THE COCKER SPANIEL
The most popular of the Spaniel family, the Cocker is an active, happy, small dog, who quickly adapts himself to his surroundings. He is highly intelligent and affectionate, and is in his element foraging around fields and hedgerows. He also employs his retrieving instincts around the house, and can often be found with a toy or slipper in his mouth, his tail wagging furiously, waiting for praise. He originated as the "cocking spaniel", and derived this name from flushing woodcock, many early prints bearing out this theory. Easy to train, his main aim in life is to please his owner, he is a busy little dog who enjoys plenty of exercise, and thrives on human companionship.
In Malta, the Cocker Spaniel has always been one of the most popular breeds. Unfortunately, due to a considerable amount of inbreeding and irresponsible breeding from bad tempered dogs some years ago, this breed has earned a bad name with regards to it's temperament. However, a considerable amount of imports of very good quality Cocker Spaniels from England has put back this breed on the right track locally. Cockers bred from these imported specimens should have a lovely nature, although exceptions can be found, like in every other breed. This breed is often referred to as the "merry cocker" worldwide, and that is what it should be.
In Malta, the Cocker Spaniel has always been one of the most popular breeds. Unfortunately, due to a considerable amount of inbreeding and irresponsible breeding from bad tempered dogs some years ago, this breed has earned a bad name with regards to it's temperament. However, a considerable amount of imports of very good quality Cocker Spaniels from England has put back this breed on the right track locally. Cockers bred from these imported specimens should have a lovely nature, although exceptions can be found, like in every other breed. This breed is often referred to as the "merry cocker" worldwide, and that is what it should be.
THE BREED STANDARD
GENERAL APPEARANCE: Merry, sturdy, sporting; well balanced; compact; measuring approximately same from withers to ground as from withers to root of tail. CHARACTERISTICS: Merry nature with ever-wagging tail shows a typical bustling movement, particularly when following scent, fearless of heavy cover. TEMPERAMENT: Gentle and affectionate, yet full of life and exuberance. HEAD AND SKULL: Square muzzle, with distinct stop set midway between tip of nose and occiput. Skull well developed, cleanly chiselled, neither too fine nor too coarse. Cheek bones not prominent. Nose sufficiently wide for acute scenting power. EYES: Full, but not prominent. Dark brown or brown, never light, but in the case of liver, liver roan and liver and white, dark hazel to harmonise with coat; with expression of intelligence and gentleness but wide awake, bright and merry; rims tight. EARS: Lobular, set low on a level with eyes. Fine leathers extending to nose tip. Well clothed with long, straight silky hair. MOUTH: Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. NECK: Moderate in length, muscular. Set neatly into fine sloping shoulders. Clean throat. FOREQUARTERS: Shoulders sloping and fine. Legs well boned, straight, sufficiently short for concentrated power. Not too short to interfere with tremendous exertions expected from this grand, sporting dog. BODY: Strong, compact. Chest well developed and brisket deep; neither too wide nor too narrow in front. Ribs well sprung. Loin short, wide with firm, level topline gently sloping downwards to tail from end of loin to set on of tail. HINDQUARTERS: Wide, well rounded, very muscular. Legs well boned, good bend of stifle, short below hock allowing for plenty of drive. FEET: Firm, thickly padded, cat-like. TAIL: Set on slightly lower than line of back. Must be merry in action and carried level, never cocked up. Customarily docked. GAIT/MOVEMENT: True through action with great drive covering ground well. COAT: Flat, silky in texture, never wiry or wavy, not too profuse and never curly. Well feathered forelegs, body and hindlegs above hocks. COLOUR: Various. In self colours no white allowed except on chest. SIZE: Height approximately: dogs: 39-41 cms (15.5-16 ins); bitches: 38-39 cms (15-15.5 ins). Weight approximately: 13-14.5 kgs (28-32 lbs). FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. NOTE: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
