English Cocker Spaniel - Dog Breed Profile

Author: Dooziedog.com

Key Facts:

Size: Small

Height: 39 - 41 cm (15 - 16 inches)

Weight: 12.7 - 14.5 kg (28 - 32 lb)

Life Span: 15 years

Grooming: Regular

Exercise: Medium

Feeding: Small

Temperament: Exuberant & cheerful

Country of Origin: England

AKC Group: Sporting

Other Names: Cocker Spaniel

Temperament:

The English Cocker Spnaiel is intelligent, cheerful, energetic and willing. English Cocker Spaniels make delightful family pets with their happy and affectionate nature. They get on well with children, household pets and other dogs. English Cocker Spaniels thrive on human company and are very pliable when it comes to training.

Grooming:

The coat needs to be brushed regularly as it tangles easily. The Cocker Spaniel should have the excessive hair on the top of the head, beneath the ears and on the neck stripped regularly by hand. Depending on the coats condition this should be done two to four times per year. The excess hair in the ear canals also needs to be removed.

Exercise:

English Cocker Spaniels do not demand a great deal of exercise and they should be content with a walk around the block each day. Most of these dogs love to swim.

History:

The English Cocker Spaniel is the earliest known land spaniel and got it's name from the Spanish word 'Espanol'. Spain was where these dogs originally evolved from in the 14th century, but it was in England that they were bred down in size. The new strain earned their name through their ability to flush out and retrieve woodcocks for the hunters. The other breeds that resulted from the English Cocker Spaniel include the English Toy Spaniel and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Thoughtful expression, energetic and well-built.

Color: Black, black/tan, gold, liver or orange with or without white. Roans which are the previous colors with white hairs mingled evenly in the color.

Coat: Flat, silky with straight feathering. The hair is never stiff or wiry.

Tail: Set low, commonly docked (two thirds of its length) and carried in line with the back.

Ears: Set low, thin, flexible, covered in silky hair and hanging flat against the cheek.

Body: Compact body with a short, strong back sloping downwards towards the tail. The chest is broad and deep and the shoulders are long and well angulated.

Additional Comments:

English Cocker Spaniels can be susceptible to ear infections and it is important to regularly check and clean the ears.

The English Cocker Spaniel is often portrayed as the original slipper-fetching-dog for his master.

About the author: This article provided courtesy of Dooziedog.com, for more pictures visit http://www.dooziedog.com/dog_breeds/english_cocker_spaniel/