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Cocker Spaniels - In Depth

English vs. American Cocker Spaniels

Long silky hair, floppy ears, short tail that always seems to be wagging, eyes begging for you to play with him. Could we be talking about anything other than a Cocker Spaniel? Cocker Spaniels were named for their skill at flushing out the woodcock game bird. Originally bred in England as a gun dog, the breed was brought to North America in the late 1800’s. Over the years, the breeds diverged and became different enough that the English Cocker is now considered a distinct breed from the American Cocker. The key difference lies in the coat. American Cockers have long, silky, wavy hair, while English Cockers have a rougher, curlier coat. Perhaps less obviously, American Cockers may weigh a bit less than English Cockers, the former averaging 15 – 30 pounds and the latter weighing in at 28 