The American Cocker Spaniel is the smallest dog recognized by the American Kennel Club as a sporting dog, being on average between high at the withers. It is a dog of normal proportions, with medium long silky fur on the body and ears, hanging down on the legs and belly (known as feathering). The head has an upturned nose and the ears hang down. The breed standard states that size over inches for males and for females is a disqualification at conformation shows. American Cocker Spaniels weigh around on average, with females of the breed usually weighing slightly less than the males.