Cocker Spaniel

Originally bred as a working gundog the Cocker Spaniel has consistently been one of the UK's most popular family pets for decades. Over the years the breed has also made its mark in many other countries of the world both in the field and a home environment. They are happy energetic dogs that adapt well to most lifestyles. Cockers are extremely intelligent they boast having kind patient loyal natures and are never happier than when exploring a back garden park or countryside with their noses glued to the ground.

The Cocker Spaniel is just at home in a home environment as they are out in the field and will happily retrieve objects around the house garden or when out on a walk much as they would when working. They love to please which in short means they are highly trainable. The dogs we see today were recognised as a breed when the Kennel Club was first established in 1873.

It's worth noting there are two definite types of Cocker Spaniel one being used in the field as a working dog and therefore quite a bit lighter and the other being a show dog which have quite a bit heavier and sturdier build. Cockers need to know who is the boss and occasionally need to be reminded of this because they are much happier dogs when they know their place in the pack and who to look up to when they need any sort of guidance and direction.

Cocker Spaniels have a fascinating ancestry being descendants of one of the oldest breeds namely the spaniel. There are records of spaniels that date back to the time of Chaucer in the 14th Century and Shakespeare during the 16th and 17th Centuries. However there are those who believe that spaniels arrived on British shores far earlier than that and it was at the time of the Roman invasion during 54 and 55 BC that these charming dogs were introduced to the country. It is thought that spaniels may well have originated in Spain mainly because the name "spaniel" could come from the word Hispania which we now know as Spain. Others believe their name could have come from a French phrase which is Chiens de l'Espagnol which translated means Spanish Dogs.

Throughout time spaniels were specifically bred to work flushing out game for hunters in challenging terrains and were highly prized by the late 1600's whether they were asked to work on land or marshlands and water. Originally there were two "types" being land and water spaniels. It was only in the 19th century that enthusiasts began to separate them with "land" spaniels becoming a more specialised breed although there is no evidence of them being used to retrieve game at that point in time but rather to drive it towards the hunter. However things changed during the 17th Century when spaniels began being used as gun dogs.

Cocker Spaniels were not recognised as a specific breed by the Kennel Club because Springer Spaniels could produce different types of puppies in one single litter namely Springers Sussex and Cocker Spaniels. The first of the modern Cocker Spaniels we see today first appeared in 1879 were Obo the offspring of a Springer Spaniel a field spaniel.

By the mid eighteen hundreds other spaniel breeds appeared on the scene but it was not until the Kennel Club was established here in the UK in 1874 that any dog under a certain weight (11 kg) was deemed to be a Cocker. In 1885 a breed standard was set with enthusiasts introducing more desired traits in the breed. Over time the Cocker Spaniel became a consistent winner not only at dog shows like Crufts which the breed has won more times than any other but with families and owners alike due to their charming looks and ultra-kind natures.

Interesting facts about the breed

• Tail Docking has been carried out on Cockers for centuries. However today this practice has now been banned in the UK for the well-being of the dog
• There are 2 strains of Cocker Spaniels namely the show strain and the working strain with the working Cocker having a much lighter build than a show Cocker and they have finer coats as well as less feathering than their show counterparts
• Cocker Spaniels are quite different looking than the American Cocker Spaniel

Height at the withers: Males 39 - 41 cm Females 38 - 38 cm

Average Weight: Males 13 - 14.5 kg Females 13 - 14.5 kg

One thing about Cocker Spaniels that is so endearing to many is their happy and kind personalities always ready to wag their tail and ultra-eager to please. They are sturdy compact looking little dogs that are never happier than when they are being kept busy. There is a distinct difference in the appearance of a working Cocker Spaniel and a Show Cocker with working dogs being lighter they have finer coats and far less feathering than show dogs.

Cocker Spaniels have charmingly square muzzles with well-developed skulls which are nicely proportioned giving them their unique and endearing looks. Their eyes are typically dark or brown in colour and nicely rounded not protruded at all. Dogs with liver or liver roan coats as well as liver and white dogs have hazel coloured eyes that blend in well with their colouring which is totally acceptable as a breed standard. Cockers are considered to have an intelligent look in their eyes gentle yet always very alert.

Ears are long and lobular always lying close to a dog's head. A Cocker's jaw is strong with a perfect bite a physical trait these dogs needed when carrying and retrieving game. Cockers as previously mentioned are well-proportioned compact little dogs with strong legs and nicely formed toplines that slope gently from the wither to the tail.

Chests are well developed being neither too narrow or too wide. Their hindquarters are nicely rounded and muscular. They have very cat-like feet being well padded. Cockers always carry their tails level to their bodies. One of their endearing traits is the eagerness with which they are willing to wag their tails not only when happy but when they are tracking down a scent too.

