American Cocker Spaniel

Pros and Cons of American Cocker Spaniel are listed end of this post that you may want to consider about before owning a American Cocker Spaniel  or in other words bringing home a American Cocker Spaniel puppy. If you want to find answer for question: “should i get a American Cocker Spaniel?” this post may help you.

The American Cocker Spaniel is among the most common dog breeds. In many parts of the world, especially in America, the American Cocker Spaniel is among the dog breeds that live together most. There are two Cocker Spaniel breeds, one of which is the American Cocker Spaniel , which is the subject of our article. The other is the English Cocker Spaniel.

Spaniel is a word used to describe furry hunting dogs with long and shaggy ears, and there are around 20 different spaniel breeds. No wonder these small-sized dogs are a companion with perhaps millions of people around the world today, because the American cocker spaniel breed is the perfect combination of an astounding look and a tapestry character.

American cocker spaniel origin

The American Cocker Spaniel is a breed of sporting dog. It is a spaniel type dog that is closely related to the English Cocker Spaniel; the two breeds diverged during the 20th century due to differing breed standards in the US and the UK. In the United States, the breed is usually called a Cocker Spaniel, while elsewhere in the world, it is called an American Cocker Spaniel to distinguish it from its older English cousin. The word cocker is commonly held to stem from their use to hunt woodcock in England, while spaniel is thought to be derived from the breed’s origins in Spain.

The word spaniel used to describe long-haired and eared hunting dogs, but the ancestors of spaniel dogs are thought to have been taken from Spain to England and the word refers to this origin. It is known that the first spaniel from England to America went on a ship named Myflower in 1620. The first cocker spaniel was registered with the American Kennel Club in 1878.

The one on the left is an English cocker, the one on the right is an American cocker. As can be seen, the difference between the facial structures of the two cocker breeds is very clear.

Physical characteristics of the American cocker spaniel

The American cocker spaniel and the English cocker spaniel can be easily distinguished from each other at first glance because the nose of American cockers is much shorter than the English ones. In other words, cockers with long noses are English, and those with short noses are American. After sharing this information, let’s move on to the physical characteristics of the lovely American cocker spaniel. Facts about cocker spaniels puppies such as how big do cocker spaniels get or cocker spaniel size:

• The height of American cocker spaniels or  varies between 37-39 cm in males and 34-37 cm in females.
• Male American cockers weigh 10-13 kg and females 9-12 kg.
• Its fur is long, silky, straight and wavy.
• The fur of American Cocker Spaniels can be black, red-white, black-white, cream-white, brown-white.
• Average life expectancy is between 14-16 years.
• Its ears are long and very furry. In addition, they are not only hairy on their ears but also on their chests and legs.
• Its eyes are large and dark in color.

American cocker character

Cocker spaniels, whether American or English, are close relatives, they are very affectionate dogs. The American cockerel is one of the most popular dog breeds in the world today, especially thanks to this affectionate character.

• The American cockerel is high on the “smartest dogs” list, meaning it is a very intelligent breed.
• American cockerels, who have been adequately socialized from childhood, have good relationships with other dogs and animals, as well as children.
• Cockers literally hate being alone. For this reason, if you are looking for a friend to leave at home on your way to work, the American cocker is definitely not for you. Separation anxiety is very common in these dogs.
• Being one of the smartest dogs also makes them easier to train, they can be trained more easily than many breeds.
• They are sensitive and can easily get stressed in situations such as being moved, fighting, or noise.
• They are very compatible with apartment life, their barking tendency is not much.

Health problems that the American cocker spaniel breed is prone to

It should be said that these dogs are a bit problematic when it comes to health. First of all, all long-eared dog breeds are seriously prone to ear problems. There is a very high probability that an infection will develop in their breathable ears. For this reason, if you are planning to adopt an American cockerel, you should know that it is a breed that requires special care.

Symptoms of ear problems that occur in American cockers include crying when the ear is touched, shaking the head frequently, and smelling discharge from the ear. In order to protect this breed from this problem, its ears should be kept dry and cleaned regularly. Doing unconscious dog ear cleaning can cause undesirable results, so it is best to consult a veterinarian for ear cleaning.

Deafness is one of the problems seen in this breed. Some American Cocker Spaniel puppies come to the world as deaf, deafness can affect single or double ears. A healthy puppy starts to react to sounds when it is 11 days old on average, if a cockerel is unresponsive to sounds after 11 days of age, then deafness should be suspected.

