Size
Cockers weigh 15 to 30 pounds on average. For show dogs, the ideal height is 15 inches for males dogs and 14 inches for female dogs at the withers. An adult male who is over 15.5 inches, or an adult female over 14.5 inches, would be disqualified in a conformation show. Bone and head size should be in proportion to the overall balance of the dog.
Coat and Color
For North Americans conformation shows, Cockers are divided by the breed standard into three varieties: black, ASCOB (Any Solid Color Other than Black), and parti-color.
- Black Varieties include solid blacks and black & tan.
- ASCOB includes solid colors ranging from silver, to light cream (buff), to dark red and brown, and brown with tan points.
- Parti-colors have large areas of white with another color(s) and must be have at least 10 percent coloration (not more than 90 percet white). Parti-colors include black & white, black & white with tan points (referred to as tri-colors or "tris"), brown & white, brown & white with tan points (referred to as a "brown tri"), and red & white.
Roans are shown in the Parti-color variety and can be black ("blue roans"), red ("orange roan"), or brown ("liver or chocolate roan"); with or without tan points. In a roan coat, individual colored hairs are mingled in with the white. Sable coloring is seen in solids or Parti-colors, but no longer can be shown in conformation by the American Spaniel Club, although it can be shown in Canada and in Europe. Merle is a highly controversial pattern, as it is debated whether it is a result of breeding to another breed. Cockers cannot be registered as merles with the American Kennel Club (AKC). It is not recognized by the American Spaniel Club and cannot be shown in conformation.