Cocker Spaniels – Everything You Need to Know but Were Too Busy to Ask
Cocker Spaniels are the smallest members of the Spaniel family, and we can refer to the English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel. The Cocker Spaniel was originally used to hunt European Woodcocks in the United Kingdom. This breed was soon brought to the United States, where breeders made certain genetic changes that allowed the breed to effectively hunt American Woodcocks.
Description and General Appearance
The Cocker Spaniel is small and has long, feathery ears. This breed has a broad snout and long, wavy fur that can come in a variety of color combinations. An American Cocker Spaniel is smaller than the European Cocker Spaniel, has large, round eyes, a docked tail, and a rounded skull.
Basic Temperament
This breed is highly sociable, and they prefer to be with their families. Due to their friendly and loving nature, Cocker Spaniels do not make good watchdogs. These dogs love nothing more than to get the attention of their owners, and may become upset when left alone for long periods of time. So long as his owner gives him the proper obedience training and socialization that he needs, a Cocker Spaniel will certainly prove to be a gentle, loving, and very loyal furry companion.
Care Required
One of the most important elements in Cocker Spaniel care is early socialization. Owners need to properly introduce this dog to other family pets early on. One also needs to slowly expose their Cocker Spaniel to other people and experiences; this prevents the puppy from growing up to be a nervous wreck. Owners also need to brush the dog’s fur every day, give him vaccination shots, and feed him quality puppy/dog food.
Exercise Requirements
Since this breed was raised to be hunting dogs, they need daily exercise. Owners can bring their dogs on hiking and camping trips or simply go on long, scheduled walks around the neighborhood. This dog can also play with the other family dogs in the backyard or participate in an active game of fetch with his owners.
Training Tips
Repetition and positive reinforcement techniques are the best ways to train a Cocker Spaniel. This breed likes to please their masters, and they learn quicker when asked to follow a command or perform a certain action repeatedly. It is important to keep training sessions short and to focus letting the dog master one command or trick before teaching him a new one.
Height and Weight
The American Cocker Spaniel weighs about 11 to 14 kilograms (24 to 30 pounds), while the English Cocker Spaniel is slightly heavier, at 13 to 15 kilograms (28 to 33 pounds). The two breeds also have different heights: a female American Cocker Spaniel is 34 to 37 centimeters tall and a male American Cocker Spaniel is 37 to 39 centimeters tall. Its European counterpart is about two centimeters taller.
Health and Longevity
The Cocker Spaniel can live up to 15 years, and the two main leading causes of death in this breed are cancer and old age. Like most dog breeds, the Cocker Spaniel is prone to several health problems. These include eye cataracts, hip dysplasia, inflamed ear canals, and sick sinus syndrome.
Suitability as a Pet
Cocker Spaniels are good for families or people who have active lifestyles, or those who love to travel. This breed is also a good companion for people living alone, whether in condominiums or apartments. A well-trained Cocker Spaniel also makes a good therapy dog, which makes him suitable for people who are feeling lonely.
For more information about Cocker Spaniels, check out the highly recommended The Complete A – Z Guide To The Cocker Spaniel package today.
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