Is there a big range in the size a cocker spaniel could come in ? yesterday I saw this small one it looked like a 6mth old pup outside my kids school ..I am always striking up conversations with people walking their dogs I like...anyway I asked the man is his a pup he said no she is full grown over a year .she was not wide on the back ..stocky and she was so small ...just wondering if it is like the yorkie that sizes vary or if there is a smaller type? He did admit she was on the small side.

They do seem to come in all shapes and sizes, i thought my one was small but when i started to show her i found that there were some in her classes who were smaller than she was, so the size does seem to have a vast range.

Mine is fully grown at a shade less than 14.5inchs to the shoulder and 10kgs in weight. My parents is a good couple of inches taller and about 4kilos heavier.

Fiona
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There's only one breed standard and it calls for bitches to be 15-15 +1/2 inches and weigh 28-32lb.

That's why we don't show Holly anymore Val :(

Fiona
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With regard to the breed standard, there might be one but what i have seen picked at shows they are a lot smaller than mine, she is 15 inches at the shoulder, Fiona i dont know why you dont show Holly she isnt that small and Buffy weighs about 10kg.

Unfortunately Holly doesn't travel very well so the lack of height and weight were really the final nail in the coffin for her showing career :(

She really needs to put some weight on as she feels very 'spiney' but that's easier said than done :(

She's a well constructed dog but not outstanding in all other respects.

Hope this makes sense, :D

Fiona
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There has always been a range of sizes in Cockers - both show types & working types. The breed standard does say "approximately" in relation to height which does allow a little lee-way when judging show Cockers & of course, size is not the only consideration when you judge - a well-constructed Cocker slightly under the breed standard for size could well beat a bigger, less well-constructed Cocker as long as he/she has sufficient bone & substance. In litters, even if both parents are within the standard for size, you can get smaller puppies crop up but there is no separate "small type" as in some other breeds. Many years ago, attempts were made to breed "pocket Cockers" & you can sometimes find references to these in old Cocker books but these attempts were not approved of & did not continue.

That's interesting Jane. I didn't know about "pocket" cockers. So the search for teacup and such isn't a new phenomenon then?

that would be good if I knew that if I got one they'd turn out small..I have always loved cocker spaniels but prefer small dogs ...for lack of space !they are beautiful graceful looking dogs :)

Very often a small dog comes from a pup whose had some health problems early in life - but not always, sometimes that pup catches up and even over takes it's siblings. With Yorkies there are very good reasons the 'teacup' variety is frowned on, and this applies to many breed - simply breeding for size puts other things (such as health and temperament) further down the scale of importance, which can't be good for the dog or the owner :(
Enjoy your Cocker for what he/she is, - a dog bred for high activity in the field with training demands to be met, not just a thing to look pretty in a smaller house....

Hi Melmel

If you prefer a smaller dog, then why not consider the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel -they are delightful little dogs with many of the Spaniel traits (make sure you only buy from a breeder who heart-tests their dogs though) I agree Cockers are indeed beautiful but they need lots of grooming, plenty of exercise & firm & consistent training as they can be stubborn little devils :-)

Jane

Well said Jane:D

I started off on here looking for a dachshund as I have had 2 in the past growing up (I thought of all the holes mine used to dig in the garden !!)but then I've had yorkies also and went with that as they are tiny and I really like a lap dog to sit and watch tele with every night ..she waits to 'watch tele' with me..I just was looking at the cocker spaniel not to get one I have always admired them and I ask a lot of questions as I have always been interested to learn all I can about dogs :) It was just a shock when he said she was not a puppy .

All dogs are lapdogs aren't they, whatever their size? They all seem to think so anyway! :D

Here,here Jeangenie..all my dogs are lapdogs not just the Cockers but the Dane too!!
Jackie

Mrs. Frizzle..can you see the television :)

Hi Mrs Frizzle,
It's cosy with dogs under each arm and a couple across your lap. isn't it? Thank heaven for remote controls!