English cocker spaniel dog. Description, features, care, maintenance and price of the breed

Description of the English Cocker Spaniel breed

Popularity 143rd among 263 dog breeds

Lifespan:

13-15 years old

Breed group:

Hunting

Height:

males: 39-41 cm, females: 38-39 cm

Country of origin:

Great Britain

Average price:

15-20 thousand rubles

Weight:

13-14.5 kg
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Clumber Spaniel

• Height: from 43 to 51 cm
• Weight: from 25 to 39 kg
• Life expectancy: 10 to 12 years
• Temperament: dignified, affectionate, gentle, devoted, calm, warm-hearted

The Clumber Spaniel is an intelligent and purposeful dog with a long, low-set body and a slow, rolling gait. The breed originated in France in the 18th century , where it was valued for its excellent hunting skills. Their strong jaws can crush even the toughest materials!

Did you know that this is one of the oldest and stockiest breeds of spaniels. The Clumber is considered a combination of the Basset Hound and the St. Bernard. It is usually white in color with small areas of lemon or orange color.

They are sure to win many medals at dog shows due to their obedient, intelligent and enthusiastic nature. The list of adjectives doesn't end there! They are also very friendly, charming and affectionate. Get ready to have your heart melt when the cute Clumber greets you with his adorable wagging tail and slobbery face.

Gentle, loyal and affectionate, the Clumber Spaniel gets along well with children and other animals. He is enthusiastic about work and play. Clumber Spaniels are prone to obesity and require at least 20-30 minutes of physical activity per day. However, they prefer daily walks to strenuous exercise. Their dense coat also requires daily brushing.

Key facts

Get used to the noise, cover your apartment with soundproofing foam or buy earplugs and be patient - your new pet loves to bark. With proper upbringing, you will not feel any inconvenience - the wallpaper and furniture will be intact, and even the theft of food from the table will not affect you. In return, be sensitive - the breed is sensitive and nervous, do not go too far in the educational process.

Sweet spaniels are the number one friend for security forces. The brilliant instincts of the British help to accurately track down drugs and other illegal substances. In other words, the performance characteristics of the English Cocker Spaniel breed are impeccable.

The cocker loves hunting and physical activity, and can be trained quickly. Regardless of the conditions in which the pet lives - in a spacious house or a small apartment - you need to walk the dog at least twice a day with daily exercise for the dog. Otherwise, from an athlete, hunter and simply handsome, the cocker will turn into a capricious, lazy and fat animal.

The description of the English Cocker Spaniel breed suggests that boys are more stubborn and dominant, while modesty and shyness are characteristic features of the fairer sex.

The English Cocker can be confused with the Field Spaniel, although the second species is impressively larger in size, long-legged and with dark hair. The larger counterpart has a uniform color with sparse markings, and there is no undercoat.

Also, the English cocker differs from the American one - it is larger in volume and lighter in character. The American Spaniel can be too serious and is called more of a decorative breed than a hunting breed.

The life expectancy of the English Cocker Spaniel is encouraging: with proper care, the dogs live up to 15-16 years. Health

How to choose? Boy or girl?

You should purchase a Cocker Spaniel puppy only from a specialized nursery from trusted breeders - this guarantees the purchase of a healthy and purebred pet.

The best time to buy a puppy is 8-12 weeks after birth . At this age, he no longer depends on his mother, and adaptation to the new environment will be quite easy.

The older the puppy, the more attached he is to the family and moving to a new home will cause him psychological trauma.

It is necessary to carefully examine the future pet to ensure that it meets the breed standard and is healthy.

Skin rashes, increased lacrimation, lethargy and apathy, excess weight or exhaustion, nasal discharge and foul odor from the ears indicate the presence of any pathologies.

The Cocker Spaniel should be active and cheerful and not show signs of aggression..

It is also important to determine the gender of the puppy, based on the purpose of its use: it is better to buy girls for hunting and breeding, boys for exhibitions. It is important to take into account the character traits of females and males.

So, girls are easier to learn, but tend to dominate, boys are more stubborn and self-willed.

History of the origin of the English Cocker Spaniel

In ancient times, cockers were especially famous for hunting birds, which is where the name came from. "Cocker" is short for "woodcock", which means woodcock.

Scientists suggest that spaniels accompanied people back in the Bronze Age. Another version: the ancestors of spaniels lived on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, since the French “espaigneul” is translated as “Spanish dog”.

The breed was recognized in 1893, but dogs appeared in Russia much later - the public and breeders were not delighted with cockers. Therefore, they began to be bred no earlier than 1970.

