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American Cocker Spaniels: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about American Cocker Spaniel personality and behavior. main page breed review faq health training adopting/buying links My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the American Cocker Spaniel, including these excerpts: "The American Cocker Spaniel of good breeding is happy, gentle, and playful. The smallest of the sporting breeds, he does need regular exercise, but daily walks and romps will suffice. When well socialized, American Cocker Spaniels are friendly and peaceful with strangers and other animals, though there is timidity and excessive submissiveness in some lines. Cocker Spaniels are responsive to persuasive, cheerful obedience training that includes praise and food rewards." History This little bird dog originated in England, but was fully developed in the United States. Cocker is derived from the woodcock, an upland game bird. Size 13-16 inches and 20-28 lbs

American Cocker Spaniels What's good about 'em What's bad about 'em If you want a dog who... Is conveniently-sized and sturdy Has a pretty feathered coat in a variety of colors Needs only moderate exercise Is friendly, or at least polite, with strangers Is peaceful with other pets An American Cocker Spaniel may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with... An extremely careful search to avoid all the nasty, neurotic Cocker Spaniels "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much Frequent brushing, combing, and clipping Lots of shedding A distinctive odor from the skin and ears Barking A multitude of serious health problems Excitable or submissive urination (tendency to dribble urine when excited or nervous) An American Cocker Spaniel may not be right for you. If I were considering an American Cocker Spaniel... My major concerns would be: Unstable temperaments. American Cocker Spaniels are a dime a dozen, and most of them are bred and offered for sale by people who don't have the slightest idea of how to breed good-tempered dogs. Obedience instructors and behavioral consultants see LOTS of American Cocker Spaniels with neurotic behaviors, including aggression, biting, moodiness, and general nastiness. Teaching your Cocker how to get along with the world is essential. Learn how to socialize your dog on my Cocker Spaniel Training Page. Defensive reactions. I don't know why so many Cocker Spaniels growl or snap when you correct them. They seem to have a heightened sense of "Hey, no fair!" As an obedience instructor, I'm extra careful when putting my hands on a Cocker Spaniel for a correction. If you have small children, I do not recommend an American Cocker Spaniel. There are just too many Cockers who won't tolerate any nonsense. And there are too many Cockers who feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making -- and stress and shyness (even defensive biting) may be the result. Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, American Cocker Spaniels need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you. Grooming, shedding, and doggy odor. To keep their silky coat free of mats, American Cocker Spaniels require regular brushing, and also clipping and trimming every couple of months. Cocker Spaniels also shed a great deal. Their hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, stick to your upholstery and clothing, and hide under the furniture. Finally, many Cocker Spaniels have a distinctive doggy odor that some people find offensive. Barking. American Cocker Spaniels are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them. To teach your Cocker to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Cocker Spaniel Training Page discusses the program you need. Serious health problems. From hip problems to eye problems to skin problems, American Cocker Spaniels are one of the riskiest of all breeds in the health department. To keep this breed healthy, I strongly recommend following all of the advice on my Cocker Spaniel Health Page. Not all American Cockers are alike! There are energetic Cockers, and placid Cockers. Hard-headed Cockers, and sweet-natured Cockers. Serious Cockers, and good-natured goofballs. Introverted Cockers, and Cockers who love everyone. If you acquire an American Cocker Spaniel puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." If you're considering an adult Cocker Spaniel... There are plenty of adult Cocker Spaniels who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS. If you would like to link to this review, here is the HTML code: <a href="http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/americancockerspaniels.html">American Cocker Spaniels: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em</a> Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author.