The Cocker Spaniel, also called the American Cocker Spaniel, comes from a careful breeding of the English Cocker Spaniel that were brought to the United States.

The name Cocker comes from the word woodcock, which is a bird that the Cocker was originally bred to hunt. Today, the Cocker is more used as a companion or a show dog.

The Cocker Spaniel comes in a few varieties:

The first variety is black with tan points and sometimes a little white spot on the chest.

The second variety is any color ranging from light cream to dark red, or brown with or without tan points.

The third variety is made of two or more colors, which can be black and white, red and white, brown and white, and roans. All these combinations come with tan points.

The coat of the American Cocker is silky and straight or slightly wavy. Hairs on the head are short and fine and of medium length on body. The Cocker is well-feathered on the ears, the chest, the abdomen and the legs.

The American Cocker spaniel is a lively and playful dog with a charming temperament. This breed is a bold and ardent worker. Devoted to its family, the Cocker is very respectful of its master’s authority. This dog is a cheerful and happy little companion that loves everyone and that is very good with children. With average intelligence, this breed is quite easy to train. The Cocker Spaniel is also very sweet, gentle and trusting, and also tends to be a little sensitive.

The Cocker Spaniel is prone to cataracts, glaucoma and patellar luxation. Some other concerns are hip dysplasia, ectropion, entropion, PRA, allergies, seborrhea, lip fold pyoderma, otitis externa, liver disease, urolithiasis, prolapse of nictitans gland, CHF, phosphofructokinase deficiency, cardiomyopathy and IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia).

The long coat of the Cocker should be brushed daily and shampooed frequently. The dog needs regular trimming and eyes should be regularly checked and cleaned.

Devoted to its master, the Cocker is usually easy to train. It needs a firm but gentle training as it is sensitive.

The Cocker Spaniel has plenty of energy and stamina and will take as much exercise as you can give it.