The overall impression of the Cocker Spaniel is well-proportioned and compact. With its body-hugging body coat, and feathered (fringed) ears, chest, underbelly and legs. The soft intelligent eyes and long ears finish this beautiful, active breed.
Each physical characteristics that makes up the appearance of a cocker spaniel has a specific function. Some things are obvious like legs. Some things are breed specific - and required for the cocker spaniel to be able to fulfil its original function in life, we refer to this as "Form & Function" for example:
Form & Function
Ears
The cocker spaniel is a ground scenting dog, which simply means he'll put his nose to the ground to find and follow the scent, but to do that while moving he needs extra help. The long ear drag across the ground disturbing and lifting the scent so he can smell it, and doesn't need to stop.
Coat & Feathering
The cocker spaniel has a double coat. The thick undercoat provides for warmth and water proofing. The outer (top) coat with guard hair is for protection.
The feathering is another protective measure, on the limbs, and tail - the parts that are most in contact with rough and dense bush. Instead of, cuts and scrapes or other superficial injury the skin and delicate areas are protected by the hair.
'Mother Nature' made the Cocker Spaniel for it's original function: to flush woodcock and other grounds birds, so the gamekeeper can net or shoot. Added to that he's developed into a great retriever, over land and water, making him a popular and versatile gundog.
Breed Standard
A "Breed Standard" is a description of the ideal dog of each recognized breed, and are considered the 'ideal' against which a dogs form and function are judged at shows. e.g a judge will check that the ear leather reaches the nose - other wise it would not be long enough to do its job in scenting.
Likewise the length of tail is checked - it should reach the hocks - its there to protect the bottom area and help to release the dog from being stuck in dense brush. And if you have a cocker you'll know .... they know how to use that tail!
England is the country of origin for Cocker Spaniels and the Royal Kennel Club is referred to as the Parent Breed Club and as such wrote the original Breed Standard which is officially accepted by international bodies. These rarely changed. Although there are some differences between countries.
The
Dogs NZ Cocker Spaniel Breed Standard is based upon this version.
Colours
The are a variety of acceptable colours of cocker spaniel, broken into 2 main groups as listed below:
Solids (single colour, or single colour with tan points):
Black, Red, Gold, Liver/Chocolate, black & Tan and Liver/Chocolate & Tan
Parti (with white in some form, with or without tan points):
Black & White, Red & White, Orange & White, Liver/Chocolate & White,
Blue Roan, Orange Roan, Liver/Chocolate Roan,
Blue Roan & Tan, Liver/Chocolate Roan & Tan,
Tri/Black, White & Tan
"Roan" means that the white coat is evenly mixed with the coloured coat, and a black, red or yellow-white coat colour is one with coloured spots on a white background.
No pattern (where the coloured patches are) is unacceptable, although we've traditionally become accustom to patches over both eyes.
NB Although some countries have started breeding 'Sable' it is not an accepted colour, and is believed to have come from a x breed dog.
Appearance
Show Lines & Working Lines
