English Cocker Spaniel: breed description and content

The English Cocker Spaniel is popular with dog owners for its character and aristocratic appearance. The material in this article will be useful to those who want to get a puppy of this breed, but do not know what nuances of keeping a pet they may encounter. We will dwell on different aspects of this topic, tell you where these dogs came from, what their appearance is according to the standard, what are the advantages, disadvantages and nuances of their choice.

Few people know that the ancestors of modern Britons were the so-called ash dogs that lived in the Bronze Age. It is believed that it is ash dogs that became the ancestors of all hunting animals of the canine family. The remains of these animals are well preserved in ash, in view of which scientists have suggested that the ancestors of the spaniels at one time sacrificed to mythical gods, burning at the stake.

Changes in the ecological background and lifestyle of each era left an imprint on the appearance of dogs. For example, this explains the more elongated type of muzzle inherent in modern pets. The further evolution of the English aristocracy is quite controversial. The opinion that they came from the Spaniards is not confirmed, but it is known for certain that the history of breeding began in 1879.

England was recognized as the birthplace of animals, the aristocrats of which were once obsessed with hunting. They needed dogs to frighten game birds and bring them to the owners.

Initially, large individuals were selected for crossing. Later, for breeding, they began to use Japanese spaniels donated to the Queen of England. As a result, smaller puppies and a different color, called the blenheim, which today is the hallmark of all spaniels, began to appear. At the end of the 19th century, the first club of spaniel lovers was created.

Its creation led to the widespread distribution of English dogs as a separate breed of spaniels, around the world. The first representative of the existing breed, born in England, was named Obo. It was from him that the breeding of British spaniels went, and from his son Obo the Second went the American branch of spaniels.

Despite the fact that the British were able to register British pets in 1893, the standard for them was finally approved only after 10 years. Dogs that graced the exhibition were called “field spaniels,” and later “funny cockers." The world community has developed a standard for dogs of this breed in the 80s of the last century.

Since then, the breeding of English spaniels has been taking into account its rules.

The English Cocker Spaniel has a number of differences. This dog looks like a genuine aristocrat: with small dimensions, it has a unique appearance and proud posture. The representative of the breed is characterized by a muscular physique and endurance. He has an elegant head with a moderately convex crown, flattening with age.

The muzzle of the animal is proportional, with a raised foot, tends to be rectangular, the nose is wide, well-developed. The skull has rounded outlines; it is moderately light. Compared to American counterparts, the British Spaniel is slightly larger and more graceful. Its average weight ranges from 13-15 kg, in addition, it is higher.

The height at the withers of these cocker spaniels is 39-41 cm for males and from 37 to 39 cm for females. The jaw of the British massive, have a classic scissor bite. The nostrils are large, wide, which explains the exceptional flair of the English spaniels. The hanging ears of the representative of the breed are long, oval, set low.

Their coat is soft and silky. The eyes of dogs are smart and moist, the auricles are wide, tight to the skull. They are overgrown with thick hair. The undercoat is dense, from the bottom of the body the wool forms a skirt of long hairs.

The neck of the spaniel is proportional, not short or long, it is strong, muscular and has no folds. The body is characterized by some compactness. At the same time, the back of a purebred dog has no deflection: it is perfectly even, short croup is massive. The chest is deep, wide, but not tending to the shape of the barrel.

The legs of the English Spaniel are proportional to the body: they are short, muscular, powerful and straight. The humeral body and knees of the representative of the breed are bent, due to which the dog can not limit its movements. At the same time, the extension of the forepaws can be large. Sufficient angles of the joints of the metatarsus and the joint joint allow the push to be elastic.

The shape of the paws of the Englishman is round, the fingers on the limbs tightly adjoin each other, their pillows are quite elastic. Docking of the tail is considered mandatory in accordance with the regulations of the approved standard. However, there are some nuances: for example, in some countries, stopping is prohibited. In view of this, English cocker spaniels with long tails can be seen at exhibitions.

With a natural length, the tail reaches the hock, it is set below the dorsal line. The shape of the uncropped tail itself is wider at the base and narrowed at its end. As for the rules for stopping, such a tail should not be cut too short. Otherwise, the animal will not be able to express its emotions, the same is reflected in the appearance and hunting performance.

