What distinguishes the Cocker Spaniel and has made it so beloved by millions of dog lovers : it is the embodiment of joie de vivre. A dog that is happy, optimistic, cheerful, balanced, good-natured, docile, without any tendency to aggression or nervousness, in other words, absolutely reliable.
Without these qualities, a Cocker is not worthy of the name and breed, and not only should he not be used in breeding, but living with him is problematic. He is a "big" dog in a relatively small body, with tons of energy and concentrated endurance, work ethic and athletic strength.
A well developed rib cage, strong legs and thighs, solid body and muscle mass and a generally harmonious and typical morphology enable the Cocker to enjoy life at its characteristically brisk pace and to work tirelessly in the field. It is not a breed for the slow of mind and laziness does not suit it.
The Cocker is a companion dog with a strong temperament and need for play and exercise, loves water, gets on well with all other pets and has a charismatic, extremely happy character. He is very loyal, communicative and affectionate and lives to please, love and be loved by those closest to him.
He needs intense socialisation from an early age and does not like solitude: he wants to follow his people everywhere and be with them at every event in their lives. His ideal position is in the home and his enthusiastic response to obedience training guarantees that with a little knowledge and care, his behaviour will always be impeccable wherever he goes.
It is no coincidence that the Cocker is consistently high on the popularity scale among dogs. This ancient, harmonious, well-balanced and not "artificial" breed has proven to be extremely adaptable to all needs and lifestyles, as long as it is given the opportunity to do what it does best: love people and enjoy life in its characteristic, carefree and uncomplicated way, with the "cheeky" sparkle in its eyes that is the "trademark" of the true Cocker.
Health depends on good conformation, proper upbringing/nutrition, exercise and grooming. The breed is affected by entropion, kidney disease, glaucoma, blood clotting abnormalities, certain eye diseases and in some rare cases, epilepsy.
All of these conditions can be avoided through selective breeding, so it is of the utmost importance that the selection of puppies (let alone foundation stock) is done with care, from kennels that offer guarantees and have a tradition of producing Cockers free of inherited diseases.
When it comes to choosing a puppy, seek the help of an expert, get a list of selected breeders (provided by breed clubs internationally) and always see the parents before you decide. This is a rule that should not be broken to avoid future problems.
Coat care and grooming in general is essential not only for the aesthetic appearance of a Cocker exhibit, but also for the good health and physical condition of any pet. The Cocker has long fringes of coat under the body and on the legs.
The coat should therefore be brushed and combed frequently to remove knots, dead hairs and foreign bodies. The inside of his long, thickly coated ears should also be cleaned frequently to ensure excellent ventilation of the area and to prevent ear infections.
Nails should be kept short and the hair between the feet trimmed, removing any foreign bodies that may have got between the fingers and cause minor injuries and infections.
Working cockers and those kept as pets need frequent trimming, but show cockers also require special coat preparation, best done by a specialist. Dull, sparse, broken or tangled coats are a sign of poor grooming or endoparasites and should be treated immediately.
Bathing is necessary, especially for dogs with white coats, but it must be done properly, with a special shampoo, and not too often. Sometimes there are spots under the eyes, either due to increased tear secretion (which can be caused by climatic conditions, extreme dryness, dust, etc.), or a sign of allergy or eye disease, so this should be checked by the vet. The area around and under the eyes should be kept clean with a special neutral solution.
ENGLISH COCKER SPANIEL
Character
Does it suit you ?
What you should know
Grooming
