Cocker Spaniel Resource

The pleasure of owning a well-bred cocker spaniel is unmatched! They are, on the other hand, a breed that requires an EXTREMELY high level of upkeep. They need to be groomed on a consistent basis, which will either demand you to take them to a professional groomer on a regular basis or invest in the necessary supplies and train yourself to do it yourself. They do shed some hair, but brushing them on a regular basis helps minimize the amount.

When thinking about a cocker, one must keep in mind that their emotional requirements are of the utmost importance. The Cocker Spaniel is a very people-oriented breed. They ARE REQUIRED to get a significant quantity of attention from their human relatives. As a consequence of this, they are NOT suitable for usage as “outdoor dogs.” Cocker Spaniels are the canine equivalent of “magnet dogs;” everywhere you go, they go with you! They are not the kind of breed that would be content wandering out to a distant location by themselves. They want to be in close proximity to you at all times and would much rather be touching you. (these are the most comfortable and effective foot warmers!)

Cocker Spaniels are very adaptable dogs who thrive in a wide variety of residential settings. (so long as they are not there by themselves!) They are content when they are in the company of both other dogs and cats. They don’t need a lot of physical activity, but they do need a decent walk every day, just like any other kind of dog. Their go-to form of physical activity is chasing tennis balls around the court. They have a great sense of humor!

The temperament of cockers makes them ideal family pets. However, it is imperative that each and every youngster be trained to be very kind and to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner around all animals. They should NEVER be given the opportunity to tease or do any kind of injury to a cocker spaniel in any form, including pulling the dog’s ears, tail, or coat.

The ability to train cockers is VERY high. They are exceedingly eager to please their master and take great pleasure in carrying out almost all of their requests. Obedience, agility, tracking, flyball, rally, and field work are all areas in which Cocker Spaniels thrive. The cocker spaniel has, without a doubt, kept the instincts for hunting for which he was bred.

Food is a major preoccupation for cockers. This increases their capacity to be trained (“Will work for food!”), but it also increases their risk of becoming overweight. The proprietors should constantly choose a cuisine that is of a good grade and carefully measure it out. In addition, treats should be picked with care, and the dog should never be given “table food.” Obesity in animals results in the same host of health issues as it does in people.

Cocker spaniels are susceptible to a wide variety of hereditary conditions. This is true of all dogs, but unfortunately, the huge popularity of the breed over the course of the last fifty years has led to the uneducated and indiscriminate breeding of dogs that are of a lower quality. Breeders who wanted to make a profit off of this popularity did not educate themselves on pedigrees, health concerns, or the importance of choosing the right dogs to breed. They also did not do genetic health testing on their breeding stock, which contributed to the continuation of health and temperament issues that still affect the breed today. It is not necessary to have a degree in biology in order to breed healthy, excellent cockers; nevertheless, you will need to conduct a significant amount of study and seek guidance from breeders who have had previous success. Even respectable breeders may have issues with the health of their stock from time to time, but the likelihood of such issues occurring is much reduced when breeding is carried out in a responsible and knowledgeable manner.

If you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to send us an e-mail. To find out more about Cocker Spaniels we include some links of interest below to websites and other breeders.

Cocker Specific