home Audience 5 American Cocker Spaniel - care. American Cocker Spaniel for active people Cocker Spaniel American care

American Cocker Spaniel - care. American Cocker Spaniel for active people Cocker Spaniel American care

Cynologists count twelve varieties of spaniels. We will talk about the most famous representatives of this breed in Russia: American and English cocker spaniels. These are cheerful, sociable animals. The difference between these two types of dogs is that the American Cocker Spaniel is a decorative breed, with a weak hunting instinct and long, thick hair.

The English Cocker Spaniel is a true hunter, the keeper of the traditions of its British ancestors. Caring for puppies of these breeds is almost the same. The only difference is that the “American” wool has to be given more attention.

Moving a small puppy from its family to new owners is stressful. Therefore, your task when buying a small cocker spaniel is to neutralize the unpleasant psychological consequences of changing housing. Organize the move in the morning, when the spaniel is still sleepy, it will be easier to part with his mother and brothers and sisters. You should only transport a puppy in a car on an empty stomach, as many dogs, and especially puppies, vomit in cars.

Once you get home, place your puppy on the floor to explore the area. Perhaps the baby will try to hide in a secluded corner. Don't bother him. This is one of the stages of adaptation to a new place. Prepare food and water for your puppy. Soon he will get used to you, to the apartment and will come out of his hiding place.

A small puppy usually needs to be picked up frequently. Do it right. Do not lift the animal by the scruff of the neck or by holding the front paws. It is best to place your right hand under the pet's front legs, and support the back with your left.

A cocker spaniel puppy is an incredibly cute creature. Therefore, you will have a desire to give him an affectionate nickname (“pusya”, “paw”). It is better not to do this, but to name the puppy by his name. This is necessary to raise a disciplined dog.

The American Cocker Spaniel has long, thick hair, so it needs to be washed once every 2 weeks. The English Cocker Spaniel can be washed less frequently.

The American's coat should be brushed every day from early childhood. Do not scratch your puppy with a comb: this can damage his delicate skin. Only after 3 months can you replace the soft brush with a comb.

From about 2 months you can start trimming your puppy's fur. The haircut should be repeated as the fur grows back. You yourself can trim your spaniel a little every 2 weeks - this is the so-called hygienic haircut. But once every 2 months you should take your dog to the salon for a full haircut. Keep in mind that the hair on the back of a Cocker Spaniel cannot be cut; it can only be brushed from head to tail.

Your pet's food should be varied. The puppy must eat strictly on time. Spaniels up to 2 months old need to be fed 6 times a day. In the period from 2 to 4 months - 4 times. From 4 to 6 months - 3 times a day. 7-11 month old puppies - 2 times. In order for your baby to grow up healthy, his diet should include various types of meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, vegetables and fruits (boiled and raw), cereals, and herbs. Products are always cut finely. Food should not be too hot or cold. You can determine the serving size yourself by observing how much your puppy eats at one time. The Cocker Spaniel's food must be high in calories, as it is a very active dog, sometimes forced to participate in hunting in harsh conditions.

If a cocker spaniel has become a member of your family, we can confidently say that you are lucky! You have acquired a true devoted friend, ready to share all your joys and sorrows. But at the same time, you must be aware of your responsibility for the animal that you have tamed.

(CH Ouaine Chieftain - is a full champion (show + field trials) won Reserve Best in Show CRUFTS 1970)

If you groom your Cocker Spaniel puppy regularly, he will quickly get used to it and behave calmly. If you do not accustom your dog to grooming procedures from a young age, then you may have problems with this later when he gets older...

It is very difficult for puppies under 6 months to remain motionless for a long time, so for them the grooming procedure should not last more than a few minutes.

The best grooming brush for your Cocker Spaniel puppy is a soft massage brush with soft bristles. Before you begin your treatment, make sure you have everything you need at hand. Do not leave your puppy on the table alone for a minute, as he may fall, get injured and get scared. Place a mat on the table to prevent your puppy's paws from slipping.

