American Cocker

As we have seen in the previous species, in the 18th century, the Spaniels differentiated for their size. In this time, in America the English Spaniel was the only one of this kind, an intermediate type between the cocker and the Springer Spaniel. Back then, its breeding accentuated determined physical characters, thus at the end, a dog that was different from the English cocker was born and so it could not be considered as it belonged to the same breed. The American cocker was recognized as an independent breed in 1943 and received its standard. It is different from the English cocker for the shape of the head, because of its denser slightly wavy hair but its height and silhouette is more robust but they have similar character.

In its origins, the American cocker was also a hunting dog, but it is being used as a pet dog more and more, which is its current condition nowadays. Its very long hair gets dirty slightly when it works in the field and needs more care than the English cocker. A slight cut is necessary. The American cocker must be combed and groomed at least once a day.

Size: male 38-39.5 cm; male 35.5-37 cm. Weight: 10-12 kg. The colors are the same as the English cocker. In one-color dogs (1), the white patches are authorized on the chest and the throat. The white in other parts implies disqualification. The stripes of the limbs should not be lighter than the hair of the body.

The American cocker head (2) is shorter and wider than the English cocker (3), the cranium is generally convex, the supraciliar arches are prominent and the jaws are shorter. The silhouette is more robust, the legs are shorter, the chest is deeper and wider. The hair is silky, straight or slightly wavy. It is short only on the head, it has medium-length in the body and it is long and soft on the ears, the chest, the abdomen and the limbs.