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GENERAL APPEARANCE
The American Cocker Spaniel is the smallest member of the Sporting Group. He has a sturdy, compact body and a cleanly chiselled 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.
IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS
The measurement from the breast bone to back of thigh is slightly longer than the measurement from the highest point of withers to the ground. The body must be of sufficient length to permit a straight and free stride; the dog never appears long and low.
BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT
Equable in temperament with no suggestion of timidity.
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HEAD
To attain a well proportioned head, which must be in balance with the rest of the dog, it embodies an intelligent, alert, soft and appealing expression. |
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Rounded but not exaggerated with no tendency toward flatness; the eyebrows are clearly defined. The bony structure beneath the eyes is well chiselled.
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Stop : |
Pronounced.
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Nose : |
Of sufficient size to balance the muzzle and foreface, with well developed nostrils typical of a sporting dog. It is black in colour in the blacks, black and tans and black and whites; in other colours it may be brown, liver or black, the darker the better. The colour of the nose harmonizes with the colour of the eye rim.
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Muzzle : |
Broad and deep. To be in correct balance, the distance from the stop to the tip of nose is one half the distance from the stop up over the crown to the base of the skull.
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Lips : |
The upper lip is full and of sufficient depth to cover the lower jaw.
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Jaws/Teeth : |
Jaws square and even. Teeth strong and sound, not too small and meet in a scissor bite.
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Cheeks : |
Not prominent.
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Eyes : |
Eyeballs are round and full and look directly forward. The shape of the eye rims gives a slightly almond-shaped appearance; the eye is not weak or goggled. The colour of the iris is dark brown and in general the darker the better.
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Ears : |
Lobular, long, of fine leather, well feathered, and placed no higher than a line to the lower part of the eye.
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NECK
The neck is sufficiently long to allow the nose to reach the ground easily, muscular and free from pendulous (throatiness). It rises strongly from the shoulders and arches slightly as it tapers to join the head.
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