How to Select a Cocker Spaniel

Originating from the English cocker spaniel and also called the American cocker spaniel, the cocker spaniel is bred to be a hunter and a watchdog. However, because of its sweet and gentle nature, the cocker spaniel makes a great family pet and loves to be with children. Colors include buff, black, black and tan, black and white, black and red or buff, and black and white with tan points.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Dental Kits (for Dogs)
• Dog Beds
• Dog Brushes
• Dog Dishes
• Dog Flea/tick Control Medication
• Dog Food
• Dog Leashes
• Dog Shampoo
• Dog Toys
• Nail Clippers For Dogs

1. Think about getting a cocker spaniel if you're looking for a dog that is obedient. Cocker spaniels are very mindful of their owners and rarely challenge them.

2. Choose a cocker spaniel if you have other pets in the house. They get along with people and other animals.

3. Look at a cocker spaniel's features when choosing one. The dog should have a compact body, an alert expression, round eyes, a long neck, muscular hindquarters, and short hair around the head and ears and a medium coat for the rest of the body. The coat should be silky.

4. Note that male cocker spaniels mature to a height of 15 inches; females grow to 14 inches. Both will weigh between 24 and 28 pounds.

5. Understand that cocker spaniels can take some time to house-train and have a tendency to bark.

6. Know that cocker spaniels are prone to health problems including cataracts (a cloudy area in the lens of the eye), glaucoma (increased fluid pressure inside the eye) and patellar luxation (dislocation of the kneecap). They can also be prone to hip dysplasia (a malformed ball and socket in the hip joint) and allergies. Talk to a breeder or whoever you get yours from to find out what type of screening they've done for these health problems.

7. Check out potential breeders very carefully, being sure to ask if they are members of breed clubs, specialty clubs or obedience clubs. Affiliation with a club means you can check their references to make sure they don't run a puppy mill (a place where puppies are constantly bred for financial gain without consideration of the integrity of the breed).

8. Expect a cocker spaniel to live somewhere between 12 and 15 years.

9. Be prepared to spend between $300 and $1,500 for a purebred cocker spaniel.

10. Consider adopting a cocker spaniel from a pet rescue organization. Be aware, however, that this breed will take much time and patience to house-train as an adult dog. Often they aren't as sweet and even-tempered because of previous abuse and neglect.

11. Expect to live a full 12 to 15 years with your new dog, as this is the average life expectancy of a cocker spaniel.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (see Related Sites) to learn more about hip dysplasia in cocker spaniels.

• Consider getting a crate to house-train your cocker spaniel puppy in.

• A cocker spaniel's coat will tangle easily if the dog is allowed to walk through dense brush.