American Cocker Spaniel
A small, gentle spaniel with a long, flowing coat that needs regular professional grooming.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 37–39 cm · Females 34–37 cm
- Weight
- Males 11–14 kg · Females 9–13 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Exercise
- 45–60 min a day
- Grooming
- Regular trips to a groomer
- Coat
- Silky, long
- Colours
- Black, Cream, Chocolate, Red, Black and tan, Bicolour, Tricolour, Roan
- Bred for
- Companionship, Flushing game
- Country of origin
- United States
- FCI
- Group 8, no. 167 · Retrievers, flushing & water dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 4/5 – High |
| Open to strangers | 4/5 – High |
| Energy | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 4/5 – High |
| Prey drive | 2/5 – Low |
| Watchful and protective | 2/5 – Low |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 5/5 – Very high |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 4/5 – High |
| Adaptability | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a small, affectionate companion
- can budget for regular professional grooming
- live in a town or flat
Think twice if you …
- dislike daily coat and ear care
- want a rugged outdoor dog
- want a dog that needs no grooming costs
Care
Temperament
Gentle, cheerful and affectionate. Most are sociable, though some can be sensitive or anxious if poorly socialised.
Exercise
Needs around an hour of walking and play daily. Short training games, scent work and fetch keep it happy.
Grooming
Brush thoroughly several times a week and book a professional groom every four to eight weeks. Clean ears regularly.
Training
Willing and responsive to gentle, reward-based methods. Handling and grooming practice from puppyhood is essential.
Health
Eye conditions such as cataract, glaucoma and PRA, ear infections, patella luxation and skin problems are known in the breed. Ask the breeder for eye, hip and patella results and DNA results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Eye examination
- Kneecaps (patella)
DNA tests
- PRA (prcd)
- PFK deficiency
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The American Cocker Spaniel was developed in the United States from English cockers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. American breeders favoured a smaller dog with a rounder head, shorter muzzle and fuller coat, and the two types became separate breeds.
Today it is mostly a companion dog. It is usually sweet-natured, cheerful and keen to be with its people, and it adapts well to town life if it gets daily walks and play. The heavy coat is the main commitment: it needs regular brushing and professional grooming, and the long ears need careful cleaning to prevent infections.
Did you know?
Lady, the heroine of Disney's Lady and the Tramp, is an American Cocker Spaniel.