The Dog Care

Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniel

  • Life expectancy: 12-14 years
  • Origin: Spain
  • Colors: Multiple colored coats are ranging from black to brown.
  • Height: 14.5 inches tall in general, male:- 15.5 inches, female:- 13.5 inches
  • Temperament: Loveable, merry, frolicking have big dreamy eyes.
  • Weight: Male – 25-30 pounds, female- 20-25 pounds.

About Cocker Spaniel

The cocker spaniel is said to be the mixed-breed amongst the famous Brittany spaniel and British cockers. 

 

These dogs are highly athletic and love to be around people, especially children. They are excellent bird hunters because of their sharpened senses. 

 

They are one of the most popular breeds amongst the spaniel family. They are short, stout, and quick with their movements. 

More About This Breed​

  • Characteristics
  • History
  • Personality
  • Common Health Problems
  • Feeding / Food / Diet
  • Coat Color And Grooming
  • Exercise

Characteristics

  • They have big dark eyes and a dark furry coat. The long, lush ears are the main attraction of this breed.
  • These dogs are the smallest breed amongst the spaniel family. They stand about 13-15 inches tall.
  • These dogs are rapid and sturdy because of their well-balanced bodies. They have a very smooth and easy gait and are durable gundogs.
  • The cocker spaniel is a natural athlete, and they love to be around kids. Cuddling with the kids and playing around with them is what amuses these spaniels.
  • These spaniels need extreme care and grooming because of their long fur. The fur can be as long as human hair.
  • They are excellent bird hunters, and their muzzle is comparatively longer than other dogs.
  • These dogs do not grow much in height but are incredibly smooth and fast in their movements.

History

This breed is said to have originated from Spain, hence the word spaniel. They traditionally have been bird hunters, and they were used in tandem with nets. 

 

These dogs were categorized under the land spaniel and water spaniel for centuries in Europe. In America, they were classified into the American and the English spaniel. 

 

These dogs looked beautiful naturally and hence were preferred for participating in dog shows. 

Personality​

  • These cocker spaniels are cheerful and goofy around their circle and even otherwise. They love socializing and being the center of attraction. 
  • They do not have a solemn temperament and are easy-going.
  •  They can quickly adapt to any new environment and bond promptly with anyone because of their friendly nature.
  • Cocker spaniels do not like to be left out or kept alone for a long time. If done so, they may turn a wee bit aggressive. 
  • They are very possessive of their owners. They cannot stand anyone else hogging them. 
  • They are slow learners. However, they might be slower than other dogs, but they learn. All you need is a little patience. 
  • Cocker spaniel has a powerful instinct for smelling and hearing. And due to this very characteristic, they tend to chase smaller animals all the time. 
  • They are compassionate in nature, and hence when frustrated, they tend to chew things. 
  • The cocker spaniels are very scared of busy places and may find an escape. 
  • They need daily training and running to keep them calm. 

Common Health Problems

Both the types of cocker spaniel have, despite being hunter dogs, face health issues. It is very essential for the owner to take special care of their eyes. 

Particular attention should be paid to excessive reddening, eye discharge, pain, squinting, etc. These problems might arise from the following diseases, such as

  • Dry eye
  • Cherry eye
  • Distichiasis
  • Entropion
  • Ectropion

Apart from these problems, they may also suffer from infections in their ears, and they may also suffer from congenital deafness. 

The deafness may also lead to pigmentation in the body. Other than these, some severe problems face by cocker spaniel are

  • Dislocated knee cap
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Food allergies
  • Primary seborrhea
  • AIHA
Cocker Spaniel 6

Diet

The cocker spaniels only function on High-quality food. They are sensitive dogs and hence need extreme care and maintenance. 

 

They should not be overfed and should mostly be fed rice and chicken, but again, the quality should be maintained. 

Coat Color and Grooming ​

The cocker spaniels need proper grooming. You cannot afford to miss even a single grooming session. Otherwise, it may lead to some messy disaster. 

 

The hair should be very carefully removed with a comb, and the skin should not be pierced near the edges of the skin of the ear. 

 

Thorough bathing with a high-quality dog shampoo should be done in regular intervals. The soap should be rinsed well; otherwise, it may cause skin irritation. 

 

It is wise to hire a professional groomer for these as they will know exactly how to keep your dog spick and span. 

 

Their grooming can also highly depend on their color of the coat. 

Exercise Needs

They are a sporting breed, and therefore they should have toned muscles. They are not the ones who need lots of exercise, but they do require regular movement. 

They enjoy spending time with their close ones so maybe take them walking along with you. They are neither couch potatoes nor very energetic. So a session of nearly 20 minutes will do the work.