The American Kennel Club (AKC) places the American Cocker Spaniel in the Sporting Group, which mostly consists of spaniels, setters and retrievers. The Cocker Spaniel is the smallest member of the sporting group typically standing 14 to 15 inches at the withers (shoulders). They were bred to help hunters by flushing game birds so the hunters could shoot them and then the dogs would retrieve the fallen birds. However, they are also great companion dogs and are often found in pet therapy roles.
Size: 14 inches for female dogs and 15 inches for male dogs
Colors:
- Black
- Any Solid Color Other than Black (ASCOB) – light cream to dark red or brown
- Parti-Color – two or more solid colors one of which is white (ex: white & black or white & red)
Coat: Silky, flat or slightly wavy with undercoat and feathers (longer fringe of hair on ears, legs, chest and abdomen)
Personality: playful & affectionate
Grooming Schedule: Typically 4 to 6 weeks
Below are some photos that will show the difference between a show dog and a pet trim.
Information and photographs for this article were gathered from the American Kennel Club The Complete Dog Book, 20th edition, the Westminster Kennel Club website, and personal photos.