Breeders will not sell stock without a true representation to the purchaser, nor use misleading or untruthful statements in selling or advertising. Provide your dog with a high level of physical activity outdoors, proper diet, good veterinary care, and lots of love, and you should see your pooch reach a ripe, old age. Of course, always examine puppies for obvious health problems and ask about their health history before selecting a new family member. The Cocker Spaniel's coat may be flat, silky, or wavy, and requires a high level of care, especially if it is kept long to conform to the breed standard. Alternatively, you can find an American Cocker Spaniel puppy through a rescue or shelter, although you're more likely to find adult dogs this way. How Do You Know When Your Dog Is About to Give Birth? Every dog breed has distinct characteristics used to judge their conformation to the breed standard in dog shows. For this reason the club adopted the following ethical guidelines that all the members follow today. Beginning in 1940, the English and Canadian kennel associations recognized the variants as different breeds, and the AKC followed shortly after in 1946. You should interview your prospective breeder and ask to see their breeding environment and expect that they will quiz you thoroughly in return to make sure you will be a good fit for their dogs. Cockers are excellent swimmers, and families should be cautious around unfamiliar bodies of water because cockers are quick to notice floating objects and may plunge in to retrieve them without encouragement. Because American Cocker Spaniels are a popular breed for puppy mills, it's important to research breeders carefully to make sure you are finding a well-bred dog who has been provided the best care. The weight of a healthy adult Cocker Spaniel is generally 18 to 28 pounds, depending on the dog's height and gender. The English Cocker Spaniel Club of Northern California, Inc., was established to promote the breed and breeding of English Cocker Spaniels. A properly proportioned Cocker has a balanced appearance, with a rounded skull, arched neck, compact and sloping body, large feet that are rounded, and a docked tail. A bitch should not be bred more than two out of three seasons, this depending on the size of the litter whelped and her condition. Spaniels were finally divided into two categories: land and water, with cocker spaniels being utilized primarily for hunting on land. Amber is an expert in canine cancer, behavior, and nutrition, and has written extensively about dog health and training. The AKC refers to "American" Cockers simply as Cocker Spaniels, and recognizes the English Cocker Spaniel as a separate breed. Is the American Cocker Spaniel the Ideal Family Dog? For more information on club membership please follow the link below. A breeder will guarantee the health of his/her stock subject to a veterinarians examination within 72 hours of the sale. American Cocker Spaniels are among the most popular dog breeds for family pets in the United States today. Their keen intelligence invites games and tricks, and cockers will eagerly play fetching or chasing games. A buyer should be supplied with a four generation pedigree, with information on inoculations and veterinary care the dog has had, and with instructions on the care, feeding and training of the English Cocker Spaniel. The breed is also notorious for barking excessively, especially if they have spent all day indoors or without company. If you don't want to find an American Cocker Spaniel for sale, but would rather find an adult dog that needs a home, there are a few places to start your search. Because of the Cocker's popularity, unscrupulous breeders indiscriminately breed them with little regard for inherent health or temperament problems. Breeders must insure that an English Cocker is never knowingly sold or consigned to pet stores, wholesalers or other commercial dealers, nor supplied for raffles, giveaways, prizes or other such projects. The best way to keep your American Cocker Spaniel healthy is through regular veterinarian visits, vaccinations, proper dental hygiene, and ear care. American Cocker coats come in solid black, any-solid-color-other-than-black (ASCOB), and parti or multicolored. Cockers are lively, friendly dogs that develop a fierce loyalty to their owners. In this regard, they shall: Use only physically, genetically and temperamentally sound stock, and will refuse stud service to any bitch that is not register able or shows obvious defect. Before adopting a new family member, however, potential owners should investigate the breed's specific characteristics in order to find the perfect, faithful friend. American Cocker Spaniels are generally healthy, but they are prone to several disorders. It is suggested that in most cases a period of one year elapse between litters, and no more than four litters be bred during her lifetime. Both types of Cocker Spaniel originated from the same background, but each breed has distinct physical characteristics. To find dogs local to you, use national websites such as Petfinder and Adopt-a-Pet. Regular brushing is a necessity, even if your dog is trimmed, as the dog's top or guard coat protects a soft undercoat that is prone to shedding. The English Cocker is taller and larger overall, and there are other physical differences that distinguish the two breeds. Puppies sold as pet quality should be sold with limited registration. Only English Cockers with eyes checked normal should be used for breeding. The following is a list of facts that you may not have known before: Once you've decided an American Cocker Spaniel is the breed for you, look for a reputable breeder to find puppies for sale. Members shall at all times exhibit good sportsmanship and always act in the best interest of the breed. 