American Cocker Spaniel Dogs Information

Written by: Debbie Moore

Copyright 1997 to 2010 Dogs and Puppies Central
All rights reserved.

Alternate Names: American Cocker, Cocker Spaniel, American Spaniel

Common Misspellings:  American Cockerspaniel, American Cocker Spanial, Cocker-Spaniel

Learn all about American Cocker Spaniel Dogs and Puppies through our indepth guide to the American Cocker Spaniel dog breed. You'll find solid information about American Cocker Spaniel dog history, American Cocker Spaniel life expectancy American Cocker Spaniel dog appearance, American Cocker Spaniel temperament and personality, American Cocker Spaniel health problems, American Cocker Spaniel puppy care, training American Cocker Spaniel puppy dogs and more. Also includes important information about choosing a responsible American Cocker Spaniel dog breeder.

The Cocker Spaniel has long been favored as a family pet, not only in the country of its origins, but also throughout the world. Known for his beautiful coat, soft brown eyes and sweet expression, he is surprisingly much more than a simple pampered pet. In addition to his place at his mistress' side, he is equally at home with his master, out hunting in the fields. The smallest of the sporting breeds, the Cocker Spaniel is as versatile as he is loveable.

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American Cocker Spaniel Facts

The American Cocker Spaniel Dog Breed In Brief

Country of Origin: United States of America

American Cocker Spaniel Height: 13.5 to 15.5 inches at the shoulder

American Cocker Spaniel Weight: 24 to 28 pounds

American Cocker Spaniel Color Variations: Buff
Black
Black and White
Chocolate

American Cocker Spaniel Size Variations: Standard only

American Cocker Spaniel Exercise Needs: Moderate

American Cocker Spaniel Grooming Demands: Demanding

American Cocker Spaniel Trainability: Medium Difficult

American Cocker Spaniel Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years

Average American Cocker Spaniel Prices: $750 to $2500, depending on Pedigree

Good With Children: Yes

Good With Other Pets: Usually

Breed Group: Sporting

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American Cocker Spaniel Dog History

The first Cocker Spaniel is believed to have made his debut on American soil with the landing of the Mayflower, back in 1620. Sadly, there are no ways of directly tracing the lineage of the modern day Cocker Spaniel back to this dog, however; due to the fact that there were no pedigrees or stud books back in those days, any written reference has been obliterated by the passing of time. The first actual registrations of the American Cocker Spaniel began in 1879, with a liver and white dog who was affectionately known as "Captain." From there, this wonderful dog began to gain more and more recognition until he was practically made a household name.

Interesting to note is that, while the breed originated over in England, the American Spaniel Club was the first to take interest in the Cocker Spaniel as a breed all its own. During this time, back in their home country, spaniels were simply divided according to size - dogs that were more than 28 pounds were to be considered Field or Springer Spaniels, whereas smaller dogs would be considered Cocker Spaniels - thus named because of their usefulness when it came to shooting woodcocks. In 1946, however, the American Cocker Spaniel (also called the American Spaniel) would be recognized as a completely separate breed from its English Brothers.

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American Cocker Spaniel Dog Appearance

The Cocker Spaniel is a beautiful dog - a combination of grace, pride, and athletic ability, they are versatile dogs and it shows in their very appearance. While their coats are worn in a fashion that is long and flowing, the Cocker Spaniel is a muscled and athletic dog, highly capable of spending long hours in the field while hunting. His eyes are forward set, large and soft looking, coupled with the dog's highly domed forehead to give him a look of solemn and kind intelligence, and the American Spaniel's tail is docked at an early age. Interesting to note is that, while they originated in England, the American Spaniel's development has created a different size, type, and coloration from what is now known as the English Cocker Spaniel.

The American Cocker Spaniel comes in a wide variety of colors, appropriately broken down into the following categories - the black variety, any solid color other than black (ASCOB), parti-color variety, tan pointed, and roans. The most common varieties tend to be solid blacks, solid goldens, and the black-and-white parti-color. Needless to say, there is probably a Cocker Spaniel out there, that's just the right shade for you.

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American Cocker Spaniel Grooming

Compared to some of the other breeds, the Cocker Spaniel desires a fair amount of maintenance, if you plan on keeping him looking pretty. Long waves of silky hair cover his body and should be trimmed in order to keep him neat, in addition to requiring frequent brushing to prevent mats. Many keep their Cocker Spaniels clipped short, especially during hot weather, but this will still mean regular trips to the groomer.

In addition to his coat, the Cocker Spaniel's ears are so thick and heavy that they frequently need to be cleaned and checked for signs of infection. This is important to do on a weekly basis, and perhaps even more often if your dog is one that likes to swim or get into any situation where he may get moisture in his ears. Light-colored dogs can also be prone to rust-colored stains from their eyes, though this is easily maintained with special bathing products.

