American  Cocker Spaniel				


The American Cocker Spaniel, often 
referred to as the Cocker, derives its 
name from its proficiency in flushing 
woodcocks, a game bird.  It is the 
smallest of the sporting dogs.  Its 
background is the same as the English 
Cocker Spaniel which was brought to 
America from Britain, in the late 1800’s.  
An 1880 import, “Obo” by name, was a great 
success in the show ring and is given credit 
by many, as being the foundation sire of the 
American Cocker Spaniel.  Some argue that 
the English Cockers were crossed with smaller 
toy spaniels of the same genealogical stock.  
The American Spaniel Club was soon founded 
in 1883.  For many years the American Cocker and 
the English Cocker were considered two varieties 
of the same breed, being freely interbred.  
The differences were becoming more obvious 
until finally both were classified as separate 
breeds in 1946.  Interbreeding was then prohibited.  
As the black Cocker Spaniel seemed unbeatable 
in the show ring, Cocker Spaniel breeders 
successfully applied for permission to have the 
breed represented in the Sporting Group by three 
different colors: Black, Parti colored and 
ASCOB (Any Color Other Than Black including 
those with tan points)	

The American Cocker Spaniel has a sturdy compact 
body and a chiseled refined head, with the overall dog 
in complete balance and of the ideal size.  It is capable 
of considerable speed and endurance.  Most important, 
the American Cocker Spaniel must be free moving and 
merry, sound, well balanced throughout, and show a 
love for working.  It must be even tempered.  
The American Cocker Spaniel adapts to any abode 
and lifestyle, city or country.  An American Cocker 
Spaniel puppy raised with children will thrive, tending 
to bond with the whole family.  A Cocker Spaniel puppy 
benefits from some early formal training.

Height:   

14-15  in.

Weight:   

24-28 lbs.

Coat:

On head, short & fine;  on body, medium length, 
with enough undercoating to give protection.  
The ears, chest, abdomen & legs are well feathered, 
but not so excessively to hide the Cocker Spaniel’s 
true lines & movement  or affect it’s appearance & 
function as a moderately coated sporting dog.  
The texture is most important.  The coat is silky, 
flat or slightly wavy & of a texture which permits 
easy care.  Excessive coat or curly or cottony textured 
coat shall be severely penalized.  Use of electric 
clippers on the back of coat is not desirable.  
Trimming to enhance the dog’s true lines should be 
done to appear as natural as possible.

Colors: 

Black:			

Jet black, any shading of red, brown or liver in sheen 
of coat is undesirable.  A small white strip on chest 
&/or throat is allowed: white in any other location 
shall disqualify. 

Black & Tan:		

Definite tan markings on black body.  A small white 
strip on chest /& or throat is allowed: white in any 
other location shall disqualify. 
Brown:			

Dark brown.  A small white strip on chest /& or 
throat is allowed: white in any other location shall 
disqualify. 

Brown and tan:			

Definite tan marking on brown body.  A small white 
strip on chest /& or throat is allowed: white in any 
other location shall disqualify. 

Tan Points:

The color of the tan may be from the lightest cream 
to the darkest red and is restricted to ten percent (
10%) or less of the color of the specimen:  tan markings 
in excess of that amount shall disqualify.

Buff:				

From lightest cream to darker beige.  A small white strip 
on chest /& or throat is allowed: white in any other 
location shall disqualify. 
				     
Red:				

Dark red.   A small white strip on chest is /& or throat 
is allowed: white in any other location shall disqualify. 





Sable:				
Mahogany Sable:  			

Dark Red (Mahogany) with black overlay with 
black mask.  A small white strip on chest /& or 
throat is allowed: white in any other location 
shall disqualify. 
					
Brown Sable:				

Dark  Brown with darker Brown overlay dark 
brown mask.  A small white strip on chest /& or 
throat is allowed: white in any other location shall 
disqualify. 
					
Merle: 			

Blue, Red or Brown, color will look as if smeared 
over entire body.   A small white strip on chest /& 
or throat is allowed: white in any other location 
shall disqualify. This color is not recognized by the
American Spaniel Club.  But can be registered with
The American Kennel Club.
			
Roan:  			

Blue, Red, Brown.  What ever is base color will 
have ticking of lighter color.   A small white strip 
on chest /& or throat is allowed: white in any other 
location shall disqualify.  Roans are classified as 
parti-colored and may be or any of the unusual 
roaning patterns. 
	






Parti-Colors: 
					
Two or more solid, well-broken colors, one of which 
must be white, also can include tan points.  It is 
preferable that the tan marking be located in the 
same pattern as for the tan points in the Black & 
Ascob varieties. 

Primary color which is ninety percent (90%) or more 
shall disqualify.

Black and White
Black White and Tan
Brown and White
Brown White and Tan
Buff and White
Red and White
Sable and White
Blue Merle and White
Blue Merle White and Tan
Brown Merle and White
Brown Merle White and Tan
Red Merle White and Tan
Sable Merle and white
Blue Roan White
Blue Roan White and Tan
Red Roan White
Red Roan White and Tan
Brown Roan White
Brown Roan White and Tan









Forelegs:

Forelegs are parallel, straight bonded & 
muscular & set close to the body well under 
the scapulae.  The pasterns are short & strong.  
Dewclaws on forelegs shall be removed. 

Feet:

Compact, large, round & firm with horny pads, 
they turn neither in or out.

Hindquarters:

Hips are wide & quarter well rounded & muscular.  
When viewed from behind, the hind legs are parallel 
when in motion & at rest.  The hind legs are strongly 
boned, & muscled with moderate angulation at the 
stifle & powerful,  clearly defined thighs.  The stifle
is strong& there is no slippage of it in motion or when 
standing,.  The hocks are strong & well let down.  
Dewclaws on hind legs are removed.

Temperament:

Cocker Spaniels are active, loving, loyal, most 
of all happy and friendly.

With children:

Yes, if from good bloodlines they are exceptionally 
good with children.

Pets:

Yes,  sociable and gentle.



Special Skills:

Field sports dog and family pet.

Watch dog:  

High

Guard dog:  

Low, to friendly

Care and Training:

Need careful grooming for about thirty minutes 
once a week is definitely necessary for the American 
Cocker Spaniel.  They adapt well to city dwelling, but 
need sufficient exercise to prevent them from 
becoming overweight.

Learning Rate:

High, Obedience-High, Problem Solving, Medium.

Activity:

Indoors-Medium, Outdoors-High

Living Environment:

Apartment, house, country or city as long as they 
are exercised the American Cocker Spaniel will adapt.  
An owner of a Cocker Spaniel should be willing to 
spend time grooming their coat and handling them every day.





Health Issues:

The Cocker Spaniel is quite hardy, but may 
experience a variety of inherited disorders such 
as eye problems, hip dysphasia, slipping stifles and 
epilepsy.  Testing of breeding dogs should be 
preformed to minimize occurrences of these problems.

Life Span:

10-15  years.

Litter Size:

4  to 6

Country of Origin:

United States

History:

Despite his name, the American Cocker Spaniel 
is in fact originally a breed of Spanish blood.  The 
Spanish Spaniel is considered to the be oldest of 
the recognized Spaniels.  Developed by crossing 
setters and spaniels, it was during the seventeen 
century that they were divided into the water and
 land spaniels.  In 1892 the Cocker Spaniel was 
recognized as a breed in England.  In the late 
1870’s the breed was brought to the United States 
and here he has developed quite different lines from 
the English Cocker and is now registered as a 
separate breed.

First Registered by AKC:

1878

AKC Group:

Sporting Group

CLASS:

Gundog