American Cocker Spaniel

American Cockers were bred as hunting dogs as early as the 17th century when settlers brought the first English Cocker Spaniels to the New World on the Mayflower in 1620. By the late 19th century, the American Cocker was one of the most popular family choice. dog, both in the US and Canada, all thanks to their sweet and friendly nature. They proved to be extremely adaptable and perfectly at home in work or home environments.

Although American Cocker Spaniels have existed in America for centuries, the breed was not officially recognised by the American Kennel Club until the late 19th century and an official breed club was established in 1881. A dog named Obo II is thought to be the father of all modern breed lines and it is worth noting that in these early days, there was not much difference between an American and an English Cocker Spaniel.

The differences between the English Cocker and the American became noticeable in the 20th century, a time when American breeders noticed several natural changes in the appearance of their spaniels through selective and careful breeding. As such, a separate breed standard was established for American Cockers, although the two dogs were exhibited in the same classes until 1946, with English dogs being described as a "variety" of the American Cocker. After this, the two dogs were recognised as separate breeds by the American Kennel Club.

During the 1940s and 1950s, the American Cocker Spaniel was the most popular breed in their native America and the breed was officially recognised as a breed by the Kennel Club here in Britain in 1970. During the following years, the American Cocker Spaniel remained consistently at the top of the list in terms of popularity in the United States and would become a popular breed in the show ring both in Britain and the United States and elsewhere in the world.

It is also worth noting that for a while the American Cocker Spaniel was categorised as a "rare" breed in Britain, but due to its popularity as pets and companions for show dogs, breed numbers have risen and today they remain among the most popular. breeds in Britain.

Interesting facts about the breed

• Is the American Cocker Spaniel a fragile breed? No, they have consistently remained one of the most popular breeds in Britain, whether in the show ring as pets or as companions
• An American cocker spaniel named Afterglow Miami Ink was named "Best in Show" at the 2017 Crufts dog show
• Many celebrities and US presidents have had American Cocker Spaniels over the years
• The first spaniels were introduced to Britain in the 1950s and 1960s by US soldiers who bought their dogs from them while serving on US military bases in England.
• In working breeds, the tail was traditionally docked, a practice that has been going on for centuries. The reason the tail of a working dog was docked was to prevent it from being damaged when a dog was flushing and picking up game in the bush. It was not until 1993 that a law was passed preventing anyone other than a vet from carrying out the procedure, but this was further changed when the Animal Health and Welfare Act (Scotland) came into force in 2006, which imposed a total ban on tail docking unless for medical reasons. In other parts of Britain, the Animal Welfare Act came into force in April 2007, which meant that dog tails could no longer be docked unless they fell into the category of a specific "working dog" or for medical reasons, provided the proper paperwork had been submitted. by a qualified veterinarian who undertook to carry out the procedure. There is a heavy fine on anyone who has a dog's tail docked without submitting the necessary papers to the proper authorities

Height at withers: Males 37 - 39 cm Females 34 - 37 cm
Average weight: Males 11 - 14 kg Females 11 - 14 kg

American Cockers are slightly lighter than their English cousins, but it is the shape of their head and eyes that differ most from an American Cocker with a much rounder refined head and larger eyes. Another difference is their coat, with the American Cocker having longer, silkier hair and lots of feathers, which are prolific on their legs and body. Their coats can be wavy or flat, but they are the same colour as their English counterparts.

They are well-proportioned and balanced dogs with compact bodies and plenty of bone. Their heads, as mentioned earlier, are nicely arched and their eyes are large and full and shaped like almonds. The shape of their eyes is accentuated by the roundness of a dog's edges.

American Cockers have an intelligent, alert look in their eyes that is at once friendly and attractive. Darker-coloured dogs have darker eyes, but black-brown cream and pale yellow dogs can have black or dark brown eyes. Red- and brown-coated dogs have dark brown eyes.

Their muzzles are broad and deep with square jaws. Their noses are large and well-developed, with darker-coloured dogs having black noses, while lighter-coloured and multi-coloured dogs have brown or black noses. Their ears are lobed in shape and neatly placed on a dog's head, almost at eye level. They are well covered with soft wavy hair. An American Cocker has a strong jawline with a perfect scissor bite with their upper teeth neatly overlapping their lower ones.

The necks are long and well-muscled, and in dogs it is slightly arched. Their shoulders slope and their ribcage is well vaulted. The front legs are nicely straight, well-muscled and well-boned. An American Cocker is a compact-looking dog with deep chest and strong backs that slope neatly down to the tip of a dog's tail.