Under their breed standard Cocker Spaniels should have "flat silky coats to the touch that should never be wiry or wavy nor should their coat be too curly or profuse" and their front and back legs as well as their bodies should be well-feathered. Some Cockers have a slight wave in their coats and although very rare dogs can have very curly coats too which is thought to be a throwback to their water spaniel lineage.

Show Cockers boast lovely flat and silky coats with lots of feathering on legs and trim. One of the most attractive physical traits the Cocker Spaniel boasts is their amazing variety of acceptable colours under the Kennel Club Breed Standard being as follows:

• Black
• Black & Tan
• Black & White
• Black & White Ticked
• Black White & Tan
• Blue Roan
• Blue Roan & Tan
• Chocolate
• Chocolate & Tan
• Chocolate & White
• Chocolate Roan
• Chocolate Roan & Tan
• Chocolate White & Tan
• Golden
• Lemon & White
• Lemon Roan
• Liver
• Liver & White
• Liver & White Ticked
• Liver Roan
• Liver Roan & Tan
• Liver White & Tan
• Orange & White
• Orange & White Ticked
• Orange Roan
• Red

It is worth noting that sable coloured Cocker Spaniels cannot be registered with the Kennel Club.

Dogs with solid colours can have white marks on their chests which can be varying in size and when puppies with solid colours are first born they can have white marks around the tip of their muzzles and/or toes which usually start disappearing once they start growing often vanishing altogether. Black Cockers can have varying shades of black but the genetically pure black Cocker Spaniels have coats that are typically raven black

Gait/movement

Cockers move with true drive and they cover a lot of ground always looking keen and alert when they do.

Faults

The Kennel Club frowns on any exaggerations or departures from a Cocker Spaniel's breed standard. The more exaggerated a trait is the more it is regarded as being a fault because it could affect the overall wellbeing and health of a dog as well as their ability to work.

Male Cockers should also have two normal testicles fully descended in their scrotums.

It is also worth noting that the Kennel Club offers guidelines for the size and weight of a Cocker Spaniel. As such some Cockers may be a little larger or smaller and they can also weigh a little less or a bit more than stated in their KC breed standard.

Cocker Spaniels are renowned for their gentle and loving natures. They are full of life and are always ready and eager to please their wagging tails are usually all the proof a person needs to see how "merry" these dogs can be. They are consistently one of the most popular family pets for this reason. The one thing you need to bear in mind is that a Cocker will form a stronger bond with the person who feeds them. They are incredibly loyal characters that show a determination and resilience when needed.

However Cocker Spaniels need to know who is alpha dog or they may start displaying a more dominant side of their character. They are quite sensitive to loud noises which can stress them out as can any heavy handling which could result in a nervous and timid dog. Cockers benefit from positive reinforcement training and need to be handled firmly yet very gently when they are being put through their paces. They also need to be given lots of mental stimulation to be truly happy and healthy dogs.

As a rule Cockers make good family pets when given the correct training exercise and leadership and can form close relationships with family members. In a working capacity there are few dogs which can cover all types of ground and terrain including working in thorny and thick bush and hedgerows with the same grace and poise of a Cocker Spaniel. And everyone knows that Spaniels love of water. This is something to bear in mind when walking anywhere near water especially in freezing weather when thin ice may be a problem. Another thing worth noting is that many Show Cocker Spaniels have retained their natural instinct to "work" which is another reason these dogs are so interesting and fun to have around and why they do better when they are kept busy and well exercised.

Are they a good choice for first time owners?

Cocker Spaniels have remained one of the most popular family pets the world over thanks to their gentle kind natures and because they are so amenable they are a wonderful choice for first time owners.

What about prey drive?

Cockers have a medium to high prey drive but the good news is that with correct training and handling it is possible to gently curb this trait. Teaching a Cocker the ground rules and boundaries from an early age together with instilling a strong recall response all helps reduce the risk of a Cocker taking off after another animal they come across or spy in the distance.

What about playfulness?

Cocker Spaniels are renowned for being playful and of having a real sense of humour. They enjoy playing interactive games and like nothing more than to keep an owner entertained which they do well into their senior years.

What about adaptability?

Cockers are highly adaptable dogs and will happily live in an apartment setting providing they are given the right amount of daily exercise and mental stimulation. A bored Cocker would quickly find ways to entertain themselves which could see dogs being destructive around the home and excessive barking.

What about separation anxiety?

Cockers form strong bonds with their owners and families which in short means they are not happy when left to their own devices for any great length of time. They are better suited to households where one person stays at home when everyone else is out or in homes where there are other dogs and pets.

What about excessive barking?

