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. SIZE The ideal height at the
withers for an adult dog is 15 inches (38 cm) and for an
adult bitch, 14 inches (35.5 cm). Height may vary
one-half inch (1 cm) above or below this ideal. A dog
whose height exceeds 15-1/2 inches (39 cm) or a bitch
whose height exceeds 14-1/2 inches (37 cm) shall be
disqualified. An adult dog whose height is less than
14-1/2 inches (37 cm) and an adult bitch whose height is
less than 13-1/2 inches (34 cm)shall be penalized.
\f1\par \f0 Note: 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. 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.
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 and such colour with tan points, The colour shall be of a uniform shade, but lighter colour 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.
Two or more definite, well broken colors, one of which must be white; including those 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-colours and may be of any of the usual roaning patterns. Primary colour which is ninety percent (90%) or more shall disqualify. Tan Points: The colour of the tan may be from the lightest cream to the darkest red and is restricted to ten percent (10%) or less of the colour 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: A clear tan spot over each eye; On the side of the muzzle and on the cheeks; On the underside of the ears; On all feet and/or legs; Under the tail; 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. HEAD To attain a well proportioned
head, which must be in balance with the rest of the dog,
it embodies the following: 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. Muzzle is broad and deep, with
square even jaws. The upper lip is full and of sufficient
depth to cover the lower jaw. 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 colour of nose harmonizes with the colour of
the eye rim. Mouth: the teeth are strong and sound, not
too small, and meet in a scissors bite. 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 colour of
the iris is dark brown and in general the darker the
better. The expression is intelligent, alert, soft and
appealing. Ears-Lobular, long, of fine leather, well
feathered, and placed no higher than a line to the lower
part of the eye. NECK AND SHOULDERS 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. 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 considerable 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.
BODY The body is short, compact, and firmly knit together, giving an impression of strength. The distance from the highest point of the shoulder blades to the ground is fifteen per cent (15%) or approximately 2 inces (5 cm) more than the length from this point to the set-on of the tail. Back is strong an sloping evenly and slightly downward from the shoulders to the set-on of the docked tail. Hips are wide and quarters well rounded and muscular. 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 American Cocker Spaniel never appears long and low.
LEGS AND FEET Forelegs are parallel, straight, strongly boned and muscular and set close to the body well under the scapulae. When viewed from the side with the forelegs vertical, the elbow is directly below the highest point of the shoulder blade. The pasterns are short and strong. The hind legs are strongly boned and muscled with good angulation at the stifle and powerful. clearly defined thighs. The stifle joint is strong and there is no slippage of it in motion or when standing. The hocks are strong, well let down, and when viewed from the behind, the hind legs are parallel when in motion or at rest. FEET Feet compact, large, round and firm with horny pads; they turn neither in nor out. Dewclaws on hind legs and forelegs may be removed. 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.
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 and excessive animation should not be mistaken for proper gait. FAULTS Dogs under 14-1/2 inches (37 cm), bitches under 13-1/2 inches (34 cm) penalized. Excessive or curly cottony textured coat. Tan markings which are not readily visible or which amount only to traces. Tan on muzzle which extends upward, over and joins. DISQUALIFICATIONS 1. Blacks and ASCOBS - white markings except on chest and throat. 2. Particolour: 90 percent or more of primary colour. 3. Tan points: tan markings in excess of 10 percent. 4. Absence of tan markings in the black or ASCOBS variety in each of the specified locations in an otherwise tan-pointed dog. 5. Height-Males over 15-1/2 inches (39 cm); females over 14-1/2 inches (37 cm).
SCALE OF POINTS Skull 8 Muzzle 10 Teeth 4 Eyes 6 Ears 3 Neck & Shoulders 15 Body 15 Legs 9 Feet 6 Stern 3 Coat 6 Colour and Markings 3 Action 12 ________________________________ Total 100 |