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… to the tip of their nose<br />
According to the British Kennel Club, these nine Spaniels constitute a category of their own<br />
in the Gundog group of dogs originally trained to find and/or retrieve shot and injured game.<br />
According to the American Kennel Club, these nine breeds belong to the Sporting Group,<br />
which includes naturally active and alert dogs with a remarkable instinct in water and woodland.<br />
Many of these dogs still take part in various hunting activities today.<br />
Character, aptitudes, education<br />
The smallest of the spaniels does not need to be as<br />
active as its English cousin and is much better suited<br />
to the indoor life. Highly adaptable and in no way<br />
timid, it follows the rhythm of its human companion<br />
without a problem, even those with an active bent.<br />
Due to its coat however it cannot roam in thickets or<br />
tall grass.<br />
Very rustic under its precious exterior, happy and well<br />
balanced, it is a very pleasant companion. It is strong<br />
willed however, which means it has to be firmly educated.<br />
Its abundant coat demands daily brushing,<br />
baths and frequent grooming.<br />
Appearance<br />
Based on FCI standard N°5 / 06.01.2004<br />
Size and weight: the ideal height to the withers is<br />
about 15 inches (38 cm) for males and 14 inches<br />
(35.5 cm) for females, with a tolerance of half an<br />
inch; weight varies between 22-29 lbs (10-13 kg)<br />
General appearance: above all, it must move<br />
freely, be happy, robust, well balanced in all areas<br />
Head: rounded skull albeit not exaggerated; clearly<br />
defined eyebrows; pronounced stop; wide, high<br />
muzzle; square jaws; well developed cheeks; black or<br />
brown nose depending on coat colour<br />
AMERICAN COCKER SPANIEL<br />
Eyes: slightly almond-shaped; brown in colour, as<br />
dark as possible<br />
Ears: Long, fine, well feathered<br />
Neck: fairly long, muscular, clean throat<br />
Body: high, wide chest; deep, well sprung ribs,<br />
strong back sloping slightly towards the tail; muscular<br />
hindquarters<br />
Limbs: Clearly oblique shoulders; in profile the<br />
elbows are directly below the highest point of the<br />
shoulder blade; straight, solidly built hindquarters;<br />
wide hips, powerful thighs, strong, well descended<br />
hocks<br />
Feet: compact, large and round; horny pads<br />
Tail: set and carried as an extension of the back or<br />
slightly higher; docked; quivers in motion<br />
Coat: short and fine on the head, average length<br />
with undercoat on the body; ears, chest, abdomen<br />
and limbs well feathered; soft, flat or slightly wavy<br />
hair, with an easy-to-maintain texture;<br />
undercoat present<br />
7<br />
Colours:<br />
Solid black or black with tan points<br />
Any solid colour other than black: ranging<br />
from lightest cream to darkest red, including brown<br />
and brown with tan points. Lighter feathering is permissible.<br />
A small amount of white on the chest and/or<br />
throat is allowed; white is not permitted anywhere<br />
else<br />
Part-colours: two or more solid, well broken<br />
colours, one of which must be white; black and white,<br />
red and white, brown and white, roans, plus any<br />
such colour combination with tan points. The tan may<br />
be anything from the lightest cream to the darkest red<br />
and must not cover more than 10% of the coat. Tan<br />
markings should be located above the eyes, on the<br />
edges of the muzzle and cheeks, on the inside of the<br />
ears, on all four feet or limbs, on the chest and on the<br />
underside of the tail.<br />
American Cocker Spaniel - © J.-M. Labat
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