Cocker Spaniel

Merry, sturdy, sporting; well balanced and compact. The skull should be well-developed and cleanly chiselled with a distinct stop. The jaws should be strong with a complete scissor bite. The eyes should be full and either dark brown or brown with an intelligent, gentle, bright and merry expression. The ears should be lobular set on low level with the eyes, well-covered with straight, silky hair. The body should be strong and compact with a level top line which should gently slope towards the tail. The forelegs should be straight and well-boned, and the hind legs well-rounded and very muscular and again well boned with a good bend of stifle. The feet should be firm, thickly padded and cat-like. The tail should be set on slightly lower than the line of the back and carried level.

The first mention of the existence of the spaniel is found in a description written by Gaston Phoebus in 1300. It was nearly five hundred years later that English Spaniels were divided into seven separate breeds which include: the Clumber Spaniel, the Cocker Spaniel, the English Springer Spaniel, the Field Spaniel, the Irish Water Spaniel, the Sussex Spaniel and the Welsh Springer Spaniel. In the1930's the Cocker was the most popular breed of dog in Britain and there they stayed for almost 20 years. The Cocker Spaniel is still one of the top ranked breeds in popularity throughout many parts of Europe and Australia.

Gentle and affectionate, yet full of life and exuberance. The Cocker Spaniel is a busy, friendly little dog that thrives on human companionship, wanting nothing more than to please their owners. They are well suited for families and singles alike – get on well with children and other animals and are well known for their easy-going nature and ever wagging tail.

The Cocker Spaniel does require a moderate amount of care and grooming if kept as a family pet. Show dogs require a considerable amount of grooming but there is nothing more beautiful than a Cocker Spaniel in full show coat with its eyes sparkling, coat gleaming and tail ever wagging. As the breed may grow a large coat it is important to always keep the coat clean and free of knots. This is easily done by daily brushing and bathing once a week. Many owners nowadays chose to have their Cocker Spaniel ‘clippered off’ which in turn reduces the amount of grooming required. It is recommended that the breed should be trimmed out at least 3 to 4 times a year by a groomer. Many breeders offer grooming services and are pleased to teach new owners how to maintain their coat.