American cockers are also prone to several eye diseases. Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) occurs because the tear glands do not produce enough tears.

Cherry eye is a disease that occurs in the third eyelid.

This race also has a predisposition to glaucoma, a congenital eye disease. Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that can result in blindness if left untreated.

Cataracts, like many other breeds, can be seen in American cockers. When cataracts progress, it may result in blindness, and it can be treated surgically.

These dogs are prone to dermatitis. Seborrheic dermatitis, a skin disease, can cause dry, flaky skin or oily skin in American cocktails. This brings a heavy scent with it. In addition, dogs with this disease are prone to ear infections.

The American Cocker Spaniel breed is also susceptible to heart disease called dilated cardiomyopathy . This problem, which causes heart failure, usually occurs between the ages of 2-5 in cockerels, dogs suffering from this problem can be lethargic and tire easily. In more advanced cases, more serious symptoms such as cough and difficulty breathing can be seen. If any of these symptoms are noticed in an American cocker spaniel, a veterinarian should be consulted immediately.

American cocker care

This breed needs a little extra care, the main reason for this is its ears. Ear hair should be combed every day to avoid knotting. It is also important to clean their ears regularly, as we highlighted above. In addition, the hairs on the abdomen and legs can be knotted, so the hairs here must be combed.

The American cocker spaniel is an active dog, it is recommended to exercise for 20-40 minutes each day. Not taking daily walks can adversely affect both their physical and mental health.

FAQs About Pros and Cons of American Cocker Spaniel

How to train a cocker spaniel not to bark?

Start giving the ‘speak’ command, followed by the ‘quiet’ command. Don’ttry to  raise your voice for the ‘quiet’ command. When your dog stops barking, wait a few seconds then give him the treat. If your Cocker Spaniel continues barking, wait for him or her to stop barking, repeat the ‘quiet’ command and then reward.

Do cocker spaniels bark a lot?

Some dogs bark more than others but some breeds are more prone to barking than others. And the Cocker Spaniel is one of the most notorious barkers despite their lovely temperament.

Are cocker spaniels difficult to train?

Cocker spaniels are easygoing, cheerful, and playful dogs which make excellent pets. And cocker spaniels are really very easy to train, especially it is so easy when they are trained as puppies. Training cocker spaniels will require plenty of repetition, patience, and positive reinforcement and nothing more.

Do cocker spaniels like to cuddle?

Well-bred Cocker Spaniels have sweet temperament. They are affectionate and cuddly and they love to participate in family activites.

At what age is a cocker spaniel fully grown?

Cocker spaniels are  fully grown by the time they reach twenty-four months old.

What age do cocker spaniels calm down?

Cocker spaniels never calm down or slow down whether they are five months old or 10 years old. They will always have a puppy glimmer in their eyes.

Are male or female cocker spaniels better?

Female Cocker Spaniels prone to be more sedate and upon occasion and can be more affectionate and sensitive compared to male ones. Male cockers are often more independent.

Can cocker spaniels be aggressive?

American or English Cocker Spaniels are not normally aggressive dogs. But when they do behave badly, their aggressive behaviour is often misdiagnosed as ‘Cocker Rage’ or ‘Sudden Onset Aggression’.

How often should I bathe my cocker spaniel?

A cocker spaniel dogs should be groomed every 4 – 6 weeks, with special care to the their ears weekly. American Cockers are a sporting breed and are bred to flush game in the field and  that is why they may need to be bathed as often as weekly or bi-weekly to keep them in good looking shape.

How bad do cocker spaniels shed?

Some cockers will lose more hair than others. But all Cocker Spaniels shed at least moderately. Through shedding seasons in the spring and fall, Cocker Spaniels shed even more.

Are cocker spaniels prone to biting?

American Cocker Spaniels can be mouthy dogs, and sometimes  they are prone to nipping or biting, especially when they are stressed.

Are all cocker spaniels hyper?

Cocker spaniels talk like no other breed, but they are not hyperactive.

What is a Cocker Spaniel a mix of?

Cocker Spaniels are  belonging to two breeds of the spaniel dog type: the American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel. Both of them are commonly called simply Cocker Spaniel in their countries of origin.

Are cocker spaniels smart?

Both the American Cocker Spaniels  and English Cocker Spaniels are highly intelligent dogs. In terms of obedience and working intelligence, the English Cocker Spaniel is the 20th smartest dog breed, but the American Cocker Spaniel is the 23rd most intelligent dog breed.

How often does a cocker spaniel need to be walked?

