American Cocker Spaniel | Dog Breed Information & Facts – Pictures

Last Updated on December 16, 2022 by Pets Feed

The American Cocker Spaniel is a direct descendant of the English Cocker Spaniel, which was taken to the United States in the 19th century.

With a royal and elegant appearance, thanks to which it looks truly majestic, combined with an extremely soft and balanced character, the American Cocker won the hearts of thousands of owners all over the world, with its tender gaze in thousandths of a second. This dog is the ideal companion for all those who want to give him their love.

Breed name	American Cocker Spaniel
Country of origin	United States
Weight	10 – 12 kg
Height (at the withers)	36 – 39 cm
Life expectancy	15 years
Size	Medium

Read on and find out all the information about the American Cocker Spaniel, its care, its characteristics and its character as well as the typical facts of this breed of dogs.

American Cocker Spaniel photos

Characteristics of the American Cocker Spaniel

• A medium-sized head with a rounded skull rests on a long, slightly scraped neck.
• The eyebrow arches are expressed. The eyes are almond-shaped, dark, not protruding
• The transition from forehead to muzzle is sharp. The muzzle is deep, broad, square with a blunt edge. The cheekbones are flat. The nose is quite large, the color depends on the color of the coat.
• The jaws are equal, square in shape. Medium-sized, strong teeth.
• The back is strong. The topline is level, with no depressions or sags. The chest is deep. Rounded ribs.
• The limbs are straight and parallel. The muscles are well developed, the bones are strong. The paws are quite large, round in shape. The paw pads are hard. Profitable fingers should be removed.
• The tail is cut off. The spaniel keeps it level with the line of the back. In some countries, it is illegal to dock a dog’s tail.
• Coat of medium length, straight outer hair, slightly wavy. By stroking the spaniel, the silkiness is felt at hand. There is an undercoat that protects the dog from the cold.
• The color can be multi-colored and monophonic. Basic colors: black, brown, fawn. White markings and tan are allowed.

Behavior and temperament

American cocker spaniels are very sweet and friendly dogs with heightened emotional sensitivity. They are very attached to the owners and just try to make them happy. With improper upbringing, such sensitivity can lead to various inadequate states of the dog, including neuroses, nervousness and aggression towards strangers. And sometimes even in relation to the members of his family.

The American Cocker Spaniel is active, loves to play and go for walks, likes to spend time in the park and in nature. It is perfect for keeping in a city apartment, also due to its small size – such living conditions do not constrain either the dog or its owner.

This breed of dog is good with children, expresses a lot of affection and love, however, it is advisable to accustom the dog to the presence of a child in the house from childhood. Other pets, especially cats, should also be introduced into the social circle as early as possible.

Health

Although it is a fairly robust animal, it is necessary to pay attention to the incidence of certain diseases in the American Cocker Spaniel which will require specific veterinary checks and follow-ups for their prevention and their good evolution. The first is deafness, because as we mentioned, the buildup of wax and mites in their ears can trigger ear infections which, if not treated properly, can degenerate into temporary or permanent deafness.

To avoid this, we will have to perform periodic cleaning and frequently monitor the condition of our dog’s ears.

Even if we have all the care in the world, it must be said that 7% of American Spaniel puppies are born with congenital deafness, in one ear or in both ears, but if we are able to adapt to it, our pet can live a happy life without problems.

We will also have to pay attention to his eyes, as many specimens have conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, ectropion or glaucoma, the incidence and severity of these disorders become worse as the animal gets older, It is relatively common for the elderly to have visual impairments. To detect and avoid them in time, it is recommended to regularly carry out ophthalmological examinations.

Other important ailments can affect the American cocker spaniel like autoimmune hemolytic anemia or joint pathologies, such as dislocation of the elbow or hip dysplasia, although all are relatively rare and can have a good course with a timely veterinary support.

Basic care

These dogs have a fairly long coat and need weekly brushing. Also, you should definitely check their ears for infections and dirt once or twice a week, and after a walk in nature, as mites and other insects can be found there.

Don’t forget to trim nails, clean eyes if needed, and bathe your dog at least once a week.

Exercise

The American cocker spaniel preferably needs about two hours a day to exercise his body and his mind. Enjoy playing to collect items and swim in safe waters. Examine the fur and ears after a walk to remove any seeds from the field, twigs or other remains that may have been taken with it.

American Cocker Spaniel Fun facts

• The ACP is the smallest hunting dog in the world. It was originally created to hunt, track and chase small birds, such as quail and woodcock, from their hiding places. The American Cocker Spaniel has a soft mouth that does not damage dead birds (killed during the hunt) when it takes them away for its owner.
• This dog is well known as a cheerful and playful dog. He is very cooperative and eager to please his owner.
• The American Spaniel is an affectionate dog. It is suitable for families with children and other animals.
• The American Spaniel is a friendly, happy and agile dog. It is an intelligent dog that can be easily trained. Regular but gentle training gives the best results for this breed.
• The American Cocker Spaniel can be stored both in small apartments and in houses with a garden. It belongs to the group of active dogs that require daily walks of at least 30 minutes to stay in shape. This dog likes to participate in daily family activities, but also to run, swim and recover and play with various toys. He hates being left alone.
• The American Cocker Spaniel is a popular show dog. He often participates in competitions that assess obedience, skill monitoring and dog agility.
• The American Cocker is often used as a therapy dog ​​due to its soft, warm and cheerful nature.
• The thick fur of the American cocker spaniel should be cleaned daily to avoid tangling and matting.
• The American Cocker Spaniel generally gives birth to 4 puppies.

Origin

In the 19th century, the first copies of the English Cocker Spaniel arrived in North America, and during the last decades of this same century, the breed spread throughout the United States until the foundation of the first official club in 1881, called the American Cocker Spaniel Club.

However, it should be borne in mind that the American cocker spaniel and the English cocker spaniel are not the same breed, because the Americans emerged thanks to the work of various breeders who sought a standard closer to their interests. In this way, new lines of work have been established in breeding and cocker spaniel specimens more oriented to be show animals rather than hunting dogs.

This decision raised a lot of controversy between those who wanted the cocker spaniel as a hunting animal and those who sought an animal for canyoning competitions, which is why they began to differentiate the two variants. In 1935, it was forbidden to cross dogs of both breeds, and that same year, the first American Cocker Spaniel club in the world was created. Thus, in 1946, the American Kennel Club officially accepted the existence of two different breeds, recognizing the American cocker spaniel as a breed differentiated from the English cocker spaniel.

Since then, the American cocker has earned world renown and deserved recognition, becoming famous in the rest of the world and being the pet of well-known celebrities, as well as families from all locations and all cultures.