Cocker Spaniel: The Charming Companion with Elegant Looks and a Loving Nature
Fun Fact
A Cocker Spaniel was the first Cancer detecting dog!
About
Supposed to have been bred in Spain during the 14th century, the modern Cocker Spaniels were bred in the UK during the mid 19th century. There are two types of them namely American Cocker Spaniel and British Cocker Spaniel. They were bred to hunt and retrieve Eurasian Woodcock in the UK and American Woodcock in the USA. They were small hunting birds and the acute sense of smell and hearing of the Cocker Spaniel made it easy to retrieve after shooting. They were also sent to flush out birds hiding in tall grass to make it easy for the hunter. The modern day champion breed Obo was bred in the UK and his son Obo II was born in the USA during the late 19th century. There are few slight differences in appearance between the UK and American Cocker Spaniels.
Appearance
The American Cocker Spaniels are slightly shorter, less heavy and have a small snout with a rounded head than the UK Cocker Spaniels which are slightly bigger, taller and have longer snouts. Average male American Cocker Spaniel weighs between 13-15 kilograms and females between 12-14 kilograms. The UK male and female Cocker Spaniels weigh between 14-16 kilograms. Both types have double coats where American Cocker Spaniels weigh between have longer ears and thicker coats that UK Cocker Spaniels. Their tail is cut short also known as tail docking for cosmetic purposes. Most Veterinary Associations are against tail docking of all breeds. The most common colours are Black Chocolate and Tan.
Temperament
Cocker Spaniels are smart, energetic, loving and loyal dogs. They are great with children and other pets at home when trained to be social from when they were young. They rarely show aggression towards other dogs or humans which makes them a very bad choice for guarding or watching.
LifeSpan/Health
The average lifespan of Cocker Spaniels is between 11-15 years. They are prone to many diseases and need constant care and checks. They are prone to joint problems where they can be overused, especially in the hips. This leads to mobility issues and pain. They also get liver disease called Hepatitis during the mid years of their life. They also develop Dry eye syndrome that reduces the amount of fluid produced by the tear glands. American Cocker Spaniels are prone to epilepsy and rage Syndrome which is a form of epilepsy that can cause sudden and unprovoked violent attacks. Cocker Spaniels can gain weight very easily that leads to joint issues and other health problems. They develop dental issues where tartar buildup affects the gums and causes root infections. The key to try and increase their life expectancy is to make sure they have a proper diet, required exercise/walk, timely medication, yearly Vaccinations, Deworming tablets every three months and regular blood tests with Vet regarding the overall health.
Maintenance
Cocker Spaniels require a lot of care when it comes to diet, exercise, grooming and vet checks. They have double coats that shed during the season, hence they are required to be brushed every other day to avoid matting. They require baths at least once a month when they are dirty or smell bad. Since they have long hairy ears, it is required to clean and dry them regularly to avoid infections. Their eyes need regular examination to check for tears and wax build up. We suggest that teeth need to be brushed thrice a week. They need a very balanced diet for them to thrive. A minimum of 30 minutes walk per day is required with short play times.
Good food and nutrition is significant. Awareness of what to feed and how much to feed is extremely important. Processed food is not ideal due to the chemicals used causing increasing effects on the gut. Bloating, digestive issues, stinky stool, diarrhea, obesity and dehydration are some of the most common issues faced.
Canine diet requires a blend of fresh and natural ingredients. It should include the right amount of protein, fibre, fat and carbohydrate. We understand that it is not easy to make fresh food at home on a daily basis which meets all the nutritional requirements.
We at Genie Pet Meal understand the nutritional requirement of each dog because we customise the food according to the requirement. 100% fresh and natural ingredients like Chicken, 7 types of Vegetables, Rice, Egg white and other ingredients combined in the right quantity makes our food extremely healthy! It’s tailor made for your dog as we keep in mind the importance of giving the best to your fur ball.
