Find out what makes the American and the English Cocker Spaniel different.
It
is simply called Cocker Spaniel in the United States, where it is the 4th most
registered breed (75.882 in 1993). Internationally, it is known as the American
Cocker Spaniel. The history of this dog up to the end of the last century was
parallel with the history of the English Cocker. From then on, each had its own
evolution.
The Spaniels, a term meaning "spanish", are hunting dogs whose ancestors, probably Egyptian, were developed in the Iberic Penninsula. They were appreciated for their ability to make birds fly (for the hunter to shoot), by moving in places where vegetation made access difficult, speeding in fields and their ability as accomplished swimmers. Bred intensively in Europe, they developed into several breeds. They were taken to America by imigrants, since 1620, and were also imported in the last century, at which time some individuals descended from the first famous "cocker" (that is how smaller Spaniels were called at the time), born in England, and two different Spaniels: a male Sussex and a female Field, both resembling the current Cockers. This ancestor's name was Obo, and it was so important that, even in 1920 in the United States, the Cockers who didn't belong to his blood line were not considered good enough.
The American breeding was oriented to swamp hunting, so the size of the dog was smaller, and more practical to be transported in boats. To swim with more efficiency paws were bigger, and the muzzle was shortened in order to diminish effort when carrying the prey. Along with these changes, the coat was longer and more dense. This resulted in a animal quite different from the English Cocker Spaniel, developed at the same time in England for hunting on foot, in moors with a firmer ground. In 1936, the American Kennel Club considered them different varieties, and 10 years later, recognized them as distinct breeds, even before the English breeders did.
Other different characteristics in the American Cocker Spaniel are the rounder skull, almond-shaped eyes, shorter muzzle, the stop angle was more evident, lips hanging, and covering maxilla, the topline more inclined from withers to tail.
Its dense coat and appearance so adequate for shows, made it a very successful dog in beauty expositions. As for temperament, it remains a hunter, and an excellent companion dog, affectionate, faithful, and constantly displaying happiness. That is why some defend the idea that it should not belong to the hunting dog category, but to the category of companion dogs; not everybody agrees, though. Mariângela Furchi Guimarães, from Kennel Good Company, São Paulo, says "it maintains the hunting instinct. In my farm, for example, I have witnessed 60 day old puppies chase after chicks as soon as they saw them, and adults imobilizing those birds, holding their bodies without hurting them." Sônia Couto, from Kennel Cinoblu, Petrópolis, RJ, adds: "After all, it is a Spaniel, and it should be maintained in the hunting dogs group in respect for its origin."
Colors: Solid colors - black, black and tan,
chocolate, chocolate and tan, golden. Particolor - any of the solids with white,
but colors may not exceed 90%. Ascob - any solid color other than black. Tan
marks - they should be in the following places: a visible spot above each eye,
on the sides of the muzzle and on the faces, on the 4 paws and legs, internal
part of ears, under tail and optional on chest. It is allowed a lighter tone in
the bangs and a small white spot on the chest and / or throat.
Purchase
of Puppies: Nose should be black on black dogs, or dogs in which the
black color is present. On the other ones, it can also be brown. Dark brown
eyes, but can also be yellow or greenish in dogs with chocolate color. Cropped
tail is carried in the horizontal position, or slightly upwards. Ears inserted
at eye level. Scissors bite.
Coat: Double coat, silky and
straight, or slightly wavy.
Size: Height - 38cm (male), and
35cm (female). CBKC Standard of April 30, 1994 admits 1,5cm variations in males
and females, and disqualifies males above 39,5cm and females above 38cm. The AKC
admits 1,25cm variations. Length - from withers to base of tail about 15%
smaller than height (from feet to withers).
Special Care: Brush
once a week, after bath, while coat dries out. Clip hair on head, body, and
mainly paws every 15 to 20 days.
We would like to thank breeders for long interviews, and
editing of final text, for which we also thank Hilda Drumond.
Research and
text: Jorge Bechara.Text editor: Marcos Pennacchi
Picture: Luiz Henrique Mendes
Owner:
Kennel Good Company
