A
AffenpinscherAfghan Hound
Africanis
Aidi
Airedale Terrier
Akbash Dog
Akita Inu
Alangu Mastiff
Alano Español
Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
Alaskan Husky
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Anatolian Shepherd Dog
Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie
Appenzeller Sennenhund
Argentine Dogo
Ariege Pointer
Ariegeois
Armant
Artois Hound
Australian Bulldog
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Kelpie
Australian Shepherd
Australian Silky Terrier
Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog
Australian Terrier
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Azawakh
B
Bakharwal DogBandog
Barbet
Basenji
Basque Shepherd Dog
Basset Artésien Normand
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Bavarian Mountain Hound
Beagle
Beagle-Harrier
Bearded Collie
Beauceron
Bedlington Terrier
Belgian Shepherd Dog
Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael)
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Bernese Mountain Dog
Bichon Frisé
Billy
Bisben
Black Norwegian Elkhound
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Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound
Blackmouth Cur
Bloodhound
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Blue Paul Terrier
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Boerboel
Bohemian Shepherd
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Borzoi
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Boston Terrier
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Boxer
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Bruno Jura Hound
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Bull Terrier (Miniature)
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Bully Kutta
C
Cairn TerrierCanaan Dog
Canadian Eskimo Dog
Canadian Pointer
Cane Corso
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Carolina Dog
Carpathian Shepherd Dog
Catahoula Cur
Catalan Sheepdog
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Chien Français Blanc et Noir
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Chihuahua
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D
DachshundDalmatian
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
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Dingo
Doberman Pinscher
Dogo Cubano
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Dogue de Bordeaux
Drentse Patrijshond
Drever
Dunker
Dutch Shepherd Dog
Dutch Smoushond
E
East Siberian LaikaEast-European Shepherd
Elo
English Cocker Spaniel
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English Mastiff
English Setter
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English Toy Terrier (Black & Tan)
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Entlebucher Mountain Dog
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Eurasier
F
Field SpanielFila Brasileiro
Finnish Hound
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Flat-Coated Retriever
Formosan Mountain Dog
Fox Terrier (Smooth)
French Brittany
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G
Galgo EspañolGerman Longhaired Pointer
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Gull Terr
H
HamiltonstövareHanover Hound
Hare Indian Dog
Harrier
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Hovawart
Hungarian Hound
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I
Ibizan HoundIcelandic Sheepdog
Indian Spitz
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J
Jack Russell TerrierJagdterrier
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K
Kai KenKaikadi
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Karakachan Dog
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L
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Leonberger
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M
Magyar AgárMajestic Tree Hound
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McNab
Mexican Hairless Dog
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Mudhol Hound
Mudi
Murray River Curly Coated Retriever
N
Neapolitan MastiffNew Guinea Singing Dog
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Norfolk Terrier
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Northern Inuit Dog
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O
Old Croatian SighthoundOld Danish Pointer
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P
Pachon NavarroPapillon
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Perro de Presa Canario
Perro de Presa Mallorquin
Peruvian Hairless Dog
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Petit Bleu de Gascogne
Phalène
Pharaoh Hound
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Plott Hound
Podenco Canario
Pointer (dog breed)
Polish Greyhound
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Portuguese Pointer
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Pražský Krysařík
Pudelpointer
Pug
Puli
Pumi
Pungsan Dog
Pyrenean Mastiff
Pyrenean Shepherd
R
Rafeiro do AlentejoRampur Greyhound
Rat Terrier
Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz
Redbone Coonhound
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Rottweiler
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Russell Terrier
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S
SaarlooswolfhondSabueso Español
Sage Koochee
Sakhalin Husky
Saluki
Samoyed
Sapsali
Schapendoes
Schillerstövare
Schipperke
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Segugio Italiano
Seppala Siberian Sleddog
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Shar Pei
Shetland Sheepdog
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Shikoku
Shiloh Shepherd Dog
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Slovak Cuvac
Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer
Slovenský Kopov
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Smooth Collie
Smålandsstövare
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
South Russian Ovcharka
Southern Hound
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Spinone Italiano
Sporting Lucas Terrier
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St. John's Water Dog
Stabyhoun
Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Standard Schnauzer
Stephens Cur
Styrian Coarse Haired Hound
Sussex Spaniel
Swedish Beagle
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T
Tahltan Bear DogTaigan
Tamaskan Dog
Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
Telomian
Tenterfield Terrier
Thai Bangkaew Dog
Thai Ridgeback
Tibetan Mastiff
Tibetan Spaniel
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Tornjak
Tosa
Toy Bulldog
Toy Fox Terrier
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Treeing Cur
Treeing Walker Coonhound
Tyrolean Hound
U
UtonaganV
VizslaVolpino Italiano
W
WeimaranerWelsh Sheepdog
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Welsh Terrier
West Highland White Terrier
West Siberian Laika
Westphalian Dachsbracke
Wetterhoun
Whippet
White English Bulldog
White Shepherd Dog
Wire Fox Terrier
Wire-haired Vizsla
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Y
Yorkshire TerrierÉ
Épagneul Bleu de PicardieŠ
ŠarplaninacAmerican Cocker Spaniel
The American Cocker Spaniel is a medium size breed of dog. It is one of the Spaniel type breeds, similar to the English Cocker Spaniel, and was originally bred as a gun dog. In the United States, the breed is usually referred to as the Cocker Spaniel, while in Canada and elsewhere in the world, it is called the American Cocker Spaniel. The word cocker is commonly held to stem from their use to hunt woodcock in England. Although the Cocker Spaniel type originated in the United Kingdom, by the 1940s the American breed was recognized as distinct from the English breed.
