All about American Cocker Spaniel

American Cocker Spaniel is one of the smallest hunting dogs. This animal is distinguished by mobility and endurance and literally glows with joy and optimism.

The history of the origin of this hunting dog breed can be judged by an intricate name. It is believed that the very first spaniels appeared in Spain, known for its hunting grounds. After some time they came to the UK, where English breeders were actively involved in them, starting multiple crosses. As a result, many newer varieties appeared, including Cockers, and all of them were widely used during the hunt.

Obviously, the word “spaniel” has Spanish roots. It was there that these animals were distributed among the knights of the Crusaders - great lovers of hunting and flying game rabbits. However, if we take into account the data of the archaeological excavations, pets with long ears came to Europe from Malaysia, so it can be argued that, before reaching the Iberian Peninsula, the long-time ancestors of Cocker Spaniels lived in various countries.

Dogs of a similar type were bred in the Balkans and in North Africa, and from there the Carthaginians brought them to Spain. In those years, the Spanish lands literally flooded the rabbits - it is no coincidence that the name of the country translated from Spanish means “the country of rabbits”, therefore breeding dogs there was a necessary measure. These animals proved themselves to be excellent hunters, who rather quickly coped with the invasion of eared rodents. It is this feature that caused the local dog breeders to actively breed the breed.

It is difficult to say exactly when the animals came to Britain, but one thing is obvious - as soon as this happened, the British simply could not pass by and did not pay attention to this hunting breed. In those days, the spaniels in the English court enjoyed an impeccable reputation and were considered court favorites. In the 10th century, a serious fine was imposed for the theft of this four-legged thief-hunter. This is not surprising, because spaniels then cost a whole pound - in that period quite a lot of money.

Over time, the spaniels gradually spread throughout England, and since there was a specificity in different parts of this country, the number of dog varieties increased accordingly. The animals differed in their size, color and length of fur, each new breed got its name in honor of the nobleman who owned them.

Even experts now find it difficult to calculate how many dog ​​breeds appeared in England for several centuries. The very first information about Cocker Spaniels is dated to 1697, when breeding was actively engaged in the largest counties of Devonshire and Wales. By the way, it was during this period that they began to stop dogs with their tails, so that during the hunt they would not receive life-threatening injuries.

The English cockers then could boast a variety of colors and differed from their fellow tribesmen by their small size, more elongated body, light weight and rather thick hair. As before, the breeders did not leave attempts to infuse them with the blood of some other varieties of spaniels. The situation changed only in the middle of the XIX century, when English Cockers were singled out into an independent breed, and in 1859 the dogs even participated in the international exhibition. The winner then became the owner of a Cocker Spaniel named Obo. In those years, a dog with this strange name was considered the real benchmark of the spaniel breed that many generations of breeders were guided by.

The descendants of Both were repeatedly recognized as leaders in contests, two of them, Bo-2 and Chloe-2, were later taken to America, where they laid the foundation for the famous American Cocker breed. After the meeting of these animals in the USA a funny puppy was born, which the breeders, without thinking twice, called Ob-2.

This dog was a little different from typical English Cockers - he had very big eyes. In England, he was immediately recognized as a defective puppy, but in America they saw the possibility of creating a new charming breed, which would be not only a hunter, but a good companion for children and adults.

American Cocker Spaniels from their English counterparts differ in several parameters, the main of which is the outlines of the head. The muzzle of Americans is 2-2.5 times shorter than the skull, and the transition from the forehead to the muzzle has become more pronounced. The eyes look so big that the dogs are a bit like a humanoid.

Their fur has become a little more fluffy and elongated, and their undercoat is thicker. In American Cockers, it seems to fall off the body of the animal, and the sternum and ears are covered with rather thick curls.

Despite the fact that animals of the American variety are not suitable for hunting, they are distinguished by a strong skeleton and developed muscles. It is a very hardy and extremely active animal, ready to rush around all day without getting tired.

American Cocker is a fairly compact breed, small, but at the same time very strong. Animals are distinguished by graceful landing of the head and the expressed muscles.

The muzzle is usually wide, the ears are set low, always hanging, with a long coat of wool. The tail is usually docked, but this question is left to the discretion of the owner.

