Cocker Spaniel
Sporting
Group
Breed Standard
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.
Approved May 12, 1992
Effective June 30, 1992