English Cocker Spaniel Dogs Information

Written by: Debbie Moore

Copyright 1997 to 2010 Dogs and Puppies Central
All rights reserved.

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Learn all about English Cocker Spaniel Dogs and Puppies through our indepth guide to the English Cocker Spaniel dog breed. You'll find solid information about English Cocker Spaniel dog history, English Cocker Spaniel life expectancy English Cocker Spaniel dog appearance, English Cocker Spaniel temperament and personality, English Cocker Spaniel health problems, English Cocker Spaniel puppy care, training English Cocker Spaniel puppy dogs and more. Also includes important information about choosing a responsible English Cocker Spaniel dog breeder.

The English Cocker Spaniel has been a popular family companion dog for decades, although the breed was originally developed to hunt woodcock and other game birds. A slightly smaller cousin of the English Springer Spaniel, the two breeds were developed together until they were recognized as separate breeds by the Kennel Club of England in 1892 and interbreeding was ceased.

The versatile English Cocker Spaniel is a good choice for the owner who wants to participate in dog activities. In addition to their superb hunting and retrieving skills, cockers excel in obedience and agility trials, watch dogging, and tracking.

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English Cocker Spaniel Facts

The English Cocker Spaniel Dog Breed In Brief

Country of Origin: United Kingdom

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Average English Cocker Spaniel Prices: $750 to $2500, depending on Pedigree

Good With Children:

Good With Other Pets: pets

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English Cocker Spaniel Dog History

In the 1940's, the American Kennel Club and Canadian Kennel Club recognized the English Cocker Spaniel and American Cocker Spaniel as two distinct breeds. The American Cocker Spaniel is smaller than the English cocker, with a different body conformation, and may be more stubborn and reserved than the characteristically congenial English cocker.

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English Cocker Spaniel Dog Appearance

English Cocker Spaniels are medium size, solidly built dogs. The average adult male stands 16" to 17" tall and weighs 28 to 34 pounds, with females slightly smaller. Life expectancy is 12-15 years.

The body is compact and slightly higher at the withers than the rounded hindquarters. The head is softly contoured, with a cleanly-chiseled muzzle and long, low-set, pendulous ears. The tail is generally docked at birth. The feet are rounded and cat like.

The English Cocker Spaniels’ beautiful coat is this breed’s most distinguishing feature. It is characteristically silky and smooth or slightly wavy, although some lines may bear a coat that is wooly or rough. A thick undercoat protects the cocker from inclement weather. The hair is short on the head and longer on the body and ears, with the legs and underside of the body being heavily feathered. Field cockers generally have shorter hair and ears than cockers bred for show.

Coat colors vary widely between individual cockers. Solid colors of black, liver, and shades of red are common. The coat may be parti-colored or patchwork, with ticking or various markings. Interestingly enough, coat color seems to have some link to temperament. A study by the University of Cambridge of 1000 English Cocker Spaniels suggests that cockers of a solid color are more likely to be aggressive, with red cockers showing the most aggression.

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English Cocker Spaniel Grooming

The coat sheds an average amount and requires frequent grooming to keep it free from tangles. Check your dog’s coat for burrs after he has been through dense brush or playing in the woods, and brush out any tangles. Special attention must be paid to the ears, since cockers are prone to wax buildup and ear infections, which can lead to deafness. Check your dog’s outer ears and ear canals regularly for ticks, burrs and other plant matter, and for signs of infection.

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English Cocker Spaniel Exercise Needs

Cockers are moderately active indoors and can get enough exercise in a small home or apartment if they are taken on one long daily walk. While they don’t need large amounts of exercise, they do need lots of daily attention from their family to be content. They won’t do as well with a family whose members are away at work or school all day, and may get into mischief out of boredom.

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English Cocker Spaniel Temperament

English Cocker Spaniels are characteristically outgoing and affectionate dogs, although they do tend to be independent, and some individuals may be reserved with strangers. Females may be somewhat dominant; males are generally more eager to please. Intelligent and sensitive dogs, they excel in obedience training when firm yet gentle methods are used.

Field cockers are seldom gun shy as a breed, perform well in wet terrain, and can make their way through thick brush to retrieve game birds. They are active and enthusiastic in the field.

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English Cocker Spaniel Training

The versatile English Cocker Spaniel is a good choice for the owner who wants to participate in dog activities. In addition to their superb hunting and retrieving skills, cockers excel in obedience and agility trials, watch dogging, and tracking.

English Cocker Spaniel Health

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Is the English Cocker Spaniel Right For You?

The English Cocker Spaniel’s attractive coat, general good nature, and moderate size have made this dog breed a popular family companion for many decades. Cockers generally get along well with children they have been raised with. Older cockers who are not used to being around children may not tolerate their boisterous antics and teasing.

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English Cocker Spaniel Prices

Average English Cocker Spaniel Price: $750 - $1000

Price always varies when it comes to the purchase of a quality, home-raised healthy English Cocker Spaniel dog or puppy. It's of utmost importance that you place the most weight on acquiring a great English Cocker Spaniel puppy from a highly responsible, reputable breeder, and put the price as a secondary concern in making your decision.

Buying a English Cocker Spaniel dog or puppy at a cheap price from a breeder of questionable reputation can be a one-way ticket to heartbreak and great additional expense throughout the dog's life, should your English Cocker Spaniel puppy have hereditary health problems or behavior and temperament issues (which very often is the case with cheap-priced puppies). Buying from a highly reputable English Cocker Spaniel breeder is your best insurance for acquiring a well socialized, healthy puppy of stable temperament.

English Cocker Spaniel prices also will vary according to the puppy's conformation; puppies placed as pets and companions will generally be less expensive as show-quality English Cocker Spaniel puppies intended to be shown in conformation.

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Finding English Cocker Spaniel Puppies For Sale By Reputable Breeders

If you are ready to add an adorable English Cocker Spaniel puppy to your family, be sure to check out Dogs and Puppies Central's directory of English Cocker Spaniel Puppies For Sale, where you will find photos and information posted by reputable English Cocker Spaniel breeders. We actively screen English Cocker Spaniel breeders who wish to advertise on our service by asking that they meet and follow our Guidelines For Responsible Dog Breeders. We also ask for - and check - three references from each breeder.

By performing an initial dog breeder screening, it is our hope that we can help put you in touch with a caring, responsible English Cocker Spaniel breeder near you. We cannot physically inspect the premises and dogs owned by breeders advertising with us, so you need to be responsible for doing the final inspection and interview.

Let's stop the cruelty of puppy mills. Please help us keep money out of the hands of puppy mills, back yard breeders and pet stores. Buy your English Cocker Spaniel puppy only from a responsible, caring hobby breeder that raises their dogs and puppies in a loving home environment.

When you locate that perfect English Cocker Spaniel puppy - please be sure to send us some photos to be included in our growing gallery of English Cocker Spaniel dog and puppy pictures!

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Additional English Cocker Spaniel Resources:

• English Cocker Spaniel Wikipedia Profile
• AKC English Cocker Spaniel Breed Profile
• English Cocker Spaniel Pictures
• English Cocker Spaniel Videos

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