Distinctly different to the English Cocker Spaniel, the American Cocker is smaller, with a more rounded skull and a profuse and glamorous coat.
American Cocker Spaniels may encounter problems such as:
- Hip dysplasia
- Ear infections
- Glaucoma which is a painful condition where the pressure in the eye builds up.
- Hereditary cataracts which is a condition where the lens in the eye becomes cloudy and this can result in blindness.
- Progressive retinal atrophy which is an inherited disorder where part of the eye degenerates and wastes away which can result in blindness.
- Cruciate disease¹ which is where the ligaments in the knee become diseased and damaged which can lead to pain and limping.
Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
- Eye testing for pectinate ligament abnormality testing to look for signs that a dog is affected by glaucoma.
- Eye screening scheme.
¹A. Necas et al, 'Predisposition of dog breeds to rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament', 2000, Acta Veterinaria Brno.
This is a merry and busy little dog. They should be confident and cheerful, although early and thorough socialisation is recommended to avoid fearful or anxious behaviour. One of the smallest of the gundog types, the American Cocker is an intelligent dog who will thrive in a family environment, given sufficient company, exercise and training.
As with the English Cocker Spaniel, the American Cocker was developed to flush and retrieve woodcock and other game birds. They are now popular in the showring or as companions, but still retain some of their hunting instinct.
| Family-friendly: | 4/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 3/5 |
| Easy to train: | 5/5 |
| Tolerates being alone: | 1/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 4/5 |
| Energy level: | 4/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 3/5 |
| Shedding: | 3/5 |
The English Cocker is said to have arrived in America with the Pilgrim Fathers on the Mayflower in 1620. However, this is a claim many have tried to apply to their ancestors, canine or otherwise, and in any case, the Mayflower’s journey pre-dates the UK Kennel Club by over 250 years, and thus the spaniel types had not yet been split into clearly defined breeds.
It is reasonable to suspect that early settlers from Britain would have taken the useful working and hunting breeds they had with them to America, and the records do show that a spaniel type was listed as travelling on the Mayflower.
As with the English Cocker Spaniel, the American Cocker was developed to flush and retrieve woodcock and other game birds. They are now popular in the showring or as companions, but still retain some of their hunting instinct.
A sense of humour, a bucket load of patience and some inner zen is needed as this is a busy but sensitive breed that needs a calm, steadying influence! Owners should enjoy grooming as part of ownership, and not be shy about picking endless bits of countryside from this glamorous dog’s coat. An interest in training is vital to ensure this breed’s natural working traits do not cause problems.
The American Cocker spaniel may be thought of as more of a show dog than a working dog, but still requires one to two hours exercise a day – and will happily take more. This should include walking, running and swimming, as well as training and games to exercise their mind. The American Cocker will particularly enjoy scent based games and retrieval games.
As a smaller breed, the American Cocker does not require a huge home, but will need space for grooming and bathing as well as a secure garden for play, toilet trips and training. Better suited to a home without close neighbours as the American Cocker is fond of the sound of their own voice, but otherwise well suited to country or suburban living.
Small dogs have a fast metabolism, meaning they burn energy at a high rate, although their small stomachs mean that they must eat little and often. Small-breed foods are specifically designed with appropriate levels of key nutrients and smaller kibble sizes to suit smaller mouths. This also encourages chewing and improves digestion.
The American Cocker Spaniel’s coat is glamorous – and high-maintenance. It is short and fine on the head, medium length on the body, but longer on the ears, chest, tummy and legs (known as feathering). The coat should be silky, flat or slightly wavy. Daily grooming is needed, together with regular trimming. Check ears, eyes, lip folds and feet daily. Early habituation to the grooming process is sensible and this is a breed that may benefit from professional grooming as well as daily maintenance at home, as a full bath and dry will take several hours to complete.
Bright, intelligent and busy, the American Cocker is easy and enjoyable to train with the right motivation. Special attention should be given to teaching a good retrieve and building a habit of trading objects happily, as they enjoy carrying objects around. Conflict and confrontation around this can cause resource guarding problems, so avoid forceful methods that may cause fear.
The American Cocker is excellent as a show dog, but can be taught to compete well in a variety of dog sports and activities and will thrive in an environment where training is fun and engaging.
An excellent dog for the outdoor family who enjoy dog related hobbies. As with all gundogs, the American Cocker is predisposed to want to carry objects and so must be taught to retrieve and swap happily, and children particularly must be taught never to take items from the dog. As with all small and particularly long haired ‘cute’ breeds, it is very easy for young children to mistake the dog for a toy or plaything, so close supervision or waiting until children are more mature is wise.
While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.
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