Description:

The Cocker Spaniel is a smaller sized spaniel has wonderful temperament and boundless energy. They are great dogs for families as well as single people and really love being with humansThe Cocker Spaniel has a beautiful, silky medium long coat that is relatively easy to care for and maintain, even if the dog is outside.

Size:

Males stand 15 inches tall females 14 inches tall.

Weight:

Males and females weigh 24 to 28 pounds.

Diet:

1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day

Coat:

The coat of the Cocker Spaniel is varied in length with the hair on the head short and sleek and the hair on the ears, neck and chest being moderately long and well feathered. The rest of the body including the legs is well feathered with a silky, fine and flat hair that is easy to care for and very silky to the touch. For everyday practical purposes may Cocker Spaniel owners completely clip their dogs.

Exercise:

A Cocker Spaniel is active dog with heavy exercise requirements. If not exercised properly  they can become destructive and take out their energy on the owner's belongings. The same is true if they are left alone for long periods of time. Because they were bred for hunting Cocker Spaniels can sometimes seem hyperactive. In fact  a couple of daily walks plus a weekly run in the park should be enough exercise to keep the most active Cocker Spaniel satisfied.

Temperament:

The Cocker Spaniel is a happy, friendly and enthusiastic dog that is great with families and children. They are more likely to wag their tail and welcome a stranger than they are to act aggressive or territorial, although some Cocker Spaniels are good watchdogs and will bark when someone approaches.. The Cocker Spaniel is typically very good with cats and other pets however socialization will help this process. Many Cocker Spaniels that are raised with cats are very affectionate with the cat, allowing the cat to sleep in the same bed and even share toys.
Behavoiur:
The Cocker Spaniel loves to be active and does best with a family where there is moderate to high activity, especially when the dog is young. They seem to enjoy interacting with children and are tolerant of even very young kids. They do need human contact and interaction to be happy and content. Without enough attention they may be prone to habits such as chewing and barking.

Behaviour with children:

CockerSpaniels make excellent family pets and tend to be more accepting of children than other breeds. While of course this varies with each particular dog, a Cocker Spaniel is usually a dedicated animal with a great deal of playfulness. They make excellent play companions, but tend to resent teasing, which means they do better with older children.

Grooming:

CockerSpaniels require quite a deal of grooming and clipping. Daily brushings are encouraged, especially after walks in the field, and monthly professional grooming is recommended. This can add up in the long run, so it is important to remember this expense when considering this breed.

Training:

Training the Cocker Spaniel should begin at the earliest possible age, especially in regards to socialization. A very friendly and affectionate breed, the Cocker Spaniel can become shy or nervous around new people if it doesn't become accustom to new people and places. Typically a Cocker Spaniel will have no trouble interacting with new dogs or other pets such as cats or rabbits or even livestock.

History:

The modern Cocker Spaniel  descended from the Spaniel family, a large group that dates to antiquity. The word spaniel means Spanish dog, and it is generally believed that they indeed originated in Spain. By the 1800s, Spaniels were divided into two groups: toys and large hunting dogs. Hunting dogs were further divided into land and water spaniels.

Subtypes:

American Cocker Spaniel:

The Cocker Spaniel is a medium sized sturdy dog. The head is rounded with a pronounced stop. The muzzle is broad and deep with square even jaws. The teeth meet in a scissors bite.

English Cocker Spaniel:

The English Cocker Spaniel is a medium-sized, compact dog. The head looks slightly flattened when viewed from the side. The muzzle is the same length as the head with a defined stop. The nose is black or brown depending on the coat color. The teeth meet in a scissors or level bite.