American Cocker Spaniel is a gun dog breed and in the sporting group, it is the smallest member with a sturdy and compact body. It is a dog of ideal size, having a refined and chiseled head with complete balance. Its top-line is slightly sloping towards the lower part, bent moderately with quarter muscles and stands on straight forelegs. It has good endurance combined with speed. Its coat is wavy but slightly silky and flat.
Two characteristics which differentiate this breed are expressions and head. It has appealing and soft expressions. It originally is a bird dog but is seldom used as one, and can stay in fields happily throughout the day. However, for most of them, their coat is too much for any such work outdoors.
It’s also known as merry cocker, for its nature and temperament. It is sociable, uniformly energetic, playful, sensitive, and responds well to family actions. Therefore, it is one of the most popular family dog breeds.
American Cocker Spaniel Facts For Kids and Information :
- Originated in USA
- Weight: Male: 15–31 lbs (7–14 kg), Female: 15–31 lbs (7–14 kg)
- Height: Male: 14–16 inches (37–39 cm), Female: 14–14 inches (34–37 cm)
- Even Tempered, Outgoing, Trusting, Sociable and Joyful
- Life span: 12-15 years
- Puppy Price: $600-$800 USD
American Cocker Spaniel Diet :
The Cocker Spaniel's diet should include carbohydrates, proteins, fibers, vitamins, and minerals to ensure it gets all the essential nutrients needed for health and longevity. Fats help protect internal organs; provide protection from arthritis; and maintain a shining coat, healthy skin and clear eyes. But due to obesity, the intake of fats should be checked. Carbohydrates like oatmeal, rice, barley and protein from meat and fish are also necessary to stay energized and have a sound body. Other dog foods should be provided for necessary vitamins and minerals.
Height and Weight :
On an average, their height ranges from 14.5 inches to 15.5 inches with females on lower segment and males on higher side. Their weight varies from 15pounds to 30 pounds (7kg to 14kg).
Habitat :
Surrounded by people in a house is the most satisfying life for a Cocker Spaniel.
Lifestyle :
If regularly exercised, a Cocker Spaniel can do pretty well in an apartment. A small to medium yard is sufficient, as they are quiet active indoors. Keeping them in a kennel outside should be avoided.
Physically, it is able to live outdoors with proper shelter if climate is temperate. But its nature of staying connected to the family makes it almost impossible to do so. These have good amount of stamina and therefore need regular exercise. A long walk on a daily basis can work well.
Lifecycle :
With an average of 5, the females can litter 1-7 puppies at once.
Breeding :
Finding a good breeder is an important task for having the right puppies. Health certifications are necessary to avoid health problems.
Appearance :
Being a tough or sturdy dog, Cocker Spaniel has a rounded head and broad muzzle. It is a medium sized dog with deep and square jaws. The shape of the bite is like a scissor. The eyes are generally dark and the eyeballs are round, having eye rims resembling to that of almond shape. However, blue eyes can also be seen among some cocker spaniels.
Some distinguishing features of appearance are the low set and long ears which are well feathered. The back line has a slight slope from the neck to the tail bone. The coat can have colors like- tan points with solid black, merle, parti-colors (like white with black, white with red or buff, or white and tan points with black), or any other solid color along with tan spots.
Show lines have longer coats than field lines. Other characteristics are: docked tail, dewclaws-which can be removed, wavy and flat coat, medium length hair on body and on head it is short, feathered legs, ears, abdomen and chest.
Lifespan :
The life expectancy of a cocker spaniel is about 12 to 15 years.
Health Issues :
Cocker spaniels have the tendency to grow overweight. They may also face some major issues, like cataracts, patellar luxation and glaucoma. Other minor ones are entropion, ectropion, dysplasia, PRA, cherry eyes, allergies, lip-fold pyoderma, seborrhea, liver disease, otitis externa, urolithiasis, CHF, prolapse in nictitans gland, cardiomyopathy and deficiency of phosphofructokinase.
Elbow dysplasia, IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia) and gastric torsion can be seen occasionally. According to 2004 kennel club survey in the UK, the reasons of their death were: cardiac-8%, cancer-23%, old age-20% and immune mediated-8%.
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History :
The history of Cocker Spaniel goes back to the 14th century. Basically this breed originated from English Cocker Spaniels brought to the US. Those were given the name American Cocker Spaniel during the 20th century.
Now the American Cocker Spaniel is even more famous than the English ones though they are their cousins. The name Cocker comes from woodcock which is a game bird and these dogs were famous for flushing. And the name spaniel comes from its origin in Spain.
Images, Pics, Photos and Pictures of American Cocker Spaniel :
Grooming :
The coat of American cocker spaniel is such that it requires more of an effort to clean it as compared to other breeds. In order to maintain and keep its coat in shape, it needs to be cleansed and combed at least once a week along with scissoring, trimming and clipping in every two to three months.
Some owners prefer to leave coat long while others prefer to clip it to medium length to increase functionality. For this breed special consideration for eye and ear cleanliness is required. While brushing care should be given to not pull the hair out as it is silky. Eyes should be wiped often as they often tend to tear.
Temperament and Personality :
Cocker Spaniels are interested in work and are simultaneously bold and keen too. These are qualified as a household pet or a gun dog and are well suited to family life. Along with being sweet and gentle, this breed is moderately intelligent and respectful of its authority.
But if it is not socialized well during its young years, it may grow as a shy dog. Cocker Spaniels if grown in family environment are good with children. These are the dogs which love almost every one; and to stay healthy and happy, they need a loving keeper and a daily walk or other exercises.
To conclude, American Cocker Spaniel is a companion dog which can be a really good and trustworthy friend of humans as seen and analyzed by many owners.