The coat of these dogs is adjacent. It is quite soft, straight in some places, the hair curls in these dogs in the areas of the front and hind legs, on the stomach and in the groin area. At the same time, towing can be observed on it.

To date, the standard for the English Cocker Spaniel is allowed 4 types of color: monochrome, spotted, tricolor and speckled. Each type has its own color scheme. For example, one-color coloring allows such colors as black, golden, reddish, brown, chocolate. This also includes tan colors: black and liver.

Color with points implies the presence of white. The main colors can be fawn, red, liver and black. Tricolor colors are tan with the basics of two types: black and white and liver white. As for the speckled varieties, this includes the Roans: red, fawn, blue, brownish. Also in this group are two types with tan marks: brownish and blue. The most common colors are considered golden and black.

Show animals have other differences. For example, their fur should be longer, as should their ears. Differences also lie in the length of the tail: it was docked at the show dogs because the standard permits it to be left no longer than 10 cm. The length of 13 cm is allowed for hunting brethren.

The English Cocker Spaniel is smart and smart. With timely training and the right approach to training, he is able to learn many commands, to understand the essence of the rules established in the house, which he will obey without question. In most cases, a completely intelligent dog grows out of these animals, able to adapt to the mood of the owners and the specific situation. The dog of this breed subtly feels the atmosphere prevailing in the house.

Not for nothing that British spaniels are called "positive generators." They are on a positive wave, almost always vigorous, energetic and cheerful. As a rule, they are able to find an approach to their masters, get along well with them, charging all the members of the household with a good mood. If the dog is not in the mood or seems tired, sad, this is the first sign of her poor health.

By the nature of the cocker spaniels, real sanguines. They will not sit in one place for a long time, because they constantly need somewhere because of irrepressible curiosity. They are extremely friendly, they are interested in everything new, they like to meet new people, guests of the owners, not treating them as potential enemies. Their friendliness captivates both people and other pets living in the house.

These dogs get along well not only with their relatives. Cats do not annoy them, they know how to keep their distance and do not climb cats. In addition, they get along with guinea pigs living in the same house.

The activity and mobility of dogs goes through the roof, as a result of which they need a cheerful, strong-willed and agile master. You can’t mock the animal with short and rare walks: it is extremely important for him to get rid of tons of energy through long walks, supplemented by feasible physical activity or active games. A representative of this breed is sensitive to host intonation. A cheerful line of behavior will be formed on the basis of the attitude to the animal of the owner himself and the rest of the household.

Dogs behave like beagles: they are also playful and spoiled. Therefore, the education and training of the pet must begin as early as possible. Otherwise, the rudiments of self-will and disobedience will take root in the pet already in half a year. Dealing with them later or adjusting them will be very problematic.

Despite the fact that in general dogs exude friendliness towards people, they are naturally prone to the makings of watchmen. A well-trained dog will not show his suspicion when he sees a stranger in the house. However, this does not mean that he will not perceive it with suspicion. If a thief has climbed into the area, the Briton will report him with a bark of bark.

Others are trying so hard to please the owners that the training does not cause much trouble. Some are hard to calm down when they are busy with barking barks. If the owner allows himself to be mistreated with the pet, some representatives of the breed in response may grin and growl. In other cases, the dog grows shy during rough handling.

Like any dog, the breed of English Cocker Spaniels has the best sides and disadvantages. For example, the key advantage of these animals is not only activity, but also intelligence. They do not behave foolishly, getting confused by the owner under their feet. Whatever they do, these dogs first think and then do.

The British are characterized by devotion to their masters. If they are trained correctly, they show devotion to the owners all their lives. In addition, they do not offend children, and therefore can live in families with children. Their tirelessness is good for active games with older children. Dogs are thought to be suitable for breeders of all ages, although it may be difficult for older owners to play with dogs the way pets do.

However, despite the good nature shown by the dog to all family members, some individuals tend to single out one of them, showing him a large share of dog love and devotion.

A convenient indicator is the size of the animals, which allows them to comfortably accommodate not only in private homes, but also in apartments. Usually they do not create any special problems for breeders, the standard set of things for them is the same as for other medium-sized animals. These animals have good eyesight and a sense of smell, but their disposition is completely incompatible with the character of the owner, striving for solitude, silence and tranquility.

