All about American Cocker Spaniel

The content of the article

• Breed description
• Differences from the English Cocker Spaniel
• Wool color
• American Cocker Spaniel Character
• Care and maintenance
• Grooming
• Hygiene procedures
• Nutrition
• Health
• Parenting and training
• Pros and Cons of the American Cocker Spaniel breed
• How to choose a puppy

Active city residents prefer decorative breeds of companion dogs. These animals include the American Cocker Spaniel. He was taken out in 1880 to hunt for game birds. Even in those days, representatives of this breed were known for their soft temper and sociable character..

Breed description

Cocker Spaniel is a small-sized dog with developed muscles. Representatives of this breed are very hardy. Spaniels are currently used as family companion dogs. The breed of dog Cocker Spaniel English was recognized by the International Film Festival in 1993..

Standards adopted then are still valid..

Exterior Features:

• Height – up to 39 cm. Weight – up to 13 kg.
• The coat is soft, silky, fawn, brown or black. Animals often have red tan marks. White marks with a monochromatic color are a disqualifying sign. The hair on the back is stiffer than on the sides..
• Chest wide.
• The tail docked, gently continues the top line.
• The limbs are muscular, with strong bones, straight. The joints are strong, without shifting outward or inward.
• Ears are long, hanging, low-set.
• Muzzle shortened, wide.

Differences from the English Cocker Spaniel

With external similarity, these species are recognized by the American Kennel Club as two separate breeds..

1. Exterior. The British are higher at the withers, have more massive limbs, body and skull.
2. Character. American Spaniels cannot be alone for long. The British are more aggressive towards other animals.
3. Hunting instinct. The American Spaniel is less pronounced. The dog is calmer on walks, rarely pulls the leash.
4. Wool. English cockers have a medium length hairline; in American, the coat is long and thick.

Wool color

Coat of cockers by standards allowed monophonic, two and three-color. The most popular color of spaniels is fawn. In the nurseries there are representatives of black, red, platinum, chocolate flowers. Multi-colored cockers may have a pair of small clearly defined spots or speckled ticks..

American Cocker Spaniel Character

Dogs of this breed are friendly. They quickly become attached to all members of the family, and are difficult to experience separation from them. Young spaniels have a whacky character. During the walk, puppies can run far from the owner, flirting with other animals nonchalantly. Spaniels easily adapt to changing circumstances. Cockers have the highest level of learning among hunting breeds..

They easily learn new teams, they obey the master well.

Care and maintenance

The American Cocker Spaniel in the apartment will feel good. For normal development, the animal requires two-hour walks. Americans bathe in warm water with shampoos to care for long hair.

To add shine to the fur, you can use tint balms.

Grooming

Comprehensive care of the pet can be done independently or entrusted to its pet salon. During the bathing procedure, the groomer will not allow water to get into the ears of the pet.

A professional will pay attention to the condition and health of the skin and coat.

Without proper care, the spaniel quickly becomes shaggy and untidy. Hygienic and decorative haircuts should be done every 2 months. The master cuts hair from the muzzle, back of the nose, upper jaw. The hair on the lower jaw is sheared as short as possible so that it does not interfere with food. Croup, back, shoulders trimming, hair on the ears shortened by two-thirds of the length of the hair.

Hygiene procedures

Standard American Spaniel care includes:

• bathing;
• combing;
• hair cutting;
• ear cleaning;
• dental care;
• treatment against parasites;
• eye wash.

It is recommended to bathe the animal once a week. If you perform the procedure less often, the cocker’s coat will get an unpleasant odor. You need to comb the animal daily. Clipping must be done every month. Slices are filed.

Cocker teeth are cleaned with special paste for dogs at least twice a week..

It is undesirable for the spaniel’s ears to come in contact with food. When feeding them, it is recommended to tie them up. You can also buy an animal a narrow and deep bowl so that the fur does not get dirty during meals. Treat your ears with cotton buds dipped in alcohol or saline every week..

Make sure that there is no abundant discharge.

Nutrition

American cockers are real gluttons. Overeating can lead to a deterioration in the quality of the coat, allergies and other health problems. It is strictly forbidden to feed an animal from the table.

To maintain normal weight and maintain good health, it is recommended that cockers give premium feed: Belcando, Organix, Profine, Monge, Blitz, etc..

They contain essential vitamins, proteins, fats, carbohydrates and trace elements..

During natural feeding, the following must be present in the animal’s diet:

• dairy products (cottage cheese, kefir);
• low-fat raw meat (turkey, chicken, beef);
• fish fillet;
• vegetables fruits;
• cookies for dogs, bagels.

Health

The American Cocker is a healthy dog. With a balanced diet and proper care, the animal lives 16-20 years. Like all representatives of elite breeds, spaniels are prone to certain diseases: epilepsy, cataracts, glaucoma, destruction of the hip joints, dermatitis. Dogs often suffer from otitis media and other ear diseases.

Cockers are obese, so they need to provide long active walks and a diet..

Parenting and training

Hunting dog breeds, including cocker spaniels, should know the basic commands from the OKD course. A puppy must be socialized and gently nip all manifestations of zoo aggression in relation to other animals. Spaniels learn commands faster during the game. Food or treats can be used as positive reinforcement..

American cockers like to engage in agility, participate in dog shows and swim in ponds.

Exposure to young dogs is hard. The owner should gradually accustom the animal to patience. Pets fulfill the “aport” command well and with pleasure.

Pros and Cons of the American Cocker Spaniel breed

Dogs can hardly stand loneliness, especially in puppies. A couple of hours without a host is enough for the spaniel to whine, howl, and gnaw furniture. Zoopsychologists recommend gradually accustoming cocker to loneliness.

Spaniels are prone to otolaryngological infections, so you need to carefully care for your ears.

Other disadvantages of American Spaniels:

• strong hunting instincts in some representatives of the breed;
• propensity to dominate with improper training;
• demanding hair care;
• the dog is not suitable for protection.

The advantages of the breed include:

• friendliness;
• high level of activity;
• quick mastering of teams;
• compatibility with other animals;
• suitable for keeping in an apartment.

Americans get along well with children. Pets rarely bark at guests and other animals. You can walk with cockers in any weather – they perfectly tolerate any temperature.

American Spaniel – companion dog.

With him you can go hiking in any area. A hardy animal travels long distances with ease.

How to choose a puppy

Small spaniel is recommended to be purchased in nurseries or from breeders. Information on the health of the puppy’s parents needs to be examined. Get acquainted with the conditions of their maintenance and nutrition. Check for medical records and passports.

It should be remembered that the sale of dogs begins when they reach 3 months of age..

By this time, the babies are transferred to self-feeding, given the first vaccinations, stigmatized or chipped. The pedigree is drawn up from 6 months of age.

Before buying from an animal, they check the cleanliness of the skin, observe the gait, pay attention to the bite. Spaniel at a young age is active and inquisitive. Lethargy, warm nose, drowsiness indicate an illness of the animal.

A visual examination of the puppy shows signs of the breed:

• round skull with a short muzzle;
• ears reaching the nose;
• almond-shaped eyes;
• strong smooth legs;
• thick, dense coat.

A puppy of a pet class will cost 20-25 thousand rubles. The cost of potential champions starts from 30 000 r.

Puppies with a rare color, from parents with international diplomas are highly valued. Their cost exceeds 50 000 rubles.