Cocker spaniel

Cocker spaniel

I am a kind, enthusiastic and happy dog ​​who loves everything and everyone. Precisely these qualities have made me a recognized family dog ​​worldwide.

Perhaps, you remember me from Lady and the tramp?

Cocker spaniels are true retrievers

I love to feel useful and am willing to do anything for my owner. Originally, we were hunting dogs, but our instinct has been somewhat washed out over time.

We still have some hunting instincts left, so we can be used for bird hunting. This might reflect in our behavior, as we love to search for and find things. We are true retrievers.

I am not a typical watchdog but can bark if something unfamiliar gets close to me.

Sadly, not all cocker spaniels are equally nice. Some individuals tend to guard everything, whether it is their food, their toys, or their family.

This aggression is a familiar problem in some Cocker spaniels. Remember to ask the breeder about the dog's health and mental condition because of this.

Cocker Spaniels are active dogs that need plenty of exercises.
Do you live an active life, with regular walks in the woods and fields? Great, because I do too!

Despite our modest size, we are active dogs who enjoy long walks. In other words, we can be perfect training buddies.

We also have strong self-will, so you have to put in the time, energy, and training to get a dog that abides.

Talkative dogs

All dogs "talk" in one form or another - Cocker spaniels are no exception.

It is in our nature to bark. However, there are big differences in our personalities. The extent of our barking habits will largely depend on how you train me.

As a rule of thumb, we can be expected to bark if we are lonely or restless. Some of us also make excitement barks while playing.

With the right training, you can reduce our vocalization. But it is not possible to remove it completely.

Wondering what a Cocker Spaniel sounds like? Check out the video below:

Important to know about our health

Our growing popularity has led some rogue breeders to breed only for
profit, with no focus on our health. The result of this is that some Cocker Spaniel dogs are predisposed to various health problems.

We are affected by recurrent ear infections, which are related to our long-hanging ears, reducing our airflow. To prevent this, simply clean our ears often!

Other diseases that can occur include the hereditary eye disease PRA (progressive retinal atrophy), hip dysplasia, eczema, and epilepsy.

Relationship to other animals

One can not guarantee that a dog gets along with other dogs. But on a general basis, we can say that Cocker Spaniels are one of the more compliant breeds in these terms.

We are above-average social dogs who love to hang out with other animals and dogs. Early introduction to other animals is fundamental for our behavior around them!

High maintenance

Cocker spaniels require regular maintenance. You must brush, bathe and trim the coat. If you don't, troublesome tangles will occur. To minimize the maintenance, you can give us a short haircut. However, this is not an advantage for show dogs.

The coat needs trimming at least 4-6 times a year (more if we are to participate in an exhibition).

Something to be aware of

The vast majority of Cocker Spaniels love children and will be able to get along well with them.

However, it is important that children learn to interpret our signals, so we're always on the same wavelength.