- American Cocker Spaniel
image_caption =
name = American Cocker Spaniel
altname = Cocker Spaniel,Cockers
country = America
fcigroup = 8
fcisection = 2
fcinum = 167
fcistd = http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:lD03zlhFpq4J:www.fci.be/uploaded_files/167gb99_en.doc+site:www.fci.be+%22167+/+22.+01.+1999%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
akcgroup = Sporting
akcstd = http://www.akc.org/breeds/cocker_spaniel/index.cfm
ankcgroup = Group 3 - (Gundogs)
ankcstd = http://www.ankc.aust.com/cockeram.html
ckcgroup = Group 1 - (Sporting Dogs)
ckcstd = http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/spaniel/amcockerarticle1.htm
kcukgroup = Gundog
kcukstd = http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/111
nzkcgroup = Gundog
nzkcstd = http://www.nzkc.org.nz/br348.html
ukcgroup = Gun Dog
ukcstd = http://mail.ukcdogs.com/UKCweb.nsf/80de88211ee3f2dc8525703f004ccb1e/6fcff66d1ac8377885257045006bec1b?OpenDocumentThe American Cocker Spaniel is a breed of dog that originated in the
United Kingdom and was brought toCanada and then Spain and theUnited States in the late 1800s. American Cocker Spaniels were given their own AKC Stud Book in the early 1900s. By 1946, theEnglish Cocker Spaniel was distinct enough in type from the "American" variety, that the American Kennel Club established it as a breed separate from the English Cocker Spaniel. It was given its own Stud Book and that left the "American" type to be known as the Cocker Spaniel in the United States. They are in the sporting breed group of dogs and are the smallest of their group. American Cocker Spaniels were used to flush out birds and prey from the brush so their masters could shoot them.Description
Appearance
Happy and popular, the signature trait of the American Cocker Spaniel is its dark, expressive eyes that reflect a happy, loving, and active nature. Cockers are a dropped eared breed (pendulous ears) and the mature Cocker is shown in a full feathered, silky coat. After its show career ends, the fur is often trimmed into a "puppy cut", shortened on the legs, sides and belly, that is easier to keep whether as a pet, performance dog, or hunting companion. It is important to keep the hair clipped from both sides of the ear about one third down the ear flap. This helps to keep air flowing through the ear canal and reduce risk of ear infections from bacteria, injury or parasites.
Size
Cockers weigh an average of 18 to 28 pounds (6 to 9 kg). For show dogs, the ideal height of a Cocker Spaniel is 15 inches for male dogs and 14 inches for female dogs at the
withers . An adult male who is over 15.5 inches, or an adult female over 14.5 inches would be disqualified in a conformation show. Bone and head size should be in proportion to the overall balance of the dog.Color
For North Americans
conformation show s Cockers are divided by the breed standard into three varieties: black, ASCOB (Any Solid Color Other than Black),and parti-colors. Black Variety includes: solid blacks and black & tan. ASCOB includes solid colors ranging from silver, to light cream (buff) to dark red and brown and brown with tan points. Parti-colors have large areas of white with another color(s) and must be have at least 10% coloration (not more than 90% white). Parti-colors include: black & white; black & white with tan points (referred to as tri-colors or "tris"), brown & white, brown & white with tan points (referred to as a "brown tri"), and red & white. Roans are shown in the Parti-color variety and can be black (referred to as "blue roans"), red ("orange roan"), or brown ("liver or chocolate roan"); with or without tan points. In a roan coat, individual colored hairs are mingled in with the white. Sable coloring is seen in solids or Parti-colors, but no longer can be shown in conformation by the American Spaniel Club, although it can be shown in Canada and in Europe. Merle is a highly controversial pattern, as it is debated whether it is a result of breeding to another breed. Cockers cannot be registered as merles with the AKC. It is not recognized by the American Spaniel Club and cannot be shown in conformation.Temperament
Their temperament is typically joyful and trusting. The ideal Cocker temperament is merry, outgoing, and eager to please everyone. When a Cocker Spaniel is excited, they tend to not only wag their tail, but their whole rear end as well. They can be good with children and usually sociable and gentle with other pets. They tend to be soft dogs who do not do well with rough or harsh training. They have a great love of toys and will go to lengths to obtain more, often hiding or destroying a toy to gain a new one.
