Cocker Spaniel (American)

Cocker Spaniel (American)

Cocker spaniels are small, lively dogs with a lovely disposition. They are ideal for many households. Cocker spaniels dogs are an excellent choice for families since they are easy to train and affectionate and adore water play. Their tail is always wagging, whether pursuing a scent or exploring under the couch.

The Cocker Spaniel is a breed of dog primarily used as a companion.  In addition to being attractive the Cocker Spaniel's amiable, joyful personality makes them a joy to be around.

Weight

• Male 28-34 lbs
• Female 26-32 lbs

Height

• Male 16-17 inches
• Female 15-16 inches

Life Span

• 12-15 years

Appearance 

                                      Getty Images

 The American cocker spaniel, often known as the cocker spaniel, is a separate breed from the English cocker spaniel. The cocker spaniel is more extended than tall, but the English cocker spaniel is taller than she is long. The cocker spaniel has a shorter snout and almond-shaped eyes than her English relatives. 

The cocker spaniel has a round, graceful head and a broad, square muzzle. The ears are long and feathered, and the back slopes toward the tail, giving the dog a regal appearance. Perhaps most notable, however, is the cocker spaniel's long, silky coat with feathering not just on the ears but also on the legs, chest, and underside. The tail is usually docked. 

Cocker spaniels can have a variety of colors. Some are solid black, red, or tan. Others are bi-colored or tri-colored. Some of the mixes you might see are black and tan, black and white, or black and white with tan flecks. The AKC divides them into three varieties for show purposes: black, parti-color, and ASCOB (which stands for Any Solid Color Other than Black). 

Temperament  

Cocker Spaniels are recognized for their happy, calm demeanor. They are loyal, affectionate, kind, and great companions. Cocker Spaniels are lovely family pets and get along well with children and other animals, which is one of the reasons they are so popular. Even with good early socialization, they can become anxious.

Because of their delicate disposition, aggressive training approaches should be avoided. To avoid your Cocker Spaniel becoming afraid, employ continuous and gentle training approaches to achieve your desired objectives.  

Because the Cocker Spaniel was designed for hunting, don't be shocked if he's fascinated by birds and other small creatures in your yard. You must also keep a close eye on him to ensure he does not 'escape' when running after a bird, squirrel, or other small creature.

Submissive urination is common in Cocker Spaniels, so don't be shocked if it happens. Cocker Spaniels tend to bark excessively, so teaching your dog when and when not to bark is essential. 

Living Conditions 

Despite being primarily developed as a live-in companion, Cocker Spaniels maintain the hunting traits of their forefathers, making them both athletic and affectionate. A Cocker Spaniel is a dog that combines the hardiness and cleverness of a hunting dog with the sensitivity and compassion of a domestic companion. 

They are energetic dogs who will keep themselves occupied in the house by playing with toys, items, and family people. They enjoy being around humans and seeking attention, but they also have the self-sufficiency of a working dog. Cocker Spaniels are intelligent, easy to train, and have a lovely, trusting personality. They are typically friendly to outsiders, yet they make excellent watchdogs when the home is in danger. 

Cocker Spaniels are incredibly adaptive dogs. These dogs will keep up with you all day long if you're an energetic hiker. Your Cocker Spaniel will gladly join you on the couch if you're a couch potato. They'll be just fine in an apartment or a house as long as they get enough exercise and care. 

Care 

The beautify, silky Cocker Spaniels coat you see on show dogs isn't something that happens naturally. Keeping it glossy and tangle-free requires a lot of effort. For a good reason, most people maintain their pets in a shortcut all over, known as a puppy cut. Even that needs a considerable amount of upkeep. Puppies with puppy cuts should be washed, combed, and trimmed every two weeks. 

Plan on brushing a lot in between haircuts. Purchase a metal, professional-quality dog comb with fine and medium tooth spacing. If you come across a tangle when brushing, carefully pluck it out. Baths with high-quality dog shampoo and thorough rinsing are also required regularly. 

Because Cocker Spaniels' ears are susceptible to infection, examine them frequently to ensure the inside is healthy, vivid pink, and free of odor. If not, get to the vet as soon as possible before the ear infection becomes a severe problem. Checking a puppy's ears is very important since there is a lot of wax accumulation while the ear canal grows. Using a solution prescribed by your veterinarian, clean the ears. 

