The American Cocker Spaniel

Height: Males 14 ½ -15 ½ inches, Females 13 ½ -14 ½ inches 
Weight:Ranges from about 15-30 pounds.
Life Expectancy: About 12-15 years.

Description:
The Cocker Spaniel has very long hanging ears, a rounded head, and a profuse, silky, feathered, medium-length coat. The head is chiseled with an abrupt stop. The muzzle is wide, deep and broad with a square jaw. The upper lip hangs down, covering the lower jaw completely. The teeth are strong and should meet in a scissors bite. The nose is always black on black dogs, but may be brown on other dogs. The eyes are round, set on so they look straightforward. The eye rims are slightly oval. The body is compact, with a short back. The topline should slope gently downwards from front to back. The front legs are straight, with good bone. Dewclaws on front and rear legs should be removed. The coat comes in buff, black, and other solid colors, black-and-tan, parti-color (white with black, white with buff or red, white with black and tan points) Some requirements for correct markings are specified in the standard. The tail is docked to 2/5 it's original length and is carried on a line with its back; it is constantly in motion.  Field lines generally have shorter coats which are better suited to work in brush. They also have better hunting instincts. Both types make good pets.

Temperament:
With Children: Very good.
With Pets: Very good.
Special Skills: Merry and endearing. A happy tail-wagger.

Bold and keen to work, the American Cocker Spaniel is equally suited to life as a gundog or as a household pet. Cheerful, sweet, and sensitive. The Cocker Spaniel is respectful of its master's authority without much challenge. Merry and endearing. A happy tail-wagger. Gentle and trusting, with average intelligence. They are lively, playful and devoted, but should be socialized well when they are young to avoid a tendency for shyness. Usually good with children. Cockers love everyone and need people to be happy. They can be difficult to housebreak. However they are mostly easy to train and get along well with other animals. 

Note: This is a very popular breed; the above is the typical temperament of the American Cocker Spaniel, like any breed there are always exceptions. Due to this breeds popularity one must be careful to choose a Cocker from a reputable breeder; as some have reported in to the 
Dog Breed Info Center reports of Cockers that have not had great temperaments and were not good with children. Cockers with this type of temperament are not typical of the breed. 

Excercise:
American Cockers have plenty of stamina and need regular exercise. They should be taken on daily, long walks. 

Health:
American Cocker Spaniels are affected by a number of health concerns. IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia) is fairly common in this breed, and is usually a life-threatening condition. Eye and ear problems like infections, PRA, glaucoma, and cataracts are common. Ear inflammation, luxating patellas, and hip dysplasia are less prevalent, but they are still a concern. 

Pendulous Cocker ears lend themselves well to infections, for the long ear leathers prevent air circulation that would dry the ear and prevent moisture-loving bacteria from gaining a foothold. Cocker puppies must be taught from an early age to have their ears handled, for they will need to be groomed to remove seeds and other vegetative matter, tied back to encourage air circulation, and cleaned if infection does develop.

Sore ears, whether from trapped vegetative matter, mites, or infection, cause a dog to shake his head frequently and often violently. Shaking can cause small blood vessels to burst and form a hematoma, which may need to be lanced. To prevent ear problems, check the ears every day. If the ears appear dirty, use a medicated solution such as Oti-Clean to clean them, not water or alcohol. To avoid injury, use a cotton ball or a bit of cotton on the finger to swab the ear, not a Q-tip. If the ears are dirty and smell, and if the dog seems to be uncomfortable, call the veterinarian. Early treatment is necessary.

Cockers should be fed in deep, narrow bowls that allow them to eat and drink without getting their ears into the food or water.

Along with a willingness to clean and protect ears, Cocker owners must be willing to groom the soft, silky coat. Cockers love to run in thickets, and fields and frequently pick up a variety of seed heads and bits of shrubs and weeds that can cause the coat to tangle and mat. Unless they are brushed out frequently, these tangles can pull the skin and cause sores that make the dog uncomfortable and may contribute to major skin problems if left untended.

Grooming: 
The eyes need regular cleaning. Some owners prefer to leave the coat long, brushing regularly and shampooing frequently with quarterly scissoring and clipping. Others prefer to clip the coat to medium length to be more functional. Others also favor the complete shave down. Either way, the dog will need regular trimming. When brushing, be careful not to pull out the silky hair. This breed is an average shedder.

Country of Origin:
The popular Cocker Spaniel, sometimes called the American Cocker Spaniel, was originally developed from careful breeding of the English Cocker Spaniels brought to the United States. The American Cocker Spaniel is smaller than the English Cocker Spaniel and has a different conformation. The name "Cocker" comes from the woodcock, a game bird these spaniels flushed particularly well. Today, the Cocker Spaniel serves primarily as a companion and glamorous show dog. It can also be used for hunting, tracking, retrieving, watchdogging and agility.