Brushing a puppy

Start by gently brushing your puppy from head to tail with a soft massage brush. If you use, be especially careful when brushing the ears and paws. If your puppy has matted fur or mats, first work them out with your fingers and then gently comb them out with a metal comb. Be very careful not to pull the fur too hard, much less yank it, otherwise the puppy will refuse to brush itself.

To groom a puppy, you need to get scissors with safe, rounded ends. Scissors are necessary for hygienic cutting around the paws and ear holes. First, accustom the puppy to the sight of scissors - let him smell them, click them so that the puppy gets used to the sound. Over time, the puppy will get used to it and will stand quietly while it is being groomed.

Trimming paws and claws

Dogs are very sensitive when their paws are touched, so it is necessary to teach them paw and nail trimming from puppyhood.

Take the puppy's paw in your hand. Stroke her gently and then pretend that you are studying her. Don't do anything else, just praise the puppy and hold his paw, but don't force him. Repeat this exercise every day until the puppy easily lets you hold his paw.

It is necessary to trim the paw into a circle, cutting off the hair sticking out around it. This is necessary primarily for hygienic purposes, so that dry grass, seeds, twigs and other debris do not stick to the paw, which can then get between the toes, and, once there, cause pain or even lead to infection.

The fur that sticks out below the pastern is trimmed to the level of the paw pad. But never cut the hair between the toes, as this hair protects the dog from injury.

After you have taught your puppy to trim his paws, you need to accustom him to grooming manipulations in the groin area. Get your puppy used to brushing the groin area with a metal comb, but be very careful as it is a very sensitive area.

After brushing the groin, you need to accustom the puppy to trimming its nails. Grab your puppy's paw with both hands and hold it very gently. Next, carefully expose each claw by squeezing the puppy's toe with your fingers. Don't forget to praise and reassure your puppy.

Repeat this ritual every day until the puppy gets used to the procedures.

The puppy may not need nail trimming now; it is important to simply accustom him to this procedure so that later the dog does not experience horror at the sight of clippers, scissors and a nail file. By the time your puppy grows into an adult cocker spaniel, he will be ready to trim his paws and nails without much stress.

Please read the specific instructions before you begin trimming your nails.

Start training your dog by trimming one nail per day and gradually work your way up to trimming all four paws at once. Praise your puppy and offer him treats for his patience.

If you are not sure that you can trim your dog's nails, it is better to seek help from a groomer or veterinarian. Alternatively, you can ask your breeder or groomer to show you how it's done.

Eye care

Gently clean any discharge from your puppy's eyes using slightly damp cotton wool. Use a separate piece of cotton for each eye to avoid transferring possible infection. Read on which may affect your dog's eyes.

Ear care

You can use slightly damp cotton wool. When cleaning the ear, do not force the cotton swab into the ear canal as this may cause serious injury to your puppy. A separate cotton swab should be used for each ear to avoid transferring possible infection. Read information about diseases or health problems that may affect your dog's ears.

Teeth cleaning

Just like for people.

It is necessary to check the condition of your gums regularly. If you don't brush your teeth, tartar can lead to gum inflammation, which is not only very painful, but can also lead to tooth loss or other health problems. Healthy gum color is pink.

If the puppy has an unpleasant odor from his mouth, or if his gums look red and swollen, then in such cases the help of a veterinarian is necessary.

If your puppy is taught to brush his teeth and check his gums from a young age, it will be much easier for you when he gets older.

H. Armstrong Roberts

To keep your dog's teeth healthy, you need to brush them at least 2 times a week. Buy special dog toothbrushes and toothpastes, available at most pet stores or from your veterinarian. Never use toothpaste intended for humans, as this may cause diarrhea or other problems in your dog.

Start getting your puppy used to this procedure by gently rubbing your finger over the puppy's teeth and gums. He won't like it, of course, but be patient because it's necessary for his health. You can try smearing your finger in beef or chicken if your puppy refuses to open his mouth. Once your puppy gets used to rubbing your teeth and gums with your finger, you can try switching to a toothbrush using a small amount of toothpaste.

