There isn't much I can say here that you can't find in any of a dozen other sources. It seems like a logical place to start, though.
Spaniels are a very old family, going back in Spanish writings of the 14th century. It is English breeders who get credit for most of the various breeds of Spaniel. In the early days, it was common to have Cockers, Springers, etc., in the same litter, the difference being their size. In the late 1800s, Cockers were recognized as a unique breed. Although guidelines are set, the breed continues to change even today.
Breeders in America and England had different ideas of the best traits for the breed. By the late 20s, the breeds had diverged significantly. Shortly afterwards, each was recognized as a unique breed.
Cockers are considered high-maintenance dogs. This is due to their bearing heavy coats and, in many cases, due to numerous health problems. Both of these can be minimized by careful choice of a puppy and with proper grooming.
The American Cocker Spaniel (ACS) is one of the most delightful household companions one can have. They are small enough to be happy in an apartment, yet large enough for a romp. A good ACS is a happy, healthy, fun loving animal who loves to chase a ball, or cuddle up while you relax.
The ACS has long been one of the most popular breeds in the US. Highly popular throughout the 50s and 60s, and again in the 80s and 90s, most of us are familiar with this breed. This popularity has led to the ACS gaining a bad reputation, as puppy mills cranked out dogs of doubtful character and quality. Know to vets for their health problems, and to dog pounds for their bad temperament, one should take special care when purchasing an ACS.
The ACS differs from their English cousins in several traits. In general, the ACS has been bred for a larger chest, shorter legs, shorter muzzle, and heavier coat. To further confuse things, within the class, different colors are recognized (black, solid other color, black and tan, and parti-color). Bred true for show purposes, each of these colors have a different look and temperament. In my experience, reds are more like the ECS, need lots of attention, and love to romp. Blacks have heavier, curlier coats and can be aggressive, while the blondes tend to bark more. Chocolates seem to be the calmest, almost comatose at times, while parti-colors tend to be party animals, with lots of energy and, perhaps, a shorter attention span. I've also read the black-and-tans are often clowns, but have no first hand experience.
Dogs bred for show often have heavier coats and are smaller than those bred for sport. In full trim, it's difficult to see the legs as they "swoosh" across the floor. They are affectionate animals, but their diminished size and heavy coat make it hard to imagine them working the field. The muzzle is notably shortened, 1/3 of the total head length. While AKC "rules" give a maximum size of 14" (female) or 15" (male), these show dogs are much smaller than their "classic" counterparts. The dog pictured above is an example of the "show" cocker. He might weight 15 pounds, while the "classic" would weigh in around 25 pounds. This has led to misunderstandings, with some dogs labeled as "miniature" or "toy" Cockers.
In show dogs, the differences between ACS and ECS are obvious. In working class dogs, the differences are sometimes obscured. A larger dog, with longer muzzle and lighter fur, are desirable in a working dog. Lucky is an example of an attractive working class dog. These differences have led to arguments in the show circuits that the ACS should be removed from the sporting dog classification. In England, where this argument may be the strongest, there are still some notable exceptions, with owners going for titles in show, then placing well in field trials. This works well, since many show dogs have earned their standing by the time they reach full maturity, while many field dogs do their best work at several years of age.
The English Cocker Spaniel is slightly taller, has longer legs and muzzle and is leaner in appearance than their ACS cousin. Originally bred and named for its ability to flush woodcocks, the English cocker today is bred primarily for show, but is still useful as a field dog with proper training. Basically, the ECS looks like a small Springer Spaniel.
Some have light coats which require light trimming and occasional brushing, while others have coats that require constant attention. These are fun loving, happy, energetic dogs which should have daily exercise to keep them in their best form. They are intelligent, and respond well to training. Despite being an attractive breed, they do not often take "best of show".
ECS breeders occasionally accentuate the difference of their breed. This has led to some lines having excessively large muzzles, heavy jowls and hyper-active energy levels. This was the case of my ECS, Winston. His long nose, narrow head and wide set eyes made him somewhat odd looking. His jowls dribbled water long after a drink and trapped food, which required daily brushing. Fun to watch, his hyper-activity caused him to be constantly on the run. None of these traits lends itself to the overall effectiveness of the dog.
While sometimes suffering from the same problems befalling their American cousins, these occur less frequently due to care taken by breeders. The breeders I've met make every effort to improve the breed. The best pups are held back for breeding and show stock, with the remainder being sold as pet quality, usually with the stipulation that the dog be fixed. This avoids flooding the market with substandard puppies. Prices for pets are around $400 locally. While higher priced than many pets, the dogs are healthier, saving money in the long run.
In a pet quality dog, one can find an excellent companion. They love to run and jump, are eager to please, and have an excellent nose, which makes them ideal for field or obedience competition. While some are couch potatoes, most are high spirited dogs that require moderate exercise to keep them happy. With their long legs, they are fast runners.
When I visit my local Animal Control Agency, the cages are usually full, especially around the holidays. Some are here due to bad temperaments, but many are here because their owners tired of them. Others find themselves homeless when their owners move or fall ill.
I found my Lucky at the shelter, having been abandoned by an uncaring owner. Captured at Thanksgiving, he was facing death row for crimes committed by his owner. Every year thousands of dogs face this same fate. Sometimes they are adopted, other times they are euthanized to make room for others.
There is hope.
Agencies, such as the Cocker
Spaniel Rescue, and others,
place good dogs in loving homes. These pets often need special
care, other times they are older animals whose owners can not
care for them. If you have some room and love to share, you might
want to look into this option. For all the care I've given my
dogs, they've paid it back many times.
Max
isn't a Cocker, but has his own book, with a link to various adoption
centers.
At first you might think this section has no relevance on a Cocker page. Well, think again.
Coincidence? Hah!
Joe Cocker played at Woodstock, 1969. While his record sales have often been disappointing, he is as much a part of our American musical tradition as the Beetles.