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English Cocker Spaniel Dog Breed Introduction
English Cocker Spaniel is a medium-sized dog breed from England. These dogs were initially created for hunting birds. English Cocker Spaniels do well in many dog sports such as agility and obedience training. They have affectionate and friendly traits. Having expressive eyes and wagging tails, English Cocker Spaniels have won the hearts of dog lovers globally.
English Cocker Spaniels have long and feathered ears and beautifully thick and wavy coats. This dog breed displays a wide range of coat colors and textures. They weigh 28 to 34 pounds and their height ranges between 16 and 17 inches tall. Recognized for their playful and sociable demeanor, they make excellent family pets and get along well with kids and other animals.
English Cocker Spaniels are generally adaptable to different living situations, whether in apartments or houses with yards, and need regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. Because of their moderate shedding coats, they are not considered a good choice for individuals with allergies. They do good in homes with children. English Cocker Spaniels also need an active pet parent since they are very energetic and need a high level of mental and physical stimulation.
Origin
This dog breed is originally from England. They descended from a bigger group of hunting dogs developed in Britain. Their early history goes back to the 16th century. English Cocker Spaniels were specifically prized for their ability to help in hunting birds.
This dog was recognized as a separate breed in 1946 by the AKC. The dogs were created hundreds of years ago from dogs with Spanish roots—hence called “spaniel,” which originates from the name “Spanish.” That was before the hunting rifles were created when bird hunters used dogs in tandem along with bows. During the 1940s and ’50s, this dog breed was the most famous in the United States.
English Cocker Spaniel Lifespan
The lifespan of English Cocker Spaniels is 12 to 15 years depending on the health of the individual dog but some may live even more if properly cared for.
Grooming | Grooming Guide
These dogs have a double coat of short to medium fur that needs regular grooming. Weekly brushing will suffice to get rid of dirt and loose hair. Prepare your English Cocker Spaniels for a successful grooming process by getting them accustomed to touch on the paws, feet, ears, and the entire body. Frequent grooming will also go a long way in paying off in health benefits. The grooming routine of English Cocker Spaniels requires daily brushing to keep mats and tangles from forming and taking a firm hold in the dog’s coat.
Besides frequent brushing, their coat needs trimming every 6 to 8 weeks. A slicker brush is needed as a grooming tool since it removes loose and dead hair from the coat. Their abdomen, ears, neck, and head are clipped with clippers. It’s good to keep eye hair short to avoid infections. Also, have their beard wiped daily after meals to get rid of dirt and keep it dry.
Weekly brushing will remove the dead hair. Brushing your English Cocker Spaniels daily is key as they shed throughout the year. These dogs need a bath every 6 to 8 weeks unless they roll in something messy. Always use a hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner to bath and moisturize the English Cocker Spaniels coat.
English Cocker Spaniels should have their nails trimmed every 3 to 5 weeks to prevent overgrowth and cracking. Brush the teeth of English Cocker Spaniels twice a week if not daily to get rid of tartar buildup by using a poultry-flavored toothpaste and toothbrush. Clean English Cocker Spaniels’ ears once a week using cotton balls dampened in an ear solution to get rid of dirt and excess wax.
Grooming Pattern
– Regularly brush your English Cocker Spaniels’ coat to prevent matting.
– Trim your English Cocker Spaniels’ hair.
– Safely trim their nails.
– Check their skin as you groom.
– Regularly clean their ears.
– Don’t bathe your English Cocker Spaniels too often.
Haircut
They need haircuts from a professional groomer every four to eight weeks. Some of the English Cocker Spaniels haircuts include:
The puppy cut style – is a trendy and versatile hairstyle for English Cocker Spaniels in which the dog’s fur is cut half to one inch.
Teddy Bear Haircut – is mainly for curly fur and is a popular choice among English Cocker Spaniels owners. English Cocker Spaniels’ facial hair is left longer and later trimmed circularly to a length of 2 inches.