Purpose of the operation

Why do spaniels have their tail docked nowadays? This is a kind of tradition that has developed for this breed. Breeders and owners perform such actions for aesthetic purposes. Proponents of docking are convinced that the selection of the breed did not include the presence of a tail, so it not only has a strange appearance, but also upsets the balance and prevents the dog from moving fully.

Opponents of this procedure consider the tail as a “rudder”, a means of communication. In Australia, as well as in many European countries, such a procedure is considered inhumane and is prohibited. Spaniels with a natural appearance become winners at international exhibitions. In our country, the question of whether a spaniel will have a tail is decided by the owner of the dog.

If the dog is intended for hunting, then tail docking is a justified measure. According to the results of statistical studies conducted in European countries, it turned out that more than half of the dogs of this breed receive tail injuries during the hunting season.

The domestic spaniel with a tail is a common sight in modern Europe. There are no significant differences in injury rates between domestic dogs with undocked and docked tails. The doctor may prescribe amputation in case of serious injury: burns, fractures, frostbite, oncology.

Appearance of an English Cocker Spaniel

General impression

Touching beauty is just one of the advantages of the English Cocker Spaniel.
He is strong, smart, agile - these are the qualities of an exemplary hunter. The breed is harmoniously built, and you can admire the dog running forever because of the incredible grace in its movements. The breed is a mixture of the Field Spaniel and subsequent bred species. This is noticeable in the photo of an English Cocker Spaniel.

Head

The Englishman is distinguished by a square muzzle, not stretched in width, a powerful jaw with a classic bite.
The breed's brilliant sense of smell is achieved through a nose with wide nostrils. Large oval eyes are not protruding and have brown shades. The ears hang down and are covered with hair, reaching to the nose.

Neck

The neck should not be long, but not short, pumped up and without folds.

Torso

True breeds have a small body, wiry and muscular. The back does not bend, it is straight. The chest is without bulges, deep.

Forelegs

The spaniel's paws are sinewy and straight, moderately elongated. For the greatest freedom of movement, the cocker's knees are bent, due to this the dog's running is not constrained. The swing is achieved by elastic repulsions from the ground with round paws. The fingers are close to each other.

Hind limbs

According to the standard, the hind legs should be identical in length to the body. The back is balanced with the front.

Tail

Cockers' tails are docked, but not in all countries. Dogs with undocked tails also participate in shows. Allowable length is up to the hock joints. The tail should not look runny.

Movement

The spaniel moves with sweeping steps, the step is fast and light. Large webbed paws help the dog swim. The spaniel runs energetically and sweepingly.

Wool

The texture of the coat is somewhere between wavy and straight.
It feels silky and very pleasant to the touch. Present on all limbs, body and abdomen. In the lower part of the body, the fur looks like a skirt, and on the paws it looks like a fringe. Long hair forms a fringe. According to the standard, the coat should not be fluffy, curly or harsh.

Color

English Cockers come in solid, mixed, tri-color and speckled varieties.
Of the solid colors, red, brown-chocolate, spotted, black, and golden are allowed. Of the mixed colors, the following colors of English Cocker Spaniels are found: red, liver, fawn, black - all of these shades contain white specks. But pets of these colors do not participate in exhibitions. The standard recognized only four colors: black, marbled blue, marbled red, red. As the dog grows, the coat darkens. Lips must be depigmented.

Size

When standing, a cocker boy reaches 41 cm at the withers, a girl – 39 cm, the maximum and minimum height of an English Cocker Spaniel is regulated by standards.
The weight of an English Cocker Spaniel does not exceed 14.5 kg. The size of the English Cocker Spaniel is compact, but it still needs space, as the dog is energetic and active.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

• Height: from 30 to 33 cm
• Weight: from 6 to 8.5 kg
• Life expectancy: 9 to 14 years
• Temperament: Playful, affectionate, fearless, sociable, patient, graceful, gentle, adaptable

Have you ever wondered why the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is called that? This is because they were originally bred for the British nobility and had a rich heritage. You may have seen these dogs in famous paintings of the 16th-17th centuries. However, after the fall of the House of Stuart, the nobility distanced themselves from the breed, making the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel a rare breed.

Funny facial expressions and large, round, beady eyes are typical of this breed. Plus, their super silky hair comes in vibrant colors (enough to make you jealous!). four different color variations found in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels : white with chestnut markings (known as "Blenheim"), white with black markings, black with brown markings, and deep tan.

