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Is my cocker spaniel a show cocker ?

5813 Views 8 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  Poppy14, 
Rubusha
Hi, I recently adopted a black cocker spaniel. I did not know that cocker spaniels were of two types before getting him and my breeder did not mention either. While I wanted a show cocker now that I know the difference, I just wanted to know if my puppy is show or a mix? He is 3 months old .
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LeoRose
There are two different Cocker breeds. One is called an English Cocker Spaniel in the US and just Cocker Spaniel in most of the rest of the world. The breed called the Cocker Spaniel in the US is usually called an American Cocker Spaniel in other places. Even within the two different breeds, there are different lines including working/field, show, and average pet dogs.

You have what looks to be an English type Cocker. As to whether or not he is a show prospect.... Were his parents, grandparents, etc., Show dogs? If so, then he might be show quality himself.
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DaySleepers
Are you just wondering if he's a show line vs. a hunting line, or are you actively wanting to show him? Do you know whether the breeder shows their dogs, hunts with them, or does other sports/activities? If they do show and you're interested in trying him in the ring yourself, I bet they'd be delighted to help you with the training and process in your country.
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Rubusha
LeoRose said:
There are two different Cocker breeds. One is called an English Cocker Spaniel in the US and just Cocker Spaniel in most of the rest of the world. The breed called the Cocker Spaniel in the US is usually called an American Cocker Spaniel in other places. Even within the two different breeds, there are different lines including working/field, show, and average pet dogs.

You have what looks to be an English type Cocker. As to whether or not he is a show prospect.... Were his parents, grandparents, etc., Show dogs? If so, then he might be show quality himself.
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Well we actually don’t know whether his parents were show quality or not because the breeder never provided proper papers. Although he said his parents were campion line but I highly doubt since the breeder is acting very shady.
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Rubusha
DaySleepers said:
Are you just wondering if he's a show line vs. a hunting line, or are you actively wanting to show him? Do you know whether the breeder shows their dogs, hunts with them, or does other sports/activities? If they do show and you're interested in trying him in the ring yourself, I bet they'd be delighted to help you with the training and process in your country.
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I was wondering whether the puppy I purchased was actually show type English cocker spaniel and not mix of working or any other. Although I love my puppy a lot even if he may be a mix, but I want to know exactly since the breeders in India dupe their customers a lot by providing mix breeds saying it’s pure breed. That is the reason I wanted to know.
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DaySleepers
You can try reaching out to reputable English cocker breeders who show in your country and see what they think of your pup, or see if there's a Facebook group that specializes in the breed who can better judge whether your pup looks purebred or distinctively like show lines vs. hunting lines. I'm afraid 'champion bloodlines' doesn't mean very much, so without any official registration or pedigree information there's not going to be any way to be 100% sure. There are some DNA tests that are decently accurate these days (Embark is my personal favorite), but they can't detect working vs. show lines or mixed breed heritage past three generations or so, so they may not be worth the cost in your situation.
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Rubusha said:
the breeder is acting very shady.
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Pretty much all you need to know..... You didn’t get papers, you didn’t do you due diligence of selecting a reputable breeder...... I would, at this point make the following assumptions, and just enjoy your dog.

1) Dog may have another breed mixed in so it’s “looks” may change or not be what you 100% suspected.

2) Breeder didn’t do any health testing, didn’t selectively breed to better the lineage..... health issues common with the breed, and some uncommon ones may present in the future.

3) Breeding practices in general may be bad, including but not limited to inbreeding, age of parents, number of litters, etc
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Rubusha
Beta Man said:
Pretty much all you need to know..... You didn’t get papers, you didn’t do you due diligence of selecting a reputable breeder...... I would, at this point make the following assumptions, and just enjoy your dog.

1) Dog may have another breed mixed in so it’s “looks” may change or not be what you 100% suspected.

2) Breeder didn’t do any health testing, didn’t selectively breed to better the lineage..... health issues common with the breed, and some uncommon ones may present in the future.

3) Breeding practices in general may be bad, including but not limited to inbreeding, age of parents, number of litters, etc
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Poppy14
Probably not show quality, but just based on that picture I would say a show-type English Cocker.
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