Health testing for cocker spaniels
A key objective of the National Cocker Spaniel Council (Australia) is to encourage and promote in every way the quality of breeding, care, training 
and exhibition of the Cocker Spaniel.
Health testing on breeding stock is a key element towards improving the quality of the cocker spaniel.
Our clubs in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory have a code of ethics that members agree to as part of their membership.
The code of ethics estabilshes a standard for all members to follow with respect to owning, breeding, exhibiting, and selling cocker spaniels.
There are a range of health tests available to cocker spaniel breeders, these include:
- Acral Mutilation Syndrome (AMS) - self-mutilation of limb extremities
- Adult Onset Neuropathy (AON) - limbs and mobility
- Black Hair Follicular Dysplasia (BHFD) - hair loss
- Familial Nephropathy (FN) - kidney
- Hip and elbow scoring
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) - eyes
Testing is available from a number of suppliers.
Specific health information about individual cocker spaniels is available on the Dogs Australia: Officially Registered Canine Health Information Database (ORCHID) database. This site includes details on hip/elbow and eye scores as well as breed averages.