Different breeds of Cocker Spaniels

The Cockapoo is a hybrid or mixed-breed dog resulting from a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. While some breeders refer to Cockapoos as “designer dogs” many dog enthusiasts believe that this term was invented by hobby breeders to lure in undereducated dog lovers, getting them to pay high prices for what is essentially a crossbreed, or mutt. Because the Cockapoo is a mixed breed, it is difficult to predict what he will be like in terms of size, color, personality, and temperament. It is also important to note that there are multiple versions of the two parent breeds, so your Cockapoo could vary greatly in physical and personality traits depending on breeding. The Cocker Spaniel comes in two different breeds – the English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel – while the Poodle comes in three breeds of different size. You can expect your Cockapoo to exhibit some combination of physical and personality traits from both parent breeds.

Characteristics of a Cocker Spaniel

In order to understand the Cockapoo you need to get some background on the two parent breeds. When it comes to the pedigree of the Cockapoo, however, there are some important variations to consider. For example, there are two different Cocker Spaniel breeds and either one can be used to create the Cockapoo. Small spaniels have existed for centuries but the cocker spaniel type didn’t emerge until the late 1700s to early 1800s. Originally known as the Cocking Spaniel, this breed type was a combination of water spaniels and land spaniels, developed for flushing woodcock. The first specimen of the breed was registered with the AKC in 1878 and, in 1881, the first American breed club was formed.

One of the first duties of the American Cocker Spaniel Club was to create a breed standard to separate the American from the English versions of the breed. The dog considered to be the father of the English Cocker Spaniel was Ch. Obo and he was also the sire of the dog considered to be the father of the American Cocker Spaniel. The American version of the breed is slightly smaller than the English version and it is the smallest breed in the AKC Sporting Group. The English Cocker Spaniel has a slightly sturdier build and its tail usually remains undocked, in contrast to the standard practice for the American Cocker Spaniel in the United States.