Cocker Spaniels get very happy when having a brisk walk for about 30 minutes at mornings and evenings. They will also have to go out into the garden about every four-five hours during the day.

What kind of toys do cocker spaniels like?

There are two different types of toys available that Cocker Spaniel puppy like. There are pacifier toys for chewing and playing with on his or her own, and  there are interactive toys such as balls, ropes, and frisbees, which are the toys they like to share with you.

Are cocker spaniels clingy?

Cocker Spaniels crave a lot of companionship and they do best in a home where they get a lot of attention. And failure during  to train this breed to be independent may result in  cocker spaniels becoming clingy, eager to follow you from room to room asking for attention.

What is the best food for a cocker spaniel?

1. Merrick Grain Free Salmon and Sweet Potato Recipe.
2. Taste of the Wild, Appalachian Valley Small Breed Formula
3. Orijen Regional Red.
4. Nature’s Variety Instinct Original.
5. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Lamb & Brown Rice Recipe.

Are cocker spaniels jealous dogs?

Cocker spaniels are very devoted to their owners and they are really very jealous dogs.

What is the average lifespan of a working cocker spaniel?

Life expectancy of  cocker spaniels is 12 to 15 years.

Is milk good for cocker spaniels?

If cocker spaniels don’t suffer from any intolerance towards lactose then there’s no real harm in having some milk or other dairy product every day. But just because they do drink  it every day doesn’t mean that you should give ithem milk every day.

Are cocker spaniels high maintenance?

Cocker spaniel puppies and adults are relatively high-maintenance in terms of grooming, requiring daily brushing and bathing. Dogs with longer hair need frequent shampooing and quarterly clipping, but the good news is that cocker spaniels don’t shed a lot.

Are cocker spaniels good house dogs?

Cocker Spaniels’ temperament is lively, adaptable and friendly, and they can live very happily in all different types of households. They are excellent dogs for first-time owners. Originally bred as gundogs, Cocker Spaniels’ natural instincts to ‘work’ show that they’re intelligent, loyal and willing to please.

Are cocker spaniels easy to potty train?

Cocker Spaniels are willing  to please, so you can use their natural disposition to get them potty trained quite painlessly.

What is the difference between a working cocker spaniel and a show cocker spaniel?

There are visible distinctive  differences between these two breeds. The ‘working’ cockers have a wider and flatter head, and much less coat. The ‘show’ cockers are mostly kept as a family pet, however, they still have the ability to work as working is what Cocker Spaniels were originally bred for.

Why does my cocker spaniel follow me everywhere?

“Why does my cocker spaniel follow me everywhere?”  She does because of her animal instinct and pack mentality. And if every time you are with your dog, she gets affection or treats, she’s likely to follow you around more often because you have trained your dog as a clingy dog.

Why do cocker spaniels have big ears?

They are created like that but some says cocker spaniels have long ears because they are long haired (furred?) dogs.

Do cocker spaniels smell?

While not all dogs have a strong odor, some definitely smell worse than others, such as Labrador Retrievers, Basset Hounds, and Cocker Spaniels, because of heavier sebaceous gland secretion.  That is why, regardless of breed, bathe your cocker spaniels whenever they stink.

How much do cocker spaniels sleep?

The average dogs do sleep for about 12 to 14 hours per 24-hour cycle.  Puppies, who expend a lot of energy exploring and learning may need as much as 18 to 20 hours of sleeping time

What human food can cocker spaniels eat?

• Carrots.
• Apples.
• White rice
• Dairy products.
• Fish.
• Chicken.
• Peanut butter.
• Plain popcorn.

Why are cocker spaniels always hungry?

How many times a day should I feed my cocker spaniel? Some cocker spaniels are eat allways as they always hungry. They should be feed  1 1/2 – 2 1/2 cups of food a day, depending on adult size, split between the two meals. It is recommended that you  should avoid giving them table scraps and “people food,” as this can cultivate begging habits and a tendency for weight gain or health problems.

Are cocker spaniels protective of their owners?

Cocker spaniels are very protective of their owners or ones they love and care for them. But it is  also depend on the individual personality of your dog, but most dogs will at least bark and warn their owners of a hostile presence. Cockers are small dogs but  they could still bite or would be attacker.

Can Cocker Spaniels eat peanut butter or bananas?

Dogs can eat  bananas and also peanut butter as long as it is fed in moderation and does not contain xylitol.

Pros and Cons of American Cocker Spaniels

Pros

Cons