Additionally, toothpicks can also help you keep your puppy's teeth clean. There is an opinion that feeding

A playful and cheerful animal, a gentle and sympathetic member of the family, this is the English Cocker Spaniel. It’s not difficult to make a dog happy: you need to choose the right care for it, and then your four-legged friend will respond with boundless love.

It is believed that the most distant ancestor of the English cocker is the ash dog, which lived in the distant Bronze Age. These pets were needed by humans exclusively as four-legged hunters.

Other references to the English spaniel are found in British and French drawings from the 14th and 15th centuries. From that moment on, information began to appear about these dogs as excellent field and swamp hunters.

Despite the fact that the roots of this breed go deep into antiquity, targeted breeding of English spaniels began only in the first half of the 19th century. To popularize the breed, it was decided to create breed clubs: the first of them appeared in 1884. In the CIS countries, the English Cocker Spaniel did not immediately take root, but in the 80s, this breed already became very popular.

English Cocker Spaniel as a family member

Often this breed, despite the number of members in the family, still becomes close to only one person. Nevertheless, dogs love every member of the household and try in every possible way to please them: they quickly learn to follow commands, are very affectionate and clean.

Most English cockers are sociable dogs, but there are also more shy individuals.

The owners of these dogs note that the breed gets along well with children: even if a child accidentally offends the dog, the cocker will not be offended and will not take revenge on the baby. This is another reason why people prefer the English Spaniel over other medium breeds.

The English Cocker Spaniel can be possessive, especially when it comes to his toys. This quality serves to the advantage of those people who get these dogs for further hunting with them: the dog tenaciously grabs its prey, does not let it go from its paws, and also never gets tired of running and hunting.

Cocker diet

In order for a dog to be happy in the family, it needs to be fed properly. Spaniel owners are divided in their opinions on how best to feed: a mixed type or one feeding option.

Your dog's diet must include:

It is advisable to feed your cocker spaniel twice a day - morning and evening. It is up to the owner to decide whether to give the dog a treat before or after a walk: some dogs, due to their individual nature, become passive and refuse to go for a walk. That’s why many people try to feed their four-legged friend after going outside.

An adult dog will only eat what it was taught to eat from puppyhood. For an adult, it is extremely important to eat meat, the amount of which should be at least 200-300 grams per day.

As for offal, you need to remember the following rule: an English cocker spaniel will receive approximately the same energy that it would receive from meat if it eats one and a half to two times more boiled liver, heart, stomach, and udder.

Dairy products are an indispensable ingredient in a dog's menu. For the proper functioning of the digestive system, one should not forget to feed the spaniel cottage cheese, milk, kefir and hard cheese. As for eggs, it is better to serve them as an omelet or soft-boiled.

You should not give your dog the following cereals:

semolina;
corn;
factory muesli.

There is nothing beneficial for dogs in these products; on the contrary, these cereals can clog the animal’s stomach. Good options would be buckwheat, rice, and rolled oats.

The dog receives microelements and additional vitamins from greens, vegetables and fruits. Chopped carrots, zucchini, and pumpkin can be mixed with sour cream or vegetable oil, then the products will be absorbed faster.

As a “yummy”, an incentive prize, the English Cocker Spaniel should be given dried fruits, unsweetened bagels, raisins, and cheese.

Important: When preparing food for your dog, you must forget forever what salt, pepper, sugar and other auxiliary seasonings are. It is necessary to serve food to your pet only in boiled or baked form: there should not be any fried foods in the dog’s diet.

It is extremely important to treat your English Cocker Spaniel with garlic once a week. You can grind it with white bread so that the dog is more willing to eat what is offered. This is an excellent natural remedy for preventing worms.

Grooming your English Spaniel

The dog should feel comfortable in its natural “fur coat”, so the owner of an English Cocker Spaniel must carefully monitor the condition of the coat and its length your pet.

In order to always have the opportunity to correct the hairstyle of your four-legged friend, you will have to purchase some arsenal of tools:

thinning scissors. They are needed to thin out dense areas somewhat;
two combs, with frequent and rare teeth;
two brushes, one of them with bristles, the other - an analogue of a human massage one;
scissors with curved ends. This tool will help remove hair in hard-to-reach places, for example, near the pads on the paws;
a slicker that removes excess “fluffiness”.

