American Cocker Spaniel is a spaniel type dog breed that is closely related to the English Cocker Spaniel; the two breeds diverged during the 20th century due to differing breed standards in America and the UK. The American Cocker Spaniel’s distinctly shaped head makes it immediately recognizable.
The American Cocker Spaniel evolved out of the English Cocker Spaniel and the Springer Spaniel. Although its ancestors hunted fowl and rabbits, the American Cocker Spaniel is better known today as a pet or show dog.
The American Cocker Spaniel is the smallest dog recognized by the American Kennel Club as a sporting dog, being on average between 13.5 to 15.5 inches (34 to 39 cm) high at the withers. It is a dog of normal proportions, with medium long silky fur on the body and ears, hanging down on the legs and belly (known as feathering). The head has an upturned nose and the ears hang down. The American Cocker Spaniel dog breed standard states that size over 15.5 inches (39 cm) inches for males and 14.5 inches (37 cm) for females is a disqualification at conformation shows. American Cocker Spaniels weigh around 24 to 30 pounds (11 to 14 kg) on average, with females of the breed usually weighing slightly less than the males.
Despite their small size, the Cocker Spaniel is still an active Sporting breed that needs daily exercise. Regular brushing and a trim every few months helps keep the coat free of mats. Cockers are intelligent, gentle dogs that thrive as part of a family.
American Cocker Spaniel Videos
4 replies on “American Cocker Spaniel”
I am an American living in Vietnam. I looked and looked before I found my Cocker Spaniel “Lexi”. I teach the local children english, and Lexi cherishes all the time she spends with dozens of children. She rides on a motorbike with me in one of the most dangerous cities for driving worldwide. I’ve had a few breeds in the past while living in America: Australian shepherd, Jack Russell terrier, and a pit/beagle mutt. Cocker spaniel seems to be the best suited for my situation now. Friendly to all, naturally calm and submissive to people, playful when prompted, happy spending the day laying on a cool tile floor in the presence of people.
that is my girlfriend and my dog in the previous picture.
The American Cocker Spaniel of good breeding is sweet-natured, happy, gentle, and playful.
The smallest of the sporting breeds, he does need regular exercise, but daily walks and romps will suffice.
When well socialized, American Cocker Spaniels are friendly and peaceful with strangers and other animals, though there is timidity and excessive submissiveness in some lines.
Cocker Spaniels are responsive to persuasive, cheerful obedience training that includes praise and food rewards.
All of that is the good news.
The bad news is . . . Cocker Spaniels need a great deal of brushing, combing, and clipping. They shed a lot and often have a distinctive doggy odor in their skin and long ears. They’re very sensitive dogs — often hypersensitive. You have to be careful when correcting them with your hands, as a lot of them tend to react defensively when you try to make them do something they don’t want to do. More than any other breed, Cocker Spaniels tend toward excitable or submissive urination (tendency to dribble urine when excited or nervous), especially when they’re young.
In summation, an American Cocker, when you can find a good one whose breeder isn’t inbreeding and who has done all the proper health tests (hips, knees, and eyes), can be a very nice dog. Unfortunately, you have to look long and hard to find a good one. Far too many American Cocker Spaniels are nasty and/or neurotic. And they have serious health issues — indeed, they’re one of the riskiest of all breeds in the health department.
This is my American Cocker Spaniel named Reiley. He is one year old. He is very happy and always in a good mood. One of his little quirks is that he climbs everywhere. Couches, chairs, ledges, and even cars; you name it, he’s climbed it. He loves to play fetch in our backyard. He also likes to hunt with me. He is very intelligent and figures out many ways to entertain himself (good, and bad) and me. One of his bad habits is that he likes to run after rabbits and birds when he’s off-leash. Part of it is the hunting instinct and another part is his mental immaturity. He still has a lot of maturing to do. If you notice, he has a longer nose than the average Cocker Spaniel. He was bred more for field and hunting work rather than being a show-quality dog, but he is still a very handsome dog that has an awesome personality.