English Cocker Spaniel

Breed Description

British dog breeders were familiar with these dogs long before their official recognition and classification as a distinct breed. It is noteworthy that similar spaniel-like dogs, referred to as land spaniels, were mentioned as far back as the 16th century. They belonged to a group of hunting dogs that differed from one another in specialization and appearance.

According to some sources, and indeed from their name, it becomes clear that these dogs have origins in Spain. Approximately in the 14th century, when firearms were not used in hunting, small dogs would lie at their owner’s feet and, sensing game, would crawl towards it. The hunter would then throw a net, while the spaniels would seize the prey or retrieve it from the water. Many try to dispute this origin story; however, the Duke of York describes dogs with long ears in his book.

At that time, they were highly valued for their ability to assist in hunting. Moreover, cocker spaniels were known for their exceptional sense of smell and willingness to travel great distances in search of game. They specialized in woodcock, which may explain their name, as “wild cock” translates to woodcock in English. The fact is that any litter can produce puppies of varying sizes: the smallest are cocker spaniels, while the larger ones are springer spaniels.

Besides size, these two varieties differed in their working styles: cockers would roam through underbrush, while springers moved by jumping.

Almost three centuries later, a decision was made to officially separate this group of spaniels. However, cocker spaniels also acquired an additional American variety, which differs from the English in having denser fur and smaller size.

Thus, the English cocker spaniel is a distinctly British breed that gained official recognition in 1893. It is characterized by a cheerful disposition, which has earned it the unofficial name “merry cocker.” It is a wonderful family dog and an excellent hunter.In addition to all that has been said, it can be added that the English regard this breed as inherently English. Moreover, merry cockers were most often found among dukes and lords who maintained entire kennels. This is why some dogs exhibit predominant coat colors. Before official recognition, dogs could be named based on their place of birth. For example, if a breeder considered their dogs to be cocker spaniels, they would select the smallest puppies from the litter.

Appearance

In the first half of the 20th century, the English Cocker Spaniel did not have an American counterpart. They were all considered one breed. However, shortly before the onset of World War II, in the 1930s, it became impossible to ignore the differences between the English and American varieties.

When a dog from Foggy Albion stands next to an American Cocker Spaniel, it appears like an older brother beside a younger one. With a sturdy build and a happy expression, always full of positivity and affection, the average height reaches 38 – 39 cm (females) and 39 – 41 cm (males). Their approximate weight ranges from 13 to 14.5 kg. It goes without saying that these parameters are defined in the breed standard and can vary slightly in reality.

Overall, a purebred dog resembles a good athlete who lives quite a long time. The average lifespan reaches 12 to 14 years. Contrary to the stereotypes held by some people, the cheerful Cocker is a very active dog that loves to chase Frisbees. Given their remarkable sense of smell, they are often used as search dogs in airports around the world, including Russia.

An interesting fact: Cocker Spaniels with excellent pedigree are very symmetrical-their height is nearly equal to the length of their body from the withers to the base of the tail.

Отличительные черты

Голова

Proportional to the body, the noble contours of the skull are evident. The stop is clearly defined between the nostril and the nape. The upper part is flat and, when viewed in profile, has a rectangular shape. There is a slight furrow between the eyes and extending to the occipital protuberance.

Морда

In shape, it is closer to a square, with proportional dimensions; the cheekbones are not prominently defined, and the jaws are approximately the same length. The nose bridge is straight and quite wide. It has a fairly large nostril, mostly black with broad openings. In lighter colors, it can be brown.

Уши

The ears are set low, almost on the same line as the eyes when viewed from the front. They have rounded edges, are soft and long. The length of the ears is approximately equal to the length of the muzzle from the forehead to the tip of the nose. They usually hang down freely. They are covered with beautiful silky curly fur.

Глаза

Never bulging, but quite large. Most often dark brown. Lighter shades are considered a flaw. In a normal state, the dog's eye expression is soft and affectionate. In moments of excitement, they become intent and very attentive.

Зубы

Strong, sufficiently powerful for a dog of this size. Almost of equal size. The teeth grow at a right angle to the jaws. An adult animal has 42 teeth. Only a scissor bite is acceptable, where the upper canines overlap the lower ones.

Корпус

Compact yet powerful. The ribcage is very well developed, but it isn’t too wide when viewed from the front. The ribs have quite a strong curve. The back is straight, and the loin is short and wide when viewed from above. It is noted that the line of the back gradually descends toward the base of the tail.