A bored Cocker Spaniel may well start barking excessively which is why it's so important for them to be well exercised every day which should always include lots of mental stimulation. With this said a tired Cocker is a well-behaved dog and a bored Cocker that’s not given enough to do will quickly develop behavioural issues which includes excessive barking**.**

Do Cocker Spaniels like water?

Cocker Spaniels have a real affinity with water and will jump in whenever they can which is why it's important to take extra care when walking a Cocker anywhere near more dangerous water courses.

Are Cockers good watchdogs?

Cocker Spaniels are not known to be good watchdogs but they will bark if anyone comes to the door or if they think something untoward is going on in their environment.

Cocker Spaniels are very intelligent dogs with the added bonus being they love to please and are always willing to learn new things they are taught. As such they are easy to train providing their education starts early and their training is consistent throughout their lives. Housetraining is not usually an issue with a Cocker because they quickly learn where to do their "business".

Cockers need to be taught basic obedience from the word go and they should know the boundaries and limits an owner sets for them which they don't typically test once they know the rules. The first commands to teach a Cocker are as follows:

• Sit
• Stay
• Come
• Wait
• Leave
• Quiet
• Bed

Cockers enjoy taking part in all sorts of canine sports which includes activities like agility flyball and obedience all of which they breed is known to excel at. A lot of Cocker Spaniels show a natural ability to work alongside hunters and quickly learn what they are asked to do when out in the field.

Cocker Spaniels are known to be very tolerant and patient with children of all ages which is one of the reasons they have remained such popular family pet the world over. With this said any playtime or interaction between the kids and a dog should always be well supervised especially when toddlers are around. If well socialised when puppies Cocker Spaniels tend to be very good around other family pets and this includes cats and small animals commonly found in the home which is also due to the fact they are very social dogs by nature.

As with any other breed it's always a good idea to make sure any introductions to new animals and dogs goes smoothly which means you must be there and to make sure nothing happens that could make the introductions stressful.

The average life expectancy of a Cocker Spaniel is between 11 to 12 years and even longer when properly cared for and fed an appropriate good quality diet to suit their ages and any health issues a dog may be suffering from.

However the breed is known to suffer from and develop certain hereditary and congenital health issues as well as some acquired ones which are worth knowing about if you are hoping to share your home with a Cocker Spaniel.

According to a survey carried out by the Kennel Club here in the UK cancer is one of the leading causes for the death of around 30% of Cockers. Other commonly seen disorders include the following:

• Skin allergies
• Benign tumours
• Deafness
• Bite problems

Eye issues are also a concern in the breed with Cocker Spaniels being known to suffer from the following disorders:

• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) - an inherited eye disorder with the most common form of the disease seen in Cocker Spaniels being General Progressive Retinal Atrophy or GPRA. Dogs as young as 18 months old can develop the condition although some Cockers only show any symptoms when they are 7 years old or so. The condition is caused by an autosomal recessive gene which means both parent dogs must carry the gene in order to pass it on to their offspring
• Retinal Pigment Epithelial Dystrophy (RPED) - a condition that was once known as Central Progressive Retinal Atrophy (CPRA) and studies have established that the condition is linked to an inherited metabolic inability for dogs to circulate Vitamin E in their systems. Dogs suffering from the condition may be able to retain their peripheral sight but their overall vision is negatively impacted. For the moment there is no DNA test available and it is not known just how the genetic defect is passed on from a parent to their offspring
• Primary Glaucoma - a very painful eye disorder where a build-up of fluid behind a dog's eye causes all the problems thanks to an inherited abnormality which is the site of a drainage angle in a dog's eyes. Any dog that develops the condition would lose their sight and an affected eye typically often should be surgically removed. Fortunately there is a test for dogs with a predisposition to the condition which is part of the BVA/KC eye testing scheme. It is a one-off test that Cocker Spaniels should undergo. The exact reason why Cockers inherit the disorder however remains unknown and therefore for the moment there is no DNA test available
• Cataracts
• Persistent pupillary membrane
• Distichiasis ( Too many eyelashes )
• Entropion(Eyelids Folding Inwards )
• Ectropion( Eyelids Roll Outwards )

Other health issues that can affect Cocker Spaniels include the following:

