How to Identify a Cocker Spaniel

The Cocker Spaniel, also called the American Cocker Spaniel, is a bird-hunting breed and part of the sporting group. [1] One of the most popular American breeds, the Cocker is one of many sporting spaniel breeds. Though it shares traits with other breeds, such as its English counterpart, the Cocker Spaniel does have some unique traits of its own. By recognizing these traits and showing how the breed differs from other common spaniels, this wikiHow will help you identify a Cocker Spaniel.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Checking the Structure

  1. 1
    Take note of the dog's size. Cocker Spaniels are the smallest of the sporting breeds. Males stand at 14.5–15.5 inches (37–39 cm) and weigh 25–30 pounds (11–14 kg), while females are slightly smaller, with a height of 13.5–14.5 inches (34–37 cm) and a weight of 20–25 pounds (9.1–11.3 kg). [2]
  2. 2
    View the dog's head. A Cocker's head is well-proportioned, with a rounded but not exaggerated skull. There is a well-chiseled structure beneath the eyes that gives no prominence in the cheeks. [3]
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  3. The eyes of a Cocker Spaniel are round and full. They look directly forward and are dark brown in color. The eyelids give off a slight almond-shaped appearance. Cocker Spaniels also have clearly defined eyebrows that have a pronounced stop. [4]
  4. Cockers are known for their long, well-feathered ears that hang down. They are lobular and of fine leather, and they are situated no higher than the level of lower part of the dog's eyes. [5]
  5. The muzzle of a Cocker Spaniel is broad and deep, and the distance from the stop to the nose tip is about half the distance from the stop over the crown to the head's base. The nose is of sufficient size and may be black, brown, or liver in color, typically black in dogs that have partly or fully black coats, with well-developed nostrils. Cockers have square and even jaws and strong teeth that meet in a scissors bite. [6]
  6. A Cocker Spaniel's paws are large, compact, and rounded. They are firm and turn neither in nor out. The dog may or may not have dewclaws as they are sometimes removed. [7]
  7. 7
    Notice the tail. The tail of a Cocker is carried along and set on the line of the back or slightly higher and never straight up or too low. It is typically docked to a shorter length. When the dog moves, the tail moves merrily. [8]
  8. 8
    Consider the dog's overall build. Cocker Spaniels are sturdy and compact, giving off a look of complete balance. A Cocker has a sufficiently long neck, a deep chest, well-sprung ribs, sloping shoulders, a slightly sloping topline, and legs that are straight, parallel, and muscular. They walk with a typical sporting dog gait of strong, powerful drive but smooth and effortless movement. [9]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Noticing the Coat

  1. 1
    Take note of the coat's appearance and texture. A Cocker Spaniel's coat is either flat or slightly wavy with a silky texture that allows for easy care. The coat varies in length on certain parts of the body - the hair on the head is short and fine, the body has hair of a medium length, and the ears, chest, legs, and abdomen are well-feathered. [10]
  2. 2
    See if the dog's coat color fits into one of three categories. Cockers may have coats that are categorized as black, any solid color other than black (also referred to as "ASCOB"), or parti-color. [11]
    • Black Cocker Spaniels may be solid jet black or jet black with tan points and may have a small amount of white on the chest or throat. [12]
    • Dogs that fall into the ASCOB category may have coats of any solid color excluding black. The solid color may range from a light cream color to a dark red and includes both brown and brown with tan points. The coat maintains the same solid color on the entirety of the body, except for the feathering, which may be slightly lighter. As with black dogs, there may be a small amount of white on the chest or throat. [13]
    • Parti-color dogs are white and at least one other color, such as black and white, red and white (which ranges from light cream to dark red), brown and white, and any type of roan, with or without tan points. The primary color does not make up more than 90% of the coat. [14]
  3. Tan points ranging from light cream to dark red may be present on a Cocker Spaniel. These tan markings may appear over each eye, on the cheeks, on the sides of the muzzle, under the ears, on the legs and feet, under the tail, and on the chest. [15]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Analyzing Temperament

  1. Cocker Spaniels form strong bonds with their families and are vastly loyal and loving. Note that this makes them prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time. [16]
  2. As sporting dogs, Cockers naturally require physical activity. They are athletic and playful, enjoying games such as fetch. [17]