2022 LoveToKnow Media. The Cocker Spaniel was officially recognized as a breed in England in 1892. In keeping with its goal of breeding the best possible dogs while preserving their unique beauty and character, and of promoting the best possible care and training of these dogs, recommends the following code, effective July 21, 1993: If you would like to join us and embrace our ethical standards we would love to have you become a member. While most families are not concerned with the finer points of dog showmanship, knowing specific traits precludes adopting a mixed-breed dog that unscrupulous sellers attempt to pass off as a pure-bred. Eyes should be checked annually by a canine ophthalmologist. Adult Trick-or-Treating Ideas (Because You're Never Too Old), How to Clean an Electric Kettle Inside and Out, 30+ Halloween PartyCocktails and Punches for a Boo-zy Bash. American fanciers began bringing Cocker Spaniels to the United States in the late 1870s. Breeders shall strive for perfection of the English Cocker Spaniel in accordance with the official standard set forth by the American Kennel Club. They also excel in agility and tracking competitions. Speak to other owners to get American Cocker Spaniel breeder recommendations. Both sites let you search by breed and zip code to find all the listed dogs within a certain search radius. Canine False Pregnancy: What Is It, and Is It Dangerous? They were bred as hunting dogs as early as the 1400s. The seller will make available to the novice the benefit of his/her experience. Captain, a liver-and-white Cocker Spaniel, was registered in the National American Kennel Club's inaugural studbook. Intelligent, loyal, playful, and energetic, Cockers are excellent pets for children and will grow with them into faithful friends making many happy memories. In order to choose the best pet, always examine the puppies interacting with one another, their parents, and the people in their lives. The American Cocker Spaniel is well-known, but the fun facts about them may not be. The Cocker's medium length coat is slightly wavy, requiring daily brushing and occasional professional grooming. Some breeders began to select a smaller variety of Cocker Spaniel with a somewhat different conformation than the original English variety. A breeder will not place any puppy before the age of 8 weeks, barring extenuating circumstances. The large family of dogs came in a variety of sizes and colors, each with their own set of abilities to aid hunters in the field. They are cheerful companions and should be exercised frequently. Dont miss out on our newsletter, featuring all the latest stories and products we love. Because American Cocker Spaniels are a popular breed, they can be found in rescues and shelters that do not specialize in any one breed. For the first few days of your new Cocker's homecoming, be sure to provide plenty of attention and affection. If the dog starts to behave abnormally or exhibits symptoms of discomfort or pain, consult your veterinarian. Stud dog owners should share responsibility for the dogs produced in case of a buyer reneging on the contract of purchase. In the United States, some are unaware that there are two distinct breeds of Cocker Spaniel: the English and the American. She works with clients to offer counseling, nutrition advice, and education on a wide variety of topics related to dogs. Interestingly, this naming distinction is reversed in other parts of the world, where English Cockers are known simply as "Cocker Spaniels," and the dogs belonging to the breed of the same name are called "American Cocker Spaniels.". This bonding ensures a happy, loyal pet for many years. Presidents Truman and Nixon both had cockers, named. Trim nails as needed -- and begin trimming a puppy's nails early to acclimate them to the procedure -- but be aware that Cockers who play outside frequently often do not need their nails trimmed often, if at all. They will urge buyers of puppies with disqualifying or detrimental faults to spay or neuter on their sales contact. In 1936, a group of English Cocker Spaniel breeders created the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America, which was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an English type of the Cocker Spaniel. The primary differences between English and American Cockers are physical: the American Cocker has a shorter snout, longer neck, more luxurious coat, and is slightly shorter with a longer back. 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Cocker Spaniels immediately became popular among breeders and the general population. 2021 English Cocker Spaniel Cub of Northern California, All Rights Reserved.Website design and development by Big Dog Dzine, Oakridge, OR. It is important that Cocker Spaniel puppies be socialized from a young age: they enjoy companionship and camaraderie and will be happiest around familiar people. The playful, intelligent, and adorable Cocker Spaniel is the epitome of a family dog. Excessive bathing can strip natural oils from the dog's skin and coat, so it is best to avoid giving your dog a bath more than a few times a year. Many owners who do not show their dogs instead opt to shave or trim the Cocker coat down to make maintenance easier. Mr. James Farrow's Obo Kennel was the first kennel in England to recognize the Cocker Spaniel as a distinct breed. For hundreds of years in England, spaniels were a category rather than a specific breed of dog. Please help us improve. All rights reserved. Cocker Spaniels typically live to be 10 to 14 years old, though some members of the breed have been known to live to 16 years of age or more. Avoid bathing your Cocker Spaniel too frequently, unless your dog is works or plays hard outside and often comes in the house dirty. Puppies should be sold with a contract requiring the buyer to obtain approval from the seller before in any way disposing of the English Cocker. While this breed enjoys remaining indoors, they absolutely love the outdoors and going for walks daily.