American Cocker Spaniels weigh between 24 to 28 pounds and at maximum stand at 15 inches. Their long, silky coats come in both a solid (black, tan, chocolate, and red, among others) and particolors, which can be any of the solid colors with white. There are also tricolors, and a rare roan, which are colored hairs that are intermingled. One of the American Cocker Spaniel’s, and its English cousin’s, most well-known feature is their long feathered ears.
Originally the Cocker Spaniel was bred as a gun dog, although the American version rarely participates in the sport now. The name “cocker” derives from its ancestors being bred to hunt woodcock. Although some are still bred for field work in the United States, most are now family pets and companions. The American Cocker Spaniel has been a popular breed since the 1940s; however the breed has declined in recent years.
Most American Cocker Spaniels make excellent pets; they are an outgoing, trusting breed that longs to please. Unfortunately, due to the high popularity and demand of this dog in earlier years they have suffered from an extensive amount of inbreeding. This inbreeding has brought out both a fearful and aggressive behavior that breeders are now working to eliminate. As with all breeds, care should be taken when looking for an American Cocker Spaniel breeder.
The inbreeding of the American Cocker Spaniel has also caused them to be susceptible to a wide variety of illnesses, the most common being ear and eye infections. They also suffer from autoimmune disorders and hip dysplasia.
