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| The American Cocker Spaniel
The American Cocker Spaniel is one of the most popular of all the American-born breeds. Originally, all Spaniels were classified together, but in 1946 the American Cocker was finally recognised as a separate breed. These dogs were used to flush out birds and other prey, enabling their masters to shoot it. The word ‘cocker’ comes from ‘woodcock’, which is a game bird flushed out particularly well by these dogs.
Today, American Cockers are primarily kept as companions and show dogs. They are gentle, trusting, devoted and playful, making them perfect family pets. However, they can be prone to shyness; so early socialisation is important to help to overcome this problem. These dogs also have an endless supply of energy; so plenty of regular exercise is a must.
Appearance
The American Cocker Spaniel has a compact body, with a short back – the top line should slope gently downwards from front to back. Dogs stand at around 15_ inches (38cms) and bitches slightly below at 14_ inches (36 – 38cms). Both dogs and bitches weigh in the region of 15 – 30lbs (7 – 14kg). The head is rounded, with a wide muzzle and deep, broad, square jaw - the upper lip hangs down covering the lower jaw completely. It has strong teeth and a black or brown nose – depending on the colour of the dog. The ears are long and hanging and the eyes are dark and expressive. The tail is traditionally docked and is carried on a line with its back. The coat is silky, feathered and of medium length and comes in many colours.
Grooming
These dogs are average shedders and will require regular grooming and trimming to keep their coat in good condition. The eyes and the ears will also require regular cleaning. It is important to keep the hair clipped from both sides of the ears to allow a regular flow of air through the ear canal. This will help to reduce the risk of ear infections, injury or parasites.
Health problems
American Cockers can suffer from a range of health problems such as epilepsy, cataracts, glaucoma, ectropion, entropion, allergies, heart disease and ear infections. However, these dogs do have quite a good lifespan of between twelve and fifteen years.
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