Cocker Wheaten

The Cocker Spaniel is the smallest member of the sporting group, presenting a compact and sturdy build that combines athleticism with elegance. Males typically stand between 14.5 and 15.5 inches at the shoulder and weigh 25 to 30 pounds, while females measure 13.5 to 14.5 inches and weigh 20 to 25 pounds. The breed possesses a well-proportioned body that is slightly longer than tall, with a deep chest that extends to the elbows and provides ample lung capacity for fieldwork. The head is rounded with a pronounced stop, and the muzzle is broad and deep with square, even jaws. The eyes are round, full, and dark brown in color, giving the breed its characteristic soft, appealing expression. The Cocker Spaniel's coat is one of its most distinctive features, consisting of silky, flat or slightly wavy hair of medium length. The body coat is shorter and finer, while abundant feathering adorns the ears, chest, abdomen, and legs. This luxurious coat comes in a remarkable variety of colors and patterns, including solid black, liver, and red, as well as parti-colors featuring two or more definite colors with white being one of them. The breed standard also recognizes tan points on black or liver backgrounds, creating striking tricolor combinations. ASCOB varieties include any solid color other than black, ranging from lightest cream to darkest red. The ears are perhaps the breed's most recognizable feature, set low on the head at eye level and covered with long, flowing hair that frames the face beautifully. The tail is typically docked in countries where the practice is permitted, carried in line with the topline or slightly higher when the dog is alert or in motion. The overall appearance suggests a capable sporting dog that retains the beauty and refinement developed through generations of selective breeding for both form and function.

The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier is a medium-sized dog that presents a square, compact outline with an appearance of strength without coarseness. Males stand 18 to 19 inches at the withers and weigh 35 to 40 pounds, while females are slightly smaller at 17 to 18 inches tall and 30 to 35 pounds. The breed possesses a well-developed musculature and strong bone structure that reflects its working heritage as an Irish farm dog. The head is moderately long with a flat skull, and the muzzle is strong and squared off, giving the face a distinctive rectangular appearance when viewed from the side. The eyes are medium-sized, almond-shaped, and set fairly wide apart, ranging in color from dark reddish-brown to medium brown. The breed's namesake coat is perhaps its most distinguishing characteristic, consisting of a single layer of soft, silky, gently waving hair that covers the entire body in abundant waves or loose curls. Unlike many terriers with harsh, wiry coats, the Wheaten's coat has a texture reminiscent of silk and feels luxuriously soft to the touch. The coat comes in any shade of wheaten, ranging from pale beige to shimmering gold, though puppies are born much darker and gradually lighten as they mature over their first two years of life. Two coat types exist within the breed standard: the Irish coat, which is silkier and wavier, and the American coat, which tends to be thicker and fuller. The ears are small to medium in size, breaking level with the skull and dropping slightly forward, with the inner edge lying close to the cheek. The tail is traditionally docked in some countries to about a third of its natural length and is carried gaily but never over the back. The overall expression is one of keen terrier alertness combined with a warmth and steadiness that distinguishes this breed from its more fiery terrier cousins. Movement is free, graceful, and lively, with good reach in front and strong drive from the rear.