Cocker Spaniels are Always #1 in My Book!

This morning, the AKC released “The Most Popular Breeds in the United States.”  The Cocker Spaniel was listed as #27 for the year 2012.  The #1 breed is the Labrador Retriever.  Click here to see the list:  http://www.akc.org/reg/dogreg_stats.cfm

Although I am disappointed that the Cocker Spaniel did not merit a “Top 10” ranking, I am partly relieved because the Most Popular breeds are typically bred by back-yard  breeders motivated to cash in on the selling of the dog, and not breeding a dog “true to the breed characteristics.” 

The "Tramp" and "Lady" (Cocker Spaniel)

Historically, the Cocker Spaniel has been a more popular breed reaching its height of popularity some 50 years ago thanks to “Lady” from the Disney cartoon, “Lady and the Tramp.”  As a result, many Cockers during the past 50 years have been bred without maintaining the breed characteristics.  Some cockers bred by back-yard breeders or puppy mills have timid or fearful temperaments, nippy tendencies and do not get along well with children or other pets.  Here is the AKC description of the Cocker Spaniel:

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. A dog well balanced in all parts is more desirable than a dog with strongly contrasting good points and faults.”

I am so fortunate to have done my research and found a good breeder with Jefferson.  He really does meet the breed characteristics quite nicely.  According to the physical description, he has a compact body, chiseled head and muscular quarters.  This is so true!  Last spring, my veterinarian commented that he had never seen a Cocker Spaniel with such well-developed butt and leg muscles.  Agility has helped develop his muscles by his jumping, running and taking obstacles during our weekly agility practices, close to three or four times during a week.  We also take walks, play every day at home and I do quite a bit of daily stretching exercises with him as well.

Also, he is a dog of "considerable speed combined with great endurance."  His speed on the agility course has increased lately due to my being more confident in my handling and he learning to trust my direction more.  As for the endurance part, we are doing quite well in lasting throughout a long day of agility – even performing some of our best runs at the end of an 8 hour or longer day.  This is given that the outside temperature is not in the upper 80s or 90s.  My boy still likes the cooler weather best and is not very fond to run agility in excessive heat (yet more to work to accomplish here…)

Lastly, Jefferson is definitely “free and merry, sound, well balanced throughout.”  Whenever I went to the breeder to meet the Cocker Spaniel puppies, I had my heart set on a buff, female puppy.  However, once I met Jefferson ("Sonic" at the time) and his litter mates, I knew that he was the Cocker Spaniel for me.   He gleefully romped around with his litter mates.  Being on the smaller side, he was not timid and played nicely with all the larger pups as well as the adult dogs.  His merry disposition is true to the Cocker Spaniel ideal and I am so glad that he is my first dog.  He can play with tugs, toys and balls for hours and then roll around in the dirt and grass even longer!  

The one infamous Cocker Spaniel trait omitted from this list involves their voracious appetite!  Jefferson will eat anything and has not met a cheese product he does not like (Cheetos and Cheezits included here!)

So, even though the Cocker Spaniel is not the #1 dog according to the AKC, the Cocker Spaniel is definitely #1 in my book!!! 

"Becoming number one is easier then remaining number one."

~Unknown