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed is the perfect combination of the athleticism of standard spaniels and the calmness of toy breeds.

This breed only grows to 33 cm in height and is ideal for apartment living . Cavalier King Charles Spaniels love children and get along well with other pets, but will sometimes chase small animals such as guinea pigs and hamsters.

Character of the English Cocker Spaniel

English cockers know their worth and are curious. Only one family member will be obeyed, who will be chosen as the owner - the rest of the family will not be pushed around. The dog respects not only its owner, but also its beloved. The dog tolerates children until they begin to cause him inconvenience. Spaniels are so smart that they can talentedly act like a fool, so it’s not always possible to force a pet to do something.

At home they get along with four-legged animals. He has a weakness for other pets, for example, birds - and not in a good way. It is better not to leave the hunter alone with the birds, otherwise instinct will work.

Cockers are phenomenal bloodhounds, they find lost objects even when there is no need to look for them. On the street, the dog will excavate the well-groomed flower beds of neighbors and sandboxes.

English dogs are the biggest party animals in the world, they are happy to have any communication and travel. Don't yawn while walking, otherwise your puppy will have no problem getting away from you on a bus or other public transport. Give your pet a ride in the car - he will appreciate it, and his face will catch the wind in the open window. The dog also loves music and will not miss the opportunity to sing along with his howls.

If you have a pet, then give it an outlet for its energy, otherwise life in the apartment will turn into hell. Outside in the heat, your four-legged friend will get tired quickly, and in winter, due to his thick double coat, he can walk for a long time.

The four-legged friends of this breed have an incredible thirst for water. If you don’t take your pet to a normal body of water, he will be content with a puddle. In warm seasons, pamper your cocker with a trip to the beach - many dogs relieve stress through swimming.

In general, the character of the English Cocker Spaniel is described as open, friendly, full of boundless energy and excitement.

Boykin Spaniel

• Height: from 36 to 46 cm
• Weight: from 11 to 18 kg
• Life expectancy: 14 to 16 years
• Temperament: intelligent, friendly, energetic, impatient, sociable, easy to train

Boykin Spaniels, bred in South Carolina to hunt muddy river swamps , are naturally alert, brave and intelligent. These are excellent swimmers and field hunters. They have a characteristic liver or chocolate-colored fur with a thick undercoat.

Boykin Spaniels have recently gained popularity as family dogs due to their loyal, outgoing and friendly nature. They tend to get along well with their families and do things they enjoy. These pets learn quickly due to their intelligence and require a lot of daily exercise to stay fit and healthy.

Education and training

You won't be able to force a cocker to do exercises unless you get him interested. Think about training in a playful way. It should not be long and without the same commands, otherwise the dog will quickly get bored. With proper training, you will not spend a lot of time raising a cocker puppy.

At three months, teach your puppy etiquette around strangers. If you don’t know how to stop your child from asking for food, then the method is simple - ignore the pitiful hungry look. Otherwise, respect for you will end. Is it possible to be tough and tyrant? No, either, maintain a middle ground between excessive lisp and screaming.

At four months they will try to dominate you and take a leadership position in the house. Don't let your puppy drag you on a leash. How to train him to wear a collar - wear it discreetly while playing or eating.

At eight months, it is time for your spaniel to become well-mannered and trained. Classes are needed regardless of whether you are a hunter or not. The call command is required to be trained. Choose one of the commands "Ugh!" and “You can’t!” Teach your dog not to be afraid of gunshots if you plan to go hunting with him.

In the same case, start by training wading birds from childhood and teach them to search for objects at four months. Hide the game and offer to find it. In the summer, try hunting ducklings. During warm seasons, even in spring, do not practice in the heat. And in the fall and winter, exercise in any adequate weather. Let the student do his chores and take a walk first.

For inexperienced dog breeders, raising and training an English Cocker Spaniel can create difficulties - in this case, you can contact an instructor. This will solve all the problems that have arisen.

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Native element

The Spaniel with (or without) a tail is ideal for hunting waterfowl. This breed is capable of lifting game from the most inaccessible places and bringing prey to its owner after a successful shot.

The Russian spaniel is quite strong, and therefore it can easily take a heavy trophy out of the water, for example, a beaver caught by its owner. Hunters note the dog’s excellent behavior while hunting upland game. The animal works, managing to cover large areas of the forest without losing sight of its owner. The dog takes the trail of the prey, lifts the game within shooting distance by jumping, then gives signals to the hunter, changing its course, wagging its tail. In the forest, a dog works not only on birds. For example, she easily drives out hares and squirrels to shoot. All hunters who have a spaniel highlight its friendliness and versatility, ease of movement, and effectiveness of work.

