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History of The Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels were originally bred to flush out game birds and then retrieve them when their owner commanded them to.
They are still used by some for the same purpose, but most Cocker owners in Cheshire have them as family pets who are more used to chasing and retrieving balls!
There are actually 2 types of Cocker Spaniels –
‘Cocker Spaniel’
“English Cocker Spaniel’
Cocker Spaniels are the smaller Cockers you see and English Cocker Spaniels are the bigger Cockers you see.
Temperament of Cocker Spaniels
Cocker Spaniels are happy little dogs and can make super pets provided they receive socialisation with other dogs early on.
They still have a desire to hunt but they will happily live with cats and other pets but pet birds would provide too much temptation for them!
They make great dogs for young children as they won’t be able to knock kids over very easily but they are resilient enough to play rough and tumble with them.
They have a huge desire to please which makes them highly trainable, provided they are rewarded with praise and a few treats.
Health of Cocker Spaniels
Cocker Spaniels are susceptible to a few different ailments that are partly due to genetics.
They can get a few eye problems such as Glaucoma, Cataracts and ‘Cherry Eye.’
Cockers can also suffer from Hypothyroidism which can cause them to gain weight, become lethargic and suffer from skin conditions.
Due to their long, hairy ears, Cocker Spaniels can also suffer from ear infections as the warm trapped air provides a breeding ground for bacteria so it is important to keep their ears clean and dry.
Required Living Conditions For Cocker Spaniels
Cocker Spaniel’s don’t need masses of space as they are fairly small and medium energy dogs provided that they are sufficiently exercised. They would do ok in a flat but prefer a house with a small garden to sniff around in.
Exercise Requirements For Cocker Spaniels
Cocker’s love to walk so they will have as much exercise as you can give them. They love to chase a ball, so this is a great way of tiring them out. If you can’t manage to walk miles with them every day, then 20 minutes twice a day will be ok, as they are happy just being with you.
Cocker Spaniel’s make great pets and you shouldn’t have too many problems with them, just make sure you socialise them early and ensure that they learn all of the basic commands.
Adam & Laura