But the first time you should send your English Cocker Spaniel for a haircut is to a professional hairdresser. The groomer can give useful advice on the future care of the pet’s coat, and will also shape the dog’s hairstyle, which the owner can subsequently maintain at home.

It is necessary to trim the dog as it grows fur. In the summer, you should have a clipper cut, the so-called “sports” one - it is very hot for an English spaniel and the owner must make it easier for the dog to live in the hot season.

Pet training

The easiest way to teach an English Cocker Spaniel various commands and compliance is to go to a professional dog trainer. Establishments offering to train pet dogs are not uncommon in any city.

When choosing one of them, you need to read reviews about the work of specialists: the dog must be in the hands of an experienced employee who will not harm the animal.

At home, teaching a spaniel the necessary commands is also not difficult. The first command a dog learns is knowing his name. It is necessary to accustom a dog to a name during play, when the animal’s mind is softer and ready to absorb information.

Next they study the “No” command. The easiest option would be to train with treats. A “yummy treat” is placed in front of the dog, but at the same time the owner holds the pet, telling him the word “No”.

The spaniel can immediately learn the “Take” command., when the owner releases the dog and says, “Take it,” thereby giving the green light to take the treat. The game form is the best for teaching commands and training. A person will not be able to scare a dog and will not disturb its psyche.

Clothes for English Cocker Spaniel

Owners of this dog breed say that their pets do not really like to wear clothes of any kind. However, if you want to accustom your dog to clothes, you need to do this from puppyhood. For example, you can buy dog boots that will protect the pads from the puppy being accidentally injured on the street by glass or other objects.

A useful type of clothing for this dog is a hat. A spaniel's ears are their sensitive area, therefore during cold, rain, and even more so frost, it is advisable to hide the dog's ears in special pockets of caps for spaniels.

There are special overalls that can protect your pet from rain and wind: however, you should still listen to the dog’s wishes. It is not recommended to force people to go for walks in “suits.”

It is worth outlining a few more useful tips for those who are lucky enough to own an English Cocker Spaniel:

Monitor the dog's weight. These animals quickly gain excess volume, which will be difficult to remove later. Therefore, you should not overfeed your spaniel.

If a person wants to brush a spaniel’s teeth, it is necessary to purchase a personal toothbrush, and never resort to using a human-sized product. This can lead to diarrhea in the animal.

By nature, these dogs need to move a lot. Therefore, the owner must constantly take the cocker for long walks and organize races for his pet.

If you handle these cute creatures correctly, there will be no problems living in the same family with an English Cocker Spaniel.

When purchasing a new family member, the happy owner asks many questions.

What care will be correct? What to feed your pet? What diseases might he develop? Let's try to answer these and other questions.

English Cocker Spaniel puppies are small, funny and very interesting. But at the same time they have enormous potential.

Very often, future owners fall in love with one at first sight. An inimitable look, funny “pants”, a wagging tail and selfless goodwill attract you.

But you should not assume that representatives of this breed are peaceful in everything; if necessary, they will be able to fearlessly protect their family.

It should be noted that some puppies become overly dependent on their owners, so you need to teach your pet to be independent in time.

English cocker spaniels try to please their owner, because of this, they quickly and easily learn everything new.

True, some of these four-legged animals are prone to frequent, loud and not always justified barking, which makes their maintenance somewhat more difficult.

Some pets exhibit increased stubbornness and possessiveness, especially with their belongings.

Caring for a dog of this breed is not difficult, and consists of following the basic rules. When purchasing a dog of this breed, the English Cocker Spaniel, people think that the puppy’s coat does not require special care. In vain.

By the time the dog grows up, his fur will be very difficult to manage. In addition, a dog that has not been accustomed to this kind of process from a very young age will resist when it becomes an adult, causing a lot of trouble for its owner.

At any age, it is necessary to comb at least three times a week. Various coarse brushes and combs are used for this.

Bathing

Your Cocker Spaniel should be washed regularly, every month. They bathe dogs using various products for dogs with long hair.

