Cocker Spaniel
This type of dog originated in the United Kingdom. It was brought to the United States and Canada in the 1800's. They are in the sporting breed group and are the smallest in this group. Previously they were used to flush out game and prey from the bushes so they could be shot. The name Cocker is commonly thought of to come from their use to hunt woodcock in England. It is a versatile small dog, which is a very popular pet, but it has a good work ethic, so it makes a top show dog, a competitive game dog, a companion hunter or a kind therapy dog. There are two different varieties of Cocker spaniel, the English Cocker Spaniel, and the American Cocker Spaniel, their primary differences are in the physical, the American version has a shorter snout, more luxurious coat, longer neck and it little bit taller with a shorter back. This type of dog is an excellent swimmer.
Naming
There are two versions of this breed, the American Cocker Spaniel, and the English Cocker Spaniel.
Temperament
This breed is lovable, playful, gentle, obedient and intelligent. Their keen intelligence means that they love games and tricks, they will love to chasing or fetching games and impress in tracking and agility competitions. Cocker spaniels are very sociable and get along with all other household pets. However as they accept everything it is important to protect them from child's play which may become overly rough. They develop a fierce loyalty to their owner. They can be a little tricky to house break and like to bark. Note of course it depends upon the training the puppy receives and if not done properly this breed may have temperamental and problems, for example it may have shy-sharpness which is a combination which may cause viciousness.
Grooming and care
The hair on this breeds head is fine and short and the body hair is medium length. They come in many different variety of colors including; black, red, light beige, multi-colored, black and tan. They need to be exercised frequently. Cocker spaniels love to swim but care should be taken as they love to retrieve objects which they may find floating in the water. Due to their long and pendulous ears which can produce problems if not taken care of its important to clean and trim them. These dogs have high stamina level so need to be given regular exercise, so daily walks should be the norm, also be sure to keep the dog away from thick undergrowth as the coat can get tangled up very easily.
Health
Cocker Spaniels are mostly healthy, but they are more likely to get the following disorders:
- Ear problems - proper cleaning of the ears should minimize these
- Closed Tear ducts - if your pet is tearing frequently, then the ducts may need to be cleaned out by a vet
- Disk Herniations - as this is a very athletic dog they can be prone to back damage
- Conjunctivitis- if a dog enjoys digging it may be prone to getting eyelid inflammation
Stats
Height - males 38 cm(17 in) females 36 cm(14 in)
Life span - 12-15 years