that is required.

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American Cocker Spaniel Dog Breed History and Description

Description: The American Cocker Spaniel dog breed is of medium size with a height of 15 inches, for a dog and 14 inches for a bitch. Their weight is 15 to 30 pounds for both male and female. They have a rounded head with a pronounced stop. With the square and deep muzzle, that is broad. Their teeth meet in a scissor bite. Their eyes are round, with slight almond shaping to the rims. The Merle Spaniels, being the exception to the rule with blue eyes. The American Cocker Spaniel dog breed has long, low set ears that have feathering.

Their legs are straight. This breed has a docked tail, if this is permitted. Some countries have outlawed this practice of docking tails. The coat is flat silky and can come with slight waving. The coat is medium in length, but short on the head. They have feathering on their chest, ears, tummies and legs. The coat may come in any solid color including Black with tan points. Multiple color combination's can be white, with buff or red. It is worth noting the field lines have a shorter coat than the show lines within this breed.

History: The United States version of the Cocker Spaniel dates back as far as the 14th century. This dog originated from the English Cocker, which was brought to the United States. They were then bred down in size and became the American Cocker Spaniel. This breed is more popular than the English version. This is a hunting dog and works well in all terrains including water. This breed is excellent at retrieving and flushing out the game. They are renowned for their gentle mouth, and listening to commands well. Some of their many talents are hunting, retrieving, tracking, competitive obedience and agility.

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American Cocker Spaniel Grooming

A proper grooming gives your dog the desired appearance for his race. Your dog will also feel more comfortable and you'll be happy to admire. Then, start by clipping the back with thinning shears or with a stripper. The tail should be permitted below with the mower blade #10.

The rest of the back is adorned with the thinning shears. Brush the coat while thinning until the desired appearance. It is accurate to the plate and you will gain success with time and practice. Practice makes perfect!

Then, use your mower blade # 8 1/2, a clip from the base of the skull backwards to the tail. Do the same for all back, but when you get to slow down the sides without making demarcations. To avoid this, slowly lift the blade when you go on the sides. The last step is to cut the legs, nice big round paws.

Always leave the front hair on the forehead: it will be trimmed with thinning shears to give it a squareness look. 

Set the dog in a standing position with its nose toward you. Bring the ears to the nose to clear the neck and use blade #8½ from the base of the ears to the shoulder clearing the front.

Adjust the dog standing. With scissors right, carefully clear the cushions under the legs. Always brush your hair while trimming to make sure you give the desired fullness. It takes time and practice to achieve. Since coat grows very quickly, you'll have plenty of time for practice.

One thing to remember: A groom must have a fine natural look without any clear shots of scissors.

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American Cocker Spaniel Dog Breed Health Issues, Grooming and Living Conditions

Health issues: There are a lot of major health issues connected with the American Cocker Spaniel and good research should be done before getting this dog. Some of the issues are listed here; PRA, otitis externa, liver disease, CHF, cardiomyopathy, elbow dysplasia, IMHA, ectropion, allergies, seborrhoea and glaucoma are some. It is important that you make sure your Cocker is up to date on all vaccinations and heart worm preventatives. Also be sure to schedule at least two trips to your local vet per year for a complete check-up.

Grooming: The eyes tend to tear so will need wiping. This breed needs brushing daily for the long coat to keep nice. An American Cocker Spaniel will need trimming regularly. This is an average shedder.

Living conditions: The American Cocker Spaniel can live in an apartment. They only need a small garden to have plenty of room to run and play. They can be one of the harder dogs to potty train, but do get there in the end. Overall this entire dog is easy to train and will love a leader that is kind but firm. Giving this dog long walks daily will help to use the energy this dog has and will enable you to train this dog better.

Small dog syndrome should be avoided at all cost as this is where the dog has been allowed to take the leader role and this doesn't make the dog happy but gives rise to problem behaviour. This can show in extreme shyness, submissive urinating, being mentally wound up unable to calm down, becoming aggressive or guarding objects obsessively, hyper activity and roaming or barking. This can all stop with the right leadership and positive placement within the pack. The field line in this breed has more energy. If the balance is in place you will have a wonderful dog who will love daily exercise and mental stimulation giving them the best in life.

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American Cocker Spaniel - History, Personality and Issues

American Cocker Spaniel is a dog with a tiny body, compact, robust and well balanced. The head is round, silky coat and rich on the ears, chest, abdomen and legs. This dog is moving slowly, with well-coordinated movements, seeming to gain place without effort.

History and origin of American Cocker Spaniel goes from the smallest dog golden retriever group. Although they are used for hunting, today they are more common at dog shows or as a pet, but as hunter less. Breeds in the group name cocker comes from the fact that they were used to hunt woodcock (in English "Woodcock"). In the United States, race is recorded as the American Cocker Spaniel, as in England are called English Cocker Spaniel, which could create confusion between these two races. This race has grown and evolved in the United States but is imported from Great Britain. In 1930, the American variety had become so different from the English Cocker Spaniel, so she was granted separate breed status, self-contained. Some of the lines are still growing American Cocker for hunting, and enjoying a workout and a specific training to maintain their hunting skills. But most dogs are used as pets that is faithful and responsible children's companion.

 Cocker has become very popular in America, about the 1940, occupying a top position among American kennels. Then, the breed suffered a decline in popularity, yet it get back in first place in the years 1984-1990. Since then, there was a new decline and Cocker Spaniel ranked 15 in the books of the American Kennel Club in 2004 comparing to 14th place in 2003.

The Personality of Cocker Spaniel has typical temperament that makes him is merry, happy, confident and intelligent. They have ideal temperament funny, always enjoyable and willing to make running. These dogs tend to be delicate personalities that do not let themselves taming harsh. Due to high demand for this breed, mating were done wrong and this led to the appearance of some frightened or even aggressive, vengeful breeds, or some of the them in front of their owners presented urine due to too emotional temperament. However, by a rigorous matching of this pairs it was tried to correct these deficiencies.

Home and Family Relations are very pleasant due to the fact that American Cocker Spaniel is an intelligent dog, very willing to be nice, very adaptable, not stressed too much if left alone, it is not very aggressive, it gets social well with other pets and very suited as companions for children. They are very curious, so these dogs adapt well to life in the apartment or at the yard.

Some issues may appear with long hair, a cocker need thorough daily grooming and a regular trim of coat. They also need frequent baths to clean the skin and eliminate the smell, which is stronger than at other breeds. The ears of these dogs require special care because the flags are not ventilated and that makes them very sensitive to infections. Also should be checked carefully the fingers and pads when the dog returns from walk outside to clean dirt, chips or vegetable artists that can dig into the dermis.

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