American Cocker Spaniel – Cute and compact
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What is an American Cocker Spaniel?
The gentle, happy and attractive American Cocker Spaniel originated in America in the 19th century from Cocker Spaniels imported from Britain. They are the smallest of the sporting dog breeds, and their main job was to retrieve game birds. These days, they have gained worldwide popularity as an appealing companion dog and family pet. They are big enough to be sporty, and compact enough to be adaptable to your family needs. They are one of the most beloved breeds around the world.
Pros and Cons
- Very intelligent breed
- Requires frequent exercise. Loves to play fetch.
- Highly adaptive to different living environments
- Do well with older children
- Generally very joyful and expressive of emotions
- Prone to cherry eye and ear infections
- Requires frequent grooming to maintain coat
- Don't do well with rambunctious children
- Separation anxiety, barking and destructiveness
- A distinctive corn-like odor from the skin and ears
Appearance and Size
Group: Sporting Dog (AKC)
Height: 14 – 15 inches
Weight: 15 – 30 pounds
The American Cocker Spaniel has a well-balanced body that is sturdy, solid, durable and sporting. The Cocker displays an intelligent, gentle, and genuinely merry expression. Their full, silky coats come in various colors including solid black, black and tan, and blonde.
Temperament
The American Cocker Spaniel is generally gentle and affectionate and thrives on human companionship. They are eager to please and very much enjoy spending time with their people, playing for hours on end.
They are well suited for families and generally get along well with children and other animals. Cockers can be sensitive, both mentally and physically. They don’t respond well to harsh treatment, sometimes turning to growling or snapping when afraid.
Grooming
Cockers require a fair amount of care. A daily brushing is recommended to keep their coat clean and free of knots. A bath with a quality dog shampoo is recommended every 2 weeks, as they tend to develop a bit of doggy odor. Take care and rinse and dry your dog thoroughly, especially in his ears. Additionally, check the ears frequently for any signs of infection, and trim excess hair around the ear passages and between the pads on his feet.
Health
Due to their popularity, it is essential to research your breeder. Cockers are prone to night blindness, patella, frequent eye and ear infections, and skin sensitivities. Their ears are especially prone to infection, with a yeasty smell due to the warm, damp environment beneath those floppers. They can also be a bit gluttonous if not controlled appropriately. American Cocker Spaniels are also quite prone to cherry eye and frequent conjunctivitis.
Life Expectancy
American Cocker Spaniels typically live around 10-15 Years
5 Fun Facts About American Cocker Spaniels
- Lady From “Lady and the Tramp” Is a Cocker Spaniel
- Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, and President Nixon have/had a Cocker Spaniel
- They were originally bred to hunt birds. Incidentally, they love, love, love to play fetch.
- A Cocker Spaniel was the first cancer detecting dog
- The English version is different and is usually brown and ginger in color.
Environment
Overall, the American Cocker Spaniel makes an excellent companion. They are small, sporty and compact making them adaptable to various living scenarios. They require regular daily exercise such as a walk or an energetic game, and can literally play fetch for hours. They are great with young families and the elderly alike, and can make good watch dogs. They do have a tendency to bark.
