Meet the American Cocker big, expressive eyes, elegant coat, and long feathery ears. Apart from their handsome physical traits, they are also affectionate, family-friendly, and good with children and other Dogs.
They are one of the most beloved breeds in the United States and around the world. They have been ranked as the most popular Dog breed by the American Kennel Club from the late 1930s to the 1950s, and again during the mid-1980s.
Merry, playful, and lively, their energy always shines through, making every moment with them feel special. They add that extra sense of warmth to any environment that they are in.
ORIGIN
The story of the American Cocker Spaniel is believed to have started when they were brought on board the Mayflower in 1620.
It is said that early British settlers brought with them working and hunting breeds of Dogs to America. It is also assumed that Spaniels originally came from Spain, their name having been derived from Hispania.
PHYSICAL TRAITS
According to the American Kennel Club, American Cocker Spaniels are the smallest of all the Spaniels, weighing only 20 to 30 pounds and standing 13.5 to 15.5 inches tall.
American Cocker Spaniels have a well-proportioned head with a rounded skull.cThey have round, full eyes, with an intelligent and soft expression. They have long, feathered ears that gracefully hang and frame their face.
Their coat is silky, flat, or slightly wavy, with a texture that makes it easy to care for. Their colors range from black, cream, red, brown, tan, and parti-colors.
PERSONALITY
American Cocker Spaniels are dubbed “merry” because of their cheerful and lively personality, making them fun to be around.
They are smart and very easy to train. Although they are intelligent Dogs, they can be quite overly playful and easily distracted; still, their eagerness to please their humans makes them great at training. Proper puppy training and early socialization are crucial for having confident and less anxious Dogs.
American Cocker Spaniels are perfect family companions and are particularly good with children. They enjoy companionship and dislike being left alone for long periods. Spending enough time with them will prevent separation anxiety and behavioral issues.
ACTIVITY
As they are a sporting breed, American Cocker Spaniels are athletic and active, and need tons of exercise to release their high energy. Any kind of interactive game like playing catch, retrieving different kinds of toys, tug-of-war, as well as going on walks with their humans will provide them with enough mental stimulation.
Without sufficient daily activity, they might become restless and develop behavioral issues and destructive tendencies. Being hands-on with their exercise needs is key to having a mentally and physically healthy Dog.
GROOMING
Grooming commitment is important in caring for American Cocker Spaniels. Their long coat requires regular brushing as it is prone to tangles and matting. Metal brushes with fine and medium-spaced teeth will do the trick in keeping their fur looking and feeling its best.
Regular thorough bathing is also needed to keep their coats silky and clean. Their ears may be prone to infections — they need to be adequately dried after bathing or swimming to prevent any issues.
When it comes to their teeth, again, regular cleaning and brushing are needed to prevent periodontal diseases common in small Dogs.
HEALTH
The American Cocker Spaniel can have hereditary health issues that include ear infections, skin problems, eye problems, hip dysplasia, and von Willebrand disease.
Regular trips and health checks with the vet ensure that you can stop any illness in their tracks before they even become serious.
NUTRITION
American Cocker Spaniels are highly energetic and very active Dogs, which is why access to fresh water and good food is essential in maintaining their health. They need high quality proteins, essential fats, easily digestible carbohydrates, and an equal combination of vitamins and minerals.
They are known for their voracious appetites, so it is important to monitor their daily food intake. Provide two measured meals per day to ensure that they are eating the right amount. Make sure that they are keeping active and taking regular exercise to help maintain their weight.
GETTING TO KNOW THE AMERICAN COCKER SPANIEL
We got in touch with Patrick Chuakay Go, an avid lover of American Cocker Spaniels, to learn about how he became best friends with this lovable breed.
Animal Scene: What makes the American Cocker Spaniel more special to you than other kinds of Dogs?
Patrick: American Cocker Spaniels have always been my favorite breed. My first American Cocker Spaniel, Whitley, was the reason I returned to California and eventually completed my degrees in Biotechnology Management and Biology, specializing in Genetics.
AS: What are the names of your Cocker Spaniels?
Patrick: Too many names to name. But my very first Dog was named Whitley, my first American Champion Dog was named Harry, and my very first Best in Show winning Dog was named Peter.
AS: What has been your experience with Cocker Spaniels compared to other Dogs?
