History: American Cocker Spaniels are the smallest member of the Sporting Group of spaniels. Initiated in Spain and developed primarily in England, they were named because they were popularly used to hunt the woodcock in England.
The American Kennel Club recognized this breed after the formation of the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America (ECSA).The increasing popularity of the breed led to an increase in its exports into the United States. By 1946 American-bred Cockers became prevalent and were acknowledged by the American Kennel Club to be quite distinct from their English cousins.
The type of work the breed does: The American Cocker Spaniel was initially employed as hunting dogs. They chased out birds and prey from brush lands, which were then shot by their masters.
Even today they are primarily thought of as sporting dogs even though they are mainly bred for companionship and dog shows.
Physical Representation: The texture of the coat is silky, flat or slightly wavy. It is short and fine on the head and of medium length in the rest of the body and accompanied with adequate undercoating for protection. Dogs with feathered ears, chest, legs and abdomen are preferred.
Personality and Temperament: Originally meant to be hunting dogs, American Cocker Spaniels are now enjoying immense popularity as household pets.
They have acquired a reputation for being good companions to children and get along very well with other pets. The standard height of a male American Cocker Spaniel is 15 inches and bitches are typically 14 inches tall; the height being measured from the top of the shoulder blades to the ground.
A grace of half an inch is permitted in a confirmation show. American Cockers are categorized into three colors in a confirmation show: black, any firm Color except black, and parti-Color varieties.
The Cocker Spaniels that come under the black category include those that are solid black as well as black with tan points. The ASCOB categories include a range of solid colors from the lightest shade of cream to the darkest red and even brown with russet points.
Parti-colors include a mixture of two colors with white as the primary color with no more than 90% coloration and at least 10% of the secondary color. Roans are also included within this category.
Care: A Cocker Spaniel's coat should be sufficiently clipped so that it does not hinder movements of the dog. Electric clippers should be avoided while trimming. Also the trimming should be such that it appears to be naturally done.
Living environment: These are very content dogs and prefer to live in small backyards or similar places. The breed, however, needs to be looked after well and taken care of regularly.
Caring for a Cocker Spaniel should include a regular exercise regime in order to prevent obesity and the onset of emotional distress.
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog was developed as a large dog to guard livestock. She is powerful, and rugged with a sturdy body and thick neck. She is really not suited to an apartment due to her size and exercise requirements. She at least needs a properly fenced yard for exercise, better yet some acreage or a farm. If properly socialized, she is good with children and makes a mellow dog but a good watch dog. Her size alone is a great deterrent. Never leave any young child unsupervised with a dog for any length of time.
*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Anatolian Shepherd Dog is approximately 29 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and from 110 to 150 pounds. The female should run about 27 inches to the withers and 80 to 120 pounds.
*Special Health Considerations. Canine hip dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness) can occur in this breed. They can be allergic to beef which might lead to reactions such as ear infections. A more natural diet for them is food containing lamb as the meat ingredient. Another problem can be hypothyroidism (sluggish thyroid gland which can result in weight gain).
*Grooming. Her coat is short to medium length with a thick undercoat and she sheds heavily twice a year. You should try to brush your dog frequently, even though this breed requires infrequent brushing. Brushing will help keep your pets coat clean and healthy Brushing will also help you keep a closer eye on your pets health and strengthen your emotional bond with your pet.
*Dogs teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and a toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease. Your dog should also have her toenails clipped. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best choice for this chore.
*Life Span. She can live from 14 to 17 years with proper nutrition, exercise and health care.
*History. The Anatolian Shepherd Dog comes from a section of Turkey called Anatolia. It was bred to be large to help guard flocks of sheep against predators such as jackals, bears and wolves. These dogs were imported into the United States with by quantity in the early fifties. The American Kennel Association started registering them in 1995.