AMERICAN COCKER SPANIEL CLUB OF CANADA
CANADIAN KENNEL CLUB
BREED STANDARD
AMERICAN COCKER SPANIEL
ORIGIN & PURPOSE
The Cocker Spaniel evolved from a very old type of dog classified generally as Spaniels. The name “Spaniel” is mentioned in various literatures and pictured in woodcuts as early as 1328. The English literature and letters of the day always accepted that Spaniels originated in Spain. The partridge and quail hunters of the early 1800s wanted a smaller sized dog who would simply find the game without disturbing it. Finally in 1892, the Kennel Club (England) recognized the “Cocker” as a classification and being a Spaniel that was less than 11 to 12 kg (24.25 to 26.5 lb), and one that worked. The first Cocker was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1879.
The Cockers at this time were long and low bodied and were generally around 9 to 10 kg (20 to 22 lb). In the early 1900s, the American Spaniel Club, striving to maintain the Cocker in its sporting dog classification, made the standard call for a dog not less than 13 kg (28 lb). It was during this time that the American Cocker Spaniel as we know it today really started to evolve into a separate and distinct breed of its own.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Cocker Spaniel is the smallest member of the Sporting Group. He has a sturdy, compact body and a cleanly chiselled 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, 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; equable in temperament with no suggestion of timidity.
TEMPERAMENT
Above all he must be free and merry, sound, well balanced throughout, and in action show a keen inclination to work; equable in temperament with no suggestion of timidity. When the dog is in motion the tail action is merry.
SIZE
The ideal height at the withers for an adult dog is 38 cm (15 in), and for an adult bitch 35.5 cm (14 in). Height may vary 1.25 cm (0.5 in) above or below this ideal. A dog whose height exceeds 39.25 cm (15.5 in), or a bitch whose height exceeds 36.75 cm (14.5 in), shall be disqualified. An adult dog whose height is less than 36.75 cm (14.5 in), or an adult bitch whose height is less than 34.25 cm (13.5 in) shall be penalized.
Note: 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 the lower hind legs parallel to the line of measurement.
COAT
On the head, short and fine; on the body, medium length, with enough undercoating to give protection. The ears, chest, abdomen, and hind legs are well feathered, but not so excessively as to hide the American Cocker Spaniel’s
true lines and movement or affect his appearance and function as a sporting dog. The texture is most important. The coat is silky, flat or slightly wavy, and of a texture which permits easy care. Excessive or curly or cottony
textured coat is to be penalized.
COLOUR
Black Variety: Solid colour black, to include black with tan points. The black should be jet; shadings of brown or liver in the sheen of 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.
ASCOB Variety: Any solid colour other than black and any such colour with tan points and any such colour with sable shadings. The colour shall be of a uniform shade, but lighter colouring of the feather is permissible. A small amount of white on the chest and/or throat is allowed; white in any other location shall disqualify.
Particolour Variety: Two or more definite, well broken colours, one of which must be white, including those with tan points and those with sable shadings; 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 particolours and may be of any of the usual roaning patterns. Primary colour which is 90% or more shall disqualify. Merle pattern in any colour shall disqualify.
Tan Points:
The colour of the tan may be from the lightest cream to the darkest red colour and should be restricted to 10% or less of the colour (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:
- A clear tan spot over each eye
- On the side of the muzzle and on the cheeks
- On the undersides of the ears
- On all feet and/or legs
- Under the tail
- On the chest, optional – presence or absence not penalized. Tan markings which are not readily visible or which amount only to traces, shall be penalized. Tan on the muzzle which extends up ward, over and joins shall also be penalized. The absence of tan markings in the Black or ASCOB variety in each of the specified locations in an otherwise tan pointed dog shall disqualify.
HEAD
To attain a well proportioned head, which must be in balance with the rest of the dog, it embodies the following:
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 chiselled with no prominence in the cheeks. Muzzle:
Broad and deep, with square, even jaws. The upper lip is full and of sufficient depth to cover the lower jaw. 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 colour in the blacks and black and tans. In other colours it may be brown, liver or black, the darker the better. The colour of the nose harmonizes with the colour of the eye rim.
Mouth: The teeth are strong and sound, not too small, and meet in a scissors bite.
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 colour of the iris is dark brown and in general the darker the better. The expression is intelligent, alert, soft, and appealing.
Ears: Lobular, long, of fine leather, well feathered, and placed no higher than
a line to the lower part of the eye.
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.
FOREQUARTERS
Shoulders are well laid back, forming an angle with the upper arm of approximately 90°, which permits the dog to move his forelegs in an easy manner with considerable 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.
BODY
The body is short, compact, and firmly knit together, giving an impression of strength. The distance from the highest point of the shoulder blades to the ground is 15% or approximately 5 cm (2 in) more than the length from this point to the set on of the tail. Back is strong and sloping evenly and slightly downward from the shoulders to the set on of the docked or undocked tail. Hips are wide and quarters well rounded and muscular. 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. The American Cocker Spaniel never appears long and low.