Lamb Haircut – for this grooming style, trim the hair on the chest and jaw while leaving the legs unshaven.
The Mohawk haircut – It is trimming the sides of the English Cocker Spaniels’ head down to the skin, leaving a strip of hair in the middle of their head.
Shedding
These dogs shed at moderate levels all-year round and heavily when experiencing seasonal changes in Spring and fall.
Shedding Level
The level of shedding depends on the type of coat English Cocker Spaniels have. Due to their double coat, English Cocker Spaniels shed all year round moderately and heavily when experiencing seasonal change.
Coat
They have a double coat of medium length. The coat is flat and silky with many feathers on the front legs, belly, tail, and ears.
Hypoallergenic
English Cocker Spaniels are not hypoallergenic dogs hence not suitable for people who suffer from dog allergies. They have a moulting double coat that sheds twice a year and moderately all-year round spreading fur and dander, hence aggravating allergies.
English Cocker Spaniel Training
English Cocker Spaniels are intelligent dogs that are easily trainable. They begin training at an early age of three weeks before they are adopted. With early training, the English Cocker Spaniels can adopt acceptable canine habits. English Cocker Spaniels will live well with other animals, children, and elders.
Parents are advised to keep the training sessions short, upbeat, and interesting to prevent them from getting bored and distracted. Every dog training session should be for 5 minutes which are distributed throughout the day to avoid boredom. It is important to make use of treats, interactive toys, verbal praise, and petting to inspire positive behaviors. Shouting and yelling scare English Cocker Spaniels hence they shut down during training sessions. Also, harsh corrections negatively affect the relationship between the pet owner and the pet.
Socialization is the key to raising well-mannered English Cocker Spaniels. This training is also good for English Cocker Spaniels who are a bit wary of strangers. To socialize English Cocker Spaniels, expose them to a wide variety of places, people, sights, smells, and sounds like doorbells, whistles, sirens, and lawnmowers.
Teach English Cocker Spaniels basic command words like eat, heel, come, in, out, etc. from when they join you home at the age of 8 weeks. Effectively housebreak English Cocker Spaniels by creating a feeding guide, potty training, and crate training. Moreover, Potty training English Cocker Spaniels should begin at the age of 8 weeks with several potty breaks every 1 to 2 hours.
Field Bred Training
To train Field bred English Cocker Spaniels the following are training tips to assist you get started:
– Start training them early.
– Keep the training sessions short.
– Socialize them early.
– Obedience Train them.
– Reward them for acts of bravery if fearful.
English Cocker Spaniel Temperament
– Playful.
– Affectionate.
– Trainable.
– Delightful.
– Intelligent.
– Friendly.
– Gentle.
– Loyal.
– Devoted.
– Calm.
Exercise
Their intelligence makes them well-suited for various dog sports and activities. English Cocker Spaniels can get enough exercise via one or two daily runs and playtime with owners either inside or outdoors. They also need at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. A few English Cocker Spaniels are athletic and can love training for dog sports like agility and flyball.
Unfortunately, when English Cocker Spaniels don’t receive enough exercise, they can become anxious. Dogs that suffer from anxiety can tend to be destructive of items in a home. So, doing chase in the backyard, going for a lively walk in the neighborhood, or going to a dog park are all activities that can help English Cocker Spaniel burn energy.
Barking
They are not overly vocal dogs. However, English Cocker Spaniels will bark when there is an intruder or a stranger around. Although, English Cocker Spaniels will form a habit of exaggerated barking if they are left alone for long hours.
Aggression
At times English Cocker Spaniels can be aggressive towards strangers and owners alike but to avoid this habit expose this breed to many people, other pets, and places.
English Cocker Spaniel Size
English Cocker Spaniels weigh 28 to 34 pounds ( approx. 13 to 15 kg ) and stand 16 to 17 inches ( approx. 41 to 43 cm ) tall.
Height
Mature English Cocker Spaniels have a height of 16 to 17 inches ( approx. 41 to 43 cm ).