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American Cocker Spaniel Exercise Needs

The Cocker Spaniel is bred for work in the field and, for this reason, he does need his exercise. Failing to provide him with adequate room to romp and play can lead to obesity or, if left alone for too long, the Cocker Spaniel may turn to destructive behavior. Ideally, Cocker Spaniel owners should have a large fenced in yard, or be prepared to make frequent trips down to the dog park so he can play a few rousing games of fetch. While they can adapt to apartment living, keeping a Cocker Spaniel will mean frequent walks and, even more important, the necessity of a leash - due to the fact that they are hunting dogs, Cocker Spaniels can be prone to wandering away or bolting after things.

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American Cocker Spaniel Temperament

The Cocker Spaniel is of a gentle and willing disposition, always eager to please his owner. While they aren't considered to be one of the brightest dogs, they tend to be very determined and can excel both in obedience and in the field, as a hunter and retriever of birds. When teaching your Cocker Spaniel puppy, remember to be patient and consistent, as these are dogs who learn from repetition and routine. Don't get frustrated, should you have to show him a few times before he catches on.

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American Cocker Spaniel Training

Cocker Spaniels are very intelligent and are relatively easy to train, provided that early and consistent training is provided.

Housetraining your American Cocker Spaniel can be a bit more of a challenge - they are notorious for having "accidents" around the house. It is very important to put time and effort into housetraining your puppy with lots of praise and rewards when progress is made. Your breeder or local dog trainer can be an excellent resource for more information on housetraining Cocker Spaniels.

American Cocker Spaniel Health

Like any breed of dog, the purebred Cocker Spaniel is subject to a variety of health concerns. For this reason, when deciding to choose a new American Spaniel puppy, check around with several breeders and ask about the various health issues that can affect these beautiful dogs. A reputable breeder should be well-versed in the health concerns and should be able to give you more details, as well as showing you the sire and dam of your potential puppy. Some of the health problems that can affect Cocker Spaniels include:

Cataracts
Retinal atrophy
Susceptible to tonsillitis
Hip dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia
Epilepsy
Various skin disorders
Prone to ear infections

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Is the American Cocker Spaniel Right For You?

The Cocker Spaniel is a wonderful family pet, but he is a pet that takes a fair amount of attention, in order to keep him happy and healthy. Requiring regular exercise and frequent trips to the groomers may put the brakes on would-be owners, as well as the knowledge that Cocker Spaniels are notorious for "dribbling" or having little accidents with their bladders when they get too excited. If you can get past those small hurdles and still want one of these sweet and loving dogs, an American Spaniel may very well be the right dog for you. Be sure to check out several breeders and get to know some of them in person before you make any final decisions but, for the right family, the American Cocker Spaniel is the perfect dog.

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American Cocker Spaniel Prices

Average American Cocker Spaniel Price: $750 - $1000

Price always varies when it comes to the purchase of a quality, home-raised healthy American Cocker Spaniel dog or puppy. It's of utmost importance that you place the most weight on acquiring a great American Cocker Spaniel puppy from a highly responsible, reputable breeder, and put the price as a secondary concern in making your decision.

Buying a American Cocker Spaniel dog or puppy at a cheap price from a breeder of questionable reputation can be a one-way ticket to heartbreak and great additional expense throughout the dog's life, should your American Cocker Spaniel puppy have hereditary health problems or behavior and temperament issues (which very often is the case with cheap-priced puppies). Buying from a highly reputable American Cocker Spaniel breeder is your best insurance for acquiring a well socialized, healthy puppy of stable temperament.

American Cocker Spaniel prices also will vary according to the puppy's conformation; puppies placed as pets and companions will generally be less expensive as show-quality American Cocker Spaniel puppies intended to be shown in conformation.

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Finding American Cocker Spaniel Puppies For Sale By Reputable Breeders

If you are ready to add an adorable American Cocker Spaniel puppy to your family, be sure to check out Dogs and Puppies Central's directory of American Cocker Spaniel Puppies For Sale, where you will find photos and information posted by reputable American Cocker Spaniel breeders. We actively screen American Cocker Spaniel breeders who wish to advertise on our service by asking that they meet and follow our Guidelines For Responsible Dog Breeders. We also ask for - and check - three references from each breeder.

By performing an initial dog breeder screening, it is our hope that we can help put you in touch with a caring, responsible American Cocker Spaniel breeder near you. We cannot physically inspect the premises and dogs owned by breeders advertising with us, so you need to be responsible for doing the final inspection and interview.

Let's stop the cruelty of puppy mills. Please help us keep money out of the hands of puppy mills, back yard breeders and pet stores. Buy your American Cocker Spaniel puppy only from a responsible, caring hobby breeder that raises their dogs and puppies in a loving home environment.

When you locate that perfect American Cocker Spaniel puppy - please be sure to send us some photos to be included in our growing gallery of American Cocker Spaniel dog and puppy pictures!

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Additional American Cocker Spaniel Resources:

• American Cocker Spaniel Wikipedia Profile
• AKC American Cocker Spaniel Breed Profile
• American Cocker Spaniel Pictures
• American Cocker Spaniel Videos

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