American Cocker Spaniel
Temperament:
The American Cocker Spaniel is a very lively and cheerful dog. He loves to captivate his family with his friendly and outgoing nature and is always up for a bit of fun. An absolutely child-friendly four-legged friend who is also well received by his fellow dogs thanks to his sociability. All in all, simply the perfect family dog.
Characteristics
The American Cocker Spaniel is one of the happiest dogs around. Anyone looking for a lovable and cuddly new family member should opt for this cute four-legged friend.
His outgoing and affectionate nature makes him the ideal family dog. He is a great playmate, especially for children. He is always keen to build a close bond with his humans. Friends of the family should also have no problems with this lively dog, as he is always open-minded towards strangers and other dogs.
If you are looking for a guard dog, the American Cocker Spaniel is definitely not a good choice. At best, he would run up to the burglar wagging his tail and hoping to be petted. However, this friendly four-legged friend must also know its limits. Due to its sometimes stubborn character, it should be trained lovingly but consistently.
You should always remember that the American Cocker Spaniel was originally bred as a hunting dog. Therefore, his hunting instinct for cats and other small animals is very pronounced. However, with the right training, which he accepts very well and participates in with enthusiasm, you shouldn't have too many problems with this.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
The American Cocker Spaniel is a real glutton. You should therefore make sure that no leftover food is accessible to him, because he really will eat anything that comes within his reach. You should also keep your eyes open on walks, as dangers such as poisoned bait can be lurking and he will not shy away from them.
His voracious nature is of course a great advantage when it comes to training. All kinds of treats can be used to encourage and motivate him during training.
However, the American Cocker Spaniel tends to be overweight due to its pronounced eating behavior. You should therefore stick to the recommended amount of food and not overfeed him with treats.
Especially at the beginning of training, it is important to adjust the amount of food to the rewards during training.
Health & Care
As the American Cocker Spaniel has a very long coat, you should brush it daily and possibly have it trimmed regularly. Make sure that the coat does not become matted. If you take care of its beautiful coat regularly, you can enjoy its silky shine.
The fur tangles easily, especially on the paws and ears. You should also regularly remove dirt and any parasites from his large floppy ears. Unfortunately, he is somewhat susceptible to diseases here.
You should therefore check his ears regularly and take him to the vet if there are any abnormalities. His eyes are also somewhat sensitive and should be checked regularly. If you notice redness or similar changes, you should also have him examined by a vet.
Suitable accessories
As the American Cocker Spaniel is a hunting dog, it needs plenty of activity and exercise. Agility training is very suitable for them. Find out about suitable courses at a dog school near you. There are great offers there. He will have lots of fun with you and get the exercise he needs.
You will also find it easy to get him interested in many other toys, as the American Cocker Spaniel is very playful. Its pronounced intelligence is particularly noteworthy.
That's why logic games are particularly suitable for your new four-legged friend. He will love them and will certainly amaze you often when you see what he can do. There is a large selection of different logic games and other toys in specialist shops that are very suitable for him.
Origin & History
As the name suggests, this spaniel originates from the USA. This breed was first bred in Canada in 1880 and a short time later in the USA. It is a bred variant of the English Cocker Spaniel.
In addition to its use as a hunting dog, it is also popular as a show dog because of its beautiful appearance. They come in many different and bright coat colors. As the American Cocker Spaniel has a rather long coat, it is used less for hunting and more for showing.
When exactly its breeding began can only be estimated. What is certain, however, is that from around the 1930s, the English and American spaniels no longer had much in common. The American Cocker Spaniel was initially smaller and more delicate than its English ancestor, had a rather round head and a denser coat.
Over time, its appearance changed into a beautiful and elegant dog, which today hardly differs in size from its ancestor. The first breed standards were drawn up in 1940 and in 1951 the American Cocker Spaniel was recognized by the FCI as an independent breed.