Weight
English Cocker Spaniels have a weight of 28 to 34 pounds ( approx. 13 to 15 kg ).
Mini
The Mini English Cocker dogs are crossbred between two breeds, the Dachshund and the English Cocker Spaniel.
Health Issues
English Cocker Spaniels are healthy dogs but can be prone to certain health issues such as patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, as well as dental issues. Dental disease happens when bacterial tartar and plaque build up, leading to inflammation of the tissues surrounding the teeth—and finally to tooth and bone decay.
Eye Infection
English Cocker Spaniels are more prone to pink eye (conjunctivitis) infection. Redness, inflammation, and eye discharge are some of the signs of pink eye infections. An allergic reaction to smoke, pollen, or bacteria can cause pink eye infections in English Cocker Spaniels.
Ear Infection
They always have the characteristic long and straight or slightly wavy ears, which makes them more susceptible to ear infections than other breeds. English Cocker Spaniels mostly suffer from ear infections such as otitis externa, media, and interna. Otitis externa attacks the layer of cells in the external part of the dog’s ear canal.
Ear Infection Symptoms
Some English Cocker Spaniels show no signs of ear infection apart from a buildup of wax and discharge in their ear canal. But ear infections always cause notable discomfort and affected English Cocker Spaniels may show symptoms like:
- Headshaking.
- Scratching at the affected ear.
- Dark discharge.
- Odor.
- Redness and swelling of the ear canal.
- Pain.
- Irritation.
- Crusting or scabs in the ears.
Ear Infection Treatment
English Cocker Spaniels are at risk of getting yeast infections in their ears because of the ear canal shape and the length of their ear flaps. These dogs mostly suffer from ear infections such as otitis externa, media, and internal. If your English Cocker Spaniels’ ear is not too painful, a dog ear cleanser or a medicated ear cleanser is used to help get rid of wax build-up.
Put a small amount into the ear and gently massage the base of the ear canal. Using a damp cotton ball to get rid of any discharge that is around the entrance to the ear canal is essential. This can be done every day for up to five days. Many uncomplicated ear infections get well within 1–2 weeks, once appropriate treatment starts. Besides, extreme infections or those because of fundamental conditions may take months to get or may result in chronic issues.
Eye Problems
English Cocker Spaniels may suffer eye problems like cataracts, entropion, conjunctivitis, and distichiasis. Most eye infections cause discharge to run from the eyes. English Cocker Spaniels’ eyelash and eyelid problems may need minor surgery or electrolysis to correct the issue. If your English Cocker Spaniels suffer from severe allergies, one may need to give them an antihistamine to lower symptoms. If the eye problem is an infection give them eye drops or antibiotics frequently.
Ear Problems
English Cocker Spaniels are susceptible to various common ear diseases that can alter the external ear flap (like haematoma), the middle/inner ear (vestibular disease, for instance), and the ear canal (otitis). A haematoma disease is a blood-filled swelling that happens in the ear flap, while the ear canal can become itchy by grass seeds, parasites, allergies, or infections.
Irritation can lead to a state called otitis, which simply means ‘inflammation of the ear canal’. It results in an intense itch, leading English Cocker Spaniels’ to shake head, flap their ears, and scratch them using their back paws. If the otitis is because of an allergy, treatment is needed for the lifetime of the dog.
Allergies
Some English Cocker Spaniels suffer from environmental or food allergies. Redness, dry skin, and bald patches in English Cocker Spaniels’ coat are all possible signs of allergies in this dog. A specialized veterinarian has tests that can detect English Cocker Spaniels’ allergies which can lead to an effective diagnosis and treatment plan.
English Cocker Spaniels suffer from allergies such as:
Food allergies – Even if rare, some English Cocker Spaniels suffer from a true food allergy that causes an immune response. It is at times accompanied by several symptoms from skin issues to gastrointestinal issues.