    Did you know? The Cocker Spaniel earned its name because it was specially used to hunt woodcock. [18]

  3. Cockers are typically eager-to-please dogs and want to do well for their owner's sake. Thus, they are highly trainable and enjoy learning. [19]
  4. Along with loyalty, Cocker Spaniels are very friendly, even to people outside of their family. They don't make very good watchdogs because their friendliness also extends to strangers. [20]
  5. Their loyalty, friendliness, and overall affectionate temperament allow Cockers to be great family dogs. Though no dog should be left alone with young children, they are well-suited for families that have children. [21]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Recognizing Other Spaniel Breeds

  1. The English Cocker Spaniel is another popular spaniel and part of the sporting group. [22] Male English Cockers stand at 16–17 inches (41–43 cm) in height and weigh 28–34 pounds (13–15 kg), while females have a height of 15–16 inches (38–41 cm) with a weight of 26–32 pounds (12–15 kg). [23] They have an arched but slightly flattened head, dark brown or hazel eyes, low-set and wavy-haired ears, strong jaws, a black or brown nose, a scissors bite, and a typically docked tail. [24] An English Cocker is compactly built, balanced, and strong with a frictionless, powerful, energetic gait. [25] Their well-feathered coats may be parti-color (with black, liver, or red and white, which may be clearly marked, ticked, or roanned) or solid (black, liver, or red) and may include tan markings. [26] English Cocker Spaniels are willing to work, affectionate, faithful, merry, and overall equal in disposition. [27]
  2. Recognize the English Springer Spaniel . English Springer Spaniels are hunters that were bred to "spring" at their prey and are part of the sporting group. [28] Males weigh around 50 pounds (23 kg) and have an average height of 20 inches (51 cm), while females are slightly smaller, being about 40 pounds (18 kg) and 19 inches (48 cm) tall. [29] They have a fairly broad skull, medium-sized oval eyes, long and close-lying ears, sufficiently long jaws, a liver or black nose, a scissors bite, and a horizontally-carried or slightly elevated tail. [30] Springers are well-proportioned, compact, sturdy, balanced, and symmetrical with a free gait of long strides. [31] Their double coats are glossy, moderately feathered, and may be black or liver and white, blue or liver roan, or tricolor, with any white possibly being ticked. [32] English Springer Spaniels are attentive, eager to please, friendly, willing to obey, and quick to learn. [33]
  3. Spot the Welsh Springer Spaniel . The Welsh Springer Spaniel is Britain's oldest spaniel and a member of the sporting group. [34] They are medium-sized dogs, males being 18–19 inches (46–48 cm) tall and weighing 40–55 pounds (18–25 kg) and females standing at 17–18 inches (43–46 cm) with a weight of 35–50 pounds (16–23 kg). [35] They have a slightly domed head, oval and dark to medium-colored eyes, comparatively small and lightly-feathered ears, a straight muzzle, a black or brown nose, a scissors bite, and a generally docked tail. [36] Welsh Springers are compact, muscular, and rectangular with a smooth ground-covering gait. [37] Their flat and straight coats are rich red and white in any pattern, including ticking. [38] Welsh Springer Spaniels are loyal, active, devoted, affectionate, and reserved with strangers. [39]
  4. Know of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel . The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an English spaniel that is part of the toy group. [40] Small in size, Cavaliers stand at 12–13 inches (30–33 cm) tall and weigh 13–18 pounds (5.9–8.2 kg). [41] They have a proportionate and slightly rounded head, large brown eyes, high-set and feathered ears, a slightly tapered muzzle, a black nose, a scissors bite, and a happily carried tail that may be docked. [42] Cavaliers are well-balanced, graceful, and about square with a free and elegant gait. [43] Their silky coats of moderate length may be Blenheim (chestnut and white), tricolor, ruby, or black and tan in color. [44] Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are friendly, affectionate, gentle, elegant, and active. [45]
  5. The English Toy Spaniel is the result of Cavalier and Asian toy mixes and is part of the toy group. [46] With a height of 9–10 inches (23–25 cm) and weight of 8–14 pounds (3.6–6.4 kg), they are small dogs. [47] English Toys have a large and well-domed head, very dark eyes, low-set and heavily feathered ears, a very short muzzle, square jaws, a black nose, a slightly undershot bite, and a docked tail. [48] They are cobby, compact, sturdy, and essentially square with a free, lively, and elegant gait. [49] Their silky, profuse coats with heavy fringe may be Blenheim (red and white), tricolor, black and tan, or ruby. [50] English Toy Spaniels are affectionate, bright, willing to please, interested, and merry. [51]
