American Cocker Spaniel, A Faithful Friend

When we see them in shops or strolling down the street, we sometimes don’t remember their name, but those long drooping ears are absolutely unique. The American Cocker Spaniel is one of the most common pets due to its beauty and good character. Find out why in this article.

Characteristics of the American Cocker Spaniel

The American Cocker Spaniel has a rounded head and short muzzle, while the coat is abundant and wavy. Its legs are straight, muscular and strong, and its rough torso makes it elegant yet imposing at the same time.

It should not be confused with the English Cocker Spaniel which is characterized by a smaller amount of hair, is thinner, has a more elongated head and a slightly larger muzzle. Both breeds, however, have long ears that drop down, covered with abundant hair.

The height of the American Cocker Spaniel ranges from 34 to 36 cm and weighs between 8 and 10 kilos. It has a long neck and has no double chin.

The colors that we can find in the American Cocker Spaniel are:

• Black. Can be solid black or with tan undertones on the back. Sometimes it can have white patches on the neck or legs.
• Colors other than black, but uniform. In these cases, it ranges from cinnamon to fiery red.
• Bicolor or tricolor. There are  specimens of various colors, but one of the colors is always white.
• With tawny spots. They can be present in the whole range of colors, but they will never occupy more than 10% of the animal’s body. They can be present in the tail, eyes or legs.

Character of the American Cocker Spaniel

As with all other dogs, fidelity and loyalty are the most important qualities. However, this dog has many other positive characteristics that make him an ideal companion.  

• Friendly. The American Cocker Spaniel is a very sociable dog and not at all shy, so you won’t need to teach him to socialize from an early age, because he will take care of it himself.
• Playful. This trait makes the American Cocker Spaniel a tender friend, with whom it is pleasant to spend time. He always wants to play and give you his best “smile”.
• Calm. They are both playful and quiet, so even if they need to exercise daily, it doesn’t need to be very strenuous, just like with the training needed to educate them. We can say that they are born already educated.

If you are looking for a friend for life, a faithful companion to accompany you anywhere, the American Cocker Spaniel is one of the best options for you.

Care of the American Cocker Spaniel

Its hair is one of the parts of the body that requires more care: in fact, due to its thickness and shape, it gets tangled easily. It will be necessary to brush it daily and shorten the hair every month, to get rid of the knots that, despite brushing, will form.

Hanging ears allow different bacteria to hide between them, so it is advisable to clean them frequently and often shorten the hair on the sides.

His eyes are also usually the hearths of various diseases, so they must be examined every year to prevent any problems. The main eye diseases known for this breed are: cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy and glaucoma.

The stomach of Cockers, in general, is equally delicate. It is therefore necessary to provide him with top quality treats and avoid giving him other types of food without receiving the authorization of the veterinarian.

Perhaps all of these recommendations may make you question whether or not to get an American Cocker Spaniel, but bear in mind that  his agreeable character and loyalty make him a wonderful friend, with whom you will be happy to share the rest of your life, or his. …