The American Cocker Spaniel has its roots in another popular breed, the English Cocker Spaniel. English Cocker Spaniels were brought over from, not surprisingly, England. Once in the United States (or what would become the United States) they were bred down in size and given the name American Cocker Spaniel. These dogs, called simply the Cocker Spaniel by the American Kennel Club (AKC), are more popular in North America than their English counterparts. The American version has a shorter muzzle and slightly larger body despite being smaller in size.
This is a sturdy breed, on that can handle the rigors of hunting. Standing no more than 15.5 inches high and weighing no more than 30 pounds, the American Cocker Spaniel is a medium-sized dog. The head is rounded, the muzzle broad, and the jaws square and even. The eyes should be very dark and very round, with one the slightest almond shaping at the corners. Eyes tend to tear, so wipe them daily. Tails were traditionally docked, but since docking is illegal in most of Europe and in some areas of North America (except for medical reasons), this practice is becoming less common.
The coat should be flat, but a slight wave is acceptable. The hairs should have a silky feel to them and there should be feathering on the abdomen, legs, chest, and ears. Colors are many and varied. Any solid color is acceptable, as are merle, black and tan points, parti-colored, and solid color with tan points. Length varies because show lines have longer coats than field lines. If you like to leave your Cocker Spaniel's hair a little longer, daily grooming is required. For those who clip the coat shorter, weekly grooming is enough. This breed sheds as much as any other breed, but frequent grooming and a weekly bath can help combat this.
The American Cocker Spaniel is a bold dog with a gentle nature. Sweet and loving, this breed is intelligent enough to learn quickly and has a high desire to please. This dog loves to play and hates being ignored, but they do tend toward shyness. To combat this, socialize the dog early and often. If this is done, they become very social and shed their pathological shyness.
Great with children, this breed makes an excellent family dog. If not properly socialized, however, they can get nippy. The American Cocker Spaniel needs rules, boundaries, and limitations in order to thrive. And thrive they will. Cocker Spaniels can be perfectly happy on a ranch or in an apartment. They like exercise, but do well indoors because they are small enough to turn your couch into a jungle gym. They're not destructive (unless they're really annoyed), so if you can bear the hopping and wiggling, the American Cocker Spaniel might be for you.
There are some major health concerns that affect the American Cocker Spaniel. This breed is prone to cataracts, glaucoma, cherry eye, ear infections, allergies, seborrhea, and patellar luxation (relating to the knees). There are other minor concerns such as hip dysplasia, liver disease, elbow dysplasia, and gastric torsion. The biggest concern in recent years, however, has been Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA). This disease is almost always fatal and can present itself only 48 hours before the dog dies. Talk to your vet about the possibilities of this disease, because it turns out it's relatively common in the American Cocker Spaniel.
Originally a retrieving and water dog, the American Cocker Spaniel is a popular pet and hunting companion today. They make wonderful pets, especially for families, with many of the dogs living to 15 years or more. If you're looking for a dog that will love you every minute of every day (even when you're not home) this energetic breed might be for you.
The American Bully actually as several different names, among these Bully Pit, Bullypit, Bully Pit Bull, Bully Pitbull, and American Bully Pit. All of these are actually the same dog. It should be noted that some hybrid clubs use the term bullypit to refer to the American Bulldog/American Pit Bull Terrier mix, but this is an incorrect usage. Bullypit (and the variations) is a term meant to reflect a purebred dog of a certain type.
The American Bully came about in the 1990s. Breeders wanted to create the ultimate family pet, so selective cross breeding was employed for years to get the perfect traits out of the American Pit Bull Terrier and the American Staffordshire Terrier. Some breeders added other bully breeds (and even other non-bully breeds) into their breeding programs to stabilize the traits they were searching for. Though originally only found on the east and west coasts of the United States, today the American Bully can be found all over North America and in Parts of Europe and Asia.
Like most bully breeds, the American bully should have a short coat that lies close to the body. The hairs should be stiff and the coat should have an overall glossy appearance in healthy adult dogs. Colors and patterns vary from dog to dog; all are considered acceptable, though deep browns and glossy black are preferred. Grooming is simple enough if you have a firm bristle brush. Bathe your pooch when necessary, rubbing him with a chamois cloth if you really want him to gleam. American Bully's are average shedders, so be prepared to vacuum at least once a week.
The head should be medium in length but very broad, giving the appearance of strength and intelligence. Eyes should be round, though ovals are also acceptable. Any color except albinism is acceptable, as long as the eyes are set low and far apart. The jaw should be strong and well defined, reflecting the American Bully's impressive bite strength. This is a strong breed, so everything from the stocky body to the muscular legs should reflect this.
The tail is fairly short, almost amusingly so. It should taper to a fine point, but never curl. The gait should be light and even springy, causing most dogs to hold their tails almost erect. In general, the American Bully should appear strong and happy as he prances around. There is great range of size for the American Bully. A purebred dog should stand anywhere from 13 to 21 inches tall and weigh between 70 and 120 pounds. As long as the proportions of the dog are correct, the exact size isn't much of a concern.
Like many of the bully breeds, the American Bully is confident, happy, and quite outgoing. Gentle and even loving towards most people, this breed is good natured and loyal to its family. Their unending courage and quite intelligence makes them excellent guard dogs. They are usually quite tolerant of children, even the smallest ones, so they make excellent family pets. They are highly protective and will not back down, so care should be taken when introducing this breed to strangers. If you wish to own an American Bully, make sure you socialize him early and frequently.
These dogs enjoy their exercise, so they prefer a yard where they can romp on a daily basis. If you want the American Bully to live in an apartment, you must exercise him at least twice a day. Even then, these dogs are active indoors and need something to do if you don't want them digging in couches or even eating the drapes (as one I know did when he got bored). They love to be outside, but they prefer warmer climates. If you live in a cooler area, invest in a well fitting dog sweater.
While the American Bully is a healthy dog with very few genetic problems, there can be a problem with breeders giving their dogs steroids to increase muscle mass and produce a more impressive looking dog. When the steroids are stopped (typically after the dog goes to its new home), the muscles shrink back to their original size. Unfortunately, this process can leave the dog with organ, muscle, or joint damage. If you're looking to adopt an American Bully, make sure you do your research and pick a drug-free breeder.
The American Bully can be an excellent companion for the right family. They are no more or less aggressive than other breeds of their size. If you're interested in this fun-loving dog, do your research and select a responsible breeder.