Patrick: I always had my American Cocker Spaniels present and right by my side. Maybe it’s because of their temperament and my innate familiarity and love for the breed. I practically grew up with American Cocker Spaniels around me all the time. The breed has become second nature to me already, so I believe they will be with me until the day I die. My experience with this breed has been nothing but positive from day one.
AS: What sicknesses are the Cocker Spaniels prone to?
Patrick: I don’t recall a certain illness that lingered forever. Others had bad skin conditions, but it was never really something permanent that would show up in every generation. We occasionally encounter ear problems now and then, but it is nothing we can’t prevent or fix.
AS: Would you advise combining human food that is good for Dogs with their Dog food?
Patrick: I’ve never been a fan of adding people food to my Dog’s diet. I believe that there are numerous Dog food brands out there that are very reliable when it comes to providing our Dogs with good nutrition. I wouldn’t advise people to do that as I don’t want them to cause any imbalances.
AS: Are your Cocker Spaniels territorial?
Patrick: Well, they bark at certain things, like people outside the gate or strange animals outside. I guess they’re a bit territorial just like other Dogs; however, when they come face-to-face with these strangers, they become soft marshmallows.
I sometimes think they would even tour the intruder inside my home and probably even retrieve valuables for them to take home.
AS: What kind of people are good with Cocker Spaniels?
Patrick: The best people who would be good with the American Cocker Spaniel breed are patient, artistic, creative, and outdoorsy. Patient, artistic and creative, because one will need those traits when grooming these Dogs. Outdoorsy, because they’re sporting Dogs [who] love to run around and go places.
AS: What do you love best about them?
Patrick: The thing that I love most about the American Cocker Spaniel is their loyalty! This breed taught me how to tell if a person I meet would be a loyal friend, and this breed also taught me how to be a loyal friend [myself].
AS: What is your most memorable experience with them?
Patrick: Never mind the winnings that we have achieved at the Dog shows here and abroad. My most memorable experiences would be with my first American Cocker Spaniel, Whitley. She’s the reason I went back to California, sort of like a bribe from my Dad, after running away and going to the Philippines in the late 80s. She accompanied me back to California and went along with all my travels in the United States, road trip adventures, and even close encounters with road accidents.
It was she who taught me how to appreciate the American Cocker Spaniel breed standard. It was she and her kids who stood as my model for me to understand our subjects in one of my majors in college, which is Biology. Everything that Whitley and I did before was the most memorable.
10 FUN FACTS ABOUT AMERICAN COCKER SPANIELS
- In pop culture, the Disney movie “Lady and the Tramp” features an American Cocker Spaniel.
- Their name is a combination of the bird Woodcock (hence Cocker) whom they are trained to retrieve, and the country Spain (hence Spaniel) where they are thought to have originated from.
- A Cocker Spaniel named Tangle was the first Dog able to sniff out cancer in humans.
- They come in about 20 different colors and combinations!
- A Cocker Spaniel was the inspiration for popular shoe brand Sperry’s famous boat shoes.
- The Cocker Spaniel is the smallest of all sporting Dogs.
- A Cocker Spaniel named Uno is believed to have been the oldest Cocker Spaniel in the world at 22 years old.
- Cocker Spaniels tend to produce more sebaceous oil in their skin than other breeds.
- Brucie, a popular Cocker Spaniel champion, had his obituary published in the New York Times.
- Cocker Spaniels’ coats have hair instead of fur.
Dog who could sniff out cancer in humans.
LOYAL COMPANION
With a killer combination of having a merry temperament and a soulful, doting face, the American Cocker Spaniel is sure to steal the hearts of many. While they require extra care and effort when it comes to health and grooming, their playful but affectionate personality is enough to make you fall head over heels with them and make having them around worthwhile.
Whether they are remembered as Disney’s Lady from “Lady and the Tramp”, for their amazing skill for detecting cancer, or simply as the wagging tail at the end of a long day, their presence symbolizes their importance in the lives of humans.
To many, the American Cocker Spaniel is more than just a Dog: They are a companion, a friend, a family member — even a therapist! — who can brighten any home.
FIND YOUR CANINE COMPANION!
Many Dogs that have the same temperament as the Cocker Spaniel — merry, charming, and affectionate — are waiting to be adopted at rescue centers.
Shelter and rescue Dogs are fully vaccinated, neutered, and are generally healthy. Consider adopting instead of purchasing your furry companion so as not to contribute to puppy mills, and to give a shelter or rescue Dog a chance at a good life in a good home.
