Popular Dog Breeds
- 1. Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs
- 2. Border Collies, Australian Shepherds and Australian Kelpies
- 3. Bearded Collies and Old English Sheepdogs
- 4. Retrievers
- 5. German Shepherds
Cocker Spaniels
By Jacque Lynn Schultz, CPDT
Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde: Obtaining the Cocker Spaniel That’s Right for You Due to decades of high popularity and over-breeding, the Cocker Spaniel has become a breed with two personas. On one side is Dr. Jekyll, the well-bred dog that is cheerful, playful, loyal, trustworthy, adaptable and relatively easy to train. On the other side is Mr. Hyde, a Cocker most likely to have come from a backyard or puppy mill breeder that is nervous; shy-sharp; aggressive when guarding people, places and things; and capable of tremendous mood swings. The former dog makes a terrific family companion; the latter is only safe in the hands of an experienced adult handler willing to carefully manage the behavior quirks of this canine version of Mr. Hyde. How can you be sure if the Cocker Spaniel is the right breed for you and if the Cocker you find is the right dog for your family? Read on. Cocker Spaniel Profile Today, few Cocker Spaniels are still used as hunting dogs. They are predominantly enjoyed as family companions. Their compact size and moderate exercise needs make them a good fit in any environment from tiny urban apartment to rural country estate. In fact, the long pendulous ears and silky feathering (hair) on chest, legs and feet are easier to care for when Cockers are exercised in city dog runs or on manicured suburban lawns, than when they are allowed to romp though acres of high grasses and woodlands. From an early age, Cocker pups need lots of socialization to prevent against shyness. Gentle handling of ear flaps and light brushing and combing should also begin when the pup is just 5-6 weeks of age to prepare for a lifetime of light daily grooming and ear care. (Thorough brushing should be done once a week and trimming done every 8-12 weeks.) Those long, curly-coated ear flaps which are central to the Cocker’s sweet expression need to be wiped off and brushed daily as they both act as dirt magnets and trap moisture inside the ear canal leading to frequent outer ear infections. Watch for odor, wax build-up, redness, inflammation and/or scratching and head shaking. Head to the veterinarian when these symptoms occur. The Cocker is prone to a host of eye problems including cataracts, primary glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy, ectropian/entropian, cherry eye and lens-induced uveitis. Orthopedic problems seen in the breed include luxated patellas, hip and elbow dysplasia, and intervertebral disc disease. Skin problems due to food or inhalation allergies, seborrhea, hypothyroidism, and lip fold pyodermas are also fairly common in the breed. Picking the Right Cocker for Your Household Before making a final decision, spend as much time as you need in the get-acquainted area with the dog. Gently handle all body parts of the dog. Watch how the dog responds to your children. If there is anything that makes you uneasy, walk away. There are many Cockers to be found in the nation’s shelters and rescues. If this one isn’t right for your situation, keep looking. A Dr. Jekyll Cocker is out there waiting to enrich your family. © 2003 ASPCA Courtesy of
It is claimed that two dogs came over on the Mayflower in 1620 and one of them was a spaniel. In the beginning, all spaniels were derived from the same bloodlines. First, they were divided into land spaniels and water spaniels. Later, they began to divide them up by size. Land spaniels above 28 pounds were classified as field spaniels and those below 28 pounds were called cockers for their use in woodcock hunting. A further division separated hunting cockers from the toy spaniels because of the different functions they served. And thus, the Cocker Spaniel at 14”-15” high at the withers and weighing 24-28 lbs. became the smallest breed in the Sporting Dog category.
How can you determine if the Cocker at the shelter or with the breed rescue group is Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde? First, inquire if the former owner filled out a profile form before he relinquished the dog. If so, ask to read through it. Then ask if the shelter or group has done a behavior assessment and if so, ask to see the results. If no behavior assessment has been done, ask if they have someone on staff that could do one for you or if you can bring in a trainer or behaviorist to evaluate the dog. If the dog has spent any time in a foster home, request to speak with the foster caretaker. Inquire about sociability, activity level, training, attention span, handleability, and any signs of aggression. If there are young children in your home, walk away from any Cocker with aggression or handling issues. Face bites are common from object guarders. The rest of the results are a matter of personal preference.
ASPCA
424 East 92nd St.
New York, NY 10128-6804
(212) 876-7700
www.aspca.org
