General Appearance
The Cocker Spaniel is the smallest member of the Sporting Group. He has a
sturdy, compact body and a cleanly chiseled and refined head, with the
overall dog in complete balance and of ideal size. He stands well up at the
shoulder on straight forelegs with a topline sloping slightly toward strong,
moderately bent, muscular quarters. He is a dog capable of considerable
speed, combined with great endurance. Above all, he must be free and merry,
sound, well balanced throughout and in action show a keen inclination to
work. A dog well balanced in all parts is more desirable than a dog with
strongly contrasting good points and faults.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size-- The ideal height at the withers for an adult dog is 15 inches
and for an adult bitch, 14 inches. Height may vary one-half inch above or
below this ideal. A dog whose height exceeds 15½ inches or a bitch whose
height exceeds 14½ inches shall be disqualified. An adult dog whose height
is less than 14½ inches and an adult bitch whose height is less than 13½
inches shall be penalized. Height is determined by a line perpendicular to
the ground from the top of the shoulder blades, the dog standing naturally
with its forelegs and lower hind legs parallel to the line of measurement.
Proportion--The measurement from the breast bone to back of thigh is
slightly longer than the measurement from the highest point of withers to
the ground. The body must be of sufficient length to permit a straight and
free stride; the dog never appears long and low.
Head
To attain a well proportioned head, which must be in balance with the rest
of the dog, it embodies the following: Expression--The expression is
intelligent, alert, soft and appealing. Eyes--Eyeballs are round and
full and look directly forward. The shape of the eye rims gives a slightly
almond shaped appearance; the eye is not weak or goggled. The color of the
iris is dark brown and in general the darker the better. Ears--Lobular,
long, of fine leather, well feathered, and placed no higher than a line to
the lower part of the eye. Skull--Rounded but not exaggerated with no
tendency toward flatness; the eyebrows are clearly defined with a pronounced
stop. The bony structure beneath the eyes is well chiseled with no
prominence in the cheeks. The muzzle is broad and deep, with square even
jaws. To be in correct balance, the distance from the stop to the tip of the
nose is one half the distance from the stop up over the crown to the base of
the skull. Nose--of sufficient size to balance the muzzle and
foreface, with well developed nostrils typical of a sporting dog. It is
black in color in the blacks, black and tans, and black and whites; in other
colors it may be brown, liver or black, the darker the better. The color of
nose harmonizes with the color of the eye rim. Lips--The upper lip is
full and of sufficient depth to cover the lower jaw. Teeth--Teeth
strong and sound, not too small and meet in a scissors bite.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck--The neck is sufficiently long to allow the nose to reach the
ground easily, muscular and free from pendulous "throatiness." It rises
strongly from the shoulders and arches slightly as it tapers to join the
head. Topline--sloping slightly toward muscular quarters. Body--The
chest is deep, its lowest point no higher than the elbows, its front
sufficiently wide for adequate heart and lung space, yet not so wide as to
interfere with the straightforward movement of the forelegs. Ribs are deep
and well sprung. Back is strong and sloping evenly and slightly downward
from the shoulders to the set-on of the docked tail. The docked tail is set
on and carried on a line with the topline of the back, or slightly higher;
never straight up like a Terrier and never so low as to indicate timidity.
When the dog is in motion the tail action is merry.
Forequarters
The shoulders are well laid back forming an angle with the upper arm of
approximately 90 degrees which permits the dog to move his forelegs in an
easy manner with forward reach. Shoulders are clean-cut and sloping without
protrusion and so set that the upper points of the withers are at an angle
which permits a wide spring of rib. When viewed from the side with the
forelegs vertical, the elbow is directly below the highest point of the
shoulder blade. Forelegs are parallel, straight, strongly boned and muscular
and set close to the body well under the scapulae. The pasterns are short
and strong. Dewclaws on forelegs may be removed. Feet compact, large, round
and firm with horny pads; they turn neither in nor out.