Special conditioners heal hair and have an antistatic effect.

After bathing, cover the dog with a large towel and soak up excess moisture. After which, proceed directly to drying, using a hair dryer and brushes.

Grooming

Grooming an English Cocker Spaniel is best left to an experienced groomer. Each dog has its own original proportions, and a poor-quality haircut will change the appearance of the pet beyond recognition.

The specialist knows where it is better to focus attention, and where, on the contrary, to hide shortcomings. Ideally, after this, the cocker spaniel will look beautiful and natural, as if no complex procedures were performed on it.

Nail care

The animal's claws must be trimmed regularly as they grow. For this procedure, special nail clippers are purchased.

Dental care

Tartar periodically appears on your dog's teeth. Because of it, an unpleasant odor appears from the mouth, and over time, tooth decay may begin. You can get rid of this problem with the help of special means, or by contacting a veterinary clinic.

In the first days of the puppy's arrival in the house, you should not leave him alone. Don't forget that the Cocker Spaniel is a domestic dog, despite its hunting instinct.

At home, you should not tie your dog. An English Cocker Spaniel, of any age, needs to exercise a lot in order for its skeleton and muscles to develop properly.

Prepare in advance a place where the puppy will sleep. Representatives of this breed are very gentle, sociable and love direct contact with the owner, so they always try to lie down next to them on the sofa, but you should not spoil your pet too much.

The place should be located away from drafts and prying eyes. It is best if it is a bright and warm part of the room.

Try to make sure that the pets can see their owners from their place. The material for the “crib” can be a children’s mattress; it can be covered with any natural fabric.

English Cocker Spaniels have an excellent appetite, they are in constant motion and require sufficient, high-calorie food.

Meat products are used: beef, horse meat, chicken, liver. The main rule is not to feed your dog raw meat products.

Fish and vegetables. The fish is given cleaned of large bones, and the vegetables are pre-grated.

Also, for proper development, your four-legged friend must be fed with various cereals. Don’t forget about the vitamin and mineral complexes developed for dogs, especially during the growth period.

Diseases

When an animal is properly cared for, it rarely gets sick, but even if all the rules of keeping are followed, health problems may arise.

Common diseases:

In addition, dogs can suffer from demodicosis, deafness, dwarfism, and skin cancer.

Photo gallery

Let's look at photos of the English Cocker Spaniel, which gets along well with children and is friendly towards strangers. Despite the fact that he is a born hunter, he is good with other household inhabitants.

A small dog of a hunting breed. Today, the breed is increasingly used as a companion dog, as a pet, and thanks to its beautiful coat, it is prestigious to take part in various exhibitions.

The American Cocker Spaniel is a direct descendant of the English Cocker Spaniel and first appeared in America in the 18th century.

At that time, the cocker breed was divided into two groups:

cocker (squat and smaller)
springer (larger with long legs).

In the middle of the 19th century, clearly defined breed differences began to be distinguished in the spaniel genus, resulting in the appearance of toy spaniels, clumbers and sussexes. At that time, all spaniels, with the exception of “toy,” must weigh at least 6 kilograms in order to be effective assistants during the hunt.

In 1856, during the American Exhibition, cockers were first exhibited as a separate class, but over time the breeds were again mixed, both in the ring and in breeding. In 1893, the Cocker Spaniel breed was officially approved by the London Kennel Club. At that time, cocker spaniels already had a number of breed differences that distinguished them from their relatives. 1946 - The American Kennel Club recognizes the American Cocker Spaniel as a separate breed.

The domestic history of this breed began only in 1977, when the first litter of fawn puppies was born. At that time it was a rare breed, but dog lovers did not stop there and improved the breed every year. Thanks to our efforts, today we have a purebred American Cocker Spaniel.

Description and breed standard of American Cocker Spaniel

The distance from the protrusion of the sternum to the ischial tuberosity is slightly longer than the distance from the withers to the ground.
The body must be of sufficient length to ensure a straight and free stride; The dog should never look long and squat.

Behavior/Temperament: balanced, calm, courageous.

Head: Well balanced, looks proportional to the body.

