American Cocker Spaniel (detailed introduction) 　　

　　The American Cocker Spaniel is quite an ancient hunting dog breed, tracing back to the year 1386. It has been classified several times based on different standards. However, because the Cocker Spaniel is the smallest member of the hunting dog family, it is mainly kept as a pet and companion dog.

　　1. About the History of the American Cocker Spaniel

　　The Cocker Spaniel family is a large and ancient group of hunting dogs, with records of the term 'Scania' dating back to 1386, divided into two categories: land retrievers and water retrievers. The land retrievers were further classified by size into 'Cocker Spaniels' and small or toy retrievers separated from larger dogs. Then, because of the differing uses of Cockers and toy dogs, they were divided again. The toy dogs ultimately became the English Toy Spaniel, primarily kept as pet and companion dogs, while the Cocker Spaniel remained a hunting dog. This explains why the Cocker Spaniel is the smallest in the hunting dog family.

　　As an effective assistant to hunters, the Cocker Spaniel initially had various names, including 'Cocker,' 'bird dog,' and finally 'Cocker Spaniel.' According to some persuasive sources, this name originated from its skill in hunting woodcocks. It was not until 1883 that the Cocker Spaniel was classified and entered into dog shows in England, and only in 1892 was it recorded as an independent breed in the Kennel Club pedigree registers in England.

　　From the early 1880s, Cockers began participating in dog shows in the U.S. Through selective breeding, the American Cocker Spaniel developed differences from the English Cocker Spaniel in body shape, size, and coat color.

　　The Cocker Spaniel Hunting Test Club annually conducts hunting trials for American Cockers. With proper training, it can become an effective gun dog. The usual hunting method is having it search within shooting range; when flushing prey, it should stop or better yet sit to avoid disturbing the shot, and after shooting, retrieve the game on command. Of course, the dog must be trained to perform all tasks under control; it can occasionally retrieve from water and be agile entering and exiting water.

　　As a valuable hunting dog, the many traits and qualities of the Cocker Spaniel make it an extremely beloved family companion. Almost as soon as it appeared in competitive dog shows, it became a popular breed. It is energetic, agile after training, intelligent, affectionate, and happily spirited. Its constant wagging tail endears the beautiful Cocker Spaniel to dog lovers worldwide.

　　2. About the Physical Characteristics of the American Cocker Spaniel

　　Overall Appearance: The American Cocker Spaniel is the smallest member of the hunting dogs. It has a sturdy, compact body with distinct contours, a refined head, and a well-proportioned body with standard size. The front legs stand upright supporting the shoulders, the topline slightly slopes toward the muscular strong hindquarters. It combines considerable speed with great stamina. Above all, it must be free and happy, solid in body, well-proportioned, showing a distinct inclination toward work in movement. A well-proportioned dog is more favored than one with obvious body faults.

　　Size, Proportion, and Structure: Size — The ideal height at withers for adult males is 38.1 cm, for adult females 35.6 cm. A variance of ±2.5 cm from the standard height is allowed. Males over 39.4 cm or females over 36.8 cm shall be disqualified. Adult males under 14.5 inches or females under 34.3 cm shall be penalized. Height is measured vertically from the shoulder blade to the ground; front legs naturally standing, hind legs lowered to ensure parallel measurement. Proportion — The distance from the breastbone to the rear end should be slightly longer than the distance from the highest point of the shoulder to the ground; the body must be long enough to maintain a straight and free square gait.

