The History of Cocker Spaniels

You may be planning to give a home to a Cocker Spaniel, or you may already own one, but how much do you really know about them?

Cockers were originally from Spain and have been with us for many years since the 14th century, either as willing gun-dogs, faithful companions, or as loving family pets. These sturdy little gun dogs were given the name ‘Cocker’ because of the woodcock they were bred to catch. They have a good nose and it’s this great sense of smell that allows Cockers to flush birds from hedgerows, fields and vegetation so that the hunters (following behind the dogs), could shoot the birds as they emerged. The Spaniel who were trained to retrieve the birds using a ”soft mouth”, would then trot off merrily to retrieve the game.Cocker Spaniels are dogs belonging to two breeds of the spaniel dog type; the English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel, both of which are commonly called simply Cocker Spaniel in their countries of origin. The only major difference between the English and American varieties is that the American is smaller with a shorter back, a domed head and a shorter muzzle, while the English variety is taller with a narrower head and chest

Cocker Spaniel Information: Breed Summary

• Life Span : 12 – 15 Years
• Higher Classification : Canis Lupus Familiaris
• Colours : Golden, Black, Orange & White, Liver Roan, Blue Roan, Liver & Tan, Liver & White, Red, Ash
• Temprament : Playful, Active, Trustful, Faithful, Friendly, Sensitive, Affectionate, Trainable
• Weight : Female (12 – 15kg), Male (13 – 16kg)Height : Female (36 – 41cm), Male (38 – 43cm)

Cocker Spaniel Information: Temperament

Cocker  Spaniels  are  very  gentle  and  loving,  and  once  you’ve  owned  one,  I  guarantee  you  won’t  want  to  own  any  other  breed  of  dog!    They’re  very  affectionate  and  playful  and  although  they  can  be  reserved  with strangers,  once  they  get  to  know  you  they’re  very  friendly  and  loyal.  They  love  to  bark  to  let  you  know  that  there’s  someone  coming  up  the  garden  path,  or  there’s  someone  at  the  door,  but  if  you’re  looking  for  a burglar deterrent, forget it, a Cocker is more likely to lick any intruder into submission!However,  they  can  sometimes  be  timid  which  is  why  it’s  especially  important  to  make  sure  your  puppy  gets  lots  of  socialization  very  early  on,  and  that  it  continues  past  his  first  year  –  early  socialization  leads  to happy, confident dogs.  They can also be a little stubborn too, but they’re inquisitive and intelligent, and so willing to please – all of which make them very easy to train. Cockers are exceptional hounds, equally happy as working gun-dogs, as affectionate companions, and as they’re especially good with children of all ages, which makes them good family pets

Cocker Spaniel Information: Characteristics

As you can see from this photo, Cockers are very handsome dogs, with their luxuriously glossy, silky coat and typically long, floppy ears – aren’t they just adorable? Their  tails  docked  or  otherwise,  are  constantly  wagging.  In  fact,  Cockers  often  wag  their  tails  so  enthusiastically  that  their  bottoms  wiggle  from  side  to  side  too!  You’ve  heard  the  saying,  ‘the  tail  wagging  the dog’…..well,  I’m  just  saying!…And  when  they  look  up  at  you  with  those  beautiful  soulful  eyes,  who  could  possibly  resist  them?    Cocker  Spaniel  characteristics  are  so  very  appealing,  but  one  word  of  caution  –  they can sometimes be a little greedy and will eat almost anything on offer – ours certainly does.

Cocker Spaniel Information: Coat Color

Cocker Spaniels have medium to long coats which may be straight or wavy and feel very silky to the touch.  They have feathers on their legs, chest, and underbelly.Their  coats  come  in  beautiful  solid  colours  such  as,  golden,  red,  chocolate  (l iver),  or  black,  black  and  tan,  liver  and  tan,  and  parti-colours  for  example,  orange  and  white,  liver  and  white,  lemon  and  white,  and  black and white.Then there’s the tri-colours, black, white and tan; and liver, white and tan.Roan  markings  are  probably  one  of  my  favourites,  especially  the  blue  roan.  Other  colours  include  orange  roan,  liver  roan,  lemon  roan,  blue  roan  and  tan,  liver  roan  and  tan.  Patterns  and  markings  may  be  present, and a little white at the chest and throat, or tan markings, for example, on the eyebrows, throat or feet. Thankfully, their coats don’t shed too much, but they do need a little care and maintenance.

Puppy Care

Just  like  a  new  baby,  your  little  puppy  will  benefit  from  a  strict  puppy  care  routine  and  the  sooner  you  set  one  up  for  him/her  the  better!  Get  practical  step-by-step  advice  on  how  to  be  a  good  puppy  parent  and how to set up his daily care routine.Your Cocker Spaniel’s care will be based on the following activities; Sleeping, Feeding, Potty Training, Socializing, Grooming, Playtime and Exercise.

General Health Care

Responsible  pet  care  will  allow  your  companion  to  live  a  longer,  healthier,  happier  life  and  will  help  you  get  more  enjoyment  and  satisfaction  from  a  rewarding  and  fulfilling  human-animal  relationship.  Vaccines  help to strengthen the immune system of your pet so that, when they are exposed to certain diseases, their body is able to fend off the infection totally, or reduce the severity of the decease.Vaccination  plays  a  critical  role  in  the  maintenance  of  a  healthy  pet.  Vaccinations  have  saved  millions  of  pets’  lives  but,  it  is  important  to  note  that  vaccines  are  preventative  rather  than  curative.  Vaccinations  help prevent disease, thus saving lives, and preventing unnecessary medical expenses on diseased animals, which could have been avoided

Spaniel Love!

This  information  is  intended  as  a  guideline  for  you  to  provide  some  valuable  information  regarding  certain  pet  care  and  general  health  issues.  For  medical  advice  always  consult  with  your  Vet.  Enjoy  every moment with you Cocker Spaniel, give love and take care!  A MAN’S BEST FRIEND!