The American Cocker Spaniel is the smallest member of the sporting group and quite similar to the English Cocker Spaniel in appearance.
They typically weigh between 15 and 30 pounds.
They stand roughly 14 to 15 inches tall (at the shoulders).
This breed is recognizable for the rounded look of the head and their long droopy ears.
Their coat is long and when cared for properly will be flat, silky, and rather elegant.
These dogs can be found in a variety of colors including:
solid black
black and tan
black and white
black, white, and tan
light tan (buff)
brown (chocolate)
brown, white, and tan
blue roan or black
orange roan or red
liver or chocolate roan with shades of brown
Temperament
Typically, American Cocker Spaniels are very friendly and outgoing.
This breed also seems to have endless amounts of energy.
They are excellent to have as family dogs and do very well with children. However they are not prone to rough behavior.
This breed is also terrific for single people. They are very affectionate and when exercised on a regular basis, can endure being left alone for moderate lengths of time.
Due to their mild personality, American Cocker Spaniels get along with other dogs and other household pets quite well.
Living Standards
If you live in a house, a small yard will suffice.
This breed can also live in an apartment, however as mentioned earlier they can be quite energetic and need consistent exercise.
Exercise
As with all dogs, this breed should be walked on a daily basis (a moderate to long distance is recommended).
You may also allow this dog to run free in a safe open area.
These dogs enjoy personal time to play with their master as well. Thus, be sure to have some dog toys for your American Cocker to play with.
Litter Size
There are normally between 3 and 7 American Cocker Spaniel puppies found in a litter.
Health and Life Expectancy
Due to the popularity of the American Cocker Spaniel, unprofessional breeding has been the cause of some serious health issues among the breed. These health issues consist of the following:
When purchasing this specific breed, make sure you are dealing with a professional breeder.
The life expectancy of these dogs is between 12 and 15 years.
Trainability and Obedience
Training this breed is not overly difficult. These dogs are very energetic and eager to please their master.
Much like other dogs, it is best to begin training these dogs when they are puppies.
Consistency and patience is vital during the training process as well. Try to avoid teaching the dog too many commands at once. Stick to one basic command until your dog truly understands.
House training this breed may be a challenge. Therefore, crate training is highly recommended.
Remember that any small dog breed can develop small dog syndrome if not properly trained.
Grooming
In order to achieve and maintain a flat, silky, and elegant looking coat on your American Cocker Spaniel daily care is required.
Keep in mind however, grooming is relatively easy and this particular breed loves the attention during this time.
Brush this dog for 5 to 10 minutes a day. Follow these simple instructions:
Using a pin brush or wide tooth grooming comb, start brushing at the neck area and work your way down.
Brush in the direction that the hair is growing. Do not brush upward or against the grain.
Brushing daily should minimize matting of the fur, however if this does occur simply untangle the hair by using a slicker brush in that area. Remember to be gentle when doing this.
Once you are finished brushing, continue with a slicker brush and go over the coat in the same manner as before. This will help remove any smaller tangles that you may have missed.
Afterward, use a soft bristle brush on the head and ears. Be very gentle when doing this as it may cause some discomfort to the dog.
In addition to the coat, special grooming is needed for the eyes and ears as well.
For the eyes, use a dampened (with water unless otherwise instructed by your vet) cotton cloth and carefully remove any debris.
For the ears, use a dry cotton cloth (unless otherwise instructed by your vet) and gently wipe the ear. NEVER clean past the outer ear. Leave that to your vet.
History
The Cocker Spaniel originated in Spain as a hunting and retrieving dog during the 14th century. In fact, the word "spaniel" literally means a “dog of Spain”.
Over time, this breed made its way into England by means of trade and travel by their masters.
In England, the Cocker Spaniel was commonly known for hunting on the estates of wealthier individuals.
The English Cocker Spaniel was first introduced in North America for the purpose of hunting small birds such as pheasant.
The Cocker Spaniel was first recognized by the AKC in 1878.
During the 1930s, breeding of this dog began to favor conformation (show purposes). As a result, we now have what is known as the American Cocker Spaniel.
To date, the American Cocker Spaniel is one of the more popular breeds.
