Cocker
Spaniel
Sporting Group
Breed Standard
Cocker Spaniel Introduction
The Cocker Spaniel has an interesting history.
Developed along with its cousins the Clumber, Sussex, Springer, Field, and toy spaniels,
the breed had
its beginnings in Spain but developed in England. Originally spaniels were hunting dogs,
and were classified by size. Thus several different types of
spaniels could come from the same litter. Cockers and toys were the smaller types, and, as
the toy spaniels were bred as ladies' companions and Cockers were kept for hunting, were
further divided into two groups. Later, spaniels were divided according to their method of
hunting: Crouching or setting spaniels, and springing or finding spaniels. The Cockers
were crouchers, and they were used particularly to hunt woodcock.
Today the AKC considers the Cocker and its closest British cousin, the English Cocker, to
be sporting dogs, even though they are almost exclusively bred
as companions and show dogs.
General Appearance
The Cocker Spaniel is the smallest member of the Sporting
Group. He has a sturdy, compact body and a cleanly chiseled and refined head, with the
overall dog in complete balance and of ideal size. He stands well up at the shoulder on
straight forelegs with a topline sloping slightly toward strong, moderately bent, muscular
quarters. He is a dog capable of considerable speed, combined with great endurance. Above
all, he must be free and merry, sound, well balanced throughout and in action show a keen
inclination to work. A dog well balanced in all parts is more desirable than a dog with
strongly contrasting good points and faults.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size-- The ideal height at the
withers for an adult dog is 15 inches and for an adult bitch, 14 inches. Height may vary
one-half inch above or below this ideal. A dog whose height exceeds 15½ inches or a bitch
whose height exceeds 14½ inches shall be disqualified. An adult dog whose height is less
than 14½ inches and an adult bitch whose height is less than 13½ inches shall be
penalized. Height is determined by a line perpendicular to the ground from the top of the
shoulder blades, the dog standing naturally with its forelegs and lower hind legs parallel
to the line of measurement. Proportion--The measurement from the breast bone to
back of thigh is slightly longer than the measurement from the highest point of withers to
the ground. The body must be of sufficient length to permit a straight and free stride;
the dog never appears long and low.
Head
To attain a well proportioned head,
which must be in balance with the rest of the dog, it embodies the following: Expression--The
expression is intelligent, alert, soft and appealing. Eyes--Eyeballs are round and
full and look directly forward. The shape of the eye rims gives a slightly almond shaped
appearance; the eye is not weak or goggled. The color of the iris is dark brown and in
general the darker the better. Ears--Lobular, long, of fine leather, well
feathered, and placed no higher than a line to the lower part of the eye. Skull--Rounded
but not exaggerated with no tendency toward flatness; the eyebrows are clearly defined
with a pronounced stop. The bony structure beneath the eyes is well chiseled with no
prominence in the cheeks. The muzzle is broad and deep, with square even jaws. To be in
correct balance, the distance from the stop to the tip of the nose is one half the
distance from the stop up over the crown to the base of the skull. Nose--of
sufficient size to balance the muzzle and foreface, with well developed nostrils typical
of a sporting dog. It is black in color in the blacks, black and tans, and black and
whites; in other colors it may be brown, liver or black, the darker the better. The color
of nose harmonizes with the color of the eye rim. Lips--The upper lip is full and
of sufficient depth to cover the lower jaw. Teeth--Teeth strong and sound, not too
small and meet in a scissors bite.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck--The neck is sufficiently
long to allow the nose to reach the ground easily, muscular and free from pendulous
"throatiness." It rises strongly from the shoulders and arches slightly as it
tapers to join the head. Topline--sloping slightly toward muscular quarters. Body--The
chest is deep, its lowest point no higher than the elbows, its front sufficiently wide for
adequate heart and lung space, yet not so wide as to interfere with the straightforward
movement of the forelegs. Ribs are deep and well sprung. Back is strong and sloping evenly
and slightly downward from the shoulders to the set-on of the docked tail. The docked tail
is set on and carried on a line with the topline of the back, or slightly higher; never
straight up like a Terrier and never so low as to indicate timidity. When the dog is in
motion the tail action is merry.
Forequarters
The shoulders are well laid back
forming an angle with the upper arm of approximately 90 degrees which permits the dog to
move his forelegs in an easy manner with forward reach. Shoulders are clean-cut and
sloping without protrusion and so set that the upper points of the withers are at an angle
which permits a wide spring of rib. When viewed from the side with the forelegs vertical,
the elbow is directly below the highest point of the shoulder blade. Forelegs are
parallel, straight, strongly boned and muscular and set close to the body well under the
scapulae. The pasterns are short and strong. Dewclaws on forelegs may be removed. Feet
compact, large, round and firm with horny pads; they turn neither in nor out.
