The "Other" Cocker Spaniel - The ENGLISH COCKER

Photo  by Russell Lee Photography 

Spaniels, a member of the hunting group, date back to the 1300s, and quite possibly existed undocumented even before that. Spaniels vary greatly in size, temperament, and official use. Bred for hunting, different spaniels were initially divided into two groups based on their hunting proficiency: land and water. The water spaniels remained one group, while the land spaniels were eventually divided into two additional groups: setting spaniels and springer spaniels. The Cocker Spaniel falls into the Springer Spaniel group and is the smaller than any other spaniel in its category.

The Springer Spaniel category did not always have clarification for the difference between Cocker Spaniels and their groupmates, the English Springer Spaniel and the Sussex Spaniel. There was no documented differentiation until the late 1800s when England finally acknowledged that the Cocker Spaniel was a separate breed altogether.

While there was deliberation in England about the breaking up of the Springer Spaniel group into smaller, more specific breeds, the Cocker had already been imported to the United States and was becoming a much sought-after breed of its own. This explains why the American and English Cocker Spaniels began to differ in various characteristics of the breed.

Even though the Cocker Spaniel's primary use in England was as a hunting dog, Americans appreciated the dog for entirely different reasons. Their glamorous coats made the American Cocker Spaniel very appealing, and thus breeders worked hard to accentuate their aesthetic traits as opposed to their working ability. The traits between English and American Cocker Spaniels continued to differ until there were distinct and obvious lines between each breed. In the 1940s, English Cocker enthusiasts took action. They forced the AKC to recognize the English Cockers as a different breed, unassociated with the American Cocker.

The primary differentiation between the English and American Cockers is their coats. Having been bred for beauty, the American Cocker's coat is much longer, shinier, and thicker than their English counterparts. The American Cocker has also been bred somewhat smaller, also resulting in different facial features, such as a shorter snout and more forward-facing eyes. Despite the differences, both breeds are absolutely lovely.

By John P Jackson This article was written by John Jackson and has been contributed by http://www.greatdogsite.com For more information on the Cocker Spaniel, please visit our page http://www.greatdogsite.com/breeds/details/Cocker_Spaniel/ Article Source: EzineArticles

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Information About The ENGLISH COCKER SPANIEL

The majority of us know various facts about the cocker spaniel, but not all of us know the English cocker spaniel; in fact, many individuals are unaware that there are two types of cocker spaniels at all. This distinction between American and English cocker spaniels came about in the middle of the 20th century and was brought about by their great difference in appearance. This article will provide information on the English cocker spaniel discussing its appearance, health considerations, and overall personality.

An English Cocker Spaniel at a dog show
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Appearance

Since the mid 20th century, the English spaniel has diversified even further making an obvious distinction between the traditional and English breeds. Whereas the American Spaniel has longer fur with a slight wave, the English canine has a very short coat. Another defining feature is that the English breed has a much deeper chest and stands closer to the ground having rather short legs; whereas, the American spaniel is taller with a wider chest.

The Health Factors

All purebred dogs are at risk of having genetic health problems and the English cocker spaniel can present with highly detrimental conditions. One common condition among this breed is progressive retinal atrophy which can leave the dog blind or with visual impairments. Juvenile-onset renal failure is another condition which can cause muscle weakness and failing kidneys. Finally, English cocker spaniels can suffer from progressive ear infections that could lead to hearing loss, particularly in multicolored canines. To ensure that your pet is not at risk to any of these problems, it is essential that the breeder provide you with a health guarantee on the pups.

The Personality

While he may not have a similar appearance to other spaniels, the English cocker spaniel has the same pleasant disposition. This animal is highly affectionate, cheerful, and very devoted to his owners. This spaniel is an excellent option for a family pet as the breed is very calm and enjoys playing with children. This breed is also an excellent watchdog due to his alert nature and needs to defend his family.

Final Words On The Matter

It has been noted that dog ownership can be very beneficial to all families; children can learn responsibility by caring for and exercising the animal and older individuals will find comfort in the animal's presence. Using the information above you can make an informed decision as to whether or not this breed is suited to your specific needs.

By Wayne Booth Wayne Booth is the owner of Canine Behavior Specialists, http://www.CanineBehaviorSpecialists.com in Nashville, TN where he helps people train their dogs and solve behavior problems. Wayne has been teaching people how to become Professional Dog Trainers since 1990 and he is the Training Director of the Canine Behavior Specialists Network, http://www.K9-University.com. Article Source: EzineArticles

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