Appearance
The American Cocker Spaniel is a medium sized dog of normal proportions, with medium long silky fur on the body and ears, hanging down on the legs and belly (feathering). The head has a rounded look and the ears hang down (drop ears). The tail is often docked. Coat colors are described extensively in the Standard. The English Cocker Spaniel has a more rectangular head, a shorter coat, and is larger.
Size
American Cocker Spaniels have an ideal size of 15 inches (38 cm) at the withers for male dogs and 14 inches for females. The breed standard states that size over 15.5 inches for males and 14.5 inches for females is a disqualification at a breed show, in order to discourage the breeding of oversize dogs.
Head
The head of an American Cocker Spaniel makes the breed immediately recognizable, with the rounded dome of the skull, well-pronounced stop, and square lip. The drop ears are long, low set, with long silky fur, and the eyes are dark, large, and rounded.
Coat
A Tri-colored and an ASCOB American cocker spaniel.
A red merle american cocker spaniel.
- Buff (Most common color, looks like a very light tan usually.)
- Black, including
- Solid black
- Black with tan points
- Chocolate
- ASCOB (Any Solid Color Other than Black), defined as any color with or without tan points, and only a very small amount of white
- Tricolor, including
- black and white with tan points
- black and white
- brown and white
- brown and white with tan points (brown tri)
- red and white.
- Parti-color and other colors
- Roan (individual colored hairs mingled in with white hairs), with or without tan points
- blue roan or black
- orange roan or red
- liver or chocolate roan, shades of brown
- Sable (no longer recognized by the American Spaniel Club, meaning that breeding dogs of this color is discouraged.)
- Merle (see below for more information.)
- Roan (individual colored hairs mingled in with white hairs), with or without tan points
- Merle, including
- Blue Merle (Also known as a black merle)
- Blue Merle Parti
- Blue/Black, Chocolate/Brown Merle Parti with tan points
- Chocolate/Brown Merle Parti
- Buff/Red Merle
- Brown Merle (Also known as chocolate merle)
The merle gene is actually a gene that controls color. A merle dog (M) bred to a dog of any other color (X) will result in a dog of color X with dappled, lightened patches of the coat and possible blue eyes. A merle bred to another merle, however, will usually produce white, possibly deaf and blind puppies. A merle cocker spaniel can be registered but not shown. Merle is sometimes referred to as a "deadly gene", in that it causes various ailments; this is only true when breeding two merles together.
The location and size of tan points for black and ASCOB dogs is described in detail in the Standard.
See the article dog terminology for an explanation of terms.
History
Spaniels were hunting dogs brought from Spain to England, where the type was developed into a gun dog for hunting small game, especially birds, and the name Cocker was described in 1904 as having been derived from its use in hunting woodcocks.
The Cocker Spaniel was recognized as a breed in England in 1892, separating it from Springer Spaniels; until that time, Cockers and Springers would be born into the same litter, and were only separated out into the distinct types when fully grown. Another dog used in the development of the early Cockers was the English Setter, resulting in the roan coats still seen in the breed. Brought to North America in the late 1800s, the development of Cockers in England and Cockers in North America began to diverge into two different breeds, although breeding between the American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel was permitted until 1946, when the stud book was closed.
The first Cocker Spaniel registered in the United States' American Kennel Club was "Captain", in 1878, and the American Spaniel Club was formed in 1881, although both the English and American varieties were very similar at that time. The Westminster Dog Show was won in 1921 by a parti-color Cocker (black and white), Ch. Midkiff Seductive.
