A Guide to the Cocker Spaniel, A Great Companion Why This Breed Makes a Wonderful Family Pet

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Cocker Spaniels photo
Medium Breed Cocker Spaniel

Is the Cocker Spaniel Right for You?

  • 1 Cocker Spaniels are known for their joyful and outgoing demeanor.
  • 2 They are easy to train, adaptable, and great with children which makes them perfect family dogs.
  • 3 Cocker Spaniel puppies must be introduced to socialization at an early age to avoid any shy tendencies.

HISTORY

Originating from the United Kingdom, the American Cocker Spaniel was bred to be a hunting/gun dog that can work in a wide range of conditions. The name โ€œCockerโ€ comes from the woodcock, which is a bird these dogs were known for flushing out, a task they excel at by being effective retrievers who carry game with a gentle mouth. While they may not be the first, the American Cocker Spaniel is certainly more popular today than their English counterpart.

Quick Facts

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    Size

    Medium

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    Lifespan

    12-15 years

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    Hair Length

    Long, Medium

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    Male Height

    14-16 inches (36-38 cm)

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    Male Weight

    15-30 pounds (7-14 kg)

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    Female Height

    14-16 inches (36-38 cm)

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    Female Weight

    15-30 pounds (7-14 kg)

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    Litter Size

    2-7 puppies with an average of 5 per litter

Personality

The temperament of the American Cocker Spaniel is basically joyful and outgoing. The breed is friendly with children and other pets. However, socialization at an early age could avoid their tendency for timidity. A loyal dog, this breed is sensitive, cheerful, easily trained, and adaptable..

Color

The American Cocker Spaniel can be black and tan, black, any solid color other than black (ASCOB), parti-colored (white and any other solid color), or tan points with the tan less than 10% of the total body.

Health Concerns

The Cocker Spaniel is susceptible to many health concerns such as:

More on Cocker Spaniels

Cocker Spaniel Information: Health
Natural Diets for Cocker Spaniels
How to Clean Cocker Spaniel Eyes
How to Potty Train a Cocker Spaniel
Behavior in Cocker Spaniels

Appearance

The American Cocker Spaniel is a medium sized, low profile dog. They are, on average, about 15 inches tall as an adult and weigh around 23 pounds. Their most distinguishing feature is their floppy ears, which hang low on the sides of their head. They have a medium length, silky coat that can come in almost any color.

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