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Sporting breeds: English Cocker Spaniel
Origin
All of the English spaniels were descended from the original Spanish spaniels. As far back as 1300, Gaston Phebus describes the Spanyell in writings. More than 500 years later, in 1862, they were recognized by The Kennel Club as seven breeds: the Clumber, the Sussex, the Welsh Springer, the English Springer, the Field, the Irish Water Spaniel, and the Cocker. The land spaniels were further divided by size when the Cockers and toys were separated from the spaniels of larger dimension. The toys became the English Toy Spaniels, and the Cockers retained their original designation as a sporting dog. It should be noted that until the official separation of breeds, both the Springer and Cocker could be found in the same litter, differentiated only by size. After the separation, the separate sizes were developed into the breeds known today as the English Cocker Spaniel and the English Springer Spaniel.
The English Cocker Spaniel Club of America was formed in 1935 to promote the interest of the English Cocker, which had been recognized as a variety of Cocker Spaniel but not a breed in its own right. They adopted the standard in use in England at that time. The main aim of the club at that time was to discourage the interbreeding of the American and English varieties of the Cocker. Mrs. Geraldine Dodge, president of the club, did exhaustive research into pedigrees in order to separate pure English Cocker breeding from those mixed with the American Cocker. By 1941 the club had enough information to advise authoritatively on pure breeding. In 1940 the Canadian Kennel Club recognized the English Cocker as a separate breed, and in 1946 the American Kennel Club finally recognized them.
General description
Height: 15-17 inches
Weight: 28-34 pounds
Color: The coat is silky in texture and flat or slightly wavy and feathered. Solid colors of black, liver and shades of red only allow a small spot of white on the chest. Parti-colors are clearly marked ticked or roaned, the white appearing in combination with black, liver and shades of red.
Grooming requirements
The English Cocker Spaniel needs to have his body and his ears brushed daily. A metal comb must be run through the coat after brushing, and it needs to touch all the way to the skin in order to be sure there is no matting present. They need to be groomed by a professional groomer every four to eight weeks to keep them in the proper cut for the breed. As for the ears, food does get caught in them if a spaniel bowl is not used when feeding. This needs to be removed with a slicker brush and a metal comb. Wetting the area will help the debris come out. The ears must be cleaned every two weeks to avoid any type of infection. The top one-third of the ear must be shaved to allow air to flow to the ear canal. Especially during the summer, the ears should be checked carefully. Hanging close to the ground, they can become host to burrs and ticks, often the cause of deafness.
Health considerations
The English Cocker can have a wide variety of eye problems. The parents should be free of these problems and CERF-tested annually. All English Cockers should be annually CERF-tested.
Breed characteristics and personality
The English Cocker is above all merry with an equable disposition, neither sluggish nor hyperactive. He's a willing worker and faithful companion. This is a good natured, sweet, and affectionate dog, and a great friend of children. He is sociable with strangers, a moderate barker, and obeys respectfully the orders given.
This breed is especially prized as a companion dog. Very gentle with children and with a merry disposition, he makes himself an ideal friend and playmate. He does not require the large yard and extended exercise of the larger sporting dogs.
The English Cocker has a tendency to gain weight and should be fed judiciously. He is a moderate barker and needs to live in the home.
Uses
The English Cocker was bred for hunting and is prized for his tenacity and tirelessness, and maneuverability over difficult terrain. He has a good nose and is a very gentle retriever. He can still be a good hunter today, but in reality has passed on to being an unsurpassed, wagging tailed, companion dog.
Web links
AKC English Cocker Spaniel page
The English Cocker Spaniel Club of America
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