The American variety of the English Cocker dogs is distinguished by silky, thick and rather long hair, slightly wavy and with a good undercoat. Its color can be very diverse. Brown, chocolate, fawn, black and red dogs are widespread, two- and three-colored animals with white spots, and tan colors are less common. By the way, black dogs have a black nose, and all other stripes are usually brown.

American Cockers are restless and affectionate dogs that are ready to go to the ends of the earth for their master. These dogs get along well with cats and other pets. However, this does not apply to birds - the blood of hunting ancestors still makes itself felt, so dogs can encroach on the life of birds. In the presence of a dog, canaries, parrots and other birds are better kept in a cage, and letting go for a walk only during those hours when the four-legged hunter disappears from their field of vision.

In relation to children, American Cocker Spaniels are friendly, but at the same time they cannot control themselves 100% - they are enthusiastically given to games, so they can attack the child and even bite him a little. In general, Americans are distinguished by the liveliness of character. According to breeders, this is one of the few breeds that, even in adulthood, fully retains all of its puppy habits.

These dogs do not take tricks, so they feel when the owner gives up the slack, and use it to the fullest. Having felt the freedom of action, they remain charming, but at the same time they become uncontrollable mischievous mischievous persons who absolutely do not recognize any restrictions.

American Cockers are so dependent on the presence of a person that sometimes it becomes almost manic. That is why the breed is not suitable for workaholics who disappear in the service for days. This dog does not tolerate loneliness, and the indefatigable temperament requires a constant burst of energy, which the owner, who is always absent from home, is unable to provide them.

Therefore, putting your pet under the castle for the whole day, Be mentally prepared for the fact that on your return you will find gnawed shoes, wallpaper torn from walls, broken blinds - Your pet all day trying to entertain themselves as he could. The nature of this dog is such that, without activity, the animal comes up with a fascinating activity for himself and the house turns into a real sports ground.

A spaniel is a hunting dog, not a guard dog, so it will not guard your house and will not act as a bodyguard. Despite the cautious attitude towards strangers, an American quickly establishes contact with them and immediately becomes imbued with trust. These dogs express any displeasure with a light roar, biting only in the most extreme cases.

It should be noted that the American Cocker Spaniels are true masters of seduction, who are well aware of the favorable and disarming impression they produce and actively use their knowledge for a variety of purposes. For example, if your American wants to feast on something tasty, then she will turn on all her charm to get the cherished “tasty treat”. But do not go with him on the occasion, otherwise the animal will very quickly gain excess weight.

Sometimes this dog begins to show aggression during games - it can hang on its leg, bite the finger and cling to the hands with sharp teeth. While the dog is small, it may look entertaining, but as he grows up his teeth begin to give the owners a lot of trouble, and it is almost impossible to get rid of acquired habits.

The advantages of the breed include the talent of a hunter, a peace-loving character, compact size. This animal has everything to become a good companion and hunting companion, it is perfectly adapted for living in a city apartment and does not require much space. American cockers easily get along with other pets, may nap along with cats and dogs, feeling like part of a large flock.

When choosing a pet, first of all you need to decide on the puppy class and assess your financial capabilities. If you need a show-category dog ​​that is allowed to participate in exhibitions and serves as an excellent breeding material, be prepared to part with a fairly large amount, as well as to the cost of constant traveling and maintaining your dog’s spectacular appearance. If you need a pet just for the soul, then you can buy a Cocker with defective signs that make it impossible for him to participate in competitions, but at the same time do not detract from his cheerfulness, love for the owner and a funny appearance.

An important criterion for evaluating dogs is gender. Bitches softer, they quickly adapt to a new place of residence, while the males begin to find out who is the boss. However, if you acquire a female for the further breeding of puppies, then you will not be overwhelmed by her behavioral twists at the time of estrus.

The optimal age for acquiring a young American Cocker is 6-9 weeks. If the puppy is younger, separation from the mother will be a difficult test for him, and if you buy a dog of more adult age, it is likely that the young dog will miss some important aspects of socialization. For example, if he spent too long in a street aviary - unfortunately, there are such unscrupulous breeders.

A reliable indicator will be Friendly and energetic young Cocker. To make sure that he is flexible, you can do a little test - put the dog on his back and press a little on the belly of the dog. If the baby perceives it as a new game and does not get angry - buy it without hesitation, if the dog begins to show aggression - it is better to refuse to buy.

