Group |
South
Africa (KUSA), Australia (ANKC), New Zealand (NZKC), Britain
(UK): Gundog Group
USA (AKC), Canada (CKC): Sporting Group
FCI: Group 8 - Flushing Dogs
The American Cocker Spaniel is the smallest member of the Gundog
(Sporting) Group. |
Defining
characteristics |
A
soft and appealing expression; long, heavily-feathered ears;
round head; broad and deep muzzle; long, arching neck; slightly
sloping topline; merry, docked tail carried in line with back;
profusely-feathered coat, which is kept short on the head, neck
and back, and allowed to grow out on the sides, legs, and belly. |
Height |
Dogs
15 ½ " (39cm) Bitches 14 ½ " (36cm)
|
Weight |
15-30
lbs (7-14 kg) |
Colours |
Black:
- black
- 90%
black with 10% tan points
(allowed: small white patch on throat & chest)
(undesirable: brown or liver in the coat)
(disqualification: white anywhere else)
(disqualification: more than 10% tan points)
|
|
ASCOB:
- any
solid colour other than black
- from
light cream to dark red
- brown
with tan points
(allowed: small white patch on throat & chest)
(disqualification: white anywhere else)
|
|
Parti-colour:
- two
or more solid, well-broken colours, one of which must be
white
- roan
(desirable: tan points (where present) in the specified
locations)
(disqualification: 90% or more of the primary colour)
|
|
Tan
points:
- from
light cream to dark red
- up
to 10% of body
- specified
locations:
-
over each eye
- sides
of muzzle and cheeks
- underside
of earso on all feet/legs
- under
tail
- on
the chest (optional)
|
Temperament |
Bold
and keen to work; suited to work as a gundog or as a household
pet; merry and outgoing; a happy tail-wagger; good with children
and other pets; responsive to authority; gentle, sensitive,
trusting; average intelligence; lively, playful; easy to train.
|
Negative
traits |
May
be difficult to housebreak; some tend to bark a lot; poorly-bred
Cockers may have "Cocker Rage", neurotic temperamental
changes and behavioural problems such as shy-sharpness - a combination
of fear and dominance that can cause viciousness; submissive
urinating; aggressive guarding of objects, people and places;
hyper-sexuality; roaming. |
Accommodation |
The
family home should include at least a small yard for exercise.
Can adjust to apartment life if taken for regular exercise. |
Level
of activity |
Usually
fairly active indoors or out. Provide sufficient toys for amusement. |
Exercise |
Moderate
exercise. |
Life
expectancy |
12
- 15 years |
Potential
health issues |
- Major
concerns: cataracts, glaucoma, PRA, and patellar luxation.
- Minor
concerns: hip dysplasia, ectropion, entropion, allergies,
seborrhea, lip fold pyoderma, otitis externa, liver disease,
urolithiasis, prolapse of nictitans gland, CHF, phosphofructokinase
deficiency, and cardiomyopathy.
-
Occasional concerns: gastric torsion and elbow dysplasia.
|
Grooming |
Regular
cleaning or ears and eyes.If the coat is kept long, brush daily,
taking care not to pull out the silky hair. Regular brushing
also when dog is clipped short. Regular shampooing with a good
quality dog shampoo (not human).Regular clipping of nails. |
Show
grooming |
Skilled
grooming, scissoring, and trimming required. |
Availability |
Find
a reputable, registered breeder - do not buy from a backyard
breeder or pet shop!
Consult pet-oriented media, KUSA (South Africa), official
registries, and word of mouth.
Research as much about the breed as possible before making
the commitment.
|
South
African Breeders |
Ms
C. Gilmour |
Pro-am |
(021)9756524
|
Mrs
B.C. Rorke-Tarr |
Tullamore |
(082)7320189
|
Mr
& Mrs M. Landsberg |
Springhill |
(011)4683048
|
Mr
& Mrs H. Tarr |
Rosante |
(012)9960714
|
Mesd.
N. Rossouw H. Steenkamp |
Rockabye |
(082)416
0407
|
Mrs
P. Oosthuizen |
Birchdale |
(021)4388750
|
Ms
M. Brookes |
Denova |
(021)7853244
|