American Cocker Spaniel ~ Breed Standard
| Work in progress! 6/1/2009 |
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For now to see the Breed Standard for the American Cocker Spaniel we will
direct you to the AKC (American Kennel Club) webpage about it.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/cocker_spaniel/index.cfm
direct you to the AKC (American Kennel Club) webpage about it.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/cocker_spaniel/index.cfm
To learn specifically about the Breed Standard in regards to colors and markings we
again direct you to the AKC webpage about it:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/cocker_spaniel/color_markings.cfm
You will note that Merle is not an option for registry as far as color and pattern.
Because it is not preferred by the current 'breed standard' does not mean that a
merle cocker spaniel is not a purebred.
registry of merles even if they do not fit into their 'desired' breed standard criteria,
after all the main objection to the merle is supposed health issues and if we can not
properly trace merle in our cocker spaniels how then are we to continue to breed for
the betterment of the breed? Progress is needed and science will prevail versus
'ignorance'.
To learn more about this please read our Merle Information Page.
again direct you to the AKC webpage about it:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/cocker_spaniel/color_markings.cfm
You will note that Merle is not an option for registry as far as color and pattern.
Because it is not preferred by the current 'breed standard' does not mean that a
merle cocker spaniel is not a purebred.
- The definition of a purebred dog (any breed) is 5 documented generations, so
those that cry 'foul' and claim they are not purebred need to look further into
their lineage and they might learn that there are more than 12 generations of
photographed and documented merle cocker spaniels. - For those that cry 'foul' and want to claim that there is no 'sporting' breed
who's standard calls for "merle" and thus say therefore they can't be
'purebred' I again refer them to the definition of a purebred dog as well as
remind them that ALL dogs, purebred of any breed originate from the ancient
accomplishment of domestication of the wolf. Genetically every single dog
originates from its ancestor the wolf and therefore it can be said that
genetically ALL dogs (purebred of different breeds or 'mutts) share common
genetic markers.
- JUST BECAUSE it was a common practice at one time among dog breeders to 'cull'
any undesired features found in a litter of puppies does not mean that the merle
pattern and marking has not always existed in cocker spaniels. - JUST BECAUSE you have never seen the color or pattern itself holds very little 'clout'
in my opinion. MANY of the general public still think that cocker spaniels only come
in buff or black, shall we throw away the partis? the roans? the sables as was once
tried? Simply because someone else is ignorant of the existence of their color and
pattern? - "Designer Breed" well yea I know its supposed to refer to these 'crazy' crosses of
'purebred' dogs such as the labradoodle or the cockapoo (which interestingly
enough has been around for more than 4 decades!) and since some cocker
spaniel breeders want to claim that the merle cocker spaniel is not a purebred they
have taken to slinging this label at them as well. But I ask you: WHAT IS DOG
BREEDING if not a 'designer' situation where you take 2 specimens with certain
traits and breed them together to design the offspring to resemble that which YOU
deem desirable? Could you not see how this statement can also bring us around
to how merles are/were original to the breed itself and you designed your own
preferences away from them?
registry of merles even if they do not fit into their 'desired' breed standard criteria,
after all the main objection to the merle is supposed health issues and if we can not
properly trace merle in our cocker spaniels how then are we to continue to breed for
the betterment of the breed? Progress is needed and science will prevail versus
'ignorance'.
To learn more about this please read our Merle Information Page.
| Our intentions for this page (when time allows us to work on it) is to create an explanation along with diagrams to illustrate the complex meaning of the breed standard and present how we would one day like to see the ASC (American Spaniel Club) allow us to classify the Merles. |
Here is the Parent Club for the American Cocker Spaniel's Webpage for the Breed Standard.
You can also order a book on this page that goes into the same detail.
http://www.asc-cockerspaniel.org/index.php/the-standard.html
You can also order a book on this page that goes into the same detail.
http://www.asc-cockerspaniel.org/index.php/the-standard.html
| This website contains our photos and info about our Breeding Program and some other related information. We invite you to check out our website to learn more about us and the cocker spaniels here. Please use the links on the left or upper portion of each page to navigate this website. For those on slower speed connections we have a plain text Directory Page for your convenience. Kattery Kennels is owned and operated by Kat & Terry Reck and is not affiliated with any other identity. The graphics and material found within is the sole property of Kattery Kennels and is watermarked and copyrighted to Kat. Requests for further information should be directed to Info@KatteryKennels.com Please view our Conditions of Use Page. |
It needs to be understood that while every breed has a 'breed standard' put together to give the
"IDEAL" characteristics that the breed club wants to only see in its 'progeny' that there are other
specimens that are still purebred but are not 'as desired' by the current politically influenced
directors of that club. The dog fancy is similar in many ways to 'high school' and popularity
contests, if you have enough money or enough friends you are the one who decides what is 'in'
and what isn't 'good enough'.
Being 'show quality' or 'champion' lineage only means that at the current time of its existence
that the dog with the title exemplified the current standard in as many ways as was judged
possible based on the current popular interpretation of the standard as compared to what was
also presented for competition at the time. Any show breeder whether they wish to admit it or
not knows that there is no perfect dog in every way and that any dog will have its 'faults'
compared to the breed standard. There are some obvious disqualifying criteria that are purely
based upon superficial preferences and do not indicate a less healthy or pure example.
"IDEAL" characteristics that the breed club wants to only see in its 'progeny' that there are other
specimens that are still purebred but are not 'as desired' by the current politically influenced
directors of that club. The dog fancy is similar in many ways to 'high school' and popularity
contests, if you have enough money or enough friends you are the one who decides what is 'in'
and what isn't 'good enough'.
Being 'show quality' or 'champion' lineage only means that at the current time of its existence
that the dog with the title exemplified the current standard in as many ways as was judged
possible based on the current popular interpretation of the standard as compared to what was
also presented for competition at the time. Any show breeder whether they wish to admit it or
not knows that there is no perfect dog in every way and that any dog will have its 'faults'
compared to the breed standard. There are some obvious disqualifying criteria that are purely
based upon superficial preferences and do not indicate a less healthy or pure example.
Coming SOON! 6/2 |
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