American Cocker Spaniels: A Brief History
The smallest member in the American Kennel Club’s Sporting category is the American Cocker Spaniel, which was recognized as a breed in 1878. The American Cocker Spaniel was developed in the 1800s from the bloodline of English Cocker Spaniels. Smaller than its overseas cousin, their looks, temperaments and abilities are quite similar. The spaniel, as a breed, enjoys a long history as a hunting and sporting dog with the first historical records of these dogs dating back to the 14th Century and divided in to subcategories of land and water dogs. The American Cocker Spaniel continues this sporting tradition and is quite the hunter if trained properly. American Cocker Spaniel hunting is very commonplace in areas that are bushy and that have water, as the dog quite easily adapts to the water — it is also very proficient in flushing game and retrieving it under command. Many industry experts agree that the American Cocker Spaniel, while having the temperament for a pet, would make an excellent and competent gun dog.
Standing no taller than 15.5 inches and weighing no more than 35 pounds, the American Cocker Spaniel is quite active for a smaller dog and needs to have routine daily exercise in order to help prevent and alleviate boredom if he is not going to be used in a hunting capacity. American Cocker Spaniel hunting has traditionally been of woodcock (a small species of wading bird) which is where the name “Cocker” was derived. Though the woodcock was common prey for the American Cocker Spaniel, they are also just as proficient with numerous other fowl as well and quite enjoy being used in the sporting and hunting capacity for which they were bred.
However, since there are not many American Cocker Spaniel hunting venues across the country, the dog is more commonly seen as a pet or show dog now and remains a constant favorite in the show crowd because of its physical beauty and traditionally cheerful temperament. Nevertheless, care must be taken around the American Cocker Spaniel because they are also quite sensitive and can pick up on human emotions quite readily and be just as easily affected by them as we are. All in all though, the American Cocker Spaniel is a great dog and would fit in with just about any family dynamic should you ever be in the market for a new dog.
