01
Days
03
Hours
24
Minutes
51
Seconds

⏱️ Cyber Monday Deal - Ends Soon!

🐶 $64 OFF Dog DNA Test | Shop

🐱 $74 OFF Cat DNA Test | Shop

🚚 Free US shipping & returns

Back to all breeds
American Cocker Spaniel
Characteristics, History, and Health

American Cocker Spaniel

Spaniels are thought to have originated in Spain. The English Cocker Spaniel was brought to America in the 17th century, but over time, American breeders started developing a dog that was smaller, had a more domed head, and a shorter muzzle. This selective breeding resulted in the American Cocker Spaniel, which was recognized as its own breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1878.

Main Info
Origin
Spain, United States
Alternate Names
Cocker Spaniel, Cocker
Life Expectancy
10-14 years
Average Male Height
14.5-15.5 inches
Average Female Height
13.5-14.5 inches
Average Male Weight
25-30 pounds
Average Female Weight
20-25 pounds
Coat Length
Long
Coat Type
Double, Silky
Coat Colors
Black, Black & Tan, Black & White, Black White & Tan, Blue Roan, Blue Roan & Tan, Brown, Brown & White, Brown White & Tan, Buff, Cream, Golden, Red, Red & White, Sable, Sable & White, Silver, Brown & Tan, Buff & White, Red Roan, Brown Roan, Brown Roan Tan
Coat Pattern
Ticked, Roan, White Markings, Merle Markings

Genetic Predispositions and Health

American Cocker Spaniels can suffer from degenerative myelopathy, progressive rod-cone degeneration, and hip dysplasia. Genetic testing for conditions such as familial nephropathy, glycogen storage disease type VII, phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency, acral mutilation syndrome, chondrodystrophy and intervertebral disc disease (CDDY and IVDD risk) with or without chondrodysplasia (CDPA), and exercise-induced collapse can assist veterinarians with diagnosis and proactive care, as well as help breeders identify affected and carrier dogs.


Personality and Behavior

American Cocker Spaniels are known for their gentle, amiable, and cheerful disposition. They are intelligent, which makes training relatively straightforward, but they are also sensitive and do not respond well to harsh training methods.

The breed is sociable and gets along well with children and other pets. They are also known to be quite active, requiring regular exercise to maintain their health and happiness.


Fun Facts

These dogs were among the most popular of American purebred dogs in the 1950s, when Cocker Spaniels such as Vice President Richard Nixon's Cocker named Checkers and the Cocker Spaniel named "Lady" in Disney's Lady and the Tramp movie were well-known and very popular in the public eye.

American Cocker Spaniels are known as the smallest member of the AKC's sporting-dog family.


References

https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/cocker-spaniel/

https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/breed/cocker-spaniel-american

https://www.ofa.org/recommended-tests?breed=CS

Screen for health risks and diseases

Recommended by top vets with decades of experience

  • 21 breeds

  • 64 genetic health markers 

  • 50 genetic trait markers 

Learn More
Cat with detailed cat DNA report