Is the Cocker Spaniel
Right for You?
The Cocker Spaniel is such a pretty, graceful
dog in the show ring that it is hard to imagine that this
breed was developed to be a working dog. However, before
Cocker Spaniels were bred for their long, flowing coats, these
bouncy little dogs were developed to be able to work
tirelessly alongside hunters and sportsmen. Today, the spunky
little Cocker has few of its former hunting instincts.
Instead, this breed has become popular as a family pet.
Cocker Spaniels are small dogs and weigh in at twenty four to
twenty nine pounds. They stand fifteen to sixteen inches tall.
This breed is known for its feathery, long leg hair, its
floppy ears, and its soulful dark eyes. The Cocker comes in a
wide range of colors, including black, cream, roan, black and
white, orange and white, tan tricolor, and black with tan
points.
For several years, Cocker Spaniels were so popular that some
breeders allowed dogs with bad temperaments to reproduce. The
resulting puppies with bad traits were bred back to other dogs
with bad traits. Suddenly, the Cocker Spaniel breed was filled
with dogs who suffered from inexplicable episodes of rage or
were extremely high strung. Luckily, breed enthusiasts stepped
in to rescue the breed and have been breeding dogs with sound
temperaments. Now, most Cockers are once again wonderful
family pets and are good with children and other animals. To
be sure you buy a Cocker Spaniel with a good temperament, only
buy from a reputable breeder and make certain you meet both
parents.
Since Cocker Spaniels are not high energy dogs, they do well
in apartments, town houses, or single homes. However, your dog
will still need to be exercised daily. If you have a child who
likes to throw balls or sticks, your Cocker will be blissfully
happy, since these dogs love to play fetch.
Although Cocker Spaniels are small enough to be easily
controlled when they are full grown, it is still a good idea
to train your dog. Puppy classes will help him learn to get
along well with other dogs and people. These classes are also
a good idea for new dog owners, since owners are actually
learning alongside their dogs.
The Cocker Spaniel's coat requires a fair amount of grooming,
especially if you want your dog to have that beautiful
feathery leg hair. If you do not keep your Cocker's coat
clipped short, be prepared to brush his coat at least three
times a week. Keep a close eye on your dog's ears, since those
hairy floppy ears don't always get enough air circulating to
keep them healthy.
Cocker Spaniels have a bit of a reputation for being
gluttonous. When feeding your dog, be sure you use proper
portion sizes. You may also want to consider avoiding the use
of treats as training rewards. The charming Cocker can suffer
from other health problems besides obesity. They include hip
dysplasia, bad knees, epilepsy, eye problems, heart disease
and allergy problems.
If you want a small family dog with a playful spirit, then a
Cocker Spaniel just may be the right breed for you.
Find out more information about the
Cocker Spaniel
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