Information on AKC Cocker Spaniel Puppies
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Cocker Spaniel
Exhibited in the US since the 1880s, the Cocker Spaniel remains one of the most popular breeds according to AKC® registration statistics. The Cocker has a sturdy, compact body and a silky, flat or wavy coat. He is a merry, well-balanced dog that is capable of considerable speed and great endurance. Cocker Spaniels can be black, black with tan points, parti-colored or any solid color other than black (ASCOB).
A Look Back
As far back as the 14th Century there is mention of the Spanyell, which came to be divided into water and land spaniels. "Cockers" are the smallest of the spaniels and the Sporting Group. The American Cocker has evolved somewhat differently in appearance from the breed now recognized as the English Cocker Spaniel. His desire to hunt renders him a capable gun dog; he covers territory speedily, flushing game and retrieving only when under command. He takes to water readily.
Right Breed for You?
Despite their small size, the Cocker Spaniel is still an active Sporting breed that needs daily exercise. Regular brushing and a trim every few months helps keep the coat free of mats. Cockers are intelligent, gentle dogs that thrive as part of a family.
If you are considering purchasing a Cocker Spaniel puppy, learn more here.
- Sporting Group; AKC recognized in 1878.
- Average size: from 13 ½ inches to 15 ½ inches at the shoulder.
- Family pet, hunting dog.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Cocker Spaniel Breed Standard
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