• Hip dysplasia - a DNA test is available
• Patellar luxation
• Canine dilated cardiomyopathy
• Heart murmurs
• Autoimmune Disease covers various immune-mediated disorders which includes Addisons Disease Hypothyroidism Haemolytic Anaemia to name but four with Cockers being more predisposed to suffering from Haemolytic Anaemia. It is not yet known if the disorder is inherited but research suggests that age sex and environment could play a role in why some dogs develop the condition
• Familial nephropathy (FN) - a fatal hereditary condition that affects a Cocker's kidneys and is a disorder seen in young dogs. It's caused by a recessive gene and since the mid-eighties a Control Scheme was established to record all dogs both male and female that were diagnosed as suffering from FN and which could no longer be used in a breeding programme
• Chronic pancreatitis has been reported in the breed with some Cockers developing diabetes mellitus as a result of suffering from the condition
• Mammary tumours
• Acral Mutilation Syndrom (AMS) is a condition that's seen in puppies from working lines of the Cocker Spaniel. AMS causes lesions due to self-mutilation thanks to a loss of sensitivity in these regions of the body. It is caused by a simple autosomal recessive gene which in short means both parents need to carry the gene for them to pass it on to their offspring. Fortunately there is a DNA test available
• Adult Onset Neuropathy (AON) is an autosomal recessive disorder seen in older Cocker Spaniels when they are anything from 7 to 9 years of age. There is a DNA test available in the UK which is carried out by Laboklin UK

Another issue that is associated with Show Cockers is a condition known as Rage Syndrome although luckily this is relatively rare. Dogs for no apparent reason will suddenly attack another dog quite savagely without giving any warning they are about to do so. When it does happen a Cocker (or other breed) will typically have a glazed look about their eyes and they appear to be totally unaware of where they are and their surroundings. It has been reported that Cocker Spaniels with solid coloured coats are more prone to suffering from Rage Syndrome although it has to be said it is very rare.

More about ear problems

Because Cockers have long pendulous ears they are more at risk of developing ear infections. Their longer ears offer protection to a dog's inner ear but at the same time moisture can get trapped inside which offers the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive in. Making sure air can circulate in a dog's ears is essential to prevent this from happening and it's important to thoroughly dry a dog's ears whenever they get wet. It's also a good idea to keep their ears trimmed and to check that no grass seeds or other debris has got lodged in a dog's inner ear which can lead to a painful infection flaring up. Regularly checking a Cocker's ears helps recognise when there's too much build-up of wax which could also trigger an infection.

What about vaccinations?

Puppies should be vaccinated when they are around 8 10 and 12 weeks old with most vets recommending that dogs are given annual boosters for the rest of their lives although there is some debate as to whether boosters are necessary so it’s important to discuss this with a vet before making a final decision. With this said any Cocker going into a boarding kennel must have their vaccinations up to date.

What about spaying and neutering?

Cockers like other breeds should be spayed and neutered at the right time. Females can be spayed when they are 6 months old and male Cockers can be neutered when they are 6 months old too.

What about obesity problems?

Cocker Spaniels are known to like their food with some dogs liking it a little too much which is why it's important to keep an eye on a dog's weight and to adjust the amount of food they fed every day accordingly. Obesity can shorten a dog's life span by several years and it puts them more at risk of developing serious health issues. Food treats should be kept to a minimum because this could also add too many calories to a Cocker’s diet.

What about allergies?

Cocker Spaniels are prone to suffering from allergies and it's important to identify the problem as soon as possible. Finding the triggers for allergies often proves challenging and it takes time and patience to establish just what is causing the problem. The most common triggers are as follows:

• Diet
• Environment
• Parasites (fleas)
• Pollen and grasses
• Chemicals commonly found in household products

Recognising health issues in Cocker Spaniels

As with any other breed recognising when a Cocker Spaniel may be developing some sort of health concern early often makes their condition that much easier to treat and the prognosis for certain conditions tends to be better too. This is especially true of ear and eye infections. The earlier a problem can be diagnosed and treated the better with the outcome typically being that much better too.

Participating in health schemes

There are many health schemes available for Cocker Spaniels and both breeders and owners should be aware of them as it is the only way of ensuring hereditary and congenital health issues are not passed on to a dog's offspring thus ensuring the health of the breed. The scheme available are as follows:

• PRA - BVA eye testing scheme
• Primary glaucoma - BVA/KC eye testing scheme
• Hip dysplasia - Kennel Club/BVA Hip Scoring scheme
• GPRA - results of tests can be found on the Optigen website
• Familial nephropathy test provided by Antagene (France). Results of tests can be found on the Kennel Club website
• Adult Onset Neuropathy (AN) - DNA test provided by Laboklin UK

What about breed specific breeding restrictions?

The Kennel Club observes strict breeding restrictions for pedigree dogs which can be found on their site and which all potential buyers should be aware of. This includes the number of litters a dam has produced and her age. Currently there are no breed specific restrictions.

What about Assured Breeder Requirements?

Assured Breeders are required to follow schemes and tests as well as advice relevant to Cocker Spaniels which includes the following

• DNA test - prcd-PRA
• DNA test - FN

Other tests and schemes that all breeders should follow include the following:

• BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
• BVA/KC/ISDS Gonioscopy