Colors: There are various colors of cocker spaniel. many hunters have favored white cocker spaniels because

Living: The cocker spaniel makes a good indoor dog, but they do need a place to exercise. they will make gre

Recognized: CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CCR, APRI, ACR

Description

The English Cocker Spaniel is an alert, compactly built, medium-sized dog with long ears, reaching at least to the nose when pulled forward. Solid, but not bulky. Strong and well-balanced, but not coarse. The upper plane of the skull is almost parallel to the upper plane of the muzzle, and the muzzle is about the same length as the skull. The dark oval eyes should have a melting yet intelligent expression. The hair is medium length. The legs and underside of the body are well feathered. The nose is black or brown depending on the coat color (black is preferred by breeders). It has a sturdy jaw with a scissors bite. The topline is almost level, with only a slight slope down from the withers to root of the tail. The chest is very deep and well developed, but not wide enough to interfere with efficient movement. The tail is generally docked. The feet are round and cat-like with tight, arched toes. The coat comes in solid black, liver or red or parti-color combinations of white with black, liver or red markings or ticking. Tan markings may appear on black liver or parti-color dogs. There are two types of English Cocker: field and show. The field types have shorter coats. Many colors are admissible, but on solid color dogs white is acceptable only on the chest.

Temperament

The English cocker spaniel retains more of its hunting nature than does the American version, and it also needs a little more exercise. It is cheerful, inquisitive, demonstrative, devoted, biddable, loyal and sensitive. This is a sociable dog that likes to stay close to its human family.

Excercise

Daily exercise is a necessity, either in the form of a long walk on leash, a good run in the field or a lively game in the yard. Although the English cocker could physically live outside in temperate to warm weather, it is such a social dog that it does best living inside and playing outside. The medium-length coat needs brushing two to three times per week, plus clipping around the head and ears scissoring around the feet and tail every two months. The ears should be cleaned weekly.

Grooming

Regular combing and brushing of the coat is important. Some coats are particularly profuse, cottony and prone to matting. Others are more silky and flat-laying. Coat type varies substantially within the breed. Bathe or dry shampoo as necessary. Check the

Health

Major concerns: PRA

Minor concerns: cataracts, CHD, familial nephropathy

Occasionally seen: glaucoma, cardiomyopathy

Suggested tests: hearing (for particolors), eye, hip, (knee)

Note: deafness is a major concern in particolors; CHD is