As for the other shortcomings of these dogs, some individuals have poor training. Unfortunately, not all spaniels respond well to training. Some of them are not able to protect the house and its inhabitants without training. Also, a loud barking can become a problem for owners, which can especially annoy neighbors if the dog lives in an apartment building.

Another disadvantage is the exposure of pets to ear infections. In addition, they have abundant molting, which complicates the care of the coat and forces it to be made more regular and thorough in order to save household items from the hairs that eat them. Some of the representatives of the breed are distinguished by a loud and long bark, through which they try to cope with loneliness.

Among other shortcomings, one can note the stubbornness characteristic of individual British individuals. Some of the dogs are real owners, and therefore can allow themselves to be jealous of their beloved master.

Breed life span averages 15 years. However, with proper care and maintenance, it can be increased. Animals that are 16 years old are considered to be centenarians. Some animals live significantly less. This is due to the peculiarities of health, the climatic background of a particular region, a predisposition to diseases and a violation of the norms of disease prevention.

In the vastness of the network you can find a lot of information that characterizes English spaniels as dogs with excellent immunity. However, this statement is only partially true. In fact, immunity is good in young animals, and by age many of them are overgrown with a whole bunch of different ailments. For example, potential diseases include glaucoma, cataracts, inversion and eversion of the eyelids, as well as retinal atrophy.

Among other troubles that can affect representatives of this breed, it can be noted melanoma, hepatitis, lipoma, dysplasia, discopathy, otitis media. Some dogs, like people in old age, lose their hearing, becoming deaf. Others are prone to hysteria, while others develop papillomas with age.

Spaniels are among those dogs that need care about their appearance. For example, in addition to caring for hair and hygiene, the breeder will have to get acquainted with grooming. As for the conditions of detention, the more developed and sporting dogs grow up living in private homes. It is in such conditions that dogs can not limit themselves in the pursuit of butterflies, delve into the sand, study the world around them.

Dogs, often in the fresh air, are quite developed, and they need outdoor games to maintain psychological balance. Moreover, the owner does not always have to take an active part in the entertainment of the dog. Sometimes she needs to run herself, without any training and tasks. However, rarely is any dog ​​able to abandon the ball or frisbee thrown to him, in view of which he can turn all his attention to it.

The duration of the walks should be at least half an hour, a day the dog needs at least two walks. The mistake of upbringing and maintenance is walking exclusively for the needs of the dog. The lack of free time should not concern her if the breeder took responsibility for her care and maintenance. Leaving will require regular combing of wool, brushing of ears, teeth, eyes, washing, grooming.

Compared with breeds of large breeds, spaniel hygiene is not particularly difficult. Perhaps the only exception may be more careful care of the condition of hanging ears, with which individual pets almost “sweep” the floor. In principle, the care pattern will be approximately the same as for other dogs. It is also necessary to promptly bathe the dog and cut its claws.

Washing the animal too often is not recommended, despite the breeder's desire to keep a perfectly clean dog at home. It seems to some that it is possible to do this once every one to two weeks, which supposedly does not harm the structure of the coat and skin, if you use special zoological facilities for bathing. Opponents of this theory believe that from frequent bathing in dogs appears dandruff. However, frequent bathing leads to the loss of a natural protective layer, from which the work of the glands is disrupted.

The coat of the spaniel is dense and long, it tends to get tangled up and tangle, and therefore, without frequent combing, the appearance of the pet seems sloppy. It is especially important to monitor the condition of the coat during molting. So that she doesn’t roll around the house, in addition to a comb and a slicker, the owner buys a special brush with a trimmer nozzle, which is called a furminator. With the help of this device you can rid your pet of dead hair so that it does not interfere with new growth.

Shearing is carried out in a specialized salon for the care of animals. If desired and financially, the breeder can include various procedures in grooming, from bathing to claw trimming. Such caring procedures cost a lot of money, due to which sooner or later the breeder masters most of them independently.

When combing the wool, attention should also be paid to the coat on the paws. Shedding in dogs takes place twice a year, and the hair can be combed out as often as possible. Together with combing, you can immediately trim the claws, for which they acquire a special device - a claw cutter. However, claws need to be trimmed no more than once a month, without forgetting to clean and lubricate them with a special tool.

