English Cocker Spaniels are eligible to compete in all of the following AKC events:

• agility trials;
• conformation shows;
• field trials;
• obedience trials;
• rally; and
• tracking tests.

The ECSCA also offers a Working Dog Test.

The ECSCA supports these events by holding and supporting entries for shows, tests and trials. The ECSCA also offers awards, certificates and other honors to those who participate and acquire titles. The ECSCA appreciates the effort taken to enhance the quality of English Cocker Spaniels by training and exhibiting a dog.

AGILITY

The purpose of AKC agility trials is to afford owners the opportunity to demonstrate a dog's willingness to work with its handler under a variety of conditions. The program begins with basic entry-level agility, and progresses to more complex levels that require dogs to demonstrate higher levels of training and interaction with their handlers.

Agility results in a better rounded, conditioned dog, provides good basic training for search and rescue dogs, demonstrates good training and citizenship and has excellent spectator appeal.

Agility trials are sporting events and all participants should be guided by the principles of good sportsmanship both in and outside the trial course. - Ch. 1, Sec. 1 Regulations for Agility Trials, AKC

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CONFORMATION

Dog shows (conformation events) are intended to evaluate breeding stock. The size of these events ranges from large all-breed shows, with over 3,000 dogs entered, to small local specialty club shows, featuring a specific breed. The dog's conformation (overall appearance and structure), an indication of the dog's ability to produce quality puppies, is judged. - from A Beginner's Guide to Dog Shows, AKC

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FIELD EVENTS

The purpose of a Spaniel field trial is to demonstrate the performance of a properly trained Spaniel in the field. The performance should not differ from that in any ordinary day's shooting, except that in the trials a dog should do his work in a more nearly perfect way. - from Standard Procedure for Spaniel Field Trials

Spaniels are flushing breeds. Their purpose is to hunt, find game, flush and retrieve birds in a pleasing and efficient manner. The objective of the hunting test program is to help the hunter develop a useful hunting companion by providing a means to gauge a dog's abilities against three standards of accomplishment - Junior Hunter, Senior Hunter and Master Hunter. - from Guidelines for Spaniel Hunting Tests

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(pertaining to field trials, hunt tests and the ECSCA working test)

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OBEDIENCE

Obedience trials are a sport and all participants should be guided by the principals of good sportsmanship both in and out of the ring. The purpose of obedience trials is not only to demonstrate the dog’s ability to follow specified routines in the obedience ring, but also to emphasize the usefulness of the purebred dog as a companion to man. All contestants in a class are required to perform the same exercises in substantially the same way, so that the relative quality of the various performances may be compared and scored.

The basic objective of obedience trials, however, is to produce dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places and in the presence of other dogs, in a manner that will reflect credit on the sport of obedience at all times and under all conditions. The performance of dog and handler in the ring must be accurate and correct according to these Regulations. It is also essential, however, that the dog demonstrate willingness and enjoyment while it is working, and that a smooth and natural handler be given precedence over a handler moving with military precision and using harsh commands. - from AKC Obedience Regulations

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RALLY

AKC Rally is the new dog sport that is taking the nation by storm, a successful stepping stone from the AKC Canine Good Citizen® program to the world of obedience or agility. Rally offers both the dogs and handlers an experience that is fun and energizing. The canine team moves at their own pace, very similar to rally-style auto racing. Rally was designed with the traditional pet owner in mind, but it can still be very challenging for those who enjoy higher levels of competition.

A rally course includes 10 to 20 stations, depending on the level. Scoring is not as rigorous as traditional obedience. Communication between handler and dog is encouraged and perfect heel position is not required, but there should be a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler. The main objective of rally is to produce dogs that have been trained to behave in the home, in public places, and in the presence of other dogs, in a manner that will reflect positively on the sport of rally at all times and under all conditions. - from the AKC web site

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Tracking

The purpose of a tracking test is to demonstrate the dog’s ability to recognize and follow human scent, a skill that is useful in the service of mankind.

Tracking, by nature, is a vigorous, noncompetitive outdoor sport. Tracking tests demonstrate the willingness and enjoyment of the dog in its work, and should always represent the best in sportsmanship and camaraderie by the people involved. - from AKC Tracking Regulations

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