| The name of the American Cocker Spaniel is derived
from the predilection of the English Cockers for
"cocking," or hunting woodcock. The breed was of
Spanish origin, but the American Cocker can be traced
back to an English-bred bitch, Obo Obo, brought over
from Britain in the 1880s.
The English Cocker Spaniel Club of America,
formed in 1935, helped establish the breed. It is
distinguished by its small stature-suited to the
lighter New World game birds-shorter head,
and extremely dense coat. This smallest of
American gundogs, and the most popular breed
in the country, was recognized by the AKC
in 1946 as the American Cocker Spaniel.
For many years the American Cocker was
shown exclusively in the ring. Recently,
however, field trials have been reintroduced.
The American Cocker has a much thicker
coat than the English Cocker and elegant
trousers. It is a useful, all-purpose gundog,
able both to flush out and retrieve.
It is a popular show dog, makes a
fine housepet, and is usually good
with children. The American Cocker
needs plenty of exercise, daily
brushing and combing, and
if it is the desire to exhibit,
fairly intricate trimming using
scissors and electric clippers.
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