Skin allergies – English Cocker Spaniels’ skin allergies can be caused by food, contact, and environmental allergens.
Environmental allergies – Some of the environmental allergies that affect English Cocker Spaniels are pollen, grass, mites, dust, and house molds.
Names
English Cocker Spaniels parents may find a name for the pet before it joins them at home or days after it has already settled to know its traits better. They may get name inspirations from the English heritage of the breed, coat color and texture, movies, books, and historical songs.
The names preferred should freely roll off the tongue. English Cocker Spaniels and other dog breeds understand a name that has vowels. If English Cocker Spaniels have a name that rhymes with the command words it will create confusion. Some of the names that English Cocker Spaniels’ parents give to their pets include:
Names Male
- Beau.
- Buddy.
- Charlie.
- Finn.
- Apollo.
- Archie.
- Bailey.
- Arthur.
- Jack.
- Domino.
Heat Cycle
The heat cycle of English Cocker Spaniels lasts for a period of 3 weeks to 4 weeks. The heat cycle process recurs every 6 months. English Cocker Spaniels may experience a heat cycle for the first time from the age of 6 months. After that English Cocker Spaniels’ heat cycle then occurs every 5 to 11 months or two heat cycles per year. These dogs are most fertile between days 10 and 14 of their heat cycle.
Some of the symptoms that English Cocker Spaniels may exhibit while on a heat cycle include increased urination, bloody discharge, changes in eating behavior, tail flagging, mood swings, and swollen vulva. Bloody vaginal discharge that usually lasts between 14 and 21 days indicates that the female dog’s hormone levels are changing, making her ready for fertilization. Owners are advised to screen their dogs before breeding to ensure they have no underlying health problems.
To determine if English Cocker Spaniels are fertile, owners can conduct a vaginal smear test and a blood test. In case a breeding tie happens, owners should calm down the dogs until the period is over. If mating is achieved, the female dog will show symptoms of swollen mammary glands, sleep more and lose her appetite.
Apart from English Cocker Spaniels, other dog breeds include:
Mating
Although these dogs are generally prone to diseases, owners can choose healthy dogs for mating. In most cases, one can breed English Cocker Spaniels earlier, but professional breeders encourage 2 years of age as the best mating time. If mating is successful the vulva that does not completely shrink down stays more swollen and soft compared to how it appears after the heat cycle. Some of the female signs that English Cocker Spaniels show to indicate they want to mate include:
- Swollen Vulva.
- Behavior Quirks.
- Increased Licking of the Vaginal Area.
- Vaginal Bleeding.
- Decrease in Vaginal Bleeding.
- Mating Behavior.
- Switched Tail Position.
- Male Dogs React Differently.
Pregnancy Length
The English Cocker Spaniel has a gestation period of 63 days.
Litter Size
After conception, English Cocker Spaniels have a gestation period of 63 days before whelping a litter size of 5 to 7 puppies per litter.
English Cocker Spaniel Speed
These dogs have a moderate speed as they may run two to three miles.
English Cocker Spaniel Food
The amount of food English Cocker Spaniels feed on depends on their age, size, metabolism, body build, and activity level. English Cocker Spaniels puppies and adult dogs have different diets that support their nutritional requirements. Owners should be more careful about the diet of English Cocker Spaniels puppies and adult dogs that can help to keep them healthy. English Cocker Spaniels will thrive on commercial dry or wet food, homemade, or raw diet.
On overage, the puppy feeds on a Lean protein diet which supports the growth of muscles, tendons, and tissue. Puppies eat three times a day while adult English Cocker Spaniels eat twice a day. Food rich in calcium also strengthens English Cocker Spaniels bones, teeth, and nails.
English Cocker Spaniels adult dog feeds on protein to maintain their muscles, joints, and tendons. A limited amount of fat keeps English Cocker Spaniels’ skin and coat healthy. It’s also good to keep in check your English Cocker Spaniels food intake and avoid overfeeding them, as they can be prone to obesity.