Their hips are wide apart and their hindquarters are muscular and well-rounded. The hind legs are muscular and well-developed, giving the American Cocker a powerful appearance. Feet are neat and compact with firm pads and hair growing between a dog's toes.

The tail of an American Cocker is level with the topline and moderate in length with the right amount of feathering in proportion to the rest of the coat. Tails are thicker at the base and taper towards the tip, so dogs are carried at the level of their backs or slightly higher. When alert, excited or at work, these dogs wear their tails gaily, adding to the happy appeal.

When it comes to their coat, the hair on an American Cocker Spaniel's head is fine, short and medium in length. A dog's ears, belly, legs and chest are nicely feathered. Their fur lies flat on the body and is silky and wavy to the touch. These pretty little spaniels come in a variety of colours, including the following:

• Black
• Black and tinted
• Black and white
• Black and white, multicoloured
• Black White and Tan
• Brown and white
• Buff
• Chocolate
• Chocolate and brown
• Chocolate and white, multi-coloured
• Chocolate tricolour
• Single-colour
• Red
• Red and white
• Red and white, multi-coloured
• Sable
• Sable and White
• Silver buff
• Tricolour

Gait/movement

When an American Cocker Spaniel moves, it covers a wide terrain so smoothly. Dogs are always beautifully balanced, both in the forehand and hindquarters.

American Cockers are often called Merry Cockers and for good reason, as they are known for their happy personalities, which is just one of the reasons why they are a popular choice as pets. They are naturally energetic and intelligent characters, which means they need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation for truly happy, well-rounded dogs.

If American Cockers are left for long periods of time and not given enough to do, they can develop unwanted behavioural problems, making them unmanageable and harder to handle. It can also lead to a dog barking incessantly for no reason.

They are naturally very gentle and quite sensitive, which are just two of the reasons why they are known to be so good around children. American Cockers are also very respectful and quickly understand who to look to for guidance, provided they are given proper guidance from an early age.

In the right hands and in the right environment, they are generally easy to train and will learn things quickly, but this means they can learn both the good and the bad just as quickly. Therefore, their training and socialisation should start as early as possible and their education should be consistent throughout a dog's life so that he understands what an owner expects from him. Puppies should also learn that grooming is an enjoyable experience, as American Cockers are high-maintenance in the grooming department.

Are they a good choice for starters?

American Cocker Spaniels are the perfect choice for first-time dog owners, as they are so responsive and people-oriented, wanting nothing more than to please and entertain their families. They are especially good with children and older people, although playtime can sometimes be a bit noisy.

What about prey drive?

American Cockers are naturally very social, but because they have working and hunting dogs in their lineage, they have a pretty high prey drive, meaning they will happily chase smaller animals and pets whenever they get the chance, and this includes the neighbour's cat. Therefore, care should always be taken when and where an American Cocker can run away from the lead, especially in places where a dog encounters wild animals and livestock.

What about playfulness?

American Cocker Spaniels are known to have a rather mischievous playful side and love nothing more than to entertain and be entertained. They learn quickly what an owner likes, which makes them all the more endearing. They enjoy participating in agility and are especially good at other dog activities, such as tracking.

What about adaptability?

American Cocker Spaniels are highly adaptable dogs and if they get enough daily exercise, combined with equal amounts of mental stimulation to avoid boredom, they are just as happy in a flat in the city as in a house in the country.

What about separation anxiety?

American Cocker Spaniels form strong bonds with their families and dogs are never very happy if they are left alone for long periods of time. They are better suited to people who work from home or in households where one person stays home when everyone else is away, so they are never alone for any length of time which could cause a dog to suffer from separation anxiety. This can lead to them being destructive all over the house, which is a dog's way of relieving the stress it feels and a way of keeping itself occupied, which can also lead to incessant barking.

What about excessive barking?

Some American Cockers like the sound of their own voices a little too much, something that should be carefully nipped in the bud when a dog is still young. Take care not to frighten him, bearing in mind that he, like many other spaniels, is naturally sensitive. and does not like being harshly rebuffed. Others only bark when there are strangers around or when something happens in their environment that they do not like.

Do American Cocker Spaniels like water?

Most American cocker spaniels love swimming and go into the water whenever they can, especially when the weather is warm. However, if someone has a dog that does not like water, they should never force them to go in, as this will only make them scared. With this said, care should always be taken to walk an American Cocker on a leash near more dangerous watercourses, just in case a dog decides to jump in and then has to be rescued because it cannot get out of the water on its own.

Are American Cocker Spaniels good guard dogs?

American Cocker Spaniels are natural guard dogs and are always keen to let an owner know when strangers are nearby, although they would rarely do so aggressively, preferring to keep their distance and bark as a way of alerting an owner.

