Cocker Spaniel Facts

The American breed is developed from the English Cocker Spaniel. As you can expect, it differs from the parental breed in appearance, care level and temperament. With proper training, it makes a wonderful family pet for several years. Bringing home a playful Cocker Spaniel puppy is indeed very exciting for all dog lovers. But, if you are new to dog keeping, it may be a bit difficult to take up new responsibilities. So, here are some basic Cocker Spaniel facts for you to be able to appreciate the company of this intelligent dog breed more.

Cocker Spaniel Facts and Information

The desirable traits of American Cocker Spaniel are long ears, smooth fur, high energy level and good temperament. With this small dog breed, you don't have to worry much about adaptability and behavioral problems. Look wise, it is beautiful with long, straight and silky coat. You will find this popular breed in shades of light cream, white, solid black, red, tan, merle or multicolored combination. The following is a brief info on Cocker Spaniel interesting facts, which you ought o know before owning one as a family dog.

Description
After reaching the adult stage, the standing height of Cocker Spaniel at the withers is approximately 15 inch or more. It weighs to about 30 pounds, not more than that. Eye color is usually brown, but some may have blue eyes. While medium-long hair is one of the characteristics of Cocker Spaniels, they require 2-3 times combing in a week to maintain that silky texture. In majority of cases, the tail is docked or shortened.

Training
A Cocker Spaniel can be trained easily, under the condition that you start it early, preferably during the puppy stage. Getting it trained under a professional is not a necessity. But, you need to be familiar with dog obedience training and socializing tips to make it a well-mannered pet in future. Believe me, this dog breed learns commands very quickly, and is ready to please you with its good nature.

Activity
Remarkable for its great endurance level, Cocker Spaniel loves to play outdoors. It remains cheerful and active most of the time. For your pet to stay happy, you need to show affection and spend some time out everyday for playing with it. If you are rearing in apartments, daily exercising is a must to keep it active. Otherwise, Cocker Spaniel tends to become sluggish, moody and stubborn.

Care
Along with daily brushing, wiping eyes with a damp cloth is suggested to get rid of tear stains. As it plays outdoors and garden, the long hair of the Cocker Spaniel may get tangled and dirty. Thus, regular grooming is a prerequisite to avoid skin diseases and associated problems. Also, the ears should be inspected and cleaned on a regular basis, which otherwise are susceptible to bacterial infections.

Temperament
A Cocker Spaniel has a good temperament, which makes it an excellent playmate for younger children. This dog adapts well to other household pets too. It is sweet, sensitive, loyal and sociable. However, training a Cocker Spaniel for socialization is required at the young age. Otherwise, it is quite shy as a puppy, and without training your pet may become timid afterward.

Health Problems
Cocker spaniels have long, floppy ears. What most dog owners do not know is the vulnerability of this pet dog to inner ear infections. The main reason is blockage of air circulation to the inner parts, thus making them moist and warm. As a consequence, ear infection is a common health condition for this dog breed. It is also susceptible to spinal problems, skin diseases and eye disorders, like cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy and glaucoma.

Lifespan
One of the amazing Cocker Spaniel facts is its long lifespan. Yes, this faithful dog will remain a loyal and lively companion for as long as 15 years, provided that you care for it properly. On an average, the Cocker Spaniel survives for about 12 years.

Shedding of Cocker Spaniel is a concern for some dog owners. It is not unusual to find hair on carpet, couch and other places in the house. No matter how many times you groom your pet dog, it sheds large amounts of hair at a time. However, there are many good reasons for owning a Cocker Spaniel. Very soon, you will be delighted with its faithfulness and intelligence as a household dog.