English Cocker Spaniel Colors
This dog breed comes in many coat colors most common being black, red, orange, and brown, to various combinations of two or more colors.
Black
Solid black English Cocker Spaniels have a white coat on the chest.
Brown
Brown English Cocker Spaniels are the most common. But the nose is round and black.
Golden
Some English Cocker Spaniels are golden. They can have a light golden color to a very dark rusty shade.
Blue Roan
Some English Cocker Spaniels are blue roan with tan.
Red
Red English Cocker Spaniels have a black nose.
Chocolate
Some English Cocker Spaniels have chocolate color which makes them look cute.
Types
– Working English Cocker Spaniels (working dogs).
– Show English Cocker Spaniels (to be shown).
Field
These dogs are closer to the working dogs bearing the Field Spaniel and the English Springer Spaniel.
Working
English Cocker Spaniels are “field” or “working” dogs. Breeders value working ability more than their color. Those from working lines are easily seen by the look.
Ears
Their floppy ears are set low and lie near the head and are enclosed with long silken fur that can be straight or slightly wavy.
Tail
Their wagging tail is long and fluffy. Their shot tails come due to owners having them docked.
Puppies
English Cocker Spaniels puppies are silky-coated and loved due to their delightful trait and intelligence. The puppy’s nose is round and black but it can be brown. Puppies weigh about 1.4 kg but can weigh 13 – 15 kg in adulthood. Puppies can be engaged in puppy class once or twice a week for exercise, training, and also socializing.
Hunting
These dogs are often known for their great hunting ability. English Cocker Spaniels are subdivided by how they hunt. They are divided into spaniels, pointers, setters, retrievers, as well as the European utility breeds.
English Cocker Spaniel Mix
– Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel and Poodle).
– Docker (Dachshund and Cocker Spaniel).
– Golden Cocker Retriever.
– Bocker (Beagle and Cocker Spaniel).
– Spanador (Cocker Spaniel and Labrador Retriever).
– Cock-a-Tzu (Cocker Spaniel and Shih-Tzu).
– Cotralian (Cocker Spaniel and Australian Shepherd).
– Siberian Cocker (Siberian Husky and Cocker Spaniel).
English Cocker Spaniel Price
The price of English Cocker Spaniels is $1000 to $1800 depending on the age of the dog and the location of the breeder.
English Cocker Spaniel Golden Retriever Mix
The Golden Cocker Retriever is a hybrid dog mix of Golden Retriever and Cocker Spaniel. It has a longer lifespan in contrast with pure-breed dogs.
English Cocker Spaniel Vs American
– Adult English Cocker Spaniels stand 15–17 inches while American Cocker Spaniels stand 13.5–15.5 inches.
– English Cocker Spaniels need moderate grooming while American Cocker Spaniels need frequent grooming.
– Adult English Cocker Spaniels weigh 26–34 pounds while American Cocker Spaniels weigh 20–30 pounds.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Much Do English Cocker Spaniels Cost
The cost of English Cocker Spaniels ranges from $1000 to $1800 depending on the pedigree of the dog, age, location of the breeder, and how famous the breed is at the time of purchase.
How To Groom English Cocker Spaniel
To groom English Cocker Spaniels you need to stick to regular brushing to prevent mats and tangles from forming, bathing every four to six weeks, or as needed, ear care, and dental hygiene.
Do English Cocker Spaniels Shed
Yes, these dogs shed at moderate levels all-year round and heavily when experiencing seasonal change.
Do English Cocker Spaniel Shed
Yes, because of their double coat, English Cocker Spaniels shed all year round moderately and heavily when experiencing seasonal change.
Are English Cocker Spaniel Hypoallergenic
No, they are not hypoallergenic dogs as they shed all year round hence not suitable for people who suffer from dog allergies.
English Cocker Spaniel Quick Facts
- English Cocker Spaniels are fit for apartments.
- They associate well with other dogs.
- English Cocker Spaniels are best for first-time dog parents.
