| ALL ABOUT THE AMERICAN COCKER SPANIEL |
-There are a number of acceptable, but very specific, color varieties within the Cocker breed APPROVED BY AKC: Black & Black / Tan, Parti-Color, and ASCOB (Any Solid Color Other than Black- BUFF, SABLE, & BROWN). NOT ALL COLOR VARIETIES ARE ACCEPTED BY AKC OR CAN BE SHOWN IN AKC CONFORMATION OR BREED SHOWS. THE HISTORY OF THE COCKER SPANIEL The Spaniel family is a large one of considerable antiquity. As far back as the 14th century we have mention of the Spanyell, which came to be divided into water and land spaniels, with further divisions in land spaniels based on size. "Cockers" were the smaller of the two types of spaniels and are to this day the smallest in the Sporting Group, their name deriving, apparently, from especial proficiency on woodcock. Not until 1883 were classes provided for the breed at English bench shows, and not until 1892 was the breed given breed status in England's Kennel Clubs stud book. The Cocker has been exhibited in the US since the early 1880's. As developed here, however, the American Cocker has evolved somewhat differently in type, size, and coloring from the breed now recognized as the English Cocker Spaniel. Field trials for the breed in the US were started by the parent Field Trial Club in the 1920s, and the Cocker's inherent desire to hunt renders him a capable gun dog when judiciously trained. The Cocker covers all territory within gun range speedily, flushing game and retrieving only when under command, as a rule taking to water readily. From the moment it hit the show ring, however, the Cocker has engaged audiences and remains one of the most popular AKC breeds. courtesy of www.akc.org |
THERE ARE MANY REGISTRIES THAT RECOGNIZE THE AMERICAN COCKER SPANIEL. THESE REGISTRIES MAY NOT HAVE AS STRICT OF GUIDELINES AS AKC, BUT STILL MAINTAIN HIGH STANDARDS AND DOCUMENTATION OF THE BREED. SOME "AKC ONLY" BREEDERS AND EXHIBITORS WILL CLASSIFY DOGS REGISTERED UNDER THESE REGISTRIES AS FERAL OR "MUST BE MUTTS" BUT MANY OF THESE DOGS REGISTERED IN OTHER REGISTRIES CARRY THE SAME IF NOT BETTER GENES AND QUALITIES. DO NOT MEASURE THE QUALITY OF THE DOG BY IT'S REGISTRATION, BUT BY ITS CONFORMATION AND OVERALL QUALITY. MANY BREEDERS CHOOSE OTHER REGISTRIES BECAUSE OF THEIR OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER SERVICES AND THEIR ABILITIES TO KEEP REGISTRATION COSTS AT A REASONABLE PRICE. MANY OF THE DOGS I HAVE OWNED WERE AKC REGISTERABLE, BUT THE BREEDERS WERE UNHAPPY WITH THEIR SERVICES. I AM NOT KNOCKING ON ANY REGISTRY SERVICES, BUT MAKING IT CLEAR THAT AKC DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN THAT IT IS A QUALITY DOG. NOR DOES THE AMOUNT OF CHAMPIONS IN THE PEDIGREE. GO TO MY LINK PAGE AND CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFO ON THESE REGISTRIES. WHEN YOU ARE CONSIDERING A PUPPY, FIND A QUALITY DOG THAT YOU CAN LIVE WITH AND LOVE, NOT ONE THAT JUST LOOKS GOOD ON PAPER. |
| There are several health issues that "go with the breed". You might get lucky and get a Cocker with absolutely perfect health, but if you're going to get in to Cockers you need to be aware of the chance that your Cocker might deal with one or more of these common Cocker health issues. |
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