  6. Distinguish the Sussex Spaniel . The Sussex Spaniel is a spaniel built to hunt feathered game in the Sussex environment and is part of the sporting group. [52] They have a height of 13–15 pounds (5.9–6.8 kg) and weigh 35–45 pounds (16–20 kg). [53] Sussex Spaniels have a moderately long skull, fairly large hazel eyes, thick and lobe-shaped ears, a broad 3 inches (7.6 cm) long muzzle, a liver nose, a scissors bite, and a docked tail. [54] They are rectangular and massively built despite their short legs and long body and walk with a rolling gait. [55] A Sussex Spaniel's coat is flat or slightly wavy and profuse, and the color is a rich golden liver. [56] Sussex Spaniels are cheerful, friendly, tractable, strong, and excellent hunters. [57]
  7. Identify the Field Spaniel . Field Spaniels were made from breeding Cocker, English Springer, and Sussex Spaniels and are a member of the sporting group. [58] Males have a height of 18 inches (46 cm), while females are 17 inches (43 cm), and both weigh between 35–50 pounds (16–23 kg). [59] A Field Spaniel has a lightly arched head, dark almond-shaped eyes, wide ears that reach the end of the muzzle, a long and lean muzzle, a black or brown nose, a scissors or level bite, and a low-set tail that may be docked or natural. [60] They are well-balanced, moderately boned, solidly built, and symmetrical with an effortless, long gait. [61] Their single coats are moderate in length and may be flat or wavy, and the color may range from black to liver or golden liver in solid coloring or bi-color with ticking or roan. [62] Field Spaniels are sensitive, intelligent, docile, independent, and fun-loving. [63]
  8. The Boykin Spaniel is a spaniel breed that can retrieve, flush, and hunt and is part of the sporting group. [64] Male Boykin Spaniels range from 15.5 to 18 inches (39 to 46 cm) in height and weigh 30–40 pounds (14–18 kg), while females are slightly smaller, standing at 14–16.5 inches (36–42 cm) with a weight of 25–35 pounds (11–16 kg). [65] They have a fairly broad but flat-topped head, almond-shaped eyes that may be any color from yellow to amber to brown, pendulous ears of thin leather, a dark liver nose, a scissors or level bite, and a docked tail. [66] Boykin Spaniels are hard-muscled, moderately boned, solidly built, and slightly longer than they are tall with an effortless gait of good reach and strong drive. [67] Their medium-length coats may be flat, slightly wavy, or curly with light fringe and a solid liver or brown color. [68] Boykin Spaniels are intelligent, friendly, easily trained, good-natured with people and animals, and willing to work. [69]
  9. Spot the Clumber Spaniel . Clumber Spaniels are a bird hunting breed thought to have originated in France and are assigned to the sporting group. [70] They are relatively large dogs, males having a height of 18–20 inches (46–51 cm) with a weight of 70–85 pounds (32–39 kg) and females standing at 17–19 inches (43–48 cm) and weighing 55–70 pounds (25–32 kg). [71] Clumber Spaniels have a large but flat head, dark amber eyes, thick and broad ears resembling triangles, a deep muzzle with a brown or red pigmented nose, a scissors bite, and a natural or docked tail covered in feathering. [72] They have an overall appearance of large mass and power with a low, long body and a rolling but comfortable and free gait. [73] Their straight, dense coats are mainly white with orange or lemon markings, usually on the dog's face. [74] Clumber Spaniels are affectionate, eager to please, gentle, intelligent, and loving. [75]
  10. The Brittany, originally called the Brittany Spaniel, is a versatile bird dog from France and part of the sporting group. [76] Roughly medium in size, they weigh 30–40 pounds (14–18 kg) with a height of 17.5–20.5 inches (44–52 cm). [77] Brittanys have an overall round head that slightly resembles a wedge, short and high-set ears, dark or amber eyes well-protected by a brow, a muzzle of medium length, a tan to brown or pink nose, a scissors bite, and a short natural or docked tail if not tailless. [78] They are strong and compact but noticeably leggy with a clean trot or smooth side gait. [79] Their dense coats may appear wavy or flat with a moderate amount of feathering and are orange and white, liver and white, or tricolor with potential ticking. [80] Brittanys are alert, happy, energetic, rugged, and never shy. [81]
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    Are cocker spaniels aggressive?
    Linnie
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    It's a common myth that cocker spaniels have "rage syndrome", but this can actually occur in any breed of dog. In actuality, cocker spaniels are typically very friendly dogs toward family and strangers alike. It is possible for some to be aggressive depending on the circumstance, but this is true for any dog.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/cocker-spaniel/
      2. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/cocker-spaniel/
      3. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Cocker_Spaniel.pdf
      4. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Cocker_Spaniel.pdf
      5. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Cocker_Spaniel.pdf
      6. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Cocker_Spaniel.pdf
      7. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Cocker_Spaniel.pdf
      8. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Cocker_Spaniel.pdf
      9. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Cocker_Spaniel.pdf
      1. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/german-longhaired-pointer/
      2. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Cocker_Spaniel.pdf