Skull: moderately rounded, but spherical and not close to flat; the brow ridges are clearly defined. Under the eyes the head is well filled.
Stop (Move from forehead to muzzle): well expressed.

Nose: Good size, in proportion to the muzzle and facial region, with wide open nostrils typical of sporting dogs.

The color of the nose in black, black and tan and black and white dogs is black.
In dogs of other colors, a brown, liver or black nose is acceptable, the darker the better.
The color of the nose should be in harmony with the color of the eyelid rim.

American Cocker Spaniel puppies photo in a lounger

Muzzle: wide and deep, square in format. For proper balance, the distance from the bridge to the nose should be equal to half the distance from the bridge to the base of the skull.

Lips: The upper lip is full and of sufficient depth to cover the lower jaw.

Jaws/Teeth: regular scissor bite, jaws square and level. The teeth are strong, white, and of good size.

Cheekbones: moderate, not prominent.

Eyes: round and full, looking straight ahead, almond-shaped. The color is dark brown, the darker the better. The spaniel's eyes should not be sunken or bulging.

Ears: hanging, long, densely covered with long hair, thin skin; The ears are set at the level of the line of the lower part of the eyes.

Neck: Long enough to allow the Spaniel's nose to touch the ground freely, muscular, without dewlap. It rises high from the shoulder blades, with a slight nape, and tapers at the junction with the head.

Topline: Sloping towards the croup. The croup is muscular.

Back: Strong and gradually sloping from the shoulder blades to the base of the tail.

Chest: deep, should reach the level of the elbows; in front the chest is wide enough to easily accommodate the lungs and heart, but not so wide as to interfere with the strictly linear movements of the forelimbs. The ribs are deep and well sprung.

Tail: The docked tail should follow the top line or be slightly raised; We do not allow it to be too raised up (like terriers) or lowered down (a manifestation of timidity). When animated, the spaniel wags its tail cheerfully.

American Cocker Spaniel puppy photo in a basket

Forelegs: Parallel, straight, strong boned, muscular, located close to the body and under the shoulder blades.

Shoulders: well laid back, forming an angle of the scapulohumeral joint of approximately 90 degrees, which allows freedom of movement, the spaniel is able to throw its limbs far forward. The shoulder blades are sloping, clearly defined, without projections and set in such a way that the highest points of the shoulder blades are at an angle allowing a wide curve of the ribs.
Elbows: When viewed from the side, the forelegs are vertical, the elbows are located exactly under the highest point of the shoulder blade, pointing straight back, and should not be turned either in or out.
Pasterns: short, strong.
Paws: compact, large with hard pads; cannot be turned inward (clubfoot) nor outward. Dewclaws on the front legs can be removed. The claws are strong.

Hind limbs: strong, muscular, with clear angles of the knee joints and powerful, strong thighs. When viewed from behind, they are parallel both when moving and when standing.

Croup: wide, rounded, muscular.
Hips: powerful, well defined.
Knee joints: Strong, no inward or outward movement in stance or movement, with moderate angulations.
Hocks: strong, low-set.
Hocks: strong, short. The dewclaws on the hind legs can be removed.
Feet: compact, large, rounded with hard pads; turned neither in nor out. The claws are strong.

Movement: The American Cocker Spaniel has a gait typical of hunting dogs. For correct movements, the main thing is the balanced structure of the front and hind limbs. The spaniel's movements are coordinated, fast, smooth and sweeping. The Spaniel must cover space when moving.

Coat: The coat is silky, close-lying, straight or slightly wavy. Excessively curly or fluffy (“cottony”) coat is considered a fault.

The hair on the head is short and soft; on the body - medium length with dense undercoat.
The hair on the ears, chest, belly and limbs is thicker and longer, but should not hide the outline of the spaniel's body, its movements or distort the appearance and function of the hunting dog.
It is not advisable to cut the hair on the back with an electric clipper. Trimming should emphasize the natural contours of the dog.

American Cocker Spaniel size: The ideal height at the withers for an adult male is 38.1 cm, the height at the withers for a female is 35.6 cm. Deviations within 1.3 cm in one direction or another are acceptable.

