Thanks to regal and elegant behavior, combined with an extremely sweet and balanced character, this animal is able to win sympathy in just a few seconds. A dog that will become the perfect companion for those who want to receive and give love.
Breed history
In the nineteenth century, the first representatives of cocker spaniels arrived in North America, where over the next decades they spread throughout the territory. In 1881, the first official club was created, called the Club of the American Cocker Spaniel. However, keep in mind that the American Cocker and the English Spaniel are not the same breed.
The Americans appeared thanks to the work of various breeders who were looking for a standard that was more suitable for their interests. Thus, new areas of work with breeding material appeared, more focused on creating exhibition animals, instead of hunting dogs.
This decision caused a lot of controversy between those who wanted the spaniel to remain a hunter and supporters of the salon option. Therefore, over time, directions were divided. In 1935, it was forbidden to cross American and English dogs. Thus, in 1946, the American Kennel Club officially recognized the existence of two different breeds,highlighting the American cocker in a special breed of English spaniel. Since then, the American Cocker Spaniel has enjoyed well-deserved fame and recognition throughout the world.
American Cocker Spaniel - specifications
The American Cocker Spaniel is the smallest breed in the FCI category (sports and hunting dogs). In males, growth varies in the range of 36-39 cm, with a weight of 12-15 kg. Females reach a height at the withers of 33-36 cm, and a weight of 10-12 kg.
The head is round, with an elongated and wide muzzle. Compared to the English Spaniel, the face of the American is slightly flatter and shorter. On the other hand, the mantle is slightly longer than that of an Englishman.
As a rule, the coat on the body is of medium size, smooth or wavy, short on the head. Thick undercoat provides additional protection. On the legs, ears, in the abdomen and chest, the coat is long, which is a kind of mantle. This makes the dog really cute and funny.
As for the color, solid black, black with fire marks or white spots on the chest and neck, cream, dark red, brown and brown with fire marks are allowed. A combination of two or more solid colors is also accepted if they are clearly defined, and one of them is white, for example black and white.
The average life span of an American Cocker Spaniel is usually between 12 and 14 years old, provided that it is properly maintained.
Breed description
In full accordance with his appearance, the cocker is a very friendly dog who will give his master all his love and endless devotion. An affectionate and cheerful dog whose appearance only enhances this impression.The delicacy in handling children and other animals is also noteworthy.
They are very balanced, calm. Gentle, but not sticky, insightful and quickly respond to environmental changes. These are animals that like games and exercises, especially imitating hunting, but they adapt perfectly to living indoors provided that they walk regularly.
American Cocker Spaniel Care
For the coat to be beautiful, it needs to be combed at least once a day. It is also recommended that you bathe regularly to keep the fur in its best form, inherent in this breed. From time to time, it is advisable to contact professionals by visiting a dog hairdresser. These cares are vital to keeping the dog in good condition. Otherwise, the hair will always be tangled, and the animal will have a sloppy look. In addition, this can lead to parasites and, consequently, to the appearance of problems such as canine myiasis.
One of the most important factors that you must pay attention to is that Pet's ears have always been clean and well-groomed.as these dogs are prone to hearing problems.
Parenting and training
American cockers are generally fairly obedient, which should facilitate pet training. But there is a factor that can interfere with educational work. The fact is that dogs are very stubborn. Therefore, you need to consistently and persistently relate to their training, without resorting to physical or emotional punishment.There are enough methods to teach without causing discomfort and harm. It is best to use a reward method with desired behavior. Then the animal will understand what needs to be done in order to receive a reward.
Health
Despite the fact that this is a fairly robust animal, you need to pay attention to the frequency of some diseases in the American cocker, which will require special veterinary examinations and subsequent measures to prevent them. The most dangerous disease is deafness. As already mentioned, irregular cleaning of the ears can lead to the accumulation of wax and mites in them, which in turn is fraught with the development of otitis media.
It should be noted that the order 7% of American Cocker Spaniel puppies are born with congenital deafness of one or both ears.
Another risk zone is the eyes. Many animals are predisposed to diseases such as progressive atrophy of the retina, cataract, or glaucoma. Like people, these diseases are mostly manifested in old age. Therefore, it is recommended that you check your dog’s eyesight from a veterinary clinic from time to time.
However, with proper care and good maintenance, pet health usually does not cause problems.