Spaniel ears are inspected daily if the dog walks outside every day. Control examinations should be carried out a couple of times a week, not forgetting to clean and lubricate the auricles inside. Any appearance of a characteristic smell from the ears will indicate an urgent appeal to the veterinarian, since these are the first signs of ear diseases.

As for the grooming of show dogs, there are some nuances here. For example, In addition to constantly combing a crest, such a pet will have to remove long hairs on its face. So that such manipulations are not stressful for the dog, it must be accustomed to them from young claws. Spaniels need to be vaccinated timely, not forgetting the need for regular preventive examinations.

You need to care for the eyes and teeth of the dog. To do this, you need to visit a specialist, in addition, you must not allow your teeth to become covered with yellow plaque. Without proper care, they will wear off faster than they should, which will affect the pet's appetite and health. It is necessary to provide it with your own things: a stove bench, dishes, toys, as well as clothes. The dog needs things for walking in the cold season, and they must be comfortable and warm.

It is better to choose clothes by taking the dog with you, because such things do not change, and too tight products can cause discomfort to the animal. Sizes of overalls are bought, focusing on the length of the back, the circumference of the chest and neck. Shoes are taken, taking into account the volume of the wrist, the height of the metacarpus, the width of the paw and its length.

Next, watch a video with tips on how to properly care for your cocker spaniels.

You can start raising a puppy almost immediately after his appearance in a new house. To begin with, he is accustomed to the rules, which must be observed implicitly. Despite the fact that the baby does not take offense at the owners for a long time, this does not give a reason to be guided in teaching rudeness and whipping. However, due to congenital nervousness during education and training, in no case should you go too far.

This will demonstrate the complete failure of the owner, as a teacher and owner, and will affect the nature of the dog, from which he will become insecure, deprived of a sense of self-worth. Regardless of the climate in the region classes are best done outdoors, giving them the appearance of active games.

Classes must be supported by physical activity. Without them, the dog runs the risk of growing lazy, hysterical and obese. Dogs are happy to devote their walks to sports activities. Moreover, they are sometimes able to diversify their walk themselves. At the same time, they will never refuse to run with the owner, which makes it possible to raise from the pet not only an active dog, but also a true friend.

The English Spaniel has a high level of intelligence, but pressure on the dog will not produce the desired results. There should not be uniformity in training, and then he will actively respond to the owner’s commands, learning lessons in a playful way. Socialization in spaniels takes place in two months, it is at this time that the puppy is easiest to teach to observe subordination and etiquette, as well as calm behavior with strangers.

Syusyukanie also can not be the basis of education and training. Frequent concessions lead to the fact that the animal begins to manipulate the owner, reducing its authority. Despite their pretty appearance, spaniels can differ in leadership habits. The emotional outbursts of the animal must be extinguished immediately, including in everyday life. At the same time, the pet should not be allowed to pull the owner along, wherever he wants.

A puppy is taught to play with a collar in a playful way at about 3 months. This can be done as before feeding, trying so that the pet does not feel it too much at the beginning of training. The first leash can be long, as it gets used, its length should be shortened. At 8 months, the puppy is ready for the course of general training, it can be trained from 3 months.

Before choosing a puppy of the English Spaniel, you need to take into account your strengths, because the pet will have to devote a lot of time and effort. His appearance in the house will change the usual course of events and force to adjust the usual mode of the day. If the choice is relevant, the baby should contact a professional nursery. In such a place, a non-purebred puppy will not be slipped to the buyer, as this can happen when the dog is purchased from the hands.

In addition, nurseries are better able to monitor the health of little puppies, which is why there are more chances to buy a healthy dog. The breeder introduces the potential buyer to the puppy's parents, prepares documents (pedigree and veterinary passport). He will also talk in detail about the nuances of the content and features of the standard.

Here he can chat with a trusted breeder. Puppies need to be taken until they are 5 months old. A tiny baby cannot be taken from the mother. On visual inspection, the best puppy is one that is active but not aggressive. A sluggish baby, who is more lying than moving, is not suitable for purchase, he may be sick. You can also focus on the price: a good copy with documents costs at least 25,000 rubles.