Конечности

The front legs are straight, with dense and straight bones. When viewed from the front, they stand parallel to each other. If the front legs are too short, they will hinder the dog’s ability to move freely. The shoulders are sloping. The hind limbs are very strong, with powerful, muscular thighs and a solid bone structure. There are good bends in the hock joints to ensure a strong push during maneuvers.

Хвост

Посадка низкая. Как правило, служит индикатором настроения: при возбуждении быстро виляет, а в обычном состоянии продолжает линию спины. Может быть купированным и нет. Купированный хвост должен быть такой длины, чтобы можно было понять о настроении собаки во время полевых работ. Некупированный: сохраняет пропорции собаки, никогда не закинут на спину, довольно толстый у основания, с красивыми очесами.

Шерсть

The straight design fits snugly against the body, protecting the animal from adverse weather conditions and injuries while working in the bushes. It never twists and is quite soft. Notably, there are beautiful long fringes on the lower part of the belly, tail, and back legs.

Окрас

There are solid-colored, bi-colored, and tri-colored Cocker Spaniels. Solid colors include red (fire-red), black, golden, chocolate, and liver. Bi-colored options are white with red, white with fawn, and white with chocolate. Tri-colored varieties include black-and-white-tan, chocolate-and-white-tan, as well as brindle colors: brindle-blue, brindle-red, brindle-chocolate, brindle-fawn, and brindle-blue and brindle-chocolate with tan. Other colors are generally considered non-standard.

Character

Intelligent Cocker Spaniels are considered not just good hunting dogs but also wonderful family companions. Their friendliness extends to all family members. Additionally, they fit perfectly into households with children. Nearby cats will not be a hindrance; on the contrary, they can become friends.

An active, positive dog loves to please its owner. It’s important to note that the cheerful Cocker is one of the few hunting dogs that possesses not only a pleasing appearance but also inherent aristocratic manners. To maintain these traits, regular training is necessary, rather than occasional efforts. Besides intellectual stimulation, proper physical exercise also positively influences the dog’s character. Only in this case will your dog be a true household favorite and a loyal helper in fieldwork.

Negative character traits may emerge if the dog does not receive enough physical exercise and lacks walks. Additionally, these dogs struggle significantly with loneliness. Therefore, they are not advisable for people who are frequently away from home. When left alone for long periods, a dog may start to destroy items, howl, and even relieve itself indoors. The animal can become nervous, vengeful, and transform from a cheerful Cocker into a genuine destroyer.

One undeniable positive trait of the English Cocker Spaniel is its ability to learn. House rules are accepted quite easily. However, caution is needed: birds or small rodents living with the dog may be at risk.

Among its virtues is curiosity, but this can also play a negative role, especially when the dog is captivated by a new scent and wanders off following it. Some owners preemptively buy GPS collars to keep track of their beloved pet’s location.

Overall, the foundation of a puppy’s character is laid in the first three months, followed by refinement and honing. One of the most important elements in shaping its temperament is a peaceful and calm home environment and the owner’s manner of communication with their dog. Yelling, striking, or threatening behavior is inappropriate.Games and participation in agility or freestyle competitions have a positive impact on the spaniel’s character. The dog must constantly feel needed and loved.

Care and Maintenance

A very compact dog can be kept both in the city and in a private house. However, it’s important to define the purpose for which the animal has come into your home.

If you plan to participate in exhibitions, more attention must be paid to the dog’s appearance and training for shows. If you need a hunting dog, then appearance is less important, and the development of hunting skills becomes the main focus.

Since these energetic dogs are very active, they need to be taken outside frequently and given adequate physical exercise. A puppy should be walked for at least 20 minutes 4-5 times a day. Then, the walking time can gradually increase to about 1 hour, 2-3 times a day. A personal schedule will develop over time, but to maintain the dog’s health, it should be noted that a happy cocker is one that has had plenty of exercise.

To the delight of many owners, their pets love to play with children. They seem to know what children want in a game and often come up with fun activities like “catch me.” Cockers enjoy frisbees and ball games, so it can be confidently said that a cheerful companion makes for a great playmate.

Unfortunately, there are a few downsides to their care that inexperienced dog owners sometimes overlook. Enchanted by the positive traits, they forget about the dog’s coat, which requires special and regular grooming. To give it an aristocratic appearance, it should be brushed with special brushes from an early age.