Disadvantages: Any deviation from the above is considered a defect and the rating depends on the accuracy of the relationship with the degree of the given deviation.

Disqualifying faults:

The above colors are the only acceptable colors or color combinations. Any other colors or color combinations are disqualified.
Black color: white spots except chest and throat.
ASCOB: white spots except chest and throat.
Spotted: 90% or more of the base color.
Burn marks occupying more than 10%.
Absence of tan marks on black and ASCOB specimens in any of the indicated places.
Males - above 39.4 cm; Bitches are taller than 36.8 cm.

Photo of an American Cocker Spaniel on the grass with fluffy fur

Black and black and tan color. Black should be clean and shiny; shades of brown or liver are undesirable. A small white patch on the chest and/or throat resolves; white color in any other area is considered a disqualifying fault.

ASCOB (any solid color except black). This color includes any solid color other than black - from light cream to dark red, including brown and brown and tan. The color must be clear, but lighter colors are allowed. A small white patch on the chest and/or throat is acceptable. Disqualifying Faults: White spots anywhere else are considered a fault.

Spotted color is two or more colors in a pattern with clear boundaries, one of which must be white.

Black and white
Red-white (light cream to dark red)
Brown and white (including tan)
Roan (speckled) dogs are classified as spotted, and can be any of the regular speckled varieties. A primary color of 90% or more will be disqualified.

Combinations of any of these colors with tan are also acceptable. The markings should be in the same places as those found on black-and-tan and brown-and-tan animals.

The color of tan marks can range from light fawn to dark red and they should make up no more than 10% of the main color. Tan marks exceeding 10% of the base color are disqualified. In individuals with black color or ASCOB, the markings should be located as follows:

spots over both eyes
on the sides of the muzzle and on the cheeks
on the inside of the ears
on all paws or limbs
area under the tail
on the chest (optional; presence or absence is not a defect)

Disqualifying faults

The absence of tan in the specified places or the presence in places not specified by the standard in a black spaniel or ASCOB subgroup.
Blurred or faint tan and tan on the sides of the muzzle, merging at the bridge of the nose

Note: male dogs must have two full-fledged, normally developed testes, completely descended into the scrotum.

Character of the American Cocker Spaniel

By nature, the American Cocker Spaniel is a very energetic, cheerful, active and friendly breed. Sometimes wary of strangers and strangers, but quite an obedient dog.

Most of all he loves to spend time with his owners, playing with them, and loves attention to himself. There are individuals with a rather jealous character, but this trait can be smoothed out with timely education and training.

The American Cocker Spaniel loves children and loves to participate in their games. Its small and compact size allows you to keep a spaniel in a city apartment. He senses the owner’s mood well, is ready to support and empathize with him, this quality is quite strongly expressed in this breed.

The American Cocker Spaniel is highly trainable, quickly remembers commands and carries them out with enthusiasm. They are excellent hunters, as it is in their blood. In the case when the owner of a cocker is an avid hunter and is going to take the dog with him on a hunt or just in the forest, it is necessary to prepare the pet for the upcoming work. The dog's fur is shortened, so the spaniel will not freeze when taking prey out of the water, and will not get tangled in the bushes.

American Cocker Spaniels are excellent circus performers, rescuers and drug detectors.

The natural desire to please the owner as much as possible can be successfully used in training and raise an excellent friend and companion.

Maintenance and care of the American Cocker Spaniel

Caring for an American Cocker Spaniel is labor-intensive and mandatory, but the work is worth it. The spaniel has an irresistible coat, and in order for it to look healthy, beautiful and well-groomed, the owner must adhere to the rules of proper care.

Brush 2-3 times a week with a natural bristle brush or metal comb. The combing procedure will remove dead hair, remove dust, improve blood circulation and prevent the formation of tangles and hair problems.

Bathe your cocker every 7-10 days, or depending on how dirty it is. For bathing, use a special shampoo for long-haired dogs with conditioner and conditioner. Afterwards, the wool is dried with a hairdryer for proper styling. In winter, it is recommended to bathe your spaniel once a month. The American Cocker Spaniel needs professional grooming four times a year.

