The English Cocker Spaniel can make a great family dog. She has a great temperament, is highly trainable and loves her human family. She needs extensive exercise so either a properly fenced in back yard and or frequent vigorous walks are a necessity. She requires above average grooming care due to her long pendulous ears and her long and silky coat. She generally gets along well with other pets, especially if socialized young. She loves children but may need to calm herself down with them. As a reminder, never leave children unsupervised with a dog or puppy. *Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male English Cocker Spaniel is 16 to 17 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 28 to 34 pounds. The female ranges from 15 to 16 inches to the withers and 26 to 32 pounds. *Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the English Cocker Spaniel is no exception. Be on the look out for ear infections and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (inherited disease of the retina that can cause vision loss and blindness). This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list. She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets. *Grooming. The English Cocker Spaniel has a silky, fine, medium length, slightly wavy or flat coat. She will benefit from occasional professional grooming. She should be brushed regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats and help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her. Dry shampoo or bathe as she needs it. Her hair around her feet need attention also. Her ears should be specifically checked once a week and be kept clean. If you have her professionally groomed, make sure ear cleaning and inspection is part of the package. No water or excess fluid should get in the dogs ears, and do not try to irrigate the ears. Ear cleaning is too complicated and critical to instruct here. Look for hair growing in the ear canal, excess wax, or moisture. If her ears have a discharge, foul odor or she seems to be in distress and you suspect an infection, or tumor, consult your veterinarian. Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease. Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet. Generally a guillotine type trimmer is the best for this chore and competent instructions to accomplish this can be found on the net. *Life Span. The English Cocker Spaniel can live between 12 and 15 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions. *History. The English Cocker Spaniel comes from comes from Wales and southwest England where they were used for hunting game and retrieving. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1878. Some Registries: * English Cocker Spaniel Club of America, Inc. *UKC United Kennel Club *NKC National Kennel Club *CKC Continental Kennel Club *APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc. *AKC American Kennel Club *FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale *NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club *KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain *ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club *ACR = American Canine Registry Litter Size: 3 to 8 English Cocker Spaniel puppies Category: Gundog, Sporting Terms To Describe: Active, merry, energy, alive, affectionate, good disposition, faithful, good companion, *SPECIAL GOOD POINTS Good watch dog. High learning rate. High obedience. Easy to train. Generally a good child dog. Can tolerate cold. *SPECIAL BAD POINTS Poor guard dog. She needs major exercise. *Other Names Known By: Cocker Spaniel *Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.
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