Hindquarters
Hips are wide and quarters well
rounded and muscular. When viewed from behind, the hind legs are parallel when in motion
and at rest. The hind legs are strongly boned, and muscled with moderate angulation at the
stifle and powerful, clearly defined thighs. The stifle is strong and there is no slippage
of it in motion or when standing. The hocks are strong and well let down. Dewclaws on hind
legs may be removed.
Coat
On the head, short and fine; on the
body, medium length, with enough undercoating to give protection. The ears, chest, abdomen
and legs are well feathered, but not so excessively as to hide the Cocker Spaniel's true
lines and movement or affect his appearance and function as a moderately coated sporting
dog. The texture is most important. The coat is silky, flat or slightly wavy and 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 coat is not desirable. Trimming
to enhance the dog's true lines should be done to appear as natural as possible.
Color and Markings
Black Variety--Solid color
black to include black with tan points. The black should be jet; shadings of brown or
liver in the coat are not desirable. A small amount of white on the chest and/or throat is
allowed; white in any other location shall disqualify.
Any Solid Color Other than Black (ASCOB)--Any solid color other than black, ranging
from lightest cream to darkest red, including brown and brown with tan points. The color
shall be of a uniform shade, but lighter color of the feathering is permissible. A small
amount of white on the chest and/or throat is allowed; white in any other location shall
disqualify.
Parti-Color Variety--Two or more solid, well broken colors, one of which must be
white; black and white, red and white (the red may range from lightest cream to darkest
red), brown and white, and roans, to include any such color combination with tan points.
It is preferable that the tan markings be located in the same pattern as for the tan
points in the Black and ASCOB varieties. Roans are classified as parti-colors and may be
of any of the usual roaning patterns. Primary color which is ninety percent (90%) or more
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. In the case of tan points in the Black or ASCOB
variety, the markings shall be located as follows:
1) A clear tan spot over each eye;
2) On the sides of the muzzle and on the cheeks;
3) On the underside of the ears;
4) On all feet and/or legs;
5) Under the tail;
6) On the chest, optional; presence or absence shall not be penalized.
Tan markings which are not readily visible or which amount only to traces, shall be
penalized. Tan on the muzzle which extends upward, over and joins shall also be penalized.
The absence of tan markings in the Black or ASCOB variety in any of the specified
locations in any otherwise tan-pointed dog shall disqualify.
Gait
The Cocker Spaniel, though the
smallest of the sporting dogs, possesses a typical sporting dog gait. Prerequisite to good
movement is balance between the front and rear assemblies. He drives with strong, powerful
rear quarters and is properly constructed in the shoulders and forelegs so that he can
reach forward without constriction in a full stride to counterbalance the driving force
from the rear. Above all, his gait is coordinated, smooth and effortless. The dog must
cover ground with his action; excessive animation should not be mistaken for proper gait.
Temperament
Equable in temperament with no suggestion of timidity.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
Height--Males over 15½ inches;
females over 14½ inches.
Color and Markings--The aforementioned colors are the only acceptable colors or
combination of colors.
Any other colors or combination of colors to disqualify.
Black Variety--White markings except on chest and throat.
Any Solid Color Other Than Black Variety--White markings except on chest and throat.
Parti-color Variety--Primary color ninety percent (90%) or more.
Tan Points--(1) Tan markings in excess of ten percent (10%); (2) Absence of tan markings
in Black or ASCOB Variety in any of the specified locations in an otherwise tan pointed
dog.
Approved May 12, 1992
Effective June 30, 1992
The Cocker could not have become the top dog in the US
unless it had a good temperament. A well-bred Cocker is sweet, loyal, cheerful, playful,
trustworthy, easily trained, adaptable -- all those things most sought after in a family
pet. It needs a moderate amount of exercise and will get pudgy if allowed to be a complete
couch potato. Its sensitivity
may be its only drawback, for discipline must be gentle or the Cocker may wilt. However,
the popularity of the breed has almost been its downfall: Puppy mills and backyard
breeders have flooded the market with poorly-bred specimens that are yappy, snappy,
nervous, high-strung dogs that are difficult to train and handle.
Puppy mill Cockers can be found in pet stores. These puppies are produced solely because
they sell. There's no
concern for genetic diseases prevalent in the breed, no concern for socialization so
necessary for development of that sweet demeanor, no concern for careful selection of
pedigrees and parents to produce a litter. They frequently cost
the same as a well-bred puppy from a responsible breeder.
Do not buy puppies
from Pet Stores
Unless they are getting their dogs from
a local shelter
You are supporting puppy mills if you
do