Over time, the Cocker Spaniels in the United States became smaller than the English dogs, and, in dog shows, separate categories (called 'classes') were created in 1935 for the English variety and the American variety of Cocker Spaniel. In 1938, the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America decided to discourage breeding between the varieties, and defined the English Cocker Spaniel as those whose pedigrees included dogs that were or were eligible to have been registered with The Kennel Club (UK) before 1930. Much research of pedigrees was done by Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge and others, and in June, 1946, the English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel were recognized by the American Kennel Club as separate breeds.
Health
Mortality
American Cocker Spaniels in UK and USA/Canada surveys had a median lifespan of about 10-11 years, which is on the low end of the typical range for purebred dogs, and 1-2 years less than other breeds of their size. The larger English Cocker Spaniel typically lives about a year longer than the American Cocker Spaniel. In a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (23%), old age (20%), cardiac (8%), and immune-mediated (8%). In a 2003 USA/Canada Health Survey with a smaller sample size, the leading causes of death were cancer, hepatic disease, and immune-mediated
Morbidity
American Cocker Spaniels are susceptible to a variety of maladies, particularly infections affecting their ears and, in some cases, their eyes. An unknown percentage of the breed may require medical attention. Although the number or percent of afflicted dogs is not known the following eye conditions have been identified in some members of the breed: Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), glaucoma, and cataracts. The American Spaniel Club recommends annual eye exams by a veterinary ophthalmologist for all dogs that are bred. Autoimmune problems in Cockers have also been identified in an unknown number or percent of the breed, including autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). Ear inflammations are common in drop-eared breeds of dog. Luxating patellas and hip dysplasia have been identified in some American Cocker Spaniels. Puppy buyers should make sure that breeders have checked their sires and dams for these conditions. Dogs free of hip dysplasia can be certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
"Rage Syndrome"
Rage Syndrome is described as when a dog attacks suddenly and savagely, without any warning and during the attack the dog often has a glazed look and appears to be unaware of its surroundings. A study in the 1990s of English Cocker Spaniels in Britain found it is more common in solid colored Cockers than in particolors and also more common in darker colored Cockers than lighter colored Cockers, being most common in solid black colored spaniels. Rage syndrome is most often associated with the English Cocker Spaniel breed, although cases have been found in other breeds. Cases are relatively rare even within the English Cocker Spaniel breed. Rage syndrome cannot be accurately predicted and can only be diagnosed by EEG or genetic testing and these tests are not conclusive. There are no studies linking 'rage syndrome' to the American Cocker Spaniel.
Temperament
The American Cocker Spaniel breed standard defines the ideal dog of the breed as having an outgoing, friendly temperament. They tend to be soft dogs who do not do well with rough or harsh training. The breed ranks 20th in Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs, a rating that indicates good "Working or Obedience Intelligence", or trainability.
Activities
Although primarily companions and pets, the hunting instincts of American Cocker Spaniels can be tested in Spaniel Hunting Tests offered by the American Kennel Club. The American Spaniel Club also offers a Working Certificate for American Cocker Spaniels.
Notability
Famous American Cocker Spaniels
- Ch. My Own Brucie, won two Westminster Kennel Club Dog Shows (1940, 1941), and greatly influenced the breed.
- NFCH Prince Tom III CD, UD, owned by Tom Clute, author of the 1958 children's book,Champion Dog Prince Tom
- Checkers, owned by Pat Nixon and Richard Nixon (see Checkers speech)
- Lucky Bundy from Married... with Children
- Solomon and Sophie, pets of Oprah Winfrey
- Lady from Lady and the Tramp
- Freckles, owned by Robert Kennedy
- Snooper Dawg Channel Chasers
- Butch, Albert Staehle's Cocker, who inspired his 25 Saturday Evening Post covers and his 30 covers for the American Weekly magazine
- The dog who appears in the original Coppertone ad.
- Whitey Hoover, who appears in several Tim Hortons testimonials.
- Tubby, the only victim in the collapse of the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge, in Tacoma, Washington on November 7, 1940
- Chewie, owned by Patrick Melton of Nobody Likes Onions
- Doodles, Holly Hobbie's dog from the American Greetings franchise
- Blacky, owned by Natalia Popko, the guitarist from The Gian Stone Tuesday Band
- And Acer, from Cheaper By The Dozen
Cockers in science
An early experiment was done with Cocker Spaniels and Basenjis in the 1950s and 60s by John Paul Scott and John l. Fuller, investigating how behavior and individual 'personality' traits are inherited. Simple genetics were shown to regulate complex behavior in the breeds.
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