What makes the English Cocker Spaniel Unique?
Originally bred for hunting woodcock and other small forms of game, the English Cocker Spaniel retains more of its working heritage than the American strains. However, these dogs make wonderful pets for families.
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Is the English Cocker Spaniel Right For You?
English Cocker Spaniels have cheerful, easy-going personalities. Their social dispositions and playful habits help make them wonderful family pets. However, these dogs often bond to an individual within their family, typically the person that feeds them, and they do not like to be separated from their person of choice.
These dogs enjoy learning new things but can be stubborn at times. Prospective owners should note that there are both working and show strains of this breed. Naturally, Cocker Spaniels that were bred for field work will have higher energy levels than those who were created to be companions and show dogs.
In 5 Words
- Lively
- Affectionate
- Intelligent
- Gentle
- Intelligent
Characteristics
Learn About the English Cocker Spaniel
Description
General Description
English Cocker Spaniels were bred for hunting game birds and their appearance reflects that fact. These medium-sized dogs were designed to be small enough to navigate thick brush and also large enough to be able to bring back sizeable birds without a struggle. Their constantly wagging tails and sweetly dignified expressions often indicate they are having as much fun on hunting excursions as their human companions. Cocker Spaniels have compact builds and they are taller than they are long. They should move without any noticeable effort and cover ground quickly.
Size
Female Cocker Spaniels should measure between 15 and 15.5 inches (38 and 39 centimeters) in height. They should weigh somewhere between 29 and 32 pounds (13 to 14.5 kilograms). Their male contemporaries are somewhat taller at 15.5 to 16 inches (39 to 41 centimeters) in height, but these dogs should be in the same weight range as the females.
Coat
English Cocker Spaniels have silky, medium-length coats with feathering on the undersides of their bodies. However, the feathering should not be so dense that it gets in their way. These dogs may have fur that is either flat or slightly wavy. According to American Kennel Club breed standards,,there are over 20 different types of acceptable coat colorations for Cocker Spaniels.
Short History of the English Cocker Spaniel
Spaniel dogs have been popular in Europe since the Middle Ages. Initially, these animals were only distinguishable by their purpose. Some lines were bred for working in the water and others were bred for doing tasks on land. Land spaniels were further divided into groups based on size, beginning around the 1850s. Cocker Spaniels were originally named after the type of bird (woodcocks) that they were trained to hunt. Eventually the breed that was then known as the Cocker Spaniel broke up into a number of different dog varieties.
Springer Spaniels and Cocker Spaniels were developed together and stature was really the only difference between the two. The single variety split into two individual breeds around 1892. About that same time, these dogs made their way to Australia and America. By 1935, the United States had created their own breed club to promote the Cocker Spaniels.
There was a further breed division that took place with the English and American lines splitting off into separate categories, but for a while the two types competed against each other in the show ring. The American Kennel Club (AKC) officially admitted the English Cocker Spaniel to its’ registry in 1946 as a sporting dog breed. While Cocker Spaniels are still highly regarded as retrievers and hunting dogs, they also do well as companion and show dogs.
Temperament
As a whole, English Cocker Spaniels have cheerful, easy-going personalities. Their social dispositions and playful habits help make them wonderful family pets. However, these dogs often bond to an individual within their family, typically the person that feeds them, and they do not like to be separated from their person of choice. Being an affectionate breed, Cocker Spaniels greatly dislike being left alone for long periods of time. These dogs are quite adaptable and can function well in apartments as long as they get adequate amounts of exercise.
Once properly trained, English Cocker Spaniels are known for their high levels of devotion and obedience to their human owners. These dogs enjoy learning new things but can be stubborn at times. Prospective owners should note that there are both working and show strains of this breed. Naturally, Cocker Spaniels that were bred for field work will have higher energy levels than those who were created to be companions and show dogs.
Caring for Your English Cocker Spaniel
General Health
Typically born in litters of 2 to 4 pups, the English Cocker Spaniel will live an average of 13 years. As with any breed there are some health problems that can arise and prospective owners will need to take these facts into consideration. Cocker Spaniels may suffer from various eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts. There may also be instances of hip dysplasia, renal failure, deafness, and dilated cardiomyopathy among members of this breed.
Care
Daily
Cocker Spaniels require daily exercise. This can take the form of a long walk, a brisk game of fetch, or various types of sports training. Those from English lines will need even more exercise than their American counterparts.
Weekly
It is recommended that owners brush their dog’s teeth regularly to prevent both health problems and foul breath.
Monthly
All dogs should be given flea, heartworm, and tick prevention medication on a regular basis. Most products that are currently on the market will need to be administered at least once a month in order to be effective.
Grooming & Bathing
English Cocker Spaniels require a great deal of grooming to keep their glossy coats free of tangles. Many owners simply have their pet’s hair clipped into a puppy cut, which is a short style that somewhat reduces the amount of necessary grooming. However, even these dogs will need to be bathed and clipped at least once a fortnight. Having a professional groomer is generally a must for those that own English Cocker Spaniels.
Those that plan on showing their dogs or those that simply adore the elegant, traditional appearance of an English Cocker Spaniels will need to expend even more time grooming their pets. Usually these people will want to take their dogs to a professional groomer, which can end up being quite expensive. Other owners may decide to purchase their own grooming equipment and perform the work themselves, through the process can be quite time consuming.
Exercise & Training
Although these dogs are very smart, they are also quite independent and can be a challenge to train. Timid owners may end up being cowed by their Cocker Spaniel’s stubborn streak. Harsh discipline is not recommended, but those training English Cocker Spaniels will have to be both consistent and firm if they want to achieve their desired results.
English Cocker Spaniel Picture Gallery
