The Cocker Spaniel is the smallest member of the sporting class. This dog is full of energy. When you look at them your first observation should be about how lively that they are. Their general over all appearance should look completely balanced. Standing still or walking they should never appear clumsy, instead in complete control. Male Cocker Spaniels should be between sixteen and seventeen inches tall. The female should be a little smaller and only measure between fifteen and sixteen inches in height. Males should weight twenty eight to thirty four pounds, and the female twenty six to thirty two pounds.
The Cocker Spaniels expression should be soft and venerable, yet at the same time they should look intelligent and completely alert. It is the eyes that make this expression possible. They should be medium sized and slightly oval with tight eyelids. The Cocker Spaniels ears are set low and covered with silky, long hair. The Cocker Spaniel’s nose should be wide nostrils. The nostrils are wide because of the strong smelling ability the breed is known for.
This breed can be numerous colors and mixtures of the colors. The Cocker Spaniel’s tail must be docked, or the dog forfeits the breed’s standards. The docking of the tail is a tradition that dates back to the earliest members of the breed. These are just a few of the breed standards that have been set for the breed. Log one to the official site of the American Kennel Club to read the rest of the long list.
