Cocker Spaniel Dog Breed
Posted by Jeanne on November 15, 2008
Cocker Spaniels are the smallest of an extensive family and are the smallest dog of any kind used for work with the gun. They were particularly bred for use in heavy cover and for woodcock shooting. Evolutionary development has made them all-round gun dogs, suitable to any kind of sport. They are also kept extensively as house dogs and are very desirable for this purpose as they are small and have many lovable qualities.
- Skull – Not so heavy as in other Sporting Spaniels, with smooth forehead and clearly defined eyebrows and stop, the median line distinctly marked and gradually disappearing until lost rather more than halfway up, a well developed, rounded and comparatively wide skull showing no prominence in the cheeks, which, like the side of the muzzle, should present a smooth, clean-cut appearance.
- Muzzle – Proportionately shorter and lighter than in the Field Spaniel, showing no fullness under the eyes, the jaws even and approaching squareness. Teeth sound and regular, the front ones meeting. Lips cut off square, preventing any appearance of snipiness. Nose well developed in all directions and black in color excepting in the reds, livers, parti-colors of these shades and in the roans of the lighter lines, when it may be brown or black.
- Eyes – Comparatively large, round, rather full, yet never goggled nor weak, as in the Toy Spaniel kind. They should be dark in the blacks, black and tans, the darker shades of parti-colors and roans. In the reds and livers and in the parti-colors and roans of these colors they should be brown, but of a shade not lighter than hazel.
- Ears – Lobular, set low, leather fine and not extending beyond the nose; well clothed with long, silky hair, which should be straight or wavy.
- Neck and Shoulders – Neck sufficiently long to allow the nose to reach the ground easily, muscular, free from throatiness and running into clean-cut, sloping shoulders, which should not be wide at the points.
- Body – Comparatively short, compact and firmly knit together, giving the impression of a concentration of power and untiring activity. Chest deep rather than wide, not narrow fronted nor yet so wide as to interfere with free action of the forelegs. Ribs well sprung, deep and carried far back, short in the couplings and flank, free from any tucked appearance. Back and loin immensely strong and compact in proportion to the size of the dog, the former level and the latter slightly arched. Hips wide, with quarters considerably rounded and very muscular.
- Legs and Feet – Forelegs short and straight, though proportionately longer than in any of the other breeds of short-legged Spaniels; strongly boned and muscled, with elbows well let down and straight, short, strong pasterns. Hindlegs proportionately short. Stifles well bent, strong thighs, clearly defined. Hocks clean, strong, well let down, presenting an impressive combination of propelling power. Feet neither small nor large, round, firm, not spreading and with deep, strong, horny pads and plenty of hair between the toes. They should turn neither in nor out.
- Stern – Should be set on and carried level with the back, and when at work its action should be incessant in this, the brightest and merriest of the whole Spaniel family.
- Coat – Flat or slightly waved, silky and very dense, with ample Setter-like feather.
- Color and Markings – Blacks should be jet black, and reds, livers, and so on, should never be faded or “washy” shades, but of good, sound colors. White on the chest of self-colors, while objectionable, should not disqualify.
- Weight – Not under 18 nor exceeding 24 pounds.
- General Description – Embodying the foregoing, i.e., a neat headed, wide-awake, serviceable-looking little dog, with an expression of great intelligence; short in body when viewed from above, yet standing over considerable ground for one of his inches upon strong, straight front legs, with wide, muscular quarters suggestive of immense power, especially when viewed from behind. A downward tendency in front he ought not to possess, but should stand well up at the shoulders, like the clever little sporting dog that he is. Massive in appearance by reason of his sturdy body, powerful quarters and strong, well-boned limbs, he should, nevertheless, impress one as being a dog capable of considerable speed combined with great powers of endurance and in all his movements he should be quick and merry, with an air of alertness and a carriage of head and stern suggestive of an inclination to work.
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