      3. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Cocker_Spaniel.pdf
      4. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Cocker_Spaniel.pdf
      5. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Cocker_Spaniel.pdf
      6. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Cocker_Spaniel.pdf
      7. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/cocker-spaniel-temperament/
      8. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/cocker-spaniel-temperament/
      9. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/cocker-spaniel/
      10. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/cocker-spaniel-temperament/
      11. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/cocker-spaniel-temperament/
      12. ↑ https://www.dogtemperament.com/cocker-spaniel-temperament/
      13. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/english-cocker-spaniel/
      14. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/english-cocker-spaniel/
      15. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/EnglishCockerSpaniel.pdf
      16. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/EnglishCockerSpaniel.pdf
      17. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/EnglishCockerSpaniel.pdf
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      22. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/EnglishSpringerSpaniel.pdf
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      26. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/welsh-springer-spaniel/
      27. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/WelshSpringerSpaniel.pdf
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      29. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/WelshSpringerSpaniel.pdf
      30. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/WelshSpringerSpaniel.pdf
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      32. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/cavalier-king-charles-spaniel/
      33. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/CavalierKingCharlesSpaniel.pdf
      34. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/CavalierKingCharlesSpaniel.pdf
      35. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/CavalierKingCharlesSpaniel.pdf
      36. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/CavalierKingCharlesSpaniel.pdf
      37. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/english-toy-spaniel/
      38. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/english-toy-spaniel/
      39. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/EnglishToySpaniel.pdf
      40. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/EnglishToySpaniel.pdf
      41. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/EnglishToySpaniel.pdf
      42. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/EnglishToySpaniel.pdf
      43. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/sussex-spaniel/
      44. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/sussex-spaniel/
      45. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/SussexSpaniel.pdf
      46. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/SussexSpaniel.pdf
      47. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/SussexSpaniel.pdf
      48. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/SussexSpaniel.pdf
      49. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/field-spaniel/
      50. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/field-spaniel/
      51. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/FieldSpaniel.pdf
      52. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/FieldSpaniel.pdf
      53. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/FieldSpaniel.pdf
      54. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/FieldSpaniel.pdf
      55. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/boykin-spaniel/
      56. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/boykin-spaniel/
      57. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/BoykinSpaniel.pdf
      58. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/BoykinSpaniel.pdf
      59. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/BoykinSpaniel.pdf
      60. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/BoykinSpaniel.pdf
      61. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/clumber-spaniel/
      62. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/clumber-spaniel/
      63. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/ClumberSpaniel.pdf
      64. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/ClumberSpaniel.pdf
      65. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/ClumberSpaniel.pdf
      66. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/ClumberSpaniel.pdf
      67. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/brittany/
      68. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/brittany/
      69. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Brittany.pdf
      70. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Brittany.pdf
      71. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Brittany.pdf
      72. ↑ https://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/Brittany.pdf

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