American Cocker Spaniels are intelligent dogs with the added bonus that they are always eager to please. Over the years, they have earned a brilliant reputation as working dogs in the field and are known for their hunting retrieval and tracking ability. They also do exceptionally well in the show ring.

Because they are so receptive to learning new things, American Cockers are easy to train, but as with all breeds, their training should start early and puppies should be well socialised from an early age so that they can become extroverted, confident adult dogs.

American Cocker Spaniel puppies are very cute and it is very easy to spoil them when they first arrive in their new home. However, owners need to start because they want to keep going, which means setting basic rules, boundaries and limits so that a puppy understands what is acceptable behaviour and what is not.

All dogs must be taught to behave and are much happier when they know their place in the pack and who to look to for guidance and direction. The first commands a puppy should learn are as follows:

• Come
• Sit
• Stay
• Quiet
• Let it
• Down

American Cockers are friendly dogs that generally make great pets. They are normally very tolerant of children, but as with all breeds, any interaction between children and a dog must be supervised by an adult to ensure that everything remains calm and that the children do not get too loud or fall over with excitement.

American Cockers are also often good with other animals, including the family cat. However, care should be taken when an American Cocker is around smaller pets (which are common in the home). That said, the introduction of new pets or animals should be done carefully to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

The average life expectancy of an American Cocker Spaniel is between 12 and 15 years if it is cared for properly and given an appropriate, balanced diet of good quality appropriate to its age.

American Cockers are known to be healthy dogs, although like many pure breeds, they are prone to certain hereditary health problems that are worth knowing about if you want to share your home with one of these energetic little spaniels. The health problems most common in the breed include:

• Hereditary cataract (HC) - BVA/KC test available
• Retinal dysplasia - BVA/KC test available
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) - test available through BVA/KC and Optigen (US)
• Goniodysgenesis (G)/glaucoma - test available through the Animal Health Trust (AHT) UK
• Hip dysplasia - stud dogs must get a hip score
• Elbow dysplasia - stud dogs must be tested
• Multifocal retinal dysplasia (RD)
• Distichiasis
• Corneal lipidosis
• Dry eyes
• Ear problems
• Heart problems, including cardiomyopathy
• Epilepsy in dogs
• Ectropion
• Entropion/cherry eye
• Hypothyroidism
• Seborrhea
• Phosphofructokinase deficiency
• Liver disease
• allergies
• Congestive heart failure

More on tail docking

In working breeds, the tail was traditionally docked, a practice that has been going on for centuries. The reason the tail of a working dog was docked was to prevent it from being damaged when a dog was flushing and retrieving game in the thicket.

It was not until 1993 that a law was passed preventing anyone other than a vet from performing the procedure, but this was further changed when the Animal Health and Welfare Act (Scotland) came into force in 2006, which imposed a total ban on tail docking unless for medical reasons.

In other parts of Britain, the Animal Welfare Act came into force in April 2007, which meant that dog tails could no longer be docked unless they fell into the category of a specific "working dog" or for medical reasons, provided the proper paperwork was submitted. by a qualified veterinarian who undertakes to carry out the procedure. There is a heavy fine on anyone who has a dog's tail docked without submitting the necessary papers to the proper authorities.

What about vaccinations?

American Cocker Spaniel puppies would have received their first vaccinations before they were sold, but it is up to their new owners to ensure that they have timely follow-up shots, with the vaccination schedule for puppies being as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old, keeping in mind that a puppy does not have full protection immediately, but would be fully protected two weeks after he has had his second vaccination

There has been much debate about the need for dogs to have boosters. Therefore, it is best to talk to a vet before making a final decision on whether a dog should continue to receive annual vaccinations, also known as boosters.

What about spaying and neutering?

Many vets today recommend waiting until dogs are slightly older before spaying and neutering them, meaning they are more mature before undergoing the procedures. Therefore, they recommend neutering male dogs and spaying bitches when they are between 6 and 9 months old, and sometimes even when a dog is 12 months old.

Other vets recommend spaying and neutering dogs when they are six months old, but never before unless for medical reasons. That said, many breeds are different and it is always advisable to discuss things with a vet and then follow their advice on when a dog should be spayed or neutered.

What about obesity problems?

Some American Cockers gain weight after being spayed or neutered and it is important to keep an eye on a dog's waistline in case that is the case. If a dog begins to gain weight, it is important to adjust its daily calorie intake and increase the amount of exercise it gets.

Older dogs are also more prone to weight gain and again, it is essential that they are fed and trained accordingly, as obesity can shorten a dog's life by several years. This is because it puts a lot of extra pressure on a dog's internal organs, including the heart, which could be fatal considering that American Cockers can suffer from congenital heart failure.

