Should you get a Cocker Spaniel?
Cocker spaniels are known for their friendly and gentle nature, making them great family pets. They are intelligent, easy to train, and highly adaptable. With their beautiful long ears and expressive eyes, cocker spaniels have an irresistible charm that makes them popular among dog lovers.
The Cocker Spaniel breed has a rich history
that dates back to 19th century England. Originally bred from the larger English Spaniel, the goal was to create a smaller spaniel with exceptional hunting abilities. This selective breeding eventually led to the development of two distinct breeds: the English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel. Both breeds share similar characteristics, such as their friendly temperament and intelligence, but the English Cocker Spaniel is a bit larger (weight and height). There are also subtle differences in eye shape, jawline and head shape.
Cocker Spaniels were originally bred
for flushing out and retrieving game birds, particularly woodcock, they possess a unique set of skills that make them excellent hunting companions. With their keen sense of smell, they are able to track down birds with precision. Their good endurance allows them to cover long distances in pursuit of game, while their gentle mouth ensures that they can retrieve birds without causing any harm
Cocker Spaniels are a unique breed
in that they can have either long or short hair, which sets them apart from many other dog breeds. The long-haired variety is often referred to as “show” dogs because they are groomed and showcased in dog shows, highlighting their beautiful flowing coats. On the other hand, the short-haired Cocker Spaniels are known as “field” dogs because they excel in hunting and working in the fields. Their shorter coat allows them to maneuver through dense vegetation without getting tangled or weighed down.
In Landmark Research on Modern Dog Breed
development, the Cocker Spaniel has been shown to share the most DNA with an ancestor of the following breeds:
Field Spaniel
Springer Spaniel
American Cocker Spaniel
In a 2004 research study
a Cocker Spaniel named Tangle could detect human cancers at an accuracy rate of 56%. After working with the dog, scientists increased that number to 80%!
According to AKC Breed Standard
the Cocker Spaniel can reach up to 15.5 inches in height and up to 30 pounds in weight. Accepted coat colors are are solid black, cream, brown, and red with or without white markings. They also come in two color coats with white and any one of the approved solid colors.
The Cocker Spaniel was recognized
by the American Kennel Club in 1878. It was one of the first breeds to be recognized along with the:
1878 – Pointer
1878 – Retriever (Chesapeake Bay)
1878 – Spaniel (Clumber)
1878 – Setter (English)
1878 – Setter (Gordon)
1878 – Setter (Irish)
1878 – Spaniel (Irish Water)
1878 – Spaniel (Sussex)
Growing Up Cocker Spaniel
Get a FREE Video of your dog HERE!
How Fast Can a Cocker Spaniel Run?
The AKC Conducts Dog Racing Trials each December in Orlando, FL. called the Fast CAT Invitational. This is a 100 yard race where dogs run individually chasing a lure. The average running speed by Cocker Spaniels is about 18 mph. The fastest recorded speed by a Cocker was by a dog named MACH3 Louie Winston Clumberstein at 23.49 mph!
The name “Cocker Spaniel” is an adaptation
of the early name of their original hunting method which was to jump into water and “cock” or shake their heads from side to side splashing water over the nearby shoreline to flush out prey, especially ducks.
Cocker Spaniel Personality and Temperament
The CBARQ Dog Temperament Research study, conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, is a giant study of over 300 dog breeds and 60,000 individual dogs. In this study, the Cocker Spaniel ranks 7 out of 124 breeds in attention seeking behavior. They crave the attention of their owners and are very likely to get jealous and act out when attention is given to another dog or person. They also rank high for separation anxiety.
In this Same Research
the Cocker Spaniel ranks high (26 out of 124 breeds) in rivalry towards other dogs in the same household. They are likely to threaten or act hostile to another dog in the house if they approach their toy, bone, bedding etc.
Cocker Spaniel Humor!
In the Landmark Book
entitled, “The Intelligence of Dogs”, professor Stanley Coren researched and documented the intelligence of over 130 different dog breeds. In his book, the Cocker Spaniel ranks 18 out of 138 breeds in working/obedience intelligence. Essentially this means they will learn new commands in 5 to 15 repetitions and obey first commands more than 85% of the time. This puts them in the “excellent working and obedience intelligence” category. In contrast, the least intelligent breeds will learn the same command in 80-100 repetitions or more!
Cocker Spaniel’s Have an Average
lifespan of 10-14 years, but many live longer, in fact, a dog named Uno lived to be 22! While they are relatively healthy dogs but there are a few health conditions to watch out for such as cataract formation. They also tend to have sensitive immune systems and are prone to ear infections. And although uncommon, Cocker Spaniel rage syndrome is a rare condition that does occur.
The American Kennel Club recognizes
the English and American Cocker Spaniels as different breeds as does the FCI. However, the FCI calls the American Cocker Spaniel by name while the AKC calls the American version simply “Cocker Spaniel”.
Check Your Cocker Spaniel Facts and Take a Fun Cocker Spaniel Quiz!
Facts About Cocker Spaniels-Final Thoughts
Cocker Spaniels are truly wonderful dogs. From their beautiful long hair to their sweet temperament, they have a special place in the hearts of dog lovers everywhere. Cocker Spaniel puppies bring joy and happiness to any home with their friendly and happy nature. These intelligent dogs thrive on plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, making positive reinforcement training methods highly effective. One of the most endearing qualities of Cocker Spaniels is their ability to form strong bonds with their owners, creating a deep and meaningful connection. These friendly dogs can melt your heart with their big brown eyes and you may find yourself experiencing separation anxiety when you are not around them!
