For a long time, the Cocker Spaniel was hardly to be seen on UK streets. Today, the coveted family dog is one of the most popular dog breeds among UK. The funny and friendly fellow with the floppy ears is one of the first dog breeds to come from modern pedigree breeding. He was already recognised by the Kennel Club in the 19th century. The adaptable dog was even Walt Disney’s godfather for the character of Lady in the Walt Disney classic “Lady and the Tramp”. Courageous and family-friendly, the Cocker Spaniel is almost like in the film. However, he is not a companion for everyone. As a hunting dog, he can challenge his owners and when it comes to feeding, the Cocker Spaniel is not an easy dog to handle. If this doesn’t put you off, you can look forward to a playful and lovable friend.
The Cocker Spaniel and his nature
It is not without reason that the Cocker Spaniel is one of the most popular dogs in UK. As a family dog he is an ideal companion with a very friendly nature. He is spirited and cheerful. However, he can also show a certain stubbornness at times. The Cocker Spaniel is a very adaptable dog who loves to play. His practical size makes him an excellent companion. However, the hunting fever is still in the Cocker Spaniel and so he also needs regular and extensive exercise. He has a great urge to move and simple walks are not enough for him. However, he likes to be animated to retrieve or to swim. If you are looking for a passionate hunting companion, you will find in the Cocker Spaniel a dog with intelligence and enthusiasm for foraging. He follows tracks fearlessly, even if he has to go through dense bushes or into the water to do so. The Cocker Spaniel learns quickly and gladly and is interested in everything new. If he is well exercised, he is always in a good mood and gives his family a lot of pleasure.
The Cocker Spaniel and his historical background
Spaniels have probably existed for several centuries. Traditions and artistic representations prove this fact. These dogs have always been companions for hunting and as such were called “Field Spaniels” in the last century. It was not until much later that the terms “Springing Spaniel” and “Cocking Spaniel” were coined. These names referred to the dog’s way of hunting. The Cocking Spaniel or today’s Cocker Spaniel was bred specifically for hunting woodcock. Today’s popular family dog is the result of elaborate and dedicated breeding. This was mainly done in England. The Cocker Spaniel was primarily a hunting dog, which was used mainly as a retriever until the Second World War. From the 1920s onwards, the Cocker Spaniel became established as a family dog, whose heyday lasted from about 1950 to 1970. At that time, the Cocker Spaniel even reached the top 10 of the most popular dog breeds in UK, which it has not left until today. The Cocker Spaniel can sometimes still be seen as a hunting dog. The official name of the dog is now “English Cocker Spaniel”. The reason for this is the “American Cocker Spaniel” which descends from the European original and is popular in the USA as a show dog.
The appearance of the Cocker Spaniel
With a size of about 40 centimetres, the Cocker Spaniel is one of the small dog breeds. He is compact and athletically built. From the ground to the withers it measures as much as from the withers to the base of the tail. The Cocker Spaniel thus has a square build. A pronounced stop or browline and a square muzzle characterise the head of the Spaniel. The characteristic eyes are large and brown. Long and drooping ears are a distinctive feature of the Cocker Spaniel. The tail is moderately long. Docking was generally common in the past. Today, however, it is only permitted in designated hunting dogs. The coat of this dog is soft, silky, dense and long. The exception is the head. Here the coat is short. Thus the Cocker Spaniel belongs to the long-haired dog breeds, which also require special care. In terms of colour, the Cocker Spaniel offers a colourful repertoire. The most common colour is the solid red-haired Spaniel. However, solid black or brown is just as possible as multi-coloured, mouldy or pied.
What are the requirements of the Cocker Spaniel?
The Cocker Spaniel is cheerful and gentle but also spirited and lively. He is affectionate and loyal towards his people. He is open-minded and friendly towards both people and animals. This makes him the perfect family and companion dog. He adapts quickly and easily, but in any case needs consistent and loving training and clear leadership. As a dog with a strong passion for hunting, he can be very stubborn at times. If the hunting fever takes hold of him, obedience is often suspended. He needs a lot of exercise and mental work. Sufficient exercise, retrieving games or dog sports are especially important for him, because the Cocker Spaniel tends to be overweight. Regular weight control and attentiveness with the food are also required here. If this dog has enough activity, it can also be kept indoors. In addition, the Cocker Spaniel requires extensive grooming. The coat must be brushed daily. Eyes and ears should be checked regularly and cleaned if necessary.
The perfect person for the Cocker Spaniel is…
As an extremely lively contemporary, this dog needs a lot of exercise and therefore also time. He is not a dog for comfortable people who like to spend their free time on the couch. If the Cocker Spaniel is not left out, he becomes fat, ponderous and very stubborn. He is rather a dog for sporty natures, who like to run, cycle or even go swimming with the dog. As he needs a lot of care, this time must also be calculated into the daily routine. As a rule, the Cocker Spaniel has no problems with children at any age. Nevertheless, it must always be carefully considered whether the upbringing of children and that of a Cocker Spaniel are really compatible. It should always be remembered that the Cocker Spaniel notices and reacts immediately if it does not receive 100% attention.