What about allergies?

American Cocker Spaniels are prone to allergies and it is important for a dog to visit a vet as soon as possible if it develops an attack. Allergies can be notoriously difficult to clear up and finding the triggers can be challenging. With this said, a vet could make a dog with an allergy more comfortable while trying to figure out the triggers, including the following:

• Certain foods high in grains and grain fillers
• Pollen in the air
• House dust mite
• Surroundings
• Flea and tick bites
• Chemicals found in everyday household cleaning products

As with any other breed, American Cocker Spaniels need regular grooming to ensure their coat and skin stay in top condition. They should also get regular daily exercise to ensure they stay fit and avoid becoming overweight. In addition, they should be fed good quality food that meets all their nutritional needs throughout their lives.

Caring for an American Cocker Spaniel puppy

American Cocker Spaniel puppies are rambunctious and life-like, which means it is essential that homes and gardens are puppy-proofed well before they arrive. A responsible breeder would have socialised his puppies well, which always leads to more extroverted, confident and friendly dogs from the start.

That said, any puppy will feel vulnerable when it leaves its mother and littermates, which should be taken into account. The longer a puppy can stay with its mother, the better, but this should never be too long either.

It is best to pick up a puppy when there are people around for the first week or so. This is the time a puppy needs to settle down. Making the house and garden puppy-proof means putting away all tools and other implements that a noisy dog might cause. puppy might injure himself. Electrical wires and cables should be kept out of their reach, as puppies like to chew on things. Poisonous plants should also be removed from flowerbeds and from the house.

Puppies need to sleep a lot to grow and develop as they should. This means creating a quiet place that is not too far away so they can retreat into it when they want to take a nap. It is important not to disturb them when they are sleeping. It is also a good idea to keep "playtime" indoors nice and quiet and to have a more active "playtime" outside in the garden, which means puppies will quickly learn to be less noisy when inside.

The documentation provided by a breeder for a puppy should include full details on the date of deworming and the product used, as well as information regarding their microchip. It is essential that puppies are dewormed again, adhering to the following schedule:

• Pups should be wormed at 6 months of age
• When they are 8 months old, they should be wormed again
• Pups should be dewormed when they are 10 months old
• They should be wormed when they are 12 months old

Things you need for your puppy

There are certain items that new owners should already have in the house before bringing home a new puppy. It is often a good idea to limit the space a puppy takes up, especially if you cannot keep an eye on what he is doing.

Keep in mind that puppies are often quite noisy, which means you need to invest in puppy gates or a playpen that is large enough. that will give an American Cocker puppy the space to express himself and stay safe at the same time. The gear needed is therefore as follows:

• Good-quality puppy or baby gates that fit on doors
• A good, well-made playpen big enough for a puppy to play in, so he can really express himself as puppies like to do
• Lots of well-made toys that should include good-quality chewy snacks suitable for puppies to gnaw on, bearing in mind that a puppy starts to get all sorts of things from 3 to 8 months of age
• Good-quality food and water bowls, which should ideally be made of ceramic rather than plastic or metal
• A grooming glove
• A smoother brush or one with soft bristles
• Dog-specific toothpaste and a toothbrush
• Scissors with rounded ends
• Nail clippers
• Puppy shampoo and conditioner to be specially developed for use on dogs
• A well-made collar or harness
• A pair of strong dog leashes
• A well-made dog bed that is neither too small nor too big
• A well-made dog crate for use in the car and at home, large enough for a puppy to move around in
• Baby blankets to put in your puppy's crate and bed for when he wants to take a nap or sleep at night

Keeping the noise down

All puppies are sensitive to noise, including American Cocker puppies, keeping in mind that, like many other spaniels, they are naturally ultra-sensitive to loud noises. It is important to keep noise levels low when a new puppy enters the house. Televisions and music should not be played too loudly, which can stress a small puppy out.

Keeping vet appointments

As mentioned earlier, American Cocker Spaniel puppies would have received their first vaccinations from the breeders, but they need to get their follow-up shots, which should be organised to their new owners. The vaccination schedule for puppies is as follows:

• 10 -12 weeks old, keeping in mind that a puppy does not have full protection right away, but is not fully protected until two weeks after he has had his second vaccination

When it comes to boosters, it is best to discuss them with a vet, as there is much debate about whether a dog really needs them after a certain time. However, if a dog ever has to go to a kennel, its vaccinations should be up-to-date.

What about the older American cocker spaniel when they reach their advanced age?

