When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. It is natural instinct for a dog to have an order in its pack. The goal with all dogs is to achieve pack leader status. This can cause a varying degree of behavior issues and is where a lot of owners go wrong. Do not allow this dog to develop Small Dog Syndrome, human induced behaviors where the dog believes he is pack leader to all humans. They are mostly easy to train and get along well with other animals. They love everyone and need firm, loving leadership and daily exercise to be happy. Cockers that understand their place is under humans are good with children. Amusing, trustworthy and charming with an ever-wagging tail, it is active, playful and devoted, but should be socialized well when it is young to avoid a tendency for shyness. Cheerful, gentle and sweet, this breed is of average intelligence and is respectful of its master's authority. Temperamentīold and keen to work, the American Cocker Spaniel is equally suited to life as a gundog or as a household pet. Field lines have shorter coats than show lines. Examples of parti color combinations are white with buff or red, white with black, or white with black and tan points. The coat comes in any solid color, black with tan points, merle, solid color with tan points and parti-color. There is feathering on the ears, chest, abdomen and legs.
The hairs are medium length on the body but short and fine on the head. Note: docking tails is illegal in most parts of Europe.
The topline slopes slightly from the front of the dog to the back and the legs are straight. The long, low-set ears are well feathered. Merle Cocker Spaniels can have blue eyes. The eyeballs are dark, very round with slight almond shaped eye rims. The muzzle is broad and deep with square, even jaws. The head is rounded with a pronounced stop.
The Cocker Spaniel is a medium sized, sturdy dog. Your browser does not support the audio tag.