Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel refers to two different breeds of dogs, both of which are commonly called simply Cocker Spaniel in their countries of origin:
American Cocker Spaniel
The American Cocker Spaniel evolved in the United States from spaniels imported from Great Britain. The name cocker comes from the fact that the breed originally hunted woodcock. In the United States the breed is registered under the name "Cocker Spaniel", as is the English Cocker Spaniel in the UK, which can cause confusion between these two breeds. By the 1930s the American variety had become so different from its English ancestors that it was given separate breed status. Originally a gun dog, the Cocker now fulfills the position of family pet or show dog most often and is rarely seen hunting. He is a faithful and responsible children's companion. Cockers have been a highly popular American breed since the 1940s, occupying the top position in number of American Kennel Club registrations in many years.
Appearance
American Cockers weigh 24 to 28 pounds (11 to 12.75 kg) and stand 15 inches (38 cm) maximum height. They come in three major colour varieties: black, ASCOB (Any Solid Color Other than Black) and particolor. The other solid colours are chocolate, red, buff, cream, and sable. The domed head, large dark expressive eyes, short deep muzzle, and abrupt stop are characteristic breed points. The coat is flowing, long, silky and abundant. The long, luxuriantly feathered ears are a striking breed feature.
Health
Cocker Spaniels are susceptible to a variety of maladies, particularly infections, affecting their ears and, in some cases, their eyes. As a result, they may require more medical attention than some other breeds.
Characteristics
Frontal view of a sleepy CockerTheir temperament is typically happy, trusting, and intelligent. However, their popularity also led to considerable bad breeding in an attempt to keep up with the demand, and some lines contain dogs who tend to be high strung and snappish. As with all puppies, owners are advised to choose their breeder carefully.
English Cocker Spaniel
The English Cocker Spaniel is one of several varieties of Spaniel and somewhat resembles its American cousin, the American Cocker Spaniel. Outside of the US the breed is usually known simply as the Cocker Spaniel, as is the American Cocker Spaniel within the US.
Working Cockers
This breed, like many others with origins as working dogs, has genetic lines that focus on working-dog skills and other lines that focus on ensuring that the dog's appearance conforms to the breed standard. After the Second World War, the show-bred Cocker Spaniel increased enormously in popular appeal and, for a period of time, was the most numerous Kennel Club registered breed. This popularity increased the view that all the spaniels were useless as working dogs. Today, this breed is beginning to experience a resurgence in usage as a working dog.
Working-dog lines often have physical characteristics that would prevent them from winning in the show ring, such as heads that are more domed than desired or other traits. This most likely is a result of the crossbreeding of other breeds into the working lines to enhance the working skills for much longer than occurred with the show lines. Eventually, kennel club rules prohibited the crossbreeding of other breeds, and working-line Cockers today show less variation than in the past.
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