　　Head: To be in proportion, the head must match the remainder of the body in these respects: Expression — intelligent, alert, gentle, and expressive. Eyes — round and full eyeballs, looking straight ahead, with eye rims making eyes slightly almond-shaped, neither weak nor staring; iris is dark brown, darker generally preferred. Ears — small leaf-shaped, long, finely feathered, with ample decorations, set no higher than the eye’s lower horizontal line. Skull — rounded but not exaggerated or flat; eyebrows distinct, stop obvious. The bone structure below the eyes is clear, cheeks not protruding. Muzzle — broad and deep with square, even jaws; distance from stop to nose tip is half the distance over the head from the stop upward to the base of the skull. Nose — large enough to balance muzzle and face, nostrils developed typical for hunting dogs; black on black, black with tan, and black with white individuals; brown, liver, or black noses on other coat colors, with deeper color preferred; nose color coordinated with eye rims. Lips — upper lip full and deep enough to cover lower jaw. Teeth — strong and solid, though small, scissors bite.

　　Neck, Topline, and Body: Neck — long enough to easily reach the nose to the ground, muscular with no loose skin; strong neck held erect, slightly arched connecting to the head. Topline — slightly sloping along strong loins. Body — deep chest with lowest point not above elbows, broad front allowing enough space for heart and lungs without interfering with forward motion of the front legs. Ribs deep and well sprung. Back strong, even from shoulder to docked tail, slightly sloping down. Docked tail level with or slightly above topline but never erect like a terrier or too low to indicate timidity; tail moves lightly in motion.

　　Forequarters: Shoulder blades slanting backward, forming about a 90-degree angle with upper arms, allowing front legs to easily reach forward during motion. Shoulder blades compact, sloped without protrusion; highest shoulder point angled to allow rib expansion. Viewed from side, elbows directly beneath highest shoulder point; front legs parallel, straight, strong bones, developed muscles; closely connected to body under shoulder blades; short and strong pasterns. Front dewclaws may be removed. Feet large, compact, rounded, with horny pads; neither turning inward nor outward.

　　Hindquarters: Widely set hips, developed muscles, round shape. Hind legs parallel whether moving or still; strong bones and muscles, well-formed knees; no slipping when moving or standing; hocks strong and close to ground. Hind dewclaws may be removed.

　　Coat: Short and fine hair on the head; moderate length on body with sufficient thick undercoat. Ears, chest, abdomen, and legs have good feathering but not so excessive as to cover the true lines or movement, or affect appearance and function as a hunting dog. Coat texture is the most important. Hair is silky, flat or slightly wavy, and easy to maintain. Excessively abundant, curly, or cottony coat is a fault. Use of electric trimmers is not allowed. Grooming to show the true lines should preserve as natural an appearance as possible.

　　Color and Markings: Black type — solid black including black with tan marks; black should be shiny jet black; brown or liver shading in the coat is undesirable; small amount of white on chest and throat allowed; white elsewhere disqualifies. Any solid color other than black — ranging from light cream to darkest red, including brown or brown with tan markings; coat must be even in shade though lighter markings are permissible; small white areas allowed on chest and throat, white elsewhere disqualifies. Parti-color — two or more clearly defined and fully separated colors, one being white; black and white, red and white (red can range from light cream to deep red), brown and white, parti-color including brown markings. Brown markings should correspond to the pattern typical of black or any other single color type; parti-color mixtures of colored and white hairs placed in any normal parti-color pattern. Major color covering 90% or more disqualifies. Brown markings: brown can range from light cream to deep red; limited to 10% or less of the individual’s color. Exceeding this percentage disqualifies. Brown markings on black or any solid color include: (1) clear brown spots below each eye; (2) on both sides of the muzzle and cheeks; (3) under the ears; (4) on all four feet and legs; (5) under the tail; (6) chest. Optional; presence or absence does not penalize. Brown spots too faint or too few do not meet standard. Brown markings joining upward on the muzzle also penalized. Brown spots in other locations disqualify.

　　Gait: Although the American Cocker Spaniel is the smallest hunting dog, it still exhibits the typical hunting dog gait. Good movement depends on balance between forequarters and hindquarters. The hindquarters provide strong drive while the properly built shoulder and front legs reach forward freely and without restraint, balancing the driving force. Gait is coordinated, balanced, and effortless. The dog should move with its body close to the ground, rich in expression without faulty gait.

　　Temperament: Steady disposition without signs of timidity.