AMERICAN COCKER SPANIEL

This breed was raised in the United States from the cocker spaniel, selected for hunting, especially to find nests inside thick vegetations. It was originally acknowledged in 1946.

PHYSICAL TRAITS of the AMERICAN COCKER SPANIEL
This cocker’s complexion is more slender than its English predecessor, never surpassing 39.30 cm in height, the muzzle is shorter and the fur is wavier, shiny, silky and long. It may have a mixed or homogenous color, admitting a great shade variety. It has dark eyes with a sweet, intelligent and lively expression; the ears are long, droopy and covered in long and wavy bristles.

TEMPERAMENT AND ADAPTATION of the AMERICAN COCKER SPANIEL
It is an affectionate, intelligent and very sociable dog. It needs a lot of affection, because it takes on to its masters immediately, although it can show impatience towards naughty children and smaller animals, particularly cats. Its training is very easy, as long as it is begun early, to beat its instinctive indiscipline. For this cocker, adaptation brings no problem. If its adopted family is affectionate, any home will do, but it likes to have a defined space in it.

EXERCISE AND CARE required for a AMERICAN COCKER SPANIEL
The fur, due to its fine and silky structure, needs frequent brushings and, every three months, trimming the skull, neck, feet and back fur, but without touching the long bristles. We should look after the ears, which can harbor a foreign object such as twigs or food remains, which can cause it infections. The diet should also be watched since it tends to be overweight. Precisely due to its tendency to gain weight, and its hunting dog origin, it is necessary for it to exercise daily, running outdoors.

It is a curious, affectionate, clean and docile dog. The fur in the limbs grows in ringlets, long and dense, as if wearing boots.