It is not recommended to buy an adult dog. The fact is that the separation of such an animal with the owner is always accompanied by psychological trauma, since Cockers are very strongly attached to the person. It is possible that you will not be able to establish contact with your pet.

At about 8 weeks, the Cockers start to feel fear of strangers, therefore during this period it is extremely important to adjust their communication with all members of the household and guests of the family. If you miss this moment of socialization, it can grow aggressive towards people or, on the contrary, it will be too timid.

The newly minted owners of the American Cocker Spaniel usually worry about increasing their puppy's height and weight, which is why they are often interested in puppy growth rates at different ages.

The approximate parameters of such pets are:

• 1 month - 1.5 kg;
• 2 months - 3-3.5 kg;
• 3 months - 5-6 kg;
• 4 months - 6.5-8 kg;
• 5 months - 8-10 kg;
• 6 months 9-10 kg;
• 7 months - 10-12 kg.

The weight of an adult dog is approximately 12.5-15.5 kg, females - 12-15 kg. Height at the withers in males is 40-43 cm, in females - 38-41 cm.

Since the American Cocker is more related to decorative companion dogs than to hunters, his home and a small apartment can be his habitat, but the pet must be properly looked after. This dog is taken out for a walk twice a day, but it is obligatory after vaccination.. In the first 6 months, the young Cocker is not allowed to go down the stairs himself, otherwise his limbs may deteriorate.

Caring for an American begins with the design of the corner with a stove bench, the purchase of bowls, drinkers and always toys.It is better to place a sleeping place in a lonely place where the household will not touch the dog, where the drafts do not penetrate, but at the same time you should not equip the four-legged friend’s corner near the battery. In the very first days of your stay in the house, the Cocker Spaniel will try to ignore all your efforts and will certainly try to lie down on the couch, chair or in any other place that seems attractive to him.

Americans love to walk, you can say that they need them like air. In the process of walking, be sure to let the animal run and stretch their legs, the dog eagerly chases you with you. It will be useful to train her in maintaining good posture - for this you can allow a walking dog to pull you forward. But it is better to limit contacts with other animals, especially homeless ones, since Cocker Spaniels have a high predisposition to various infections.

Please note that the Cocker Spaniel - the dog is not for irresponsible owners. Maintaining the tidy state of her wool will require a lot of time and effort. Newly-minded owners should definitely get a puhoderka, as well as a cutter and several crests. These purchases should be made as quickly as possible, since a cocker should be combed every day. Do not be comforted by the fact that babies have a rather rare coat - as the pet matures, it will become much thicker.

The combing process is quite tedious because the faster a puppy will be accustomed to it, the better it will be for him and for you.

Puppies and adult dogs love active walks, because a lot of dust, dirt and road debris adheres to their fur coats, which means that they need to wash the dog more often than other breeds - about 2 weeks later. Best for washing use Special shampoos from the veterinary pharmacy, designed for long-haired animals. It is best to supplement the care with the use of balms-conditioners.

To facilitate scratching, you can rinse your pet after a bath procedure with acidified water - the use of slightly concentrated citric or acetic acid gives the wool a beautiful shine and also protects the skin from fleas.

Wool American Cocker tends to fall down, and the quantity and quality of dog care does not affect this.

It is very important to constantly engage the ears of the American Cocker Spaniel. Before eating, you need to lift them and fix them securely with a soft rubber band so as not to dip them in food. American auricles quickly accumulate sulfur and ear dirt, so they often get ticks. To avoid such trouble, you should not less than once a week to examine the ears and the auditory canals, to remove the dirt accumulated there. For this, a couple of drops of slightly warmed vegetable oil are instilled inside and wipe the surface of the shells with a solution of boric alcohol or a special veterinary lotion.

With American eyes too much trouble. In some dogs, the eyelids are loose, therefore dust and debris often get on the mucous membrane, which leads to the development of inflammatory processes. Inflamed eyes are soothed with a weak solution of furatsilina or chamomile extract. If the eyes began to fester, you can drip albumin into them.

Twice a week it is necessary to clean the dog's teeth, especially if it is fed with natural food.If the diet is dominated by dry food, its particles perfectly clean off dental plaque, so the procedure should be carried out much less frequently - about once a month.

