Cocker Spaniels are known for their happy, friendly temperament, and the breed’s sweet personality is a big part of why it has been the favorite of many for centuries. With an ever-wagging tail, they look up at you eagerly with soulful eyes, their face framed by silky, long ears. The breed standard says [...]

What’s better than owning a top-winning show dog? Simple: Breeding one. In theory, anyone can purchase a canine competitor: All you need is a checking account with enough zeroes in it. But it’s far more challenging to produce quality purebred dogs that are consistently sound, well tempered and typey — that is to say [...]

The Cocker Spaniel and English Cocker Spaniel (ECS) are both beloved dog breeds. In fact, they rank among the most popular dog breeds in America. These two members of the Sporting Group share the same early roots, which might explain why these merry, biddable, compact sporting dogs are often confused for one another. Cocker Confusion [...]

Most dog owners have no doubt heard about the importance of socializing their puppy. Proper socialization means providing positive experiences with as many new people, dogs, and situations as possible. It’s essential for developing a confident and well-adjusted adult dog that is comfortable with all life has to offer. Unfortunately, despite the significance, many [...]

English Springer Spaniels are energetic, friendly dogs that are game for hours of playtime. Here are some interesting facts about this exuberant breed.

No doubt spurred on by the famous Best in Show wins of My Own Brucie in the early 1940s, accompanied by this handsome dog’s likeness appearing on the cover of Life, the Cocker Spaniel became the country’s number-one dog. The breed enjoyed the number-one ranking for sixteen years, from 1936 to 1952. Although the Pekingese [...]

Lisa Gaertner of Pinecliff Cockers is a lifelong New Jersey resident and has owned Cocker Spaniels for the past 30 years. She is an AKC Breeder of Merit, member of the American Spaniel Club, treasurer of the Keystone Cocker Spaniel Club, and board member of the Cocker Spaniel Club of New Jersey. In addition to putting [...]

In our modern digital age, we often turn to the Internet for things we don't know the answer to. And this of course, includes all our dog-related questions! As any dog owner knows, sometimes your dog is doing something, like watching TV, and you want to know why it is that he does that [...]

A reader posed this question to us, so we dug into the American Kennel Club archives to give the answer: At least two dogs were aboard the Mayflower during the 66-day voyage from England to the New World. Thanks to journals kept by the Pilgrims, we know much about their early tribulations. But the historical [...]

Is Tibetan Mastiff just a bit too large for your taste? And a Chihuahua maybe, well, a little too small? You might find one of these eight breeds to be just right. Learn more about popular medium-sized dogs here: Bulldog: Gentle and protective, Bulldogs make excellent family pets. They form strong bonds with children and [...]

The only breed to rank in the top ten breeds every decade since the founding of the American Kennel Club became the nation’s top breed in the 1950s—the Beagle. Not coincidentally, Charles Schultz’s pet Beagle, Snoopy, made his illustrious first appearance in national newspapers on October 4, 1950, and swiftly became a pop phenomenon [...]

The Boston Terrier, a top-ten breed for six decades of the 20th century, has reached the number-one position twice, including in the 1910s. The Airedale Terrier reached the number-two position, the highest the breed would ever claim, appearing in the top ten for three consecutive decades and then never regaining its national popularity. The decade [...]

Movie fans mourn the passing of Lauren Bacall, star of such classics as “To Have and Have Not,” “Key Largo,” and “How to Marry a Millionaire,” who died Tuesday at age 89. Bacall was famous as half of one of Hollywood’s great power couples. She married Humphrey Bogart in 1945, and together they reigned as film [...]

People in the sport of dogs can wear many hats, and Bonnie Threlfall of Cary, North Carolina, has pretty much donned them all: Born into a dog-show family, she has been breeding her Edgewood English Cocker Spaniels for more than 40 years. After a decade-long stint as a professional handler in the late 1970s into the [...]

