Posted on Monday, June 01, 2009 by Richard in 1b Gundog Breeds Spaniels |

Me with Charlie My english Cocker springer Cross

The Cocker Spaniel is definitely a dog to remember. They have a beautiful appearance with their feathered medium length coat that can be found in buff, black, white, tan, black and tan, parti-colored and merle. They have a very distinct head with a broad jaw and a short tail, which is usually docked to about 2/5th of its original length.

Even with their breathtaking appearance, the Cocker Spaniel should never be considered to be a pampered pup. They work very well in the field and have proven themselves time and again to be an exceptional retriever and game bird dog. In fact, the name Cocker comes from the Cocker Spaniels use in hunting Woodcock.

They are very versatile when it comes to terrain and the Cocker Spaniel has been known to be excel in very difficult terrains that other dogs are not able to work in.

Despite that ability, the Cocker Spaniel is not a hard dog. They are very sweet and have a cheerful disposition that they are willing to share with everyone. They usually trust everyone and are as accepting of strangers as they are with people they know. They do well with children of all ages but do require gentle handling since they can be a bit timid.

They also require ample socialization since Cocker Spaniels can suffer from fearfulness, which can lead to problems such as biting, submissive urination and dominance problems. It is also important that they not be treated like a pampered pet since they will have problems such as separation anxiety that makes life difficult for all. It is very important that there are clear rules and roles established with a Cocker Spaniel to ensure the best success with it.

If you do train it properly, you will find that the Cocker Spaniel is an excellent retrieving breed that has a wonderfully soft mouth.

Pro’s and con’s of owning a Cocker Spaniel

The Cocker Spaniel is an excellent hunting dog and does an excellent job as a retriever since they have a very soft mouth. In addition, the Cocker Spaniel has a very sweet temperament that makes them an ideal companion and family dog. There are many traits that make these dogs a wonderful addition to any family but there are also many traits that are a definite con for the breed. It is important that you understand the Cocker Spaniel completely before you purchase one and that you understand your own experiences with dogs first since they are not recommended for first time dog owners.

The Pro’s

Like all dog breed, there are a number of pros when you look at a Cocker Spaniel.

• They are very friendly dogs that usually get along with everyone. They are even polite with strangers.
• They do well in most homes and can live in apartments without too much difficulty.
• Cocker Spaniels are energetic but they only need a small amount of exercise to keep them happy and healthy.
• They are not known for their aggression and can do well in a home with multiple pets.
• They are usually eager to please, which makes them easier to train than some other breeds.

The Con’s

Again, although the Cocker Spaniel is a beautiful dog that has the diversity of being at home both in the field and with their family, there are a number of cons that potential owners should take into consideration before they purchase a Cocker Spaniel puppy.

• They do have a number of serious health problems but if you purchase them from a reputable breeder, the risk of those problems should be decreased.
• Cocker Spaniels thrive when they are with their family and will often suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone for long periods at a time.
• They can be problem barkers, especially if they are not trained or socialized properly.
• They can be a bit timid and without proper socialization, they can become very fearful. This can lead to a problem called submission urination where they urinate when they are scared or excited.
• Cocker Spaniels are average shedders and will produce a fair amount of hair, especially when they are “blowing” their coat. In addition, the Cocker Spaniel has a very unique scent that comes off their skin.
• They require daily grooming to keep them in top condition.
• It can take a fair amount of time to properly housetrain a Cocker Spaniel puppy.

Health Issues:

While the Cocker Spaniel does not have as many health concerns as other breeds, there are a number of illnesses that can affect the breed. It is very important to research your breeders and to make sure that they are only using dogs that have been properly screened for health problems. Some issues that are seen in the Cocker Spaniel are:

• Deafness
• Seborrhea
• Hypothyroidism
• Allergies
• Hepatitis
• Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
• Autoimmune Thyroiditis

Height & Weight:

The Cocker Spaniel is a small sized breed of gun dog and has the unique privilege of being the smallest of all sporting breeds registered with the American Kennel Club. Despite being so small, the Cocker Spaniel should have compact body that is very sturdy and athletic. They should have good balance and they should have a good balance. The Cocker Spaniel is another gundog that has a very strong head that is refined and clean in lines. They should have a square body that is as long as it is tall.

The size of a Cocker Spaniel is:

Males: 15 to 15.5 inches (38 to 39 cm) tall
Females: 14 to 14.5 inches (36 to 37 cm) tall

Both Males and Females range in weight from 15 to 30 pounds (7 to 14 kg).

Note: Height is always determined from the ground up to the withers, also known as the highest spot on the shoulders, of the dog.

Grooming:

Cocker Spaniels are considered to be an average shedder and does require a bit of grooming if you are to keep their silky coat clean and beautiful. Generally, the Cocker Spaniel should be brushed on a daily basis, if you keep the hair long. Many hunters and owners prefer to keep the hair short or at a medium length and will clip or shave the dog’s coat down.

In addition to the daily brushing, the Cocker Spaniel does require frequent baths. Usually about one or two a month will keep the Cocker Spaniel clean and the coat healthy. When you work a Cocker Spaniel in the field, it is important to make sure that you clean all debris from the coat to make sure that no mats occur.

The ears of the Cocker Spaniel should be kept free of dirt and debris and should be dried after the dog is wet since they can be prone to ear infections. The only other care that the Cocker Spaniel needs is to have their nails trimmed.

Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years

History:

When we look at the history of the Cocker Spaniel, we should actually take the time to look at spaniels in general. Although it is unclear as to how the spaniel came to be, we do know that there were spaniel dogs as early as the 1300’s but it is believed that they may stretch back to about 55 B.C.

Although the actual origin of the spaniel is not clear, it is assumed that they were developed in Spain before they began to spread across the globe. In the early 1800’s the spaniel had seen a lot of progress in England and there were seven different breeds of spaniel. Most of the breeds were determined and bred according to how they flushed birds or how they were used for hunting.

Of the seven breeds, the Cocker Spaniel was one of them and was used to retrieve game birds, and more specifically, woodcocks, which is where the name originated. Generally, the Cocker Spaniel was used with the Springer Spaniel and both dogs brought a unique team together for the hunter. In addition, the Cocker Spaniel was admired for their good nature and ability to handle even the toughest of terrains, which made it a popular hunting breed.

At one time, both the Cocker and Springer Spaniels were considered one breed, with size being the only variable, but in 1892, the Kennel Club of England deemed that they should be separate breeds instead and the English Cocker Spaniel was created.

When the Cocker Spaniel was imported to North America, many breeders chose to breed the smaller puppies, producing a smaller breed than then the English Cocker Spaniel. In the 1940’s, the American Kennel Club determined that there was enough difference between the smaller Cocker Spaniel and their European relatives that they should be a separate breed. It was at that time that the American Cocker Spaniel came to be.

Grouping:

Gun Dog, AKC Sporting

Recognition:

FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CKC, CCR, APRI, ACR

For More Cocker Spaniel Info Go To American Spaniel Club