English Cocker Spaniel

The English Cocker Spaniel was developed in Great Britain during the 1800's to retrieve game. The spaniels in general take their name from hispania, the original name for Spain which was their country of origin. They were found in Europe and Britain as well as early as the 1300's. They were originally bred to flush woodcock. The heavier spaniels, over 25 lbs became known as the Field Spaniels, while the lighter ones became known as the Cockers. It was granted its own breed classification in 1892. This breed has a strong nose for scenting game and a soft mouth for retrieving it.

Height: Males no higher than 16" (40.5 cm) at the withers, and females no more than 15" (38 cm). However, in North America, the range is: males: 16-17" (40.5-43 cm), and females: 15-16" (38-41 cm).

Weight: 28 - 34 lbs (12.5 - 12.5 kg) for dogs, 26 - 32 lbs (11.6 - 11.6 kg) for bitches

Coat Type: It has a long, silky coat which is not supposed to be curly, with an undercoat which provides protection. Strong feathering on legs, but not to the extent that it hampers him in his work or that it hides his lines. His coat can be of various colors, both solid color or parti-color.

Temperament: The English Cocker Spaniel is responsive, affectionate, and intelligent. He is well known for his merry disposition and so is often referred to as "the merry Cocker". In the field, he is a willing worker.

Health Problems: English Cocker Spaniels may be deaf or carry deafness genes; so it is wise to ensure that the breeder has BAER testing done on their stock. A dog can be normal, unilaterally or bilaterally deaf; it is not progressive. Its long ears hang close to the ground and may harbor ticks and burrs; frequent grooming will reduce health problems in this area. There are still a few instances of hereditary PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), an inherited eye disease, which can lead to blindness; cataracts; some kidney problems; and some behavioral problems related to food over-protectiveness; a few cases of rage syndrome may have occurred.

Classifications:
AKC: Group 1 - Sporting Dogs
CKC: Group 1 - Sporting Dogs
KC: Sporting - Gundog Group
FCI: Group 8
ANKC: Not recognized