American Cocker Spaniel

The American Cocker Spaniel started to develop to become the dog we know today in the 19th century, bred to retrieve quail he is quite significantly different to his English cousin, the Cocker Spaniel, known outside the UK as the English Cocker Spaniel. The differences in head and skull are very apparent; the skull is rounded and the eyes are round, full and set looking forward, whereas most breeds have the eyes set to the sides of the head. The eyebrows and stop are very definite, unlike the more graduated head of the English Cocker. The back is short and slopes from withers to tail.

The American Cocker Spaniel has many of the qualities of the English Cocker; he is a happy, cheerful dog with an easy-going nature and certainly makes a very good family pet. He is similar in height to the Cocker at around 38cm and weighs perhaps a little less. 

The most obvious feature of the American Cocker is the coat; the Breed Standard requires that it is short on the head, of medium length on the body and well feathered elsewhere, but not so excessive as to affect his function as a sporting dog. This cannot be said to be the case with Americans in the showring; they appear to float over the ground, with only a driving rear leg and striding front legs peeping out to give away the fact that there are legs beneath the immaculately presented floor-length coat. It is in a wide range of colours and there are very specific definitions of its pattern.

As a pet, the American Cocker's coat is a major consideration and has to be cared for professionally, though still requires plenty of attention between visits to the grooming parlour. However, any reputable breeder would be happy to offer guidance to a potential pet owner as to how best to care for the coat with minimum of fuss.

To read the American Cocker Spaniel Kennel Club Breed Standard click here. 

American Cocker Spaniel Breed Clubs

• American Cocker Spaniel Club of GB Mrs P Sibley 01225 700022
• HOME COUNTIES American COCKER CLUB Mrs G Rix 01953 498119
• NORTHERN COUNTIES American COCKER SPANIEL CLUB Mrs Caine 0115 9135071