Cocker Spaniel

The Cocker Spaniel we see today is believed to have descended from long-eared Spaniel type dogs that lived in Spain around 3000 years ago. These dogs were most likely taken to northern Europe by the Romans and to England after the Roman Conquest (43AD) of that country.

During the 18^th and 19^th Centuries, three types of Spaniels emerged: the toy spaniel (companion), the springer spaniel and the wood cocking spaniel (both working dogs).  The wood cocking (Cocker) spaniel was very popular as they could go through the undergrowth to flush out the woodcock.

In the latter part of the 19^th century, a Spaniel Club was formed in England and the dogs were classified by weight, with those over 25 pounds being classed as field spaniels and those under 25 pounds as Cockers. The smaller Cocker Spaniel filled the role of a small, active dog who was strong and sturdy enough to work happily and tirelessly all day, flushing or driving out game.

English Cocker Spaniels were brought to the US in the late 1870s and the American Spaniel Club was established in 1881, making it the oldest breed club in America. It later split up into different divisions for each different Spaniel breed.

American Cocker Spaniels arose out of breeding the smallest English Cocker Spaniels, as American wood cocks were smaller than those in England.

Cocker Spaniels love exercise and will take as much as you can give them. A daily walk or run and a couple of hours of playtime are usually sufficient. They make fantastic family dogs, as they love to play and burn energy that way.

Adult Cocker Spaniels will thrive on a good off-lead run of up to an hour a day. After all, they are sporting dog, and are happiest when doing what they were bred to do. If that is not possible, a decent on-lead walk or a good session with a ball in the yard should do the trick. You can also provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation through some agility, nose work or other dog sport.

Cockers love to swim and any exercise involving water, birds, and exploring exciting off-lead areas will keep the average cocker very content and happy. Like most dogs, they need to explore their world and they take great delight in new smells and experiences.

The intelligent and eager-to-please Cocker Spaniel is easy to train and very talented in the areas of obedience, agility, hunting, flyball and more. They also make fantastic therapy dogs.

The Cocker Spaniel does require considerable time and commitment to keep it looking good. Start brushing and grooming early to get your puppy used to it, as grooming will be a life-long and regular occurence.

The coat needs regular brushing to ensure that it doesn’t become mattered and tangled – groom it every three days to keep it healthy and looking good. During shedding season, groom your Cocker every day as this will help prevent matting and also prevent your furniture from becoming upholstered in dog hair.

It is recommended wasing your Cocker Spaniel every 1-2 weeks, especially if the feathers are long.

Cockers require a clip every 10-12 weeks. Many owners have their dogs clipped in a show clip, which leaves the feathers (fringes) on the dog and preserves the traditional look of the Cocker Spaniel.

Cocker Spaniels have long ears which can prevent fresh air from reaching the ear canal, creating a moist area where bacteria may proliferate. Ensure that the ears are cleaned regularly to prevent ear infections.