Due to their gentle nature, Cocker Spaniels are traditionally considered a good choice as a companion dog for families with children. Currently, the most common are two breeds of these dogs - American and English. Therefore, before buying a puppy, it is worthwhile to compare these two types of cockers and find out how their character, appearance and care rules differ.
History reference
The first mention of the breed spaniels belong to England of the XIII century, where dogs were used for hunting birds. When this occurs, this word comes from medieval French espaigneul (Spanish), which means that the ancestors of these dogs even earlier fell on Misty Albion from Spain.
One of the popular theories says that these animals came to Britain along with the Celtic tribes who migrated from Spain in 900 BC.
Initially, all spaniels were divided into aquatic, the task of which was to deliver the carcass of killed birds from the water, and ground, which were used for tracking and corral birds. In those years, the breed was much wilder than in our days. The first changes in the technique of training and breeding Spaniels occurred in the XVII century, when hunters massively switched from bows and arrows to firearms, which required greater control over the behavior of animals. As a result, representatives of the breed became much more docile and affectionate.
At the beginning of the 19th century, further separation of the rock by production type began. Dogs that were used to hunt woodcock, which in English is called woodcock ("forest cockerel"), were called Cockers. In 1840, the requirements were established according to which the cokers had to weigh from 6 to 9 kg. At the same time, different puppies from the same litter could fall into the category of Cockers, Toi or Springs at that time, which means that Cockers were not yet an independent breed.
It was only in 1885 that the Spaniel Breeders Club was established, which took up the development of breed standards. Around 1890, the final separation of the Springer and Cocker occurred, since then the British Cocker Spaniels have been bred according to the standards adopted by the Club.
The first spaniels on the territory of the modern United States appeared in 1620, because many Meiflaver passengers took aboard their favorites. The American club of breeders of this breed was created in 1881 (4 years before the British) and immediately set itself the ambitious task of creating its own variety of Cockers, which would be different from everyone else (including the British one). This goal was achieved in 1905, when the standard of the American breed was introduced.
For a long time, 2 species developed separately, without contacting each other. Only in the 20s of the XX century the first "Americans" began to fall into England. Despite obvious differences, it was not until 1970 that British breeders officially recognized the American Cocker Spaniel as an independent breed (before that it was considered one of the British varieties). Currently, both breeds have about the same popularity.
By the way, the most famous animated cocker, namely the Lady from the Disney “Lady and the Tramp”, is nevertheless an American variety.
Exterior
The most noticeable differences between American and English breeds appear in appearance.The difference is already evident in such a prominent parameter as the height of the dog at the withers. For the British, this figure reaches 42 centimeters, while Americans rarely grow above 37 cm. Accordingly, the weight of animals is different - if dogs from the United States usually weigh up to 12 kg, then their fellows from Foggy Albion reach a figure of 15 kg.
Yielding in size, "Americans" are superior to their counterparts from another continent according to such an important for predominantly decorative dogs indicator, as the length of the coat.
Almost all members of the breed from the United States have beautiful, thick and long hair with a dense undercoat, whereas animals of the British variety most often have medium-sized wool with small elongations on the ears, paws and abdomen.
The head shape is different in two breeds - if the dogs of the American variety are more characterized by a round head of a small relative body size with a slightly upturned nose and a shortened “square” muzzle, then the British usually have a large head and a relatively elongated face. Despite the fact that the body of all Cockers usually have a shape that is close to square, the breed from the USA most often has a higher position of the sternum, whereas the British have a back that is almost even from the withers and up to the croup.
But in terms of color, you immediately understand whether the “American” or “Englishman” is in front of you, unfortunately, will not work, since the standards of both varieties allow many options for the color of dog hair. The most common colors of both breeds:
- black
- red;
- golden;
- chocolate;
- fawn;
- mixed (mostly black and white, red and white, brown and white).
Both cocker breeds and ear length do not differ. - Is that the dogs of the American variety, they can be covered with a little more dense six.
Character Differences
Although the external differences between the two Cocker species are minimal, their characters are very different. Both breeds are generally friendly, affectionate and obedient, remarkably amenable to training.
However, if the British Club breeders sought to preserve the hunting essence, the Americans were more eager to get a dog with a more attractive appearance.
As a result of this different approach to breeding, The “British” are more energetic and mobile than the “Americans” and with a markedly more distrustful attitude towards the appearance of strangers in the house. But the breed from the US is calmer, and a period of thought may follow the outbreak of activity. On the one hand, such a dog will disturb you less often, on the other hand, dogs from Albion are always open for communication with family members, while “Americans” may not agree to participate in conceived games.
As for the compatibility of cockers with other pets, then both species get along well with cats. However, if the breed from the USA tolerates the presence of any other pets in the house, then the owners of the "English" should not start the house of parrots and other decorative birds - the breed has kept hunting instincts, therefore the life of a bird can one day be tragically interrupted.
Another difference between US spaniels is a very good appetite on the verge of gluttony, therefore, the balance of their diet should be monitored more carefully than when breeding the “British”.
Care features
When growing any variety of Cocker Spaniels, the main thing is to pay enough attention to the pets, since they do not tolerate separation from the owner and are very active. If time does not engage in the training and upbringing of a pet, he may grow too capricious and uncontrollable.
Due to the peculiarities of the coat, American Cockers require much more careful grooming.
They need to be combed several times a day, especially after walks in nature, while a shorthair "Briton" will be quite enough to comb one a day.
But daily cleaning of the eyes and ears is required for both varieties of spaniels. Bathing pets is not more than once a week. The “Americans” must necessarily comb their wool both before and after bathing, whereas this procedure is not necessary for a British breed.
Another difference is that if breeders of active and nature-loving English Cockers have to spend time on frequent walks in the fresh air, then the “Americans” will be quite comfortable walking 1-2 times a day.
Health differences
Both types of cocker spaniels are distinguished by good health and with proper care. live from 12 to 15 years.
One of the most common diseases characteristic of both breeds is the so-called rabies red spaniels, which is expressed in the form of outbursts of unmotivated aggression. Worth knowing that it is not a character trait, but a hereditary disease. Because of the decorative shape of the head and muzzle, American Cockers are more susceptible to diseases of the eye and respiratory system than English ones.
In the next video you can learn more about the features of the breed American Cocker Spaniel.
