ABOUT THE BREED
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The English Cocker Spaniel is described in the breed standard as "merry, sturdy, sporting; well balanced and compact and should measure approximately the same from withers to ground as from withers to root of tail."
Characteristics
Known as the "Merry Cocker" the Cocker is characterised by their happy disposition and constant wagging tail.
Temperament
Cockers are intelligent, athletic and alert and are known for their affection and loyalty. Above all they are happiest when they are with the people they love.
Head and Body
The Cocker Spaniel has a well developed, cleanly chiselled head. The muzzle is square with a strong, even jaw. Their dark eyes are full and expressive, indicatating their intelligence and enthusiasm.
One of the most prominent features of the Cocker Spaniel are their long, lobular ears set low on level with their eyes.
The cocker is a stury, compact, well balanced dog with substance and bone. The chest is deep with a firm, level topline that gently slopes downwards to their tail which should always be "merry" in action. The hind quarters should be strong and muscular allowing them to cover the ground well. Their feet should be firm, well padded and cat like in appearance
Sh Ch Lochranza Strollaway Sh Ch Quettadene Emblem
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Sh Ch Canigou Cambrai (Albert BIS Crufts 1996) Sh Ch Canigou Classic Rock (Speedy)
Photos courtesy of Tricia Bentley
The head shot of Sh Ch Canigou Classic Rock (Speedy), is Kate's great dam and the dam of 5 Show Champions, a record for the breed in the UK.
Coat
The coat is long and silky in texture with feathering on the ears, chest, abdomen and legs.
Colour
Cockers come in a multitude of colours and markings.
Solid colours
No white allowed except for a small amount on the chest.
Black Red Golden Liver (Chocolate)
Black and Tan Liver and Tan
Particolours
Bicolours
All with or without ticking.
Black and White Orange and White Liver and White
Lemon and White
Black White and Ticked Orange White and Ticked Liver White and Ticked
Tricolours
Black, White and Tan Liver, White and Tan
Roans
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Blue roan Orange Roan Lemon Roan Liver Roan
Blue Roan and Tan Liver Roan and Tan
Even the blue roans themselves can vary in colour:
Blue Roan Light Blue Roan Mid Blue Roan Steel Blue Roan Dark
Colour coat images courtesy of Powercourt Cockers
Tan Point Gene
The tan point gene is a recessive gene which means, that in order for a dog to inherit the tan point pattern, the dog needs to inherit a copy of the tan point gene from both the sire and the dam. For example if a pup inherits one copy of the tan point gene and one copy of the dominant red/gold gene, the dog will be red/gold. If the pup inherits one copy of the tan point gene and one copy of the dominant black gene, the result will be a solid black dog. It is likely though that these solid litter mates will be carriers of the gene and are capable of passing it on to any offspring. If a carrier of the tan point gene is mated to a carrier then naturally pups with tan points will be produced.
Kate, Ch Canigou Brigh Tan Beautiful, is an example of this. She is also the first black and tan produced from two black and tan Show Champions, in the UK, her dam being Sh Ch Canigou Secon Tan Rose and her sire Sh Ch Molkara Magician. Her dam was the 4th black and tan Show Champion in the history of the breed, her uncle, Sh Ch Canigou Rock Star was the 3rd black and tan Show Champion and the first male in the history of the breed and her sire, was the 6th black and tan Show Champion and the second male.
Ch Canigou Brigh Tan Beautiful (Kate)
Size
The cocker is a medium sized dog with the males ranging between 15.5 and 16 inches (39 - 41 cm) and the females between 15 and 15.5 cm (38 - 39 cm)
Known for their LOVE of food, cockers should weigh approximately 13-14.5 kilograms.
Exercise
Cockers are energetic, active dogs that require regular exercise. They enjoy any form of exercise from a brisk walk to hunting in the field.