Older American Cockers need a lot of special care, because as they reach their golden years, they are at greater risk of developing certain health problems. Physically, a dog's muzzle may turn grey, but other noticeable changes will also occur, including the following:

• Coat becomes coarser
• A loss of muscle tone
• American Cocker Spaniels can be overweight or underweight
• They have reduced strength and stamina
• Older dogs have difficulty regulating their body temperature
• They often develop arthritis
• The immune system does not work as efficiently as it used to, meaning dogs are more susceptible to infections

Older dogs also change mentally, which means their reaction time is slower and therefore they develop the following:

• They are less responsive to external stimuli due to impaired vision or hearing
• They tend to be a bit pickier when it comes to their food
• They have a lower pain threshold
• Become intolerant of any change
• Often an older dog may feel disoriented

Living with an American Cocker Spaniel in their golden years means taking on a few more responsibilities, but these are easy to manage and should include watching their diet, the amount of exercise they get, how often their dog beds should be changed and keeping an eye on the condition. of their teeth.

Older American Cockers at this stage of their lives should be fed a good-quality diet that meets their needs, while closely monitoring a dog's weight. A rough feeding guideline for older dogs is as follows, keeping in mind that they should be fed easily digestible food that does not contain additives:

• Protein content should be between 14 and 21%
• Fat content should be less than 10%
• The fibre content should be less than 4%
• The calcium content should be 0.5 - 0.8%
• Phosphorus content should be 0.4 - 0.7%
• The sodium content should be 0.2 - 0.4%

Older American Cockers do not need the same amount of daily exercise as a younger dog, but they still need the right amount of physical activity to maintain muscle tone and prevent a dog from becoming overweight.

All dogs need access to fresh, clean water and this is especially true for older dogs when they reach their golden years, as they are at greater risk of developing kidney disease.

American Cockers require a lot of maintenance in the grooming department and really benefit from being professionally groomed more often than many other breeds to keep their coat and skin in top condition. They are known to shed quite a lot, which like other breeds tends to be more in spring and then again in autumn.

These dogs need to be brushed every day to keep things under control and to prevent their long coat from tangling and matting. Their feathers need attention as they can get quite thick. It is also important to keep a close eye on a dog's ears and make sure they are thoroughly dried if a dog ever gets wet or after being washed.

This is because air cannot circulate as well as it should because of the shape of their ears. This means moisture gets trapped in the inner ear, creating the perfect environment for a fungal infection to develop. This type of ear infection is known to be very difficult to cure.

It is also worth noting that American cocker spaniels are prone to eye infections and as such, it is essential that their eyes are cleaned regularly to avoid any flare-ups.

American Cockers need regular daily exercise and ideally this should be at least an hour a day, split into two sessions, namely a walk in the morning and then again in the afternoon. These dogs have a lot of stamina for their size and benefit greatly from a brisk walk with lots of interactive games.

American Cockers are not couch potatoes and would not be the best choice for people living a more sedentary life indoors. However, they are the perfect choice for families and people who like to spend as much time as possible in nature with a dog in tow.

Having said that, if you have decided to buy an American Cocker puppy, it is important not to overdo things in terms of exercise in the beginning. Too much exercise can damage the developing joints and this can cause problems later in a dog's life.

Good playtime of 15 to 20 minutes in a safe yard is all an American Cocker puppy really needs, but once they have had their vaccinations, it is important to socialise them as soon as possible so they can meet new dog people and be introduced to many new situations while they are still young, which makes for a more confident adult dog.

If you are looking to buy an American cocker spaniel, you should be prepared to pay anything from €600 to over €800 for a well-bred pedigree puppy. The cost of insuring a male 3-year-old American cocker spaniel in the Netherlands would be €28.97 a month for basic cover, but for a lifetime policy it would set you back €63.43 a month (quote as of February 2018).

When insurance companies calculate the premium for a pet, they take several things into account, including where you live in the UK, the age of the dog and whether it has been spayed or neutered.

When it comes to food costs, you should buy dog food of the best quality, both wet and dry, to feed your dog and make sure it suits the different stages of his life. This will set you back between €30 and €40 a month. In addition, you will need to factor in vet fees if you want to share your home with an American cocker spaniel.

This includes initial vaccinations, annual boosters, the cost of spaying or neutering your dog when the time is right, and then their annual costs. health check-ups, all of which can quickly add up to more than €1,000 a year.

As a rough guide, the average cost of keeping and caring for an American Cocker Spaniel would be between €80 and €120 per month, depending on the level of insurance cover you choose for your dog, but this does not include the initial purchase cost. a well-behaved, healthy Kennel Club-registered American cocker spaniel puppy with a pedigree.