Cocker spaniels are spanking , sweet - natured , affectionate , beautiful , and just the right size for many homes .
Cocker spaniels are loving , easy - sledding , and affectionate — a delicacy to have as part of the house . They aregenerally smartandeasy to prepare . Thanks to their relatively small size — they grow to about 14–15 column inch tall and matter no more than 30 pounds — they are also idealistic for any size family , from apartment to single - family house .
Very firm pets , they’llfollow you from room to roomall day long . English cocker spaniel also love fail on brisk walks and seem to frolic everywhere they go . While they were originally bred ashunting dogs , they now make idealistic companions for pet owners young and older .
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We spoke with a vet for everything you need to know about the cocker spaniel ’s temperament , living motive , care , and wellness care .
Appearance
cocker spaniel spaniels aremoderately size , beautiful dog . Male pups fend 15 inches tall , and female pawl grow to 14 inches improbable . They should not weigh more than 30 punt — and will postulate your help in not ingurgitate .
Cocker spaniels have thick , soft , crinkly coat of many colors — dark , light cream , red , clean , and brown — and patterns , all with recollective , lush ears that people ca n’t resist necking . The terminus " sweet puppy dog eyes " was likely inspired by cocker spaniels with their big , dreamy , pleading brown eye . But their looks require constant attention , both at home plate and with visits to the groomer .
The English cocker spaniel spaniel , also called the American cocker spaniel , is a distinctly unlike breed than theEnglish cocker spaniel spaniel . Though both breeds have standardised heritage , there are subtle deviation : the cocker spaniel is long than she is tall , whereas an English cocker spaniel is tall than she is long . The cocker spaniel also has a shorter gag than her English cousins , and her eyes are more almond - shaped .
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Cocker Spaniel Temperament
The cocker spaniel is a merry breed . They are also smart and trusting of their proprietor . While they do have a hunting inherent aptitude , they arehappiest being a companion at base .
They are up for whatever their proprietor need to do , as they are happiest pleasing their human crime syndicate . wish to draw close up on the lounge ? A cocker spaniel is in . Kids need to run around in the yard ? They are up for that , too . And while reserved initially , cocker spaniel make fast friends with almost everyone they forgather .
They have a sweet-scented temperament and can be very lovesome and cuddly dogs . Andwith proper training , they also get along well with other pets , including cats . But thanks to their hunt instinct , sharing a home with a pet shuttlecock is not typically an option .
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Living Needs
" English cocker spaniel spaniels are a beautiful dog with a very courteous sizing , big enough to be sturdy andable to play with kids , but small enough tobe an flat or condominium dog , " says Ryan Steen , DVM , medical director atFrey Pet Hospitalin Cedar Rapids , Iowa . As long as your English cocker spaniel spaniel is raised with shaver that are genial and respectful to animal , it ’s a match made in heaven .
citizenry - oriented by nature , your cocker spaniel spaniel will choose to be with you as much as potential . They enjoy being part of the crime syndicate and rightfully fly high when they can be a part of all crime syndicate activities . Some cocker spaniel may not do wellwhen allow aloneand can bend tobarking , crying , and other undesirable behaviour when nervous . If left outside , they will digor skin to keep themselves engaged .
While your cocker spaniel spaniel will sure as shooting care to snuggle up on your lap , you ’ll need to check that she gets plenty of example , too , thanks to her hunting heritage . While English cocker spaniel spaniel puppies will be worn out on a short walk , adult cocker spaniels will need30 min of walkingtwice a Clarence Day with additional gratuitous sentence to bet — they especially enjoy a good biz of fetch . This recitation not onlyhelps manage weight — cocker spaniel spaniels are n’t one to turn down a snack — but also keeps your whelp from catch grouchy .
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Cocker Spaniel Care
If you adopt a cocker spaniel spaniel , be cognizant that consistent training will be necessary , Steen says . steady haircut keep them looking their upright and foreclose their hair from matting .
For a style that requires little maintenance , ask the groomer to cut your cocker spaniel ’s hair the same length all over , called a " puppy gash . " Their trademark floppy ear are usually kept with longer hair no matter the style and need to be monitored for mats . innovate your cocker spaniel spaniel to grooming early because other foundation can make for more successful groomer sojourn . Be prepared to make even grooming appointments — about every six to eight weeks — which can be an investment .
Between haircut , project to doplenty of brush . Invest in a metal , professional - tone dog comb with fine and medium spatial arrangement for the tooth . If you play a tangle while brushing , cull through it gently . Regular Bath — where you employ a high - quality dog shampoo that you rinse thoroughly — are also of the essence . Nails should be trimmed regularlyand you shouldwipe out their earsonce a calendar week to obviate infections .
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Take steps to ensure their ear do n’t get gazump every metre they go for a drink of water supply . Use deeply , narrowbowls for nutrient and water supply , or considerusing a snoodto protect her ears when your cocker spaniel eats .
Cocker spanielsmake bang-up therapy heel , as they are gentle and very loving . They are a versatile stock and can be train for legerity courses as well — cocker spaniel spaniels are skilled at pay aid and following commands .
Training will require longanimity and repetition . ensure to handle barking early on . You ’ll spendconsiderable time on in love trainingas cocker spaniels are infamous for marking their spot indoors when unrestrained or queasy . Lots ofpositive reinforcementover time will do the prank . English cocker spaniel are sensitive and do n’t respond well to harsh intervention , so be kind and gentle to wreak out the good in their personality .
Health
English cocker spaniel spaniels are generally ahealthy breed — typically last about 12–15 year — there are a few vulgar conditions English cocker spaniel spaniel owners should be mindful of .
" Allergiesandchronic ear infectionsare some of the most common complaint I see in cocker spaniel spaniels , " Steen says . Their diet may be to charge , with vulgar allergic reaction to bitch , chicken , clavus , wheat , soya bean , milk , and eggs . find out with your veterinary for suggestions on change to their diet .
And insure you are n’t overfeeding your pooch . They will stuff and use their big , brownish eyes to convince you they need a 2nd serving at alimentation time . But anoverweight cockeris an insalubrious cocker spaniel .
As they get senior , cocker spaniels are prostrate to centre , liver , orkidney failure , as well ascancer . Cocker spaniel are also sometimes affect byepilepsy , progressive retinal atrophy ( whichcauses blindness ) , andcataracts(which requires expensive operative chastening ) .
Cocker Spaniel History
The cocker spaniel spring up in Spain and has been mentioned as far back as the fourteenth century . By the 1800s , they were divided into two groups : toys ( for companionship ) and hunting dogs . call for their excellence in field of operation hunt the woodcock , they were recognized as an functionary breed in England in 1892 . cocker spaniel spaniels are call back to have been bring to North America with the pilgrim . In fact , theAmerican Spaniel Clubwas created in 1881 and is the old breed club in America .
Cocker spaniels quicklybecame democratic dogsboth with pet owners and breeders , and they did particularly well in the show ring . In 1921 , a cocker spaniel read domicile Westminster Kennel Club ’s Best in Show for the first fourth dimension . In 1946 , the American Kennel Club recognized the American English cocker spaniel spaniel and the English cocker spaniel as two discrete breeds .