Hindquarters
Hips are wide and quarters well rounded and muscular. When viewed from
behind, the hind legs are parallel when in motion and at rest. The hind legs
are strongly boned, and muscled with moderate angulation at the stifle and
powerful, clearly defined thighs. The stifle is strong and there is no
slippage of it in motion or when standing. The hocks are strong and well let
down. Dewclaws on hind legs may be removed.
Coat
On the head, short and fine; on the body, medium length, with enough
undercoating to give protection. The ears, chest, abdomen and legs are well
feathered, but not so excessively as to hide the Cocker Spaniel's true lines
and movement or affect his appearance and function as a moderately coated
sporting dog. The texture is most important. The coat is silky, flat or
slightly wavy and of a texture which permits easy care. Excessive coat or
curly or cottony textured coat shall be severely penalized. Use of electric
clippers on the back coat is not desirable. Trimming to enhance the dog's
true lines should be done to appear as natural as possible.
Color and Markings
Black Variety--Solid color black to include black with tan points.
The black should be jet; shadings of brown or liver in the coat are not
desirable. A small amount of white on the chest and/or throat is allowed;
white in any other location shall disqualify.
Any Solid Color Other than Black (ASCOB)--Any solid color other than
black, ranging from lightest cream to darkest red, including brown and brown
with tan points. The color shall be of a uniform shade, but lighter color of
the feathering is permissible. A small amount of white on the chest and/or
throat is allowed; white in any other location shall disqualify.
Parti-Color Variety--Two or more solid, well broken colors, one of
which must be white; black and white, red and white (the red may range from
lightest cream to darkest red), brown and white, and roans, to include any
such color combination with tan points. It is preferable that the tan
markings be located in the same pattern as for the tan points in the Black
and ASCOB varieties. Roans are classified as parti-colors and may be of any
of the usual roaning patterns. Primary color which is ninety percent (90%)
or more shall disqualify.
Tan Points--The color of the tan may be from the lightest cream to
the darkest red and is restricted to ten percent (10%) or less of the color
of the specimen; tan markings in excess of that amount shall disqualify. In
the case of tan points in the Black or ASCOB variety, the markings shall be
located as follows:
1) A clear tan spot over each eye;
2) On the sides of the muzzle and on the cheeks;
3) On the underside of the ears;
4) On all feet and/or legs;
5) Under the tail;
6) On the chest, optional; presence or absence shall not be penalized.
Tan markings which are not readily visible or which amount only to traces,
shall be penalized. Tan on the muzzle which extends upward, over and joins
shall also be penalized. The absence of tan markings in the Black or ASCOB
variety in any of the specified locations in any otherwise tan-pointed dog
shall disqualify.
Gait
The Cocker Spaniel, though the smallest of the sporting dogs, possesses a
typical sporting dog gait. Prerequisite to good movement is balance between
the front and rear assemblies. He drives with strong, powerful rear quarters
and is properly constructed in the shoulders and forelegs so that he can
reach forward without constriction in a full stride to counterbalance the
driving force from the rear. Above all, his gait is coordinated, smooth and
effortless. The dog must cover ground with his action; excessive animation
should not be mistaken for proper gait.
Temperament
Equable in temperament with no suggestion of timidity.
Disqualifications
Height--Males over 15½ inches; females over 14½ inches.
Color and Markings--The aforementioned colors are the only acceptable colors
or combination of colors.
Any other colors or combination of colors to disqualify.
Black Variety--White markings except on chest and throat.
Any Solid Color Other Than Black Variety--White markings except on chest and
throat.
Parti-color Variety--Primary color ninety percent (90%) or more.
Tan Points--(1) Tan markings in excess of ten percent (10%); (2) Absence of
tan markings in Black or ASCOB Variety in any of the specified locations in
an otherwise tan pointed dog.
Email: lisa@wilsonscockers.com
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