The Cocker Spaniel, best suited for beginners and families
Cocker Spaniels not only look nice and friendly, they are. They love to cuddle, need lots of petting and are perfect as a beginner dog. If well cared for and kept in a species-appropriate manner, these little darlings can live up to 14 years. As a family dog, this lively breed can really be challenged. Especially when children live in the household, the cute dogs with the long “floppy ears” can really let off steam. They are also popular as hunting dogs, retrievers, water dogs and retrievers. They like to be challenged and kept busy all day long.
They need a lot of exercise and therefore like to be active even in bad weather. Sporting exaggeration is not necessary, but most Cocker Spaniels have nothing against a round of jogging. It is best to take a short break on the way so that retrieving games can take place. A garden with some undergrowth is a perfect and safe playground for the Cocker. As the dog breed loves to browse, many dog owners are happy to support this urge. In public forests, rummaging in the undergrowth is mostly not possible, especially if leash is compulsory. No responsible dog owner should let his Cocker Spaniel run free in the forest if it is forbidden by the authorities or the municipality. Most hunters who discover a dog running free quickly reach for their rifle. Rummaging should therefore only take place in protected areas where nothing can happen to the Cocker Spaniel. The dog’s safety should always come first.
The Cocker Spaniel and his health
Basically, the Cocker Spaniel is a very robust dog that can reach an age of about 12 to 15 years. However, there are some diseases that are typical for this breed. These include problems with the eyes, which require regular check-ups. There may be drooping eyelids, rolling eyelids or cataracts, eye discharge or conjunctivitis. The ears of the Cocker Spaniel are also susceptible. It is prone to infections, mites or even deafness. There is also a predisposition to diabetes due to the tendency to obesity. A disease peculiar to the Cocker Spaniel is cocker rage. This is an unprovoked aggressiveness that occurs in fits and starts. The reasons for this disease are not fully understood. However, an occurrence with the coat colour “golden” (red) is discussed again and again.
Attention, it depends on the right food
Cocker Spaniels have a big appetite and like to eat quickly. To keep the dog healthy and athletic for many years, a responsible dog owner should not overdose the daily meals. Cocker Spaniels quickly put on excess pounds, even if they exercise frequently. Treats are allowed as a reward, but should not be given too generously and should be exactly in line with the daily food requirements. Fresh meat and meaty, juicy beef bones are also allowed. If, however, there is an undesirable increase in weight over time, the use of diet feed is advised. In any case, the husbandry should be appropriate to the species, so that the dog not only feels well, but also remains healthy. The question of suitable food can be asked directly when buying a puppy, preferably from a breeder who belongs to one of the VDH clubs.
Breeders who have accompanied and looked after the puppies from birth not only know them best, they also know which food the respective dog prefers and which food is best for its health. In principle, general information about the different dog breeds, such as Cocker Spaniels, can be researched well, but every dog is an individual who has personal inclinations and taste preferences. It can therefore only be an advantage if you seek advice from your breeder right at the beginning so that you can feed your new family member in the same way as the breeder did. The fewer changes are necessary at the beginning of a long dog friendship, the better. The young Cocker Spaniel can then settle in even faster and more intensively with its new family.
The species-appropriate keeping of a Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels are only happy and develop splendidly if they are kept in a species-appropriate manner. First and foremost is outdoor exercise, which should ideally take place twice a day, for a total of at least two hours. A lot of exercise is important, as hunting and rummaging in nature is part of the Cocker Spaniel’s nature. Dog owners who do not like jogging and want to take the dog for a run in the woods and meadows should therefore take retrieving toys or a simple branch with them on the way. Large open spaces and lonely meadows are ideal for retrieving. This way the dog can play and let off steam without having to walk long distances. As the coat of the Cocker Spaniel is quite long and the dog likes to play in nature in all weathers, it is worthwhile if a towel is already available in the car, but at the latest directly in front of the front door, so that the coat can be cleaned and dried on rainy and wet days.
Cocker Spaniels are very intelligent and friendly. It is therefore important that they are trained consistently so that they learn as quickly as possible which rules they must follow when living with humans. Consistency is important, but must not be enforced with force or harshness when raising a Cocker Spaniel. The psyche of a Spaniel would not survive this kind of training. It is therefore better to include a few more treats in the daily food plan and reduce the size of the main meal a little, then the bond between “dog and master” will be strengthened even more intimately and can be more sustainable. The rewards can then be reduced again over time when the dog is well trained and knows what is important. As Cocker Spaniels love to hunt and browse, it is important that they learn early on to return when called by their master. Once off leash, the dog’s curiosity could take over and lead to dangerous situations. Therefore, Cocker Spaniels should only be let off the leash if they are well trained and immediately return to “heel” when called.
Conclusion
Sporty people who are prepared to train a dog consistently and lovingly will have a lot of fun with the Cocker Spaniel. He can integrate very well into an existing family, because he has no problem with children. Nevertheless, it must be carefully considered whether there is enough time for the dog in addition to raising children. In any case, it must be kept in mind that the Cocker Spaniel still has a passion for hunting. Under certain circumstances, this behaviour can become problematic and you should be prepared for it at all times. If you like to exercise with your new companion, pay attention to his diet and learn to deal with his idiosyncrasies, you will find a loyal companion in the Cocker Spaniel.
