Cocker Spaniels As Pets
The Cocker is the most popular member of the sporting Spaniel family, being without doubt one of the most faithful and loving breeds making an ideal family pet. He is an active, happy, small dog who quickly adapts himself to his surroundings. Whether you live in the town or the country, mansion or cottage, he bubbles over with good spirits and the joy of living but will also quietly lie at your feet. He can, in fact, be a pet for young or old alike. I have bred Cockers who now live in the centre of London and others who live in the country. One man takes his dog fell running whilst another is with an elderly lady who cannot walk far.
He is highly intelligent and affectionate and in his element foraging around fields and hedgerows. He also employs his retrieving instincts around the house and can often be found with a toy or slipper in his mouth, his tail wagging furiously, waiting for praise. Easy to train, his main aim in life is to please his owner. A busy little dog who enjoys exercise and thrives on human companionship. The "Merry Cocker" aptly describes him with his ever wagging tail (currently customarily docked to prevent tail injury). He is sturdy, sporting, well balanced and compact measuring approximately 15"-16" at the shoulder.
Colours: Cockers come in a wide range of colours, probably the most common ones seen are gold, black and blue roan (grey mottled, giving a blue appearance).
Grooming: The Cocker does require some grooming. You must be prepared to brush and comb his ears and leg feathering regularly to prevent knots. Show dogs are handstripped to give a natural finish and some grooming parlours will do this. Some pet owners have their Cockers clipped either leaving some feathering or none at all, depending on their lifestyle and the dog's coat. Professional trimming is usually necessary every 3 or 4 months.
Hereditary Problems: Cockers can suffer from PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), a hereditary eye disease which leads to blindness. You should expect both parents of a puppy to have been annually eye tested CLEAR for this and many responsible breeders are now using the new Optigen DNA test which identifies whether a dog is clear, a carrier, or affected with the disease prior to being bred from. Some breeders are also now hip scoring their dogs (average score for the breed is now 14)
There is another hereditary problem in Cockers called Familial Nephropathy (FN) which is a kidney disease affecting young Cockers. Since the Cocker Spaniel Club introduced a control scheme for this disease, cases have been greatly reduced but not eradicated. Breeders are currently awaiting a DNA test which will identify carriers of the disease prior to breeding.
Uncharacteristic temperament has also caused a slight problem although sometimes this is environmental (ie caused by lack of socialisation and/or training)
It is important to purchase your puppy from a reputable and recognised Cocker specialist breeder whose stock has been carefully bred to avoid the above conditions where possible.
Before choosing a Cocker as the breed for you, it is necessary to make sure you have the time and patience to train a puppy (this of course applies to any breed). It is not recommended, nor will most reputable breeders let you have a puppy, if it will be left for hours on end or if you work full time as any puppy will become bored and find all sorts of mischief to occupy their time. Cockers need human companionship and a prospective owner must be prepared to devote a good deal of time to the puppy. Also a most important point is that the whole family should be in agreement regarding owning a dog, particularly "Mum" as much of the initial work of training and feeding falls to her during the daytime.
If you decide that a Cocker is the breed for you, the next step is to find a reputable breeder. Never be in a hurry to buy the first one you see. Contact a few breeders, chat to them, meet their dogs and always see the mother. Never take a puppy unless you are entirely happy as a Cocker's life span on average is 10-14 years and it's a long time to regret an impulsive purchase. Make sure the puppy has been wormed, looks well and happy with bright eyes and a glossy coat. You may be asked to sign a sales contract with the breeder.
Should you decide to own a Cocker, be firm but loving and enjoy the experience BUT remember, NEVER let a Cocker get away with something at 8 weeks that you would not want it to do at 8 months!
Owning a dog brings its own special rewards. Dogs are great fun. They give friendship, loyalty and companionship, especially to the old or lonely, and hours of fun and frolics for all the family