LEGS AND FEET
Forelegs are parallel, straight, strongly boned and muscular and set close to the body well under the scapulae. When viewed from the side with the forelegs vertical, the elbow is directly below the highest point of the shoulder
blade. The pasterns are short and strong. The hind legs are strongly boned and muscled with good angulation at the stifle and powerful, clearly defined thighs. The stifle joint is strong and there is no slippage of it in motion or
when standing. The hocks are strong, well let down, and when viewed from the behind, the hind legs are parallel when in motion and at rest.
Feet: Compact, large, round, and firm with horny pads; they turn neither in nor out. Dewclaws on hind legs and forelegs may be removed.
TAIL
The docked or undocked 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.
GAIT
The American 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 his 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 and excessive animation should never be mistaken for proper gait.
FAULTS
Any departure from the aforementioned ideals shall be considered faulty to the degree in which it interferes with the health and well being of the dog and the breed’s traditional purpose. Dogs under 36.75 cm (14.5 in), bitches under 34.25 cm (13.5 in) penalized. Excessive or curly or co ony textured coat. Tan markings that are not readily visible or that amount only to traces. Tan on muzzle that extends upward, over and joins.
DISQUALIFICATIONS
- Blacks and ASCOBS: White markings except on chest and throat
- Parti colour: 90% or more of primary colour
- Tan Points: Tan markings in excess of 10%.
- Absence of tan markings in the black or ASCOBS variety in each of the specified locations in an otherwise tan pointed dog.
- Height: Dogs over 39.25 cm (15.5 in); bitches over 36.75 cm (14.5 in)
- Blue eyes or merle in any colour.
Scale of Points
Skull............................................................................................. 8
Muzzle....................................................................................... 10
Teeth........................................................................................... 4
Eyes............................................................................................. 6
Ears............................................................................................. 3
Neck and Shoulders.............................................................. 15
Body........................................................................................... 15
Legs............................................................................................. 9
Feet.............................................................................................. 6
Stern……………………………………………......…………3
Coat.............................................................................................. 6
Colour and Markings............................................................... 3
Action......................................................................................... 12
Total ............................................................................... 100
First recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club in 1947.
This version of the breed standard has been effective since January 2015.
SUGGESTED MINIMUM HEALTH TESTING FOR BREEDING STOCK
Responsible breeders will have their animals health tested and register the results with the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals).
The OFA suggests, at minimum:
- An ACVO Eye Examination.
Results registered with OFA. Min age 24 months (as of 7/1/24).
- Screening for hip dysplasia through one of the following:
- OFA Radiographic Hip Evaluation
- PennHIP Evaluation.
Results registered with OFA.
The OFA, working with the breed's parent club, recommends the following basic health screening tests for all breeding stock. Dogs meeting these basic health screening requirements will be issued Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) numbers. For CHIC certification, all results do not need to be normal, but they must all be in the public domain so that responsible breeders can make more informed breeding decisions. For potential puppy buyers, CHIC certification is a good indicator the breeder responsibly factors good health into their selection criteria. The breed specific list above represents the basic health screening recommendations. It is not all encompassing. There may be other health screening tests appropriate for this breed. And, there may be other health concerns for which there is no commonly accepted screening protocol available.
In addition to the breed specific requirements above, a CHIC requirement across all participating breeds is that the dog must be permanently identified via microchip or tattoo in order to qualify for a CHIC number.
CHIC numbers generate automatically within 1 to 2 weeks after all the required test results have been registered with the OFA.
For dogs residing outside the US or Canada, owners may submit their country's equivalent health screening results for listing on the OFA website. These requests are reviewed on a case by case basis and fees apply. Once these results have been recorded with the OFA, owners may request CHIC numbers if they've met all the CHIC requirements through regular registrations or international equivalents. These requests are handled on a case by case basis.
Visit the OFA Website where you can browse their database of health screened animals.
WHAT IS A COCKER SPANIEL?
Cockers are among the most engaging, intelligent, and emotionally intuitive companions you will ever meet. They aren't the type to sit quietly in a corner; they thrive on being at the center of your world. Their devotion is absolute, marked by a level of enthusiasm that often includes an ecstatic, full-body wag whenever they see you.
Bringing a Cocker Spaniel into your home means your personal space will become shared space. They are masters at claiming the best spots on the bed or sofa, often stretching out with surprising weight for their size. You may find yourself sleeping at the very edge of the mattress to avoid waking them, becoming accustomed to their rhythmic snoring and unwavering presence.These dogs are keen observers of routine, acting as living alarm clocks—especially when it’s time for breakfast.
Their sensitive noses lead them into everything, and their intelligence means they can easily outwit you if treats or stray socks are involved. Despite their occasional 'selective deafness', they are highly attuned to your emotions and respond best to gentle, positive training.