Cocker Spaniel Health and Diseases

Possible diseases

Dogs of this breed cannot avoid vaccinations as a means of preventing certain diseases.
The British are susceptible to eye diseases - cataracts, ectropion, urolithiasis, epilepsy, hepatitis, and deafness. If your tailed friend is inactive and lethargic, whines, suffers from shortness of breath, limps, and his face is sad, it’s time to find a competent veterinarian. If you suspect a fever, gently touch your pet's nose. A wet tip will indicate that the dog is healthy.

Obesity is a common disease in cockers, so do not overfeed your dog or subject it to physical activity - the dog will enjoy the exercise itself. Walking will eliminate the likelihood of hysterics that may occur in spaniels due to improper upbringing.

Reproductive health

The first heat of English cockers occurs late - between a year and a year and a half. But all the same, a bitch cannot be bred for the first estrus - this must be done upon reaching two years of age.

Mating is carried out under the supervision of the dogs' owners, since the bitch will need body support during the mating of the dogs. Mating is repeated after a few days.

The first birth in spaniel girls can be complicated, requiring a caesarean section - so it is advisable to invite a veterinarian to your home.

Field Spaniel

• Height: from 43 to 46 cm
• Weight: from 16 to 20 kg
• Life expectancy: 10 to 12 years
• Temperament: Sensitive, cautious, obedient, sociable, adaptable

Known for its stamina and intelligence, the Field Spaniel is a medium-sized dog that enjoys tracking and catching birds on land and in water. This is an unusually calm and balanced breed of dog. The Field Spaniel's gentle and affectionate personality makes it an ideal choice for homes with small children.

Did you know that poor breeding practices in the late 1800s nearly led to the breed's extinction? Mortimer Smith is credited with reviving the breed.

These adorable four-legged creatures love physical activity. They won't hesitate to jump straight into a pool of water or spend the day sniffing around the garden plot. These dogs need a lot of mental stimulation.

As much as Field Spaniels love to exercise, they are also world-class foodies . They will eat any food they see without hesitation and may eventually become obese. This is why they are not suitable for couch potatoes.

Field Spaniels love to be involved in family activities. They love children and other dogs, but may mistake smaller pets for prey. Their silky-soft, wavy, medium-length coat comes in black or brown. It should be cleaned weekly and trimmed from time to time.

Features of feeding and diet

Feed your cocker porridge - rice, buckwheat, and stringy raw or boiled boneless meat - beef, lamb and poultry. Diversify your diet with sea fish and vegetables.

It is forbidden to feed legumes, pasta, bread, sweets, sausage, bones, broccoli and dishes containing tomato paste.

Eggs can be given soft-boiled or scrambled eggs, fruit - rarely. Mix garlic once a week.

If it is impossible or unwilling to feed natural food, switch to dry food - it is better to take a premium one. Before purchasing, consult your veterinarian: he will help you calculate the exact daily portion.

Watch your pet's ears while eating - they fall into the bowl and get dirty. To do this, there are bowls with a narrowed top - or use elastic bands as ear mounts. It looks funny, but it gives the dog the opportunity to eat properly.

Puppy Feeding Guide

For babies from three to seven months after birth, it is recommended to add grated chalk or calcium tablets to their food.

A one-month-old puppy eats five times, two tablespoons of food in each serving. At six months, feeding is reduced to three times.

Adult Feeding Guide

Feeding standards are calculated not by age, but by body weight: no more than 50 grams of meat per kg of weight. Monitor the temperature of the food and its consistency - it should not burn your hands. Remove food that your pet has not eaten within 15 minutes.

Have meals at the same time every day. Your pet's dining area should be clean and ventilated.

Dates

At what age is a spaniel's tail docked? Veterinarians are convinced that the earlier the operation is performed, the more painless it is for the dog and the faster the recovery process.

It is considered optimal to trim the tails of blind puppies whose age is 3-5 days. In this case, the operation can be performed without the use of anesthesia. If a Russian hunting spaniel loses its tail at one and a half months of age, anesthesia will be required for the operation. An adult dog requires general anesthesia, which significantly increases the risk of various complications.

Care and maintenance

Cockers love space, and this is not surprising. Look at the photo of your pet - what an energetic little creature he is. If possible, arrange frequent outings or walks for at least two hours a day - otherwise the pet’s unrealized energy will not manifest itself in the best way at home.

