Spaniel (American Cocker)

The breed traces back to the same roots as the Cocker Spaniel in the blood of the famous black dog Obo, when his son Obo II was born in Canada in the late 19th century and became a prolific sire. Although the breed started in the USA as a continuation of English type, by the 1920’s there was a marked divergence with some American breeders selecting more domed heads, shorter muzzles and a more profuse coat. In 1936, the American Kennel Club provided classes for English type Cockers as a separate variety and in 1945 the AKC gave separate breed status to the two breeds – the Cocker Spaniel – as it is known in USA and the English Cocker Spaniel, the original basis of the breed before separation.

Read the breed standard

Images for this breed

The Gundog breed group

Dogs that were originally trained to find live game and/or to retrieve game that had been shot and wounded. This group is divided into four categories - Retrievers, Spaniels, Hunt/Point/Retrieve, Pointers and Setters - although many of the breeds are capable of doing the same work as the other sub-groups. They make good companions, their temperament making them ideal all-round family dogs.

Breed standard colours

Breed standard colour means that the colour is accepted within the breed standard and is a traditional and well-known colour in this breed.

Breed standard colours in this breed include:

Black
Black & Tan
Black & White
Black & White Particolour
Black White & Tan
Brown & White
Buff
Chocolate
Chocolate & Tan
Chocolate & White Particolour
Chocolate Tricolour
Particolour
Red
Red & White
Red & White Particolour
Sable
Sable & White
Silver Buff
Tricolour

Other colour/s

'Other' means you consider your puppy to be a colour not currently known within the breed and one that does not appear on either the breed standard or non-breed standard list. In this instance you would be directed through our registrations process to contact a breed club and/or council to support you on identifying and correctly listing the new colour.

Non-breed-standard colours

Non-breed-standard colour means that the colour is not accepted within the breed standard and whilst some dogs within the breed may be this colour it is advised to only select a dog that fits within the breed standards for all points.

Colour is only one consideration when picking a breed or individual dog, health and temperament should always be a priority over colour.

Whether you’re thinking of buying a puppy, or breeding from your dog, it’s essential that you know what health issues may be found in your breed. To tackle these issues we advise that breeders use DNA tests, screening schemes and inbreeding coefficient calculators to help breed the healthiest dogs possible.

More about health

Priority health schemes and tests

The Kennel Club's Assured Breeders must use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice. All other breeders are strongly advised to also use these.

Eye testing - PLA (gonioscopy) (BVA/KC/ISDS)
Eye screening scheme (BVA/KC/ISDS) - Find results for the pre 2020 MRD open resister. This only lists dogs that were diagnosed as 'affected by MRD'. MRD results published after 31 Dec 2019 can be found in their Health Test Results Finder entry

Important health schemes and tests

We strongly recommend that all breeders, both assured breeders (ABs) and non ABs, use the following (or equivalent) schemes, tests and advice.

DNA test - prcd-PRA - part of The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services* (see below) - find a list of tested dogs
Check inbreeding calculators

Other health schemes and tests available

DNA test - PFK - part of The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services* (see below)

*The Kennel Club’s DNA Testing Services - simple to use and easy to organise all-in-one DNA tests

The DNA tests listed above marked with an asterisk (*) are included in our DNA Testing Services. This includes:

PFK (Phosphofructokinase deficiency) for monitoring purposes only
prcd-PRA (Progressive retinal atrophy)

Kennel Club Assured breeders and Kennel Club Accredited Instructors receive a 10% discount.

Find out more about our DNA Testing Services.

Find out about a particular dog's results

Please visit our Health Test Results Finder to discover the DNA or screening scheme test results for any dog on The Kennel Club's Breed Register.

You can also view the inbreeding coefficient calculation for a puppy's parents, or for a dog you're thinking of breeding from.

Have any questions about health in your breed?

If you have any concerns about a particular health condition in your breed then you may wish to speak to your vet or you could contact your breed health co-ordinator.

Breed health co-ordinators are individuals working on behalf of breed clubs and councils who are advocates for the health and welfare of their chosen breed. They acts as a spokesperson on matters of health and will collaborate with The Kennel Club on any health concerns the breed may have.

To contact your breed health co-ordinator please email

Glenys Harrison

Breed watch

Category 2

Particular points of concern for individual breeds may include features not specifically highlighted in the breed standard including current issues. In some breeds, features may be listed which, if exaggerated, might potentially affect the breed in the future.