Life with a Cocker is also a lesson in high-maintenance beauty and persistent mischief. Between their love for unrolling toilet paper and their incredible ability to find mud even on dry days, they will keep you busy. They are athletic, capable of clearing obstacles or tracking scents with impressive focus, yet they might stubbornly refuse to step into the rain.
Ultimately, owning a Cocker Spaniel is a profound emotional commitment. They demand to be loved and included in every aspect of your life, from the kitchen to the bathroom. In exchange, they offer a soulful, unwavering companionship that will undoubtedly change your life for the better.
If you are ready for a dog that truly merges its soul with yours, the Cocker Spaniel is waiting.
— Gina Ruggiero von Eiff© Our Animals Our Earth 2008
ADOPT A SHOW DOG
So you want a Cocker Spaniel. Congratulations on choosing one of the most delightful, spirited, talented members of the canine family!
However, there is a nagging doubt in the back of your mind. Do you really have the time, patience, and stamina to deal with a puppy; with housebreaking, feeding, grooming, and training?
The challenges of raising a puppy are never ending - going out for potty breaks several times each night and during the day, coping with the trauma of teething, training to lay still while being groomed, to tolerate baths and trims, clipping nails, when to bark or not to bark, socialization with other dogs and people in public.
Let me offer you an alternative suggestion..
Consider an ex-showdog!
They don't all make it to the top, to the coveted "Champion" Title, and even those who do will not always possess the necessary characteristics to be included in a breeding program. There are also many younger dogs who develop bad bites or other minor conformational qualities which will preclude them from competition
in the conformation show ring - even though the untrained amateur eye may never notice the difference.
The advantages of bringing an ex-show Cocker into your family are many.
For one thing, they have been intensively socialized from birth. They have been trained to remain calm for the grooming, and are accustomed to being put into almost any position and remain quiet and still. They are used to being bathed and are used to the noise of a blow dryer. They have been trained to a show lead, which is not the same as being trained to heel behind you, since show dogs are taught to go in front of the handler, but they understand the concept and will adapt readily to obedience style heeling. They embrace the challenge of learning new things with the enthusiasm only a Cocker can show!
They have also had their puppy shot series and exceptional medical care, food and shelter.
They come from bloodlines which have been tested for genetic diseases for several generations and which have a proven track record of health and durability.
I still remember the first time I took our Winnie into our local small town vet's office; they could not believe that a Cocker Spaniel existed who had never had an ear infection or skin issues! Show dogs are accustomed to being around other dogs and behaving themselves. They know how to conduct themselves in a crate, a car and in public.
Although not all show dogs are housetrained, they are crate-trained, and the transition is thus made easier when they are integrated into a family household. Most show dogs are also not spayed or neutered until their eligibility in a breeding program is determined. In these cases a couple of weeks of careful vigilance and crating, coupled with belly bands for boys and bitches' britches for girls will greatly speed the housebreaking process.
Show dogs spend a lot of time training and travel many miles on the show circuit. They come in contact with many people during their career: owners, handlers, the public and other dogs. Although they form relationships with the central people in their life, they often are not around those people long enough to form a true lifelong bond. Once they are settled into their new family and realize that this is their Forever home, they will bond just as strongly as any puppy, and reward you with their lifelong love and devotion.
As I write this, my two ex-show Cockers lay next to me. They are sister and brother from the same litter. Winnie came to us at one year of age. Although she was a top-winning puppy, she was too small to compete successfully as an adult. Winnie is Miss Personality Plus! She loves the entire world, and fit into our family from the first day. Winnie now has her CGC (Canine Good Citizen) title; and is training for future competition in Obedience and Rally.
Her brother, Malcolm, achieved his Champion title and was then shown on the specials circuit (where Champions compete against other Champions) before being retired here at the age of two. Malcolm is more reserved than his sister. It took him about a month to settle in and realize that this was indeed, his Forever home and we were his family; but he is now just as loving, loyal and as much a clown as his little sister. Mal is currently working on completion of his CGC title and also has begun training for Obedience competition.
Even though neither of them had ever been around other animals, they both accepted our little white housecat, Lacie, without any problems, and sleep and play with her just as they do each other and us. They enjoy their obedience lessions and rally training and going on outings to visit family and friends, both human and animal.
My husband and I both still work full time. Although we were originally in the market for a puppy, when Winnie became available to us, we realized that this was a win-win situation for all concerned. And so it was. We never even hesitated for a moment when brother Mal became available a year later.
How to find a potential retired show dog?
Go to your local dog shows; meet and talk with the breeders and handlers there. Buy some of the breed magazines and make inquiries. Get online and find forums with your specific breed; put the word out that you are available as a potential retirement home, and what you are seeking.
If you are sincere in your efforts, the right one is out there for you.
- Terri Draeger
With unending gratitude to Stephanie Kaul of Samamari Cockers for our two special furkids!