A long-haired breed should not be allowed to breed. Make it a habit to brush every other day, and daily when shedding. Buy a brush, a slicker brush, a tangle cutter and scissors. After your haircut, the spaniel should not look as if it has changed its image. Experienced owners advise cutting the hair between the toes, shortening the feathers on the paws, plucking the hair on the body and head - and nothing more.

To care for the coat of spaniels, they use a type of technique with fashionable names:

• stripping (pinching fur using a special knife; an ideal technique for processing the head and body of a pet);
• plaking (plucking hair with fingers);
• clippervek (ultra-short clipper haircut);
• flatvec (regular haircut with a clipper);
• blending (cutting with scissors).

Carry out washing once a week.
Frequent baths will cause dandruff and skin irritation. Trim your nails once every two weeks, otherwise they may become ingrown or damaged and fester. For the oral cavity, purchase brushes and pastes, bones from the pet store to remove plaque from the teeth.

Bad smell from the ears can occur due to poor air circulation - long, abundant hairs complicate ventilation and attract dirt. It is recommended to pluck the fur in the ears and clean the ears with cotton swabs and pads. Place a 3% peroxide solution in your ear and remove the wax after half a minute.

The maintenance and care of the English Cocker Spaniel must be of high quality and regular. Then the dog will not only look beautiful, but also remain healthy.

German Spaniel

• Height: from 45 to 54 cm
• Weight: from 18 to 25 kg
• Life expectancy: 12 to 14 years
• Temperament: versatile, passionate, friendly, obedient, intelligent, active

The German Spaniel is also known as the "German Wachtelhund" or "German Quail Dog" . This bundle of energy was bred to be an excellent hunter, and he excels at his job. These well-built dogs have long, wavy coats that are weather resistant.

Did you know that German Spaniels are rarely found outside of Germany.

German Spaniels are also renowned for their sweet and simple-minded nature and are very obedient and friendly. These pets love to play with anything and anyone. They require enormous daily physical activity and are not suitable for keeping indoors due to their strong hunting instinct.

Based on materials from: www.waggel.co.uk

Tips for choosing a puppy

Funny English Cocker Spaniel puppies make you fall in love at first sight. For this purpose, dogs have an arsenal of cuteness - a smart face, a movable tail and friendliness. As the cocker grows older, it remains affectionate only with its loved ones.

A healthy puppy should have silky hair and a dense, well-fed body. Eyes and ears are clean, without discharge. The puppy can be taken from its mother in the first month of birth. Excessive volume and constant barking are not a very good sign, so decide for yourself whether to take a dog with a defect, even despite the reasonable price.

A hunter puppy's parents must have diplomas in game catching - a first-degree document is valued.

Choose trusted breeders, and watch videos and pictures of puppies before your trip. Learn about screening dogs for eye and other diseases.

Complications

Among the consequences that may appear after cupping are wound infection, scarring of the cut made, and bleeding. Such consequences are typical for adult dogs. In order to prevent such problems, it is better to carry out the operation in a good veterinary clinic. Infection occurs when sterile conditions are violated. If the operated dog develops complications, it is necessary to contact a veterinary clinic.

How much does an English Cocker Spaniel puppy cost?

There is no fixed price - the cost using the RKF (Russian Cynological Federation) metric varies from 20,000 to 25,000 rubles.

Save money and buy a non-show breed with minor defects from the nursery for an amount from 12,000 to 18,000 rubles. Mestizos can be found cheaper - for a maximum of 8,000 rubles.

The price of an English Cocker Spaniel depends on the availability and number of vaccinations, the reputation of the kennels, pedigree, documents and the seller himself.

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Breed traits

Breed traits (on a 5-point scale)

This breed is often compared to the following dog breeds: Beagle, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Jack Russell Terrier, Dachshund.

Photos show what English Cocker Spaniels look like:

Dimensions of a lounger, booth, house or enclosure

Cocker spaniels are medium-sized pets. This determines the size of the bed, booth, house or enclosure.

Standards for the listed equipment for the breed:

• mats, rugs, beds, cribs – M or L; • booths, houses – rarely used, since the dog is a decorative breed, the size is determined taking into account the pet’s height; • cells – average dimensions are 75 by 53 by 60; • aviary – free space is achieved on an area of ​​1.2 by 1.2 m.

Cocker spaniels are a medium-sized breed, which is reflected in the selection of clothes, shoes, collars, and other items. It is advisable for the owner to know how the dog develops according to the norms in order to track whether the pet is growing correctly. Height and weight values ​​indicate the health status of the animal.