English Cocker Spaniels like all Spaniel breeds have originated from the Spaniels written about as far back as Shakespeare and Chaucer. There are two types of Cocker Spaniels which are the American and English but pre-1934 the two breeds were thought to be same. However, it was found that the English Cocker Spaniel was larger in size and a different body type.
It is not unusual for Spaniels to have litters that grew to different sizes and it was decided by the British breeders to grade each size with different breed types and the Cocker Spaniel was classified as that if they weighed less than 25 pounds. The breed progressed from there to what is now known as the English Cocker Spaniel
English Cocker Spaniel Facts and information
- This is a breed of gun dog
- Height : Female: 14–16 inches and Male : 15–17 inches)
- Weight : Female: 12–15 kg and Male : 13–16 kg
- Trainable, Faithful, Playful, Friendly, Affectionate and Quiet
- Puppy Price : Average $900 - $1200 USD
Appearance
Cocker Spaniels vary in height and weight depending on the sex but will vary from 26 pounds to 34 pounds. The heights will be approximately 17 inches.
Like all Spaniels, they have varied coats and different colors. The coats have quite a silky texture and are slightly wavy. The general colors are white and black, liver or shades of reddish brown. They all come with different patterns and an array of colors.
Behaviour
English Cocker Spaniels are very friendly and affectionate which make great pets. They are also very playful, mischievous and friendly towards other people and dogs. They do bark if they see strangers and serve well as an early warning system if strangers are approaching but they are not aggressive. As guard dogs, they are alert but will not stop anyone from entering the area.
They need exposure to socialisation from a very young age which will let them grow up being a well-rounded dog and the socialisation should include meeting different people, dogs and going to different sights.
Grooming
The coat needs brushing every other day or any time the dog has been out in the field. The coat hair does feather around the chest and the feet which can be trimmed to make the dog look neat.
The ears should be cleaned weekly with a cleanser that is recommended by a vet or the breeder might advise you which cleanser to use. When you are cleaning the ears check to see if there has been any infection which normally shows with redness, tender to the touch or even a bad odour. If the dog is constantly shaking its head then it could be a sign of ear infection and should be taken to a vet for a thorough examination.
The nails also need trimming from time to time and a good way to judge is if they can be heard on the floor then it is time for a trim. You can either do it yourself or take the dog to a professional.
Health
They do not present a lot of health problems but they are susceptible to a number of diseases.
- Eye problems - such as cataracts, glaucoma, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). If you notice any redness or the dog scratches his face then take him to a vet for a check up
- Deformity of the hip joints - this is caused by quite a few factors but generally in minor cases the dog can lead a normal life but with less exercise
- Renal failure - this generally happens at a young age and there is no cure and it is thought it is a hereditary disease. Check the records of the breeder when you get a puppy to make sure that there is not a history of renal failure
- Deafness - this congenital sensorineural disease is only found in one type English Cocker Spaniel the particoloured variety.
- Dilated Cardiomyopathy - this when the muscle to the heart becomes overly distended. The symptoms are a weakness, coughing, fainting and weight loss. If any of these happen and do not go away take the dog to a vet.
English Cocker Spaniel Habitat and Care
English Cocker Spaniels are extremely adaptable to the environment that they live provided they are part the family and get a lot of exercises. They can live in a small apartment or in a home with gardens but will require receiving daily exercise. The Cocker Spaniel has a lot of stamina, therefore, can be taken for long brisk walks and even play sports such as fetch, flyball or any sport that requires agility.
There are different types of exercises depending on the age of the puppy from starting at a very young age with obedience training and playing in the yard. Progressively extend their exercise regime as they get older such as short walks when they are 6 months old to start jogging with you at 1 year.
Do not treat him harshly they are very sensitive dogs and they do not respond well to harsh treatment but rather responds to food rewards. They are fast learners and training needs to be fun and done consistently to get the best results.
Images, Photos, Pics and Pictures of English Cocker Spaniel :
Diet
The amount of food needed daily depends on the dog’s age, size, metabolism, and level of activity. Dogs are very much like humans the more active they are the more food they will need without putting on too much weight. Because the English Cocker Spaniels are prone to hip disorders it is essential that their diets are controlled so that they do not gain too much weight.
As a guideline 1 or 2 cups of high-quality dry pellets will be enough and split the meals into two. One meal in the morning and one in the evening. They love eating so if it is not measured they will get overweight.
English Cocker Spaniel Characteristics
- Very adaptable but does need exercising
- Very friendly dog and extremely kid friendly and generally any stranger
- Needs lots of grooming and the diet needs to be strict because they are prone to weight gain
- The English Cocker Spaniel responds well to training but are also eager to wonder,
- bark and hunt small prey
- Require a lot of exercise because of their high energy levels and love playing.
Conclusion
The English Cocker Spaniel is a very friendly, playful and happy dog which is the perfect pet for families or anyone who would like an affectionate pet.
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