Health
Mortality
American Cocker Spaniels in UK and USA/Canada surveys had a median lifespan of about 10-11 years,http://users.pullman.com/lostriver/breeddata.htm Dog Longevity Web Site, Breed Data page. Compiled by K. M. Cassidy. Retrieved
July 8 ,2007 ] which is on the low end of the typical range for purebred dogs, and 1-2 years less than other breeds of their size.http://users.pullman.com/lostriver/weight_and_lifespan.htm Dog Longevity Web Site, Weight and Longevity page. Compiled by K. M. Cassidy. RetrievedJuly 5 ,2007 ] The larger English Cocker Spaniel typically lives about a year longer than the American Cocker Spaniel.http://users.pullman.com/lostriver/breeddata.htm Dog Longevity Web Site, Breed Data page. Compiled by K. M. Cassidy. RetrievedJuly 8 ,2007 ]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%).http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/570 Kennel Club/British Small Animal Veterinary Association Scientific Committee. 2004. Purebred Dog Health Survey. Retrieved
July 5 ,2007 ] In a 2003 USA/Canada Health Survey with a smaller sample size, the leading causes of death were cancer, hepatic disease, and immune-mediated http://www.asc-cockerspaniel.org/health/surveyreports.asp Cocker Spaniel Comprehensive Breed Health Survey, First Summary Report,December 8 ,2003 . The American Spaniel Club Foundation and the American Spaniel Club. Prepared by C. Thomas. Retrieved February, 2007 ]Morbidity
American Cocker Spaniels are susceptible to a variety of maladies, particularly infections affecting their ears and, in some cases, their eyes. As a result, they may require more medical attention than some other breeds. Common eye problems in Cockers include
progressive retinal atrophy (PRA),glaucoma , andcataract s. The American Spaniel Club recommends annual eye exams by a veterinary ophthalmologist for all dogs used for breeding. Autoimmune problems in Cockers include autoimmunehemolytic anemia (AIHA) and ear inflammations. Less common areluxating patella s and hip dysplasia. Dogs used for breeding can be checked for both of these conditions, and dogs free of hip dysplasia can be certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).History
American Cocker Spaniels are the smallest of the sporting spaniels. Their name "cocker" is commonly held to stem from their use to hunt
woodcock in England, but today this breed is used to hunt a variety of upland gamebirds and water fowl.In the United States the breed is known officially by the
American Kennel Club , as the "Cocker Spaniel". Outside the US, it is often referred to as the American Cocker Spaniel, but it was the creation of theEnglish Cocker Spaniel that triggered the breed split in the 1930s. It is said that the spaniel came to America on the Mayflower in the 1620's. It became a separate breed from all the spaniels in 1947.On
June 20 ,1936 a group of English Cocker fanciers met at the home of Mr. And Mrs. E. Shippen near Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. They formed a specialty club for English Cocker Spaniels known as the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America. After this meeting, AKC recognized the "English" variety and people began to import Cockers bred in England, to the United States more frequently.By 1938, 24 Cockers had completed their championships from the "English" classes, but six of them were American-bred Cockers and only one of those had an English import in the first five generations of their pedigrees. There was an advantage in the point system then to show in the English-variety classes. For instance, in California, a male ECS had to defeat five other dogs to earn a five point major; a solid Cocker male (American type) had to win over 19 dogs to win the same major, and some people used the advantage, after all, the types were bred together and a litter could have both varieties and all were registered as "Cocker Spaniels."
Then in 1938, the ECSCA Board of Directors met at Giralda Farms,
Madison, New Jersey , and Geraldine Dodge made the motion that the owners of ECS studs would not allow them to be bred to American type bitches as a policy and requirement of membership in the ECSCA.They also resolved to object to showing American type Cockers in English Cocker classes and went on to define an English Cocker Spaniel as "a dog or bitch of the Cocker Spaniel breed whose pedigree can be traced in all lines to dogs or bitches which were registered with the English Kennel Club (or eligible for export pedigree) on or before
January 1 ,1930 ." (Jubilee, 1986).American type Cocker popularity surged during the 1940s and ECS fanciers knew they needed their own AKC Stud Book recognizing the English Cocker Spaniel as a separate breed. Mrs. Dodge began the work of sorting out the pedigrees not only in the United States, but in England and Canada. The project was done by Josephine Z. Rine, Mrs. Dodge's curator of art and former editor of "Popular Dogs."
That accomplished, Mrs. Dodge then began the process with AKC and in June 1946, the English Cocker Spaniel was officially recognized by AKC as a breed different from the American Cocker Spaniel. (ECSCA Jubilee, 1986)
American Cocker Spaniels and English Cocker Spaniels are the only spaniel breeds allowed to compete together in Cocker Field Trials in the United States. There are a small number of field-bred American cockers bred in the US, but the distinction between field and show-bred dogs is less than exist in English cockers.
Today's American Cocker Spaniel is as always, a versatile small dog. It remains popular as a pet, but is also known for its workmanlike attributes that make it a stunning show dog, lively companion hunter, competitive gaming dog, or gentle therapy dog.
Famous Cockers Spaniels
*Ch. My Own Brucie, won two
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show s (1940, 1941).
*NFCH Prince Tom III CD, UD, owned byTom Clute , author of the 1958 children's book,"Champion Dog Prince Tom"
*Checkers owned byPat Nixon andRichard Nixon (see "Checkers speech ")
*Lucky Bundy from "Married... with Children "
*Solomon and Sophie, pets ofOprah Winfrey
*Lady from "Lady and the Tramp "
*Freckles owned by Robert Kennedy
*Snooper DawgChannel Chasers
*Cosby of theScottish Rader Roodle Clan
*Butch,Albert Staehle 's Cocker, who inspired his "Life" magazine covers
*The dog who appears in the originalCoppertone ad.
*Cosby and Sophie, beloved Cockers of HRH A.E. Rose
*Whitey Hoover, who appears in severalTim Hortons testimonials.
*Tubby, the only victim in the collapse ofGalloping Gertie , the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge, inTacoma, Washington onNovember 7 ,1940
*Chewie, Patrick Melton ofNobody Likes Onions
*Domino Harvey, World class gun dog, 15 national championships, 5 American Cocker Spaniel of the Year Awards, and most attractive dog of the year in 2008.
*Doodles,Holly Hobbie 's dog from the American Greetings franchise [http://www.agkidzone.com/meet_hollyhobbie.action Holly Hobbie - Meet Holly Hobbie]References
Further reading
*cite journal | author=Kolehouse, Bobbie | authorlink= | title=Dusting off History to Look at Cocker Hunting Tradition Part II | journal=Spaniel Journal | year= | volume= | pages= | url=http://www.spanieljournal.com/2bkolehouse.html
ee also
*
Spaniel External links
*dmoz|Recreation/Pets/Dogs/Breeds/Sporting-Gundog_Group/Cocker_Spaniel,_American/
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