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Cocker Spaniel
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The Cocker Spaniel, also known as the American Cocker Spaniel,
is a medium size breed of dog. It is one of the Spaniel type breeds,
similar to the English Cocker Spaniel, and was originally bred as a
gun dog. In the United States, the breed is usually referred to as
the Cocker Spaniel, while in Canada and elsewhere in the world, it
is called the American Cocker Spaniel. The word cocker is
commonly held to stem from their use to hunt woodcock in
England. Although the Cocker Spaniel type originated in the
United Kingdom, by the 1940s the American breed was recognized
as distinct from the English breed.
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Description
Appearance
The American Cocker Spaniel is a medium sized dog of normal
proportions, with medium long silky fur on the body and ears,
hanging down on the legs and belly (feathering). The head has a
rounded look and the ears hang down (drop ears). The tail is often
docked. Coat colors are described extensively in the Standard.
The English Cocker Spaniel has a more rectangular head, a
shorter coat, and is larger.
Size
American Cocker Spaniels have an ideal size of 15 inches (38 cm)
at the withers for male dogs and 14 inches for females. The breed
standard states that size over 15.5 inches for males and 14.5
inches for females is a disqualification at a breed show, in order to
discourage the breeding of oversize dogs.
Head
The head of an American Cocker Spaniel makes the breed
immediately recognizable, with the rounded dome of the skull,
well-pronounced stop, and square lip. The drop ears are long, low
set, with long silky fur, and the eyes are dark, large, and rounded.
Coat
The American Cocker Spaniel is usually kept as a companion dog,
since "very few are used for hunting any more." As pets and
showdogs, the breed's coat and the colors of the coat have taken
on great importance, as they are very beautiful if well groomed and
cared for. The coat should never be curly or have a cottony
texture, but should be silky and flat, short on the head and medium
length on the body, with an undercoat.
Temperament
The American Cocker Spaniel breed standard defines the ideal
dog of the breed as having an outgoing, friendly temperament.
They tend to be soft dogs who do not do well with rough or harsh
training. The breed ranks 20th in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence
of Dogs, a rating that indicates good "Working or Obedience
Intelligence", or trainability.
Health
Mortality
American Cocker Spaniels in UK and USA/Canada surveys had a
median lifespan of about 10-11 years, which is on the low end of
the typical range for purebred dogs, and 1-2 years less than other
breeds of their size. The larger English Cocker Spaniel typically
lives about a year longer than the American Cocker Spaniel. In a
2004 UK Kennel Club survey, the most common causes of death
were cancer (23%), old age (20%), cardiac (8%), and
immune-mediated (8%). In a 2003 USA/Canada Health Survey with
a smaller sample size, the leading causes of death were cancer,
hepatic disease, and immune-mediated.
Morbidity
American Cocker Spaniels are susceptible to a variety of maladies,
particularly infections affecting their ears and, in some cases, their
eyes. An unknown percentage of the breed may require medical
attention. Although the number or percent of afflicted dogs is not
known the following eye conditions have been identified in some
members of the breed: Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA),
glaucoma, and cataracts. The American Spaniel Club recommends
annual eye exams by a veterinary ophthalmologist for all dogs that
are bred. Autoimmune problems in Cockers have also been
identified in an unknown number or percent of the breed, including
autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Ear inflammations are
common in drop-eared breeds of dog. Luxating patellas and hip
dysplasia have been identified in some American Cocker Spaniels.
Puppy buyers should make sure that breeders have checked their
sires and dams for these conditions. Dogs free of hip dysplasia
can be certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
"Rage Syndrome"
Rage Syndrome is described as when a dog attacks suddenly and
savagely, without any warning and during the attack the dog often
has a glazed look and appears to be unaware of its surroundings.
A study in the 1990s of English Cocker Spaniels in Britain found it
is more common in solid colored Cockers than in particolors and
also more common in darker colored Cockers than lighter colored
Cockers, being most common in solid black colored spaniels. Rage
syndrome is most often associated with the English Cocker Spaniel
breed, although cases have been found in other breeds. Cases
are relatively rare even within the English Cocker Spaniel breed.
Rage syndrome cannot be accurately predicted and can only be
diagnosed by EEG or genetic testing and these tests are not
conclusive. There are no studies linking 'rage syndrome' to the
American Cocker Spaniel.
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Cocker Spaniel
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Country of origin
United States
Weight
15-30lb
Height
14-16 in
Coat
Medium, silky
Color
Varies
Life span
10-14 years
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