Cocker Cousins

The Cocker Spaniel has been one of the most popular pets for many years, endearing itself to owners with a soft and appealing expression and a continually wagging tail.

Spaniels are an ancient variety of dog , the name thought to have derived from the type of dog brought from Spain by Caesar��s conquering armies. This dog was known by the French name for Spain -Espagnol.

Early manuscripts in the British Museum dating from the reign of Henry IV describe Spaniels, but the name ��cocker�� was not used until about 1800 when they were used to hunt woodcock. Their small size allowed them to locate game in dense bushes which large breeds could not penetrate.

When reading USA publications with references to Cocker Spaniels the breed referred to is in fact a different breed to that known as Cocker Spaniel in Australia, although they both have similar origins. In Australia this type is known as an American Cocker
Spaniel and is not as common as the Cocker Spaniel. Both breeds have the characteristic long ears and soft expression but the American is much shorter in muzzle and more rounded in skull than his English counterpart and is also a smaller dog.

The Cocker Spaniel coat is flat, silky and not too profuse and the most common colours are blue roan, gold, black and parti-colour. The American Cocker Spaniel has a more profuse coat and the most common colours are black, buff, black and tan and parti-colour.

The Cocker Spaniel in both varieties requires regular grooming but the American is definitely a breed for only those owners prepared to maintain its coat. It requires regular clipping.

Although the Cocker Spaniel is described as a gentle, affectionate dog full of life and exuberance, the American has a considerably larger share of exuberance!

2002#9.4