Dog
Group:
Sporting 
English Cocker Spaniel Champions
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Breed Description:
The English Cocker Spaniel breed of dog is one of the oldest of the land spaniels. He is hard-working and energetic. Indeed, his entire body seems to vibrate with enthusiasm when greeting a loved one or at work in the field. He has a melting spaniel expression, but is also a relentless worker, capable of penetrating the densest cover. The English Cocker Spaniel may be solid black, liver or red, or he may be parti-colored. He differs from his American cousin in being slightly taller, less chiseled and having a slightly less dense coat.
The head of the English Cocker Spaniel is softly contoured, with a characteristic soft, melting but also dignified expression. His eyes are medium size, dark brown or hazel, full and slightly oval, set wide apart. His ears are set low and close to the head and covered with long, silky, straight or slightly wavy hair. His jaws are strong and yet capable of carrying game quite gently. His nostrils must be wide for proper scenting ability; his nose is typically black, except in livers and liver-based parti-colors, where the nose will be brown. A scissors bite is preferred.
The neck of the English Cocker Spaniel breed of dog is graceful and muscular, arched toward the head and blending into the shoulder and backline in a smooth curve. His body is compact, giving the impression of strength. His chest is deep, and his back is short and strong. The loin is short, somewhat broad and very slightly arched, and his croup gently rounded. The tail of an English Cocker Spaniel is docked. Ideally, he carries his tail horizontally; the tail is almost always in motion while the dog is in action.
The legs of the English Cocker Spaniel breed of dog are straight, with bone nearly uniform in size from elbow to heel, the elbows are set close to the body, and the pasterns are nearly straight. His feet are proportionately sized, firm and round with thick pads. His rear legs, in particular, are thick and muscular, giving him plenty of power.
The head of the English Cocker Spaniel breed of dog is covered with short and fine hair. The hair on his body is medium length, flat or slightly wavy, and silky. If a dog is too well-feathered (such that it interferes with field work or obscures his natural lines), he may be trimmed. The English Cocker Spaniel may be black, liver, or various shades of red. Black and tans and liver and tans are considered solid colored dogs. Parti-colors are also accepted, whether clearly marked, ticked or roaned.
The English Cocker Spaniel hunts in both dense cover and upland terrain. Therefore, his gait tends more toward drive and power than to great speed.
Temperament:
The English Cocker Spaniel breed of dog is merry and agreeable, with the nonstop wagging tail to prove it. He is enthusiastic but not nervous, and finds everything a cause for celebration -- so long as he is with his owner. He gets on exceptionally well with children, as well as with most other pets.
Height:
15 to 17 inches
Weight:
26 to 34 pounds
Health Problems:
Health issues associated with the English Cocker Spaniel breed of dog include dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, familial nephropathy and ear problems.
Living Conditions:
The English Cocker Spaniel is adaptable. He thrives as a hunting companion, consistent with his heritage. He is also amenable to apartment living, so long as he gets his daily walks, preferably long ones with ample opportunity to meet and greet and follow a scent or two.
Exercise:
The English Cocker Spaniel breed of dog needs regular daily walks, for exercise as well as to meet his social needs. He is an adept and eager swimmer and retriever, as well as an exceptional bird dog.
Life Expectancy:
12 to 15 years
Grooming:
The long, fine and silky coat of the English Cocker Spaniel breed of dog needs regular brushing, particularly of the feathering, in order to stave off mats. His ears, which are long and lie close to his head, also need attention; they must be cleaned almost daily to keep them infection-free.
Origin:
The English Cocker Spaniel breed of dog is one of the oldest of the land spaniels. He can be traced to Spain, like all spaniels, and was developed originally to hunt game. The breed may have been introduced to England as early as the time of Caesar's invasion. The name "cocker" comes from the fact that he was, by the early 19th century, used primarily to hunt woodcocks and other birds. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
