Key Facts To Understand About The Cocker Spaniel
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by: Brent McCoy
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Word Count: 695
Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2012 Time: 8:08 PM
The Cocker Spaniel is a true sporting breed of dog that is often divided into two categories with very small differences - the American Cocker Spaniel and English Cocker Spaniel. Each features long, wavy-haired ears with a cost that comes in a variety of solid and multi-color combinations including white with black, red or brown markings, black, liver, red, golden and tan. The primary differences between them are that the American Cocker Spaniel is smaller with a shorter muzzle, domed head and shorter back while the English Cocker Spaniel is larger with a slightly narrower head and chest.
A few of their most typical qualities are seen as cheerful and affectionate temperament as well as their love for being part of the family - which help make the Cocker Spaniel one of the most popular breeds around the world as a companion dog for active families.
The English Cocker Spaniel is believed to have descended from the original spaniels of Spain as early as the 1300s, whereas the American Cocker Spaniel was created after the English Cocker Spaniel was brought to the United States in the 1800s and cross-bred with smaller local dogs. They were both designed for specialist bird hunting purposes - the English Cocker Spaniel was chosen for hunting woodcock, while the need for creating the smaller American Cocker Spaniel was based on hunting small game such as quail.
American Cocker Spaniels are classed as a small-sized breed of dog. The suggested standard size for the American Cocker Spaniel male is 15 inches high from paw to shoulder and a weight of 24-28 pounds, while the recommended size for female American Cocker Spaniels is 14 inches tall from paw to shoulder with a weight of 24-28 pounds.
English Cocker Spaniels are classed as a medium-sized breed. The suggested standard size for the English Cocker Spaniel male is 16-17 inches tall from paw to shoulder and a weight of 28-34 pounds, while the recommended size for female English Cocker Spaniels is 15-16 inches high from paw to shoulder with a weight of 26-32 pounds.
Both types of Cocker Spaniel are legendary for their cheerful, affectionate and loyal spirit. They are usually friendly with guests, which can mean they are unsuitable as a guard dog.
The English Cocker Spaniel and American Cocker Spaniel are both demonstrated to be highly intelligent - scoring equal 18th and 20th respectively in comparison with other dogs in terms of their capacity to be trained obedience directives. They are also renowned to be great with children - which means they are highly suitable as a family pet. The Cocker Spaniel is very compatible with other dogs and gets along very well with cats when raised with them.
The Cocker Spaniel enjoys having a small yard to provide them with enough space, but they are quite suitable for apartment life so long as they are given daily exercise.
The Cocker Spaniel loves pursuits such as chasing after a ball or frisbee and just simply being included in any activity with their family. They possess a medium to high quantity of energy and this calls for exercise every day in the form of moderate to long walks (with English Cocker Spaniels requiring slightly more exercise than American Cocker Spaniels) to prevent destructive behavior that can result from boredom if they're left alone all day.
The Cocker Spaniel can be the right dog breed for an active owner or family looking for a dog to include in their every activity. They are well-matched to anybody that is prepared to do a fairly high amount of grooming and set aside time to give them early socialization and basic obedience training to help reduce problem barking as well as take them on moderately long daily walks and bestow a high sum of companionship and attention - though they can be left alone for short periods, they are happiest when included in the family life and thrive on human contact. Although they might be to some extent inappropriate for a guard dog, if you are capable of meeting their need for human contact and regular activity then the Cocker Spaniel possibly will make the best dog for you.
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HeartMyDog.com is a website written by dog lovers for dog lovers which advises on a wide variety of subjects that include dog training, dog health as well as advice on dog breeds like specifics about Cocker Spaniel information.
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