Preparing the sweet, gentle Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to follow good behavior guidelines isn't tricky. This graceful, fun-loving toy spaniel only wants to please you. With some planning, persistence, and a positive outlook, your puppy quickly takes to training. Sandy Harrison, Recording Secretary of the American Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, acquired her first Cavalier [...]

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's medium-long luscious coat and silky, feathery ears signal royalty. Here's how to groom a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

The first time you see a Sussex Spaniel, you might think you’re looking at a Cocker Spaniel in a fun house mirror. They have a definite resemblance, but the Sussex is shorter, longer, and heavier, with a muscular and solid build. Here are some interesting facts about the Sussex Spaniel. 1. The Sussex Spaniel [...]

The Clumber Spaniel looks like a more rugged version of the Cocker Spaniel, but the two breeds are very different. The Clumber is a rare breed with mysterious origins. Here are some interesting facts about Clumber Spaniels: 1. No One Is Sure Where They Are From There is a theory that the Clumber Spaniel began its [...]

What tugs at our hearts more than an adorable Chihuahua peeking out of Reese Witherspoon’s purse in the movie Legally Blonde? Perhaps it is the sight of puppies glee­ fully romping through scenes in 101 Dalmatians, or the exploits of Otis, the endearing Pug, in The Adventures of Milo and Otis. Dogs occupy a treasured [...]

Anyone who aspires to be a breeder rather than merely a producer of puppies must first understand the nuances of correct type, following the recipe given in the breed standard. Just what is type? In general, with regard to purebred dogs type means those physical features and characteristics that define the breed—that make a [...]

  The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes Breeders of Merit for their dedication to breeding purebred dogs with the appearance, temperament, and abilities that are true to their breed standard and for their commitment to health screening and 100 percent puppy registration. The AKC celebrates their success in and passion for canine sports. They are the [...]

In 1926, Roswell Eldridge placed an ad in a dog-show catalog that dared British breeders to bring a royal breed back from the brink of extinction. “Blenheim Spaniels of the Old Type, as shown in pictures of Charles II’s time, long face, no stop, flat skull, not inclined to be domed with spot in centre [...]

Laurie Green has been breeding English Springer Spaniels for 40 years and Grand Basset Griffon Vendéens for six. She adores these people-loving dogs.

Early socialization is important. But it's also important to keep your puppy safe. Here's when to have your puppy meet other dogs.

Who's the best puppy? More than 1,300 puppies later, we have an answer. Hundreds of puppies and junior dogs ages six months to 18 months competed for AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy of the Year on Friday, December 13. Only one came out on top: "Pierce" the Wire Fox Terrier. Fleet St Forged At Hampton Court "Pierce [...]

Bringing home a puppy when you have an older dog can be a lot of fun, but it can also bring about challenges. Decide whether it's best for your dog.

When you think of sports dynasties the New England Patriots, Boston Celtics, New York Yankees and Alabama Crimson Tide certainly come to mind. But when you’re talking about dominance, you’d be hard-pressed to do better than the Labrador Retriever, America’s top dog for a record 30th consecutive year (2020). In a country where [...]

Andrew Butkiewicz of Darboy, WI, got started in dog agility when he was only 2 years old. Now, he competes not only in agility, but multiple dog sports.

English Cocker Spaniel Learn about English Cocker Spaniels [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Rescue Organizations"] English Cocker Spaniel Club of America Karen Kirby, 317-339-1546 [/accordion_panel] [/accordion] English Foxhound Learn about English Foxhounds [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Rescue Organizations"] Carolina Coonhound Rescue [/accordion_panel] [/accordion] English Setter Learn about English Setters [accordion] [accordion_panel title [...]

While many of the dog breeds we know and enjoy today originated in other countries, there are a number of AKC registered breeds which were developed on American soil, and each has its own unique history and heritage: Alaskan Malamute - The Alaskan Malamute, one of the oldest Arctic sled dogs, was named after the [...]