Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Muscular body with no fat, solid, smooth coat and courageous. Colour: Brindle, red or fawn with white markings on muzzle, neck, chest and feet or legs. Black mask. Coat: Short, shiny and hard hair. Very tight to body. Tail: Set high, usually docked and carried erect. Ears: Moderate size, set high, thin, lying flat and close to cheek when in repose. Some countries allow ears to be cropped to a point, not too broad and carried erect. Body: Square, curved ribs and belly forms a curve towards rear of dog. The back is short, straight, broad and well-muscled.

Additional Comments:

The Boxer is one of best guarding breeds and they consider their family as theirs to guard. Boxers can be too boisterous for some owners and are more appropriate for an energetic handler or family. Inherited conditions of Boxers include eye problems, extra incisor teeth and heart problems. The owner should always buy from a reputable breeder to reduce likeliness of these problems.

Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Small, long-coated and well-balanced. Colour: Parti-colours (two or more colours appearing in clearly defined markings), black or ASCOB (i.e. Any Solid Colour Other than Black) – with or without tan markings. Coat: Silky, flat or slightly wavy. It is short and fine on head and longer on body with feathering on legs and abdomen. Tail: Commonly docked. Ears: Set low, well feathered with long silky hair. Body: Compact body with short, strong back slightly sloping to tail and wide muscular quarters.

Additional Comments:

American Cocker Spaniels make excellent family pets however they are high maintenance when it comes to grooming. The owner needs to be prepared to pay for regular professional grooming when choosing an American Cocker Spaniel.