Only in this case will the grooming not be resisted by the adult dog. For areas with longer hair, a metal comb with fine teeth is used, while a soft massage brush is used for the head, back, and sides.Usually, before bed or after meals, when the puppy is resting, light stroking motions are used to “brush” its back. If the puppy responds calmly, the grooming area is gradually expanded to include the longer-haired sections with a metal comb.This should be done daily to ensure that the ear-headed beauty always has a perfect “hairstyle.” If the owner neglects this procedure, the hair mats together, giving the pet a scruffy appearance. Getting rid of these mats is not easy either: first, that area is brushed, and then the mats are carefully broken apart by hand. It’s very important to avoid pulling the hair out. Sometimes, it becomes necessary to trim those areas with scissors.Cockers swim wonderfully and love this activity. They should not be forbidden to swim on hot summer days in safe waters. After swimming, the owner should check that the inner part of the ear is not filled with water. If excess moisture is not removed, inflammation could develop. Ear cleaning is don

Training and Education

Like any other dog, a cheerful cocker spaniel can be persistent during training. This fact cannot be disputed. The dog owner must always remain calm and not allow themselves to yell at or hit the animal. The best method that consistently yields positive results is rewarding success. It goes without saying that training sessions should not be conducted during a storm, noisy renovations, or when the dog is sick – it simply won’t absorb the lesson and will constantly be distracted by external stimuli.

By the age of 3 months, a puppy clearly understands its name, its place in the house, and some basic commands. To achieve this, it’s essential to place its bed in a quiet and accessible area of the room. When the puppy approaches it, the owner should say the word “place” and praise it if it climbs onto the bed. The puppy should only sleep there and nowhere else. If it falls asleep somewhere else, it is advisable to take it back to its designated spot.

To train the puppy to use pads for toilet purposes, one can spread them on the floor and praise the puppy after it uses them in the right place, gradually reducing the area covered by the pads.

For its first walk, the puppy gets accustomed to the collar and leash, developing a positive association with these accessories.

Commands like “sit,” “lie down,” “quiet,” “no,” and “come here” can be effectively practiced by the owner alone. However, there are often cases where inexperienced dog owners struggle to teach their puppies due to stubbornness or incorrect behavioral tactics. In such cases, they can enlist the help of certified dog trainers who will provide guidance and assist with basic obedience training even in the owner’s home.

For scent training, the owner can visit a specialized facility where they will help turn the dog into a true field assistant.Considering the active nature and good-natured temperament of dogs, they learn new commands best during playtime outdoors. Motivators can include either a favorite toy or a treat. It’s crucial not to overfeed the cocker spaniel, as they love tasty snacks. Zooinika offers puppies of elite breeds with a complete set of documents.

How to Choose a Puppy

Cocker Spaniel is a wonderful and very popular breed in our country. Choosing a puppy is not difficult at all. First, it’s necessary to find a reputable kennel, as purchasing through online ads carries the risk of acquiring a mixed-breed dog of unclear origin instead of an English Cocker Spaniel.

Once you have selected a kennel, it is essential to visit it in person to ensure the dogs are kept in decent conditions, meet the breeder, and clarify all the nuances related to care and maintenance. However, keep in mind that dog breeding is still a business, so it’s best to verify any information you get. You can check forums where dog owners exchange opinions about certain breeds.

Review all available documents for the dog: pedigree, veterinary passport with vaccination records, and suggest to the breeder that you sign a written sales contract.

Don’t rush to take the puppy home. Inspect the entire litter. Be sure to check the inner part of the ears, the eyes, and the coat of the puppy. It should be at least 2 months old. Don’t forget to look for a warm and moist nose – this is a sign of good health. It is not recommended to take very noisy and aggressive puppies, as these traits tend to increase with the dog’s age. Elite breeds at Zoonyka – your ideal choice for purchasing a pet.

Health and Diseases

Among the quite extensive list of dog diseases, there are several to which the English Cocker Spaniel is predisposed.

The most troubling are hereditary genetic diseases, which can be identified through screenings conducted in reputable laboratories.

Hereditary nephritis is one such issue. It occurs very rarely, but unfortunately, it can lead to death by the age of 2.

The most common problems they face are related to the eyes: cataracts and retinal dystrophy. It is important to notice the onset of these ailments as early as possible. If the dog suffers from day blindness and starts to bump into objects in daylight, it’s a sign that it’s time to urgently visit a veterinary clinic for examinations.

Food allergies in this breed are quite common. Fortunately, changing the diet can almost completely resolve this issue.

Acrodermatitis syndrome (insensitivity to pain, AMS) can be identified through a DNA test. The first symptoms typically appear between 3 and 12 months of age. The puppy often licks its paw pads excessively, to the extent of self-mutilating its nails and toes. This condition can lead to severe self-inflicted injuries.Wondering? There’s a vast selection of listings on the Zoonyka map for different cities.