The Cocker Spaniel is a relatively small, merry, compact dog. I always think of my 'boys' as big dogs in small packages. They have a height of 15-16 inches (although Sebastian is around 16½) at the shoulder and a weight range of approximately 30-32lbs. You can expect a well cared for Cocker Spaniel to live until he is 12 years old, although many now live until they are 15+.
The origins of the Spaniel go back through the centuries, as there are paintings from the middle ages depicting small Spaniels and writings dating back to the 12th century. In the middle of the 19th century when dog shows began there appeared a division in size. Those over 25lbs were called Field Spaniels and those under, Cocker Spaniels. In about 1890 the Kennel Club officially recognized the different breeds of spaniel, of which nowadays there are eight: American Cocker, Clumber, Cocker, English Springer, Field, Irish Water, Sussex and Welsh Springer Spaniels.
Cockers are well used as gundogs, being originally bred to work with man to flush, quarter and retrieve small game birds or rabbits in the thickest of brush, bramble and woodlands. They also enjoy (given the opportunity!) many happy hours investigating interesting smells and looking for any opportunity to flush out birds, rabbits and, if you have a 'Douglas', chasing the occasional cat.
My three love nothing more than having a good old dig and will spend hours investigating rabbit holes, then they dash to the sea to cool off and luckily for me get rid of all the dirt that has collected in their feathering!!
There are a number of diseases seen in the breed such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and familial nephropathy (FN). Selective breeding is helping to eradicate these problems and in recent years the situation has improved, mainly due to responsible breeders who eye test their breeding stock under the BVA/KC Health Schemes. If you intend buying a Cocker Spaniel puppy it is highly recommended that you check to see that both the sire and dam have current clear eye certificates.
Cockers make wonderful family pets due to their very good temperaments. They are friendly, happy and well-mannered dogs. They are easy to train and very eager to please and make devoted companions. Be warned though, that if you give a Cocker Spaniel an inch they will take a mile. You need to be firm with them when they are puppies or you will be asking for trouble. Take it from me, I learnt the hard way with Sebastian as he was my first dog and I had waited so long to have him that he was and still is truly spoilt. I was off work for two months when I first had him so he was used to having me around and getting what he wanted and when he wanted it. I soon learnt though that if you give in to your Cocker Spaniel you will have a very cunning dog on your hands. Sebastian knows just what to do to get his own way. Bart and Douglas can be left and will not whine in their cage for me, but leave Sebastian and you will hear him from one side of the David Ferguson Hall to the other, whining and whinging!! Even in the car if I'm not sitting by him he whinges and whines for the whole trip. When we went to our first Champ Show with Sue & Roy Rihoy he sounded like a squeak in the car and was only drowned out when we were on the motorway.
Grooming is especially important with a Cocker Spaniel as they have long silky feathering which needs to be kept knot and mat free. Regular grooming is a must for anybody who owns a Cocker Spaniel. If you don't have time to look after their coats get a breed with short hair!!
Cockers come in seventeen different colours, the solid colours - black, red, golden, black & tan, liver, liver & tan & sable (which is also broken down into different shades). The parti colours - black & white, black & white ticked, black white & tan, blue roan, blue roan & tan, chocolate roan, chocolate roan & tan, chocolate & white, orange roan, orange & white etc. The vast range of colours is one of the things that makes the Cocker Spaniel so popular.
I hope that those of you who don't have a Cocker will find this informative. Those of you who do will know exactly what I mean!
For further information, visit the Cocker Spaniel Club website.
