The American Cocker Spaniel is a breed of sporting dog. It is a spaniel type dog that is closely related to the English Cocker Spaniel; the two breeds diverged during the 20th century due to differing breed standards in the US and the UK. In the United States, the breed is usually called the Cocker Spaniel, while elsewhere in the world, it is called the American Cocker Spaniel in order to differentiate it from its older English cousin. The word cocker is commonly held to stem from their use to hunt woodcock in England, while spaniel is thought to be derived from the type's origins in Spain.
Cocker Spaniels are dogs belonging to two breeds of the spaniel dog type: the American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel, both of which are commonly called simply Cocker Spaniel in their countries of origin. In the early 20th century, Cocker Spaniels also included small hunting spaniels.
A conformation show, also referred to as a breed show, is a kind of dog show in which a judge familiar with a specific dog breed evaluates individual purebred dogs for how well the dogs conform to the established breed type for their breed, as described in a breed's individual breed standard.
The setter is a type of gundog used most often for hunting game such as quail, pheasant, and grouse.
Ch. Felicity's Diamond Jim, CD, RE, commonly known as James, was an English Springer Spaniel, best known for being the 2007 Best In Show winner at the Westminster Dog Show. It was his 51st Best in Show victory, and his last, as his owners chose to retire James after the win to focus him on his work as a certified therapy dog. He was handled exclusively by the same handler who took Ch. Salilyn 'N Erin's Shameless to a best-in-show at Westminster in 2000. In retirement he was recognised in 2008 by the English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association for his work as a sire and has produced many champion offspring, including Ch. Cerise Jesse James.
Ch. Canigou Cambrai, also known as Albert (1992–2008), an English Cocker Spaniel, is the most recent of his breed to win best-in-show at Crufts in 1996, the seventh occasion it was awarded to a Cocker Spaniel and the first time for forty six years. For a while he was the most successful black male Cocker Spaniel of all time in the UK, and his descendants continue to be multi-show winning champions around the world.
GCH Foxcliffe Hickory Wind, also known as Hickory, is a female Scottish Deerhound who was named Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 2011. She is the first of her breed to have won the title.
Sh Ch. Vbos the Kentuckian, also known as Jet, was a Flat-Coated Retriever show dog bred and handled by Jim Irvine who won Best in Show at Crufts in 2011. He was descended from the 1980 Best in Show winner, Ch. Shargleam Blackcap, and placed Best in Show at several other shows around the UK including the Gundog Society of Wales and the National Gundog Association.
Ch. Midkiff Seductive, a Cocker Spaniel, was the Best in Show at the 1921 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the first occasion it was awarded to a member of that breed. The judging in the Best in Show round had a split decision by the two judges, and required the referee to make a deciding vote.
Ch. Zentarr Elizabeth (2005–2017), also known as Elizabeth, was a Lhasa Apso show dog bred and handled by Margaret Anderson who won Best in Show at Crufts in 2012. She also placed third at the Eukanuba World Challenge in 2011.
Ch. Torums Scarf Michael in Liverpool, England, was a Kerry Blue Terrier who is best known for being the 2000 Best in Show winner at Crufts, and 2003 Best in Show of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. He is the first dog to win the "Triple Crown" of dog shows, having also won the 2002 AKC/Eukanuba National Invitational Championship.
Ch. Jafrak Philippe Olivier, also known as Philip, was a male Giant Schnauzer who won the title of Best In Show at Crufts in 2008. He had previously won the Working Group in 2004 and 2005.
Exquisite Model of Ware was a female English Cocker Spaniel who won the title of Best in Show at Crufts in both 1938 and 1939. She was the most successful female English Cocker Spaniel in Great Britain prior to the Second World War.
Ch. Soletrader Peek A Boo, also known as Jilly, is a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen show dog owned by Sara Robertson and Wendy Doherty and handled by Gavin Robertson, who won Best in Show at Crufts in 2013. Jilly's owners plan to retire her following her win.
Ch./Am. Ch. Afterglow Maverick Sabre, also known as Ricky, is a black Standard Poodle show dog owned at that time by his handler Jason Lynn together with John and Sandra Stone, who won Best in Show at Crufts in 2014. After the win, Ricky's owners stated he would retire from show ring competitions in the UK. He has also had a successful career in America.
McVan's To Russia With Love, also known as Knopa, is a Scottish Terrier show dog, owned by Mariana Khenkina, who won Best in Show at Crufts in 2015. Knopa has gained success at dog shows in several countries and holds Champion titles from Russia, America and a variety of other countries. At Crufts she was handled by Rebecca Cross who has been campaigning her in America. In February she won Best of Breed at Westminster Dog Show in New York City.