The size and weight of the dog depends on gender and age.For example, from birth to 10 days, the puppy's weight increases from 180 to 290 grams. By the end of the first month, the weight gained can be from 900 g to 1.5 kg. In two months, the puppy weighs from 2.9 to 3.5 kg, while overfeeding it is strictly not allowed.

A three-month-old baby can weigh from 4.9 to 6 kg, at 5 months his weight varies in the range of 8-10 kg. A six-month-old spaniel can weigh from 9 to 11 kg, some representatives of the breed at this age weigh a little more. A puppy from 7 months old has an average weight of 10-12 kg. Further weight gain depends on the correct feeding and compliance with the walking mode, taking into account physical activity.

If you properly care for the dog, its weight and height will meet the standard. The weight of adult pets should not exceed 14.5 kg and be less than 12 kg. Height is measured by the height at the withers: the distance from the ground should be proportionate to the length from the withers to the base of the tail. The elongation index for males is 110-115, for females it is 115 to 120. At 7-9 months, the growth of the dog is already an average of 35-39 cm, which depends on the sex of the animal.

English spaniels are characterized by excellent appetite, they are illegible in food, which is both the advantage and disadvantage of individuals of this breed. They are happy to sweep away everything that they are treated to, and in order to get a tidbit they can use all their charm and artistry. Not every owner can resist this behavior. However, strict control and the right approach to compiling a dog menu is indispensable.

According to some breeders, dogs of this breed are prone to begging. In their understanding, delicious is more or less edible.

The feed can be natural or industrial dry. Also, the diet can be mixed. Regardless of the choice, it should be balanced, saturated with vitamins and nutrients. The diet is selected based on the size of the dog, its age, stress, temperament and physical condition.

Servings should be small, do not allow the belly of the pet to swell. Babies are fed once a day, from the age of 4 to 6 months it is enough for them to eat three times a day. Six-month-old dogs and adult pets should be fed no more than twice a day. When feeding natural food, the animal's diet should include foods such as meat, eggs, fish, poultry, cereals, vegetables, dairy products, and vegetable oil.

The choice of nicknames for a pet should be approached thoroughly. The name should be sonorous and short, so it will be remembered faster, and it will simplify the habituation of the animal itself. No need for funny nicknames that humiliate the dog (in the spirit of Khmyr, Bubble, Pork, Bitch, Zyuzyuk). The ideal name consists of two syllables, it can be derived from the name indicated in the pedigree.

If you want it to be beautiful and sonorous, the dog can be called Fred, Roy, Zus, Mike, Mark, Joe, Leicester, Henry. The girl can be given the name Nick, Zara, Uma, Naid, Alice. When you want your dog to have an exclusive and modern name, you can choose an unusual option from what surrounds a modern person. For example, options for Stark, Google, Like, Rolex can be good nicknames for a pet boy; a girl can be called Tweety, Yumi.

You do not need to name the dogs Vasya, Masha, Petya or give them names that are typical for cats (say, Fluff, Murzik, Barsik). The breed suggests an aristocratic name that will correspond to those in the pedigree. Other options include the nicknames Archie, Paco, Brooke, Greg, Eli, Hector, Tito, Ozzy.As for girls, you can add options such as May, Tina, Cherie, Cora, Grace, Yuki, Aimee, Yuri, Nami to the list of interesting nicknames.

English spaniels are considered peculiar dogs, sufficiently sonorous and kind for their own. This is evidenced by the reviews of the owners left on the information portals. Breeders note that dogs love their owners, but they do not always allow strangers to pet themselves. They bark with joyful neighbors that they are going for a walk.

Breeders note that these pets love to swim, some representatives of the breed, according to their opinion, can be called "vacuum cleaners", because they can eat anything they like on a walk. At the same time, as stated in the comments, the British can be extremely jealous. This can occur in relation to children. Dogs do not always understand that young children need special attention, but with age, as breeders note, jealousy gradually disappears.

Other owners write that spaniels allow themselves to nibble on household furniture. Some owners of the dog swept from the floor not only what you can eat. Their attention is drawn to pieces of paper, corks, twigs, wrappers, chewing gum and everything that appears on the floor. All this the dog tries on the tooth when she has a special mood. However, as noted by the breeders, in some cases this defect can be dealt with.

See below a video about English Cocker Spaniel dogs.