A
sporting dog of much bone and substance, the English Cocker Spaniel
is an active dog with a compact build. Males stand 16 to 17
inches tall while females are from 15 to 16 inches. The male English
Cocker Spaniel weigh 28 to 34 pounds with the females weighing in
about 2 pounds less. Above all, the English Cocker Spaniel is
a dog of balance whose expression is soft and yet alert and
merry. The head is strong and never coarse, with soft angles.
The skull is arched and slightly flattened. Eyes are medium in
size and full, set wide apart with tight eyelids. Ears are low
set, close to head and covered with long silky hair. Muzzle is
well cushioned and equal in length to the skull. The neck is
graceful and muscular, not throaty; chest is deep and medium wide;
loin short and broad. The tail is docked. Forequarters
and hind angle moderately; forelegs are straight; upper thighs are
broad. Coat is flat or slightly wavy and feels silky.
The breed is well feathered, less so than the American breed, and
never so profuse as to interfere with the dog's work in the
field. Solid colors include red, black, and liver; parti-colors
are clearly marked, ticked or roan; tan may occur on solid black and
liver as well as partis; markings on parti-colored dogs' bodies
should be broken and even.
Sweet and biddable, the
Cocker Spaniel of England is a lovely family oriented dog.
Children must be properly instructed not to rough handle the pup and
to allow him his sleep time. The English breed is less coated
than the American Cocker but still needs daily attention.
Cockers tend to be politely manipulative, turning on their soft,
pleading eyes to get their way. Their alleged sad eyes are a
bit of a misconception. The Cocker is a merry breed above all.