American Cocker Spaniel size

Height: 13.5 – 14.5 inches, Weight: 24 – 28 pounds

Height: 14.5 – 15.5 inches, Weight: 24 – 28 pounds

eye, knee, DNA for phosphofructokinase deficiency, (hip)

gastric torsion, elbow dysplasia

12 – 15 years

cataracts, glaucoma, patellar luxation

CHD, ectropion, entropion, PRA, allergies, seborrhea, lip fold pyoderma, otitis externa, liver disease, urolithiasis, prolapse of nictitans gland, CHF, phosphofructokinase deficiency, cardiomyopathy

American Cocker Spaniel Breed History

The name “cocker” comes from the word “woodcock, ” a type of game bird that this dog was particularly good at capturing. It is not clear how the smaller version was developed, but some give credit to a dog called Obo 2nd, which was born around 1880. This was considered to be the first true American cocker. But others point to evidence that suggests that crosses of the English cocker with smaller toy spaniels resulted in the creation of the American cocker. It wasn’t until 1935 that the AKC separated the English and American cocker spaniels into two different breeds. Popularity for the American cocker spaniel grew after this separation, and the breed continues to be one of the most popular dogs in the United States today. The breed is now divided into three color groups: black, parti-color, and ASCOB (any solid color other than black). It was only in recent times that the American cocker spaniel gained popularity in England, and it was recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1968.