From time to time, American Cockers need to cut. It is best to teach the dog to this procedure from 1.5-2 months, if you keep it up, then the dog is very stressed. For domestic dogs that do not participate in competitions, the usual hygienic treatment, which is carried out every two to three weeks, is quite sufficient.

During the procedure, mats are cut out to the animal, long hairs are pulled out in the ear opening, and the fur between the toes of the toes is pulled out. Once a quarter you need to visit a groomer - he shortens the hair in the back of the head and from the face with a machine, moreover, at the request of the owner trim the length on the sides and mills the wool in the shoulders and sternum.

American Cocker Spaniels often suffer from indigestion and have a tendency to be overweight. Allergies also make adjustments to the dog's menu, which is why it is best to give preference to premium and super premium class dry food and small breeds for families with sensitive digestion when feeding animals.

Mixed ration is allowed. In this case, natural products are added to it:

• fermented milk - low-fat cottage cheese, kefir, sour cream;
• lean meat - rabbit, chicken, beef or veal;
• eggs - no more than two chicken eggs per week and no more than one quail per day;
• seafood - surely without stones and armor.

Some owners prefer a completely natural menu for a pet. In this case, the share of meat should be about 70-75%, and all other products - about 30%.

Even if you do not intend to take your American on a hunt, you will have to train the four-legged friend at least for the sake of your personal comfort and the peace of the household, because a poorly educated dog is still one who cannot be obeyed by any norms of canine behavior.

Animals of this breed easy to train, but the inherent restlessness does not allow them to absorb commands. The lesson will be learned faster if classes are held in a playful way. A very good help will be the method of food reinforcement - be sure that not a single American Cocker Spaniel can resist a delicious delicacy.

Dressuru begin with the study of the most simple commands - "sit" and "not." From the very first days of living in the apartment, the puppy should certainly learn his nickname, and also clearly remember the essence of the “place” command.

Any kind of animal abuse should be avoided. The Cocker Spaniels have a rather subtle mental organization, therefore, with a loud cry and even more so with beatings, you will achieve only extra phobias.

In America, Cockers are known as athletes - they are frequent participants of agility competitions, so a pet must be trained in high-quality faithful. So, to form a good posture, you can walk your dog on the "ringovka", which is a shortened ribbon with ends twisted into a loop. A leash of this kind allows the dog to pull up his head, keeping it in a slightly raised position.

Keep in mind that this accessory must be used strictly metered - in no case should the animal feel as if it were being pushed around.

American Cocker Spaniels live quite a long time - 14-16 years, however they do not have a strong immunity, because they are characterized by congenital and priority diseases with which the representatives of this breed often face. First of all, this includes behavioral abnormalities that are the result of improper upbringing — aggression, a tendency toward panic states.

Spaniels have skin asthenia, in which the skin loses its sensitivity. Due to carnitine deficiency, the heart muscle suffers, which often leads to dilated cardiomyopathy.

American Cockers often include eyelid reversal and keratoconjunctivitis, as well as inflammation of the outer ear and inflammatory infections on the paws.

Suitable for spaniel nicknames a great many. Most importantly, the name should sound melodious, indicate some specific properties of the breed, or have a specific meaning. The most popular names include Cosmos, Max, Jim, Jerry, Zeus, Watson, Leater, Ninja, The Hobbit, or Bilbo.

Some owners come up with names for their boys that characterize the features of the suit, for example, Akira (pearls), Yuuki (snow), Ren (lotus) or reflect some of the character traits of the pet - Keko (happy) or Haru (spring).

Eared pets have a playful disposition, because they harmoniously look with names such as Shaman, Circus, Chain, Igrun, Sharp, Cowboy or Dexterous.

Some breeders prefer names from Slavic mythology, such as Anchar, Valdai, Arman, Nada or Parom.

Girls Cocker Spaniels are commonly called Bert, Molly, Alma, They, Remy, Ils, Dolly, Sheldy, Sophie, Anda, Greta and others.

In total, there are more than a thousand nicknames suitable for a Cocker Spaniel, so every owner will surely be able to choose which one will suit his pet.

Breeders reviews about the American Cocker Spaniel are mostly positive. As a rule, the characteristics of dogs describes them as excellent companions who will charge everyone around with their vitality and optimism. People appreciate their kind and cheerful disposition, and, of course, a spectacular appearance that does not leave anyone indifferent.

About the features of the breed, see the next video.