For general grooming (coat care) you will need the following tools:

massage brush
metal combs, with rare and frequent blunt teeth
scissors
slicker
electric machine

For a neat looking cocker, follow simple rules and your pet will always look well-groomed.

First, comb the entire coat with a brush.
Use a fine-tooth comb to comb the fur on the body.
with a comb with wide teeth in those places where the fur is longer: chest, sides, paws, tail, ears.
The hair on the paws is trimmed with scissors (once every 2 months), excess hair is cut off on the top of the leg, on the sides, under the paws and between the pads of the toes.

After completing all the procedures, do not forget to praise your pet and treat it with a treat.

Inspect your American Spaniel's eyes regularly, and if you notice souring, gently wipe them with a soft, lint-free cloth soaked in warm water or chamomile infusion. If you notice excessive souring, tearing, swelling of the eyelids and redness of the eyes, be sure to show your pet to the veterinarian.

The spaniel's drooping ears are regularly inspected; the auricle is wiped with a cotton pad soaked in warm water, dust and wax are removed. Once every 2-3 weeks, the hair around the ear canal is trimmed. Excess hair does not allow air to pass through, irritates the ear and can cause infection. Fold-eared dogs regularly have their ears ventilated to let air in. Just wave your pet's ears like the wings of a butterfly, that will be enough.

Trim the claws once a month with a nail clipper, and file the sharp ends to avoid chips and burrs.

American Cocker Spaniel nutrition

Photo of a black American Cocker Spaniel

The diet of the American Cocker Spaniel must be correct and balanced so that the dog grows healthy and active. The main thing is to follow certain rules that are suitable for the different ages of your pet.

The American Cocker Spaniel is a hunting dog and is therefore very active. Therefore, food must be nutritious and provided with the necessary amount of vitamins and microelements.

Don't forget about water - a bowl of clean drinking water should always be available to the dog.

In order for the puppy’s body to form correctly, the diet must include dairy products, which are rich in calcium and vitamins, and when the puppy is two months old, sea fish is introduced into the diet. It is important to clean the fish from the bones so that the puppy does not choke!

Protein foods must be present, which will give the body energy, and vegetables and cereals are necessary for proper digestion. Feeding a 2-month-old puppy should be up to 6 times a day, which will gradually increase to 2 times by the age of one year.

It is important to remember about bones for adult dogs, or rather pork and beef ribs, the use of which develops the correct bite in the dog and is an excellent prevention of tartar.

With proper nutrition, you will ensure a healthy life for your dog.

American Cocker Spaniel Training

American Cocker Spaniel photo at an exhibition

Training an American Cocker Spaniel can be divided into two main stages.

The first stage is to learn the basic commands that are necessary to live in society:

"It is forbidden"
"To me"
"Near"
"Sit"

These commands are the main part of raising a young pet, and he will easily remember them.

The second stage of training is to study applied commands - “Give”, “Fetch”, etc. It is recommended to start this stage no older than 4 months of age of the dog. These stages of training imply the principle of reward for a completed command. When the dog is ready to carry out a command, then a signal is given and when it is completed, it receives a treat. In this way, conditioned behavioral reflexes will be developed. If you intend to develop hunting instincts, then you need to engage in field training - the development of hunting instincts that nature itself laid down.

American Cocker Spaniel photo in winter near the fireplace

For example, in order for a pet to work on a specific type of game, it must be accustomed to the smell of the required bird, and already during the hunt the dog itself will be able to find the necessary game and lift it into the air, bring it or stand in the right direction. Quite often, to develop such instincts, a young dog is allowed to hunt with more experienced dogs so that they can “teach” the beginners. This type of training is recommended to be carried out with a professional trainer.

If you want to buy an American Cocker Spaniel, remember that this is a hunting dog that loves long walks and physical activity to stay in shape.

The recommended walking time for a cocker is at least half an hour each walk. Be sure to let your pet off the leash; he must run, jump, climb stairs and other obstacles. Proper nutrition, timely training and care will guarantee you a beautiful and loyal friend for the whole family.