The rest is just routine maintenance. Every few weeks, trim your toenails. Never let them become so long that you can hear them clicking on the floor. Long nails can make it difficult for the Cocker to walk and get hooked on items, causing them to rip off. That's painful, and it'll bleed profusely. Brushing your teeth regularly is essential for optimum dental health and fresh breath. 

Health 

Cocker Spaniels are typically healthy, although they, like all dog breeds, are susceptible to some illnesses and disorders. Many eye problems, such as cataracts and glaucoma, and severe hip and knee abnormalities, are among them. For the Cocker Spaniel, a naturally energetic dog who enjoys running and playing, disc disease can make mobility unpleasant. The Cocker is susceptible to heart problems, liver illness, and epilepsy. 

The ears of your Cocker Spaniel must be kept clean and dry, which is especially important if your dog goes swimming. Not only can their long, drooping ears trap moisture in the ear canal, causing bacterial and fungal infections, but recurrent infections can damage the ear canal to the point that the dog loses his hearing. Infections in severely damaged ears may need surgery to treat. (In the case of the ear, follow-up treatment is essential to avoid new flare-ups of existing issues.) 

The Cocker Spaniel can suffer from eye disorders, ranging from aesthetic (a disease known as "cherry eye" that can be treated with surgery) to sight-threatening (cataracts and glaucoma). In old age, many Cockers lose their vision completely. Surgical therapy for the majority of vision-threatening diseases is too costly. 

If your Cocker Spaniel's eyes are cloudy, red, itchy, or irritated, or if the dog is squinting or pawing at them, get them checked by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist once a year. If the dog squints or paws at them, seek veterinary attention right away. 

 For unknown reasons, Cockers have more auto-immune disorders than many other breeds. Hypothyroidism, or the underproduction of thyroid hormone, is another issue that plagues this breed. Weight gain, hair loss, itching, shivering, and skin infections are possible side effects to look out for.

Should evaluate thyroid illness in Cocker Spaniels with a simple blood test every two years or whenever thyroid disease is suspected. Allergies, which are frequent in the breed, might cause skin issues. 

History 

The term "Spanyells" was first used in the 14th century. Over the years, many varieties of Spaniels emerged, some working on land and others retrieving from water. The American cocker spaniel, sometimes known as the English cocker spaniel, is a descendant of the English cocker spaniel. The word "cocker" derives from the woodcock, a game bird that these dogs were quite good at flushing out for the hunters. 

In the late 1800s, cocker spaniels were brought to the United States and were still regarded as the same breed as the English cocker spaniel. American fanciers preferred a more diminutive stature, a thicker coat, and a rounder head; nowadays, the Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel are considered different breeds. The cocker spaniel is the smallest of sports dogs and is smaller than its English equivalent. 

Cocker Spaniels were once categorized based on their size, and various varieties of Spaniels may be born in the same litter. The different spaniel varieties eventually formed separate breeds, and the Cocker was no exception. By 1946, the size and look of the Cocker and what is now the English Cocker Spaniel had diverged to the point that the two breeds were separated. 

After the premiere of Disney's iconic film "Lady and the Tramp" in 1955, the Cocker's popularity surged. Because of their enormous popularity, there has been an increase in improper breeding, which has resulted in some unpleasant temperaments, but Cocker breeders have worked hard to remedy the issue.

However, finding a competitive breeder who preserves the breed's trademark cheerful demeanor rather than continuing to produce the frightened and snappish pups that nearly wrecked the breed is still crucial today. Cocker spaniels are more commonly kept as household pets despite their reputation as capable hunters and sports breeds. Following WWII, their popularity skyrocketed. Cocker spaniels were the most popular breed registered with the American Kennel Club in 1984. 

Final Thoughts 

Before getting a Cocker Spaniel, do a lot of research. They are such social, loving dogs, yet they always want to have someone with them. They are fine with kids and have a loving, friendly disposition; so a Cocker Spaniel might be the perfect family companion for you! Although the Cocker enjoys relaxing with his family, he has a lot of energy to expend, so you'll need to schedule time for him to exercise and keep him engaged.