The English cocker spaniel may surprise you with its character. Don't be fooled by his sweet appearance and beautiful, large eyes - the cocker spaniel is a fast, agile, very mobile dog, often aggressive towards other animals and people.

English cocker spanielis a dog whose name comes from the words cock (cock) and woodcock (woodcock) - the birds that these dogs hunted most often.

Spaniels are not big: dogs grow up to 41 cm at the withers, bitches up to 39 cm.

They are distinguished by a silky and smooth coat - more abundant on the chest, smooth and short on the head. They can have different colors - the most common colors of spaniels are red and black.

Dogs that resembled today's spaniels - small, with wavy hair and long, drooping ears - already lived in ancient Greece, and evidence of this can be found in the colorful descriptions of such animals found in the writings of Socrates' disciples.

For centuries they have been used during hunting - they perfectly displayed game (especially birds) in such a way that a hunter could approach them unnoticed and cast their nets. They were also used for hunting falcons.

The spaniels we know today come from the British Isles, where the breed began to be bred as early as the 16th century. At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, new spaniel crossbreeds were created - incl. clumper spaniel, sussex spaniel and just cocker spaniel.

English Cocker Spaniel - Character

Dogs of this breed are usually gentle and friendly, but there are also "black sheep" among them - aggressive towards people and other animals.

The vast majority of individuals become attached to the owner, but there is no separation anxiety: she can stay home alone for several hours, and she is not a problem in a doghouse.

Spaniels are alert and perceptive, so they will let you know quickly if there is a stranger near the house, but will not try to chase him away.

They like to play, but tend to overdo it and innocent fights can end up biting, so it's better not to let them play with young children.

They need a lot of exercise and have a strong hunting instinct, which makes a house with a large garden and lots of tall grass or shrubs to scare the game ideal for them.

Of thisFor the same reason, it is better not to let them loose on walks in unfamiliar territory: they can chase after the game and then not be able to hit back on their own.

English Cocker Spaniel - training

Spaniels are quick-witted and quick-witted, so they usually learn commands and obey with ease. Most individuals are easily trained, but there are also those who have an opinion of their own and consistently refuse to obey. In such a situation, they must not be treated harshly: they will become even more stubborn and disobedient.

Positive motivation can help: as they are naturally greedy, it is worth supporting learning with delicacies.

It is worth remembering that spaniels sometimes like to dominate, so they should not be indulged: they need to know who is the alpha male in a given family and submit to them.

Otherwise, they can become unbearable: they will run away on walks, at home they can destroy objects and mark the area, and if left alone - they will howl and bark desperately. Therefore, people who lack the time (or skills) to properly care for a Cocker Spaniel puppy should decide to attend a canine kindergarten.

Cocker spaniels enjoy an active lifestyle and feel best with people who spend as much time as possible outdoors.

English Cocker Spaniel - he alth and disease

Dogs of this breed live up to 15 years of age, and reach maturity at the age of 2. They are durable and resistant to various weather conditions, but both puppies and older dogs should be protected against severe frost and excessive heat - on hot days they should be in the shade and have constant access to water.

They are prone to ear infections, so you need to regularly remove hair and excess earwax from them.

Sometimes they also suffer from eye diseases, including eyelid curl (entropion) and conjunctivitis.

In their mature age they may experience cataracts, some dogs also suffer from food allergies, have kidney and heart problems, and also develop cancer.

English Cocker Spaniel - Nutrition

Like many medium breed dogs, spaniels also tend to gain weight, so you need to control the amount of food and base your daily diet on high-quality food.

The English Cocker Spaniel should eat twice a day. There must not be too much protein on his menu, as it can cause skin problems. When cooking for a spaniel on your own, it is worth including in its diet preparations containing calcium and vitamins, prescribed by a vet.

English Cocker Spaniel - grooming

Dogs of this breed have soft hair, which should be kept at least once a weekcomb with a brush and a metal comb, and comb the tangles formed in the armpits and ears.

Spaniels lose their hair all year round - in spring and autumn, shedding increases and the dog should be combed more often.

From time to time, use a trimmer or a furminator to remove the undercoat and dead top coat, as well as the hair between the pads.

If the dog does not rub its claws by itself, trim them regularly.

Spaniels do not need to be bathed regularly, but when necessary. The best shampoo for long-haired dogs is the best for care, after which it is worth applying a balm or conditioner for a few minutes - thanks to it, it will be easier to comb your pet's coat later.

After bathing, squeeze the excess water from the hair, and then dry it with a dryer, combing the hair in the direction of its growth.

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