American Cocker Spaniel

My groomer won't cut my dog's eye lashes saying she really needs them but I think they're too long. I don't want them gone just shorter. Anyone thinks the same or tell me how long is acceptable and I can take her to another place?

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Breed

American Cocker Spaniel

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Breed History

American Cocker Spaniels (Cocker Spaniels as known in the US) are the smallest of the sporting breeds, although they are also known as the “merry Cocker” for their happy disposition.

Originally bred down from the English Cocker Spaniel (who was originally bred from Springers and Field Spaniels) they were recognized as a separate breed in 1946 in the US, and was recognized in the UK in 1970 (their later recognition was mainly due to low populations of the breed).

In the 40’s and 50’s Cocker Spaniels were the most popular dogs in the US, beating even Labs and Goldens in numbers. However, today they rank 23rd in the most recent AKC surveys.

Cockers were bred originally as flushing and retrieving dogs, specifically for Woodcock, hence the name. Flushing is a unique way of hunting where the dog zig-zags across the field instead of, say, pointing.

Appearance

Cockers come in three different color groups and are shown separately from each other.

ASCOB or “Any Solid Color Other than Black” - this includes the most popular color and all the ranges of silver (not white) to deep reds and .

Black - this includes obviously and

Parti - This can be any color on a field of white such as or .

All of the above are permitted tan points and/or markings with white blazes on the chest.

Other Colors - Recently (the past decade) people have been marketing as a rare color. This color is not an accepted color in the breed. It is registerable, but that is only because people were registering their merle cockers as roans, a color that is accepted (but rarely occurs).

For a further discussion of their appearence I think it’s easiest to direct you which has a great explanation of the standard with visual examples.

Unlike in English Cockers there is no split between field/show when it comes to American Cockers. I've seen people call their badly bred cockers "field line" or "working" but there is no divide. They either do or they don't.

Health

Cockers can have some serious health issues. The most common issues are with chronic ear infections.

Progressive Renal Atrophy has become an issue in the breed as has glaucoma and cataracts.

While there are individuals with hip dysplasia and luxating patella it is not a common issue in the breed.

I also want to dedicate a special section here to rage syndrome and epilepsy. Rage Syndrome is a type of epilepsy that occurs in many breeds but started predominantly appearing in English Cocker Spaniels and Springer Spaniels. There have been rare cases proven in American Cockers, but on the whole most of the examples I find are anecdotal or temperament issues as opposed to true rage syndrome.

Temperament

Cockers are meant to be merry companions, with no suggestion of timidity. They are moderate energy and intelligence. They require a fairly active home with daily physical activity or mental activity.

Fun Fact

During an IQ test involving different breed American Cockers were ranked the highest when asked to show restraint, but were ranked the worst when it came to manipulating objects with their paws.

Personal experience

While I definitely have far less time than pretty much everyone else doing these, I do love the breed so hopefully you’ll excuse this. I accidentally adopted a Cocker Spaniel four years while looking for a Cavalier King Charles. I loved Apollo so much I ended up with a second one shortly thereafter named Artemis.

Together they both have their Canine Good Citizens and Therapy Dog International licenses.

Artemis has ran agility, even though we … ah, were not the best at it. I’d like to give it another go though now that she’s older. Right now we just do canine weight pull at home although I’d also like to compete next year.

Both of my dogs have done hunting seasons. We are far from the best at it, and there have been days where I’ve seen a pheasant or a rabbit before they have, or I’ve had to retrieve my bird and let them carry it out of the field (... or once Artemis and I tussled over it.) but they definitely have aptitude for it.

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