History American Cocker Spaniel

ch. obo ii, considered foundation sire of american cocker spaniel.

the word spanyell thought date late 12th century when used name type of dog imported england spain, span part of word referring country of origin. records mid-14th century show selective breeding in place, breed being separated 2 distinct types, called water spaniels , land spaniels. 1801, smaller variety of land spaniel called cocker or cocking spaniel, named use in flushing woodcock.

according historical records, first spaniel brought north america aboard mayflower sailed plymouth, england , landed in new england in 1620. first cocker spaniel recorded in america liver , white dog named captain, registered american kennel club in 1878. in 1881, american cocker spaniel club formed; later become american spaniel club (asc) , known oldest breed club dogs in united states. task of club create standard separate cocker spaniel in america other types of land spaniels, task take on 20 years, being completed in 1905.

the dog considered father of american cocker spaniel sired dog considered father of english cocker spaniel. ch. obo bred ch. chloe ii, shipped america while pregnant. once in united states, whelped dog became ch. obo ii. differed modern breed, being 10 inches (25 cm) tall , long body, considered excellent dog of era , became popular sire.

towards end of 19th century, breed had become popular in america , canada due dual use family pet , working dog. in 20th century breeders on either side of atlantic had created different breed standards cocker spaniel , breed gradually diverged 1 another, 2 becoming noticeably different 1920s. american cockers had smaller muzzle, coats softer , dogs overall lighter , smaller. differences apparent in 1935, breeders founded english cocker spaniel club , restricted breeding between 2 types of spaniel. 2 types of cocker spaniel in america shown 1 breed, english type variety of main breed, until 1946 when american kennel club recognised english cocker spaniel separate breed.

return uk

a black american cocker spaniel in show cut.

initially in united kingdom there few american cockers had accompanied service personnel american bases in 1950s , 1960s. in addition, several came on embassy staff , business people returning home.

the first uk kennel club registered american cocker spaniel aramingo argonaught, born 17 january 1956 , bred herbert l. steinberg. 2 judges confirmed dog american cocker , not english cocker before kennel club permitted dog shown. in 1960s shown rare breed, meant did not have show class of own , shown in variety classes. included aramingo argonaught, first american cocker spaniel shown @ crufts in 1960 in class entitled variety not classified @ show . in 1968, kc agreed have breed shown in category variety gundog other cocker , stated american cocker not variety of spaniel (cocker) . there around 100 registrations between 1966 , 1968.

in 1970 breed given separate register in kennel club breed supplement, included in other variety . registration numbers increased 309 1970 following full recognition.

notable american cockers , popularity

an american cocker spaniel golden coat.

american cocker spaniels have won best in show @ westminster dog show on 4 occasions, first win in 1921 ch. midkiff seductive. ch. own brucie won title twice in 1940 , 1941, , became known photographed dog in world.

brucie s win in 1940 coincided american cocker spaniel becoming popular breed of dog in united states, , remain popular until 1952. recent victory in 1954 victory going ch. carmor s rise , shine. popularity of american cocker increased once again in 1980s becoming popular breed again 1984 until 1990. in more recent years popularity of breed has decreased, ranked 15th popular american kennel club in 2005.

american cocker spaniels have had several links united states presidency. in 1952, american cocker spaniel became household name when united states senator richard nixon made checkers speech on 23 september. parti-colored american cocker spaniel named dot 1 of several dogs owned rutherford b. hayes; , buff colored dog named feller caused scandal harry s. truman when dog received unwanted gift president subsequently giving away white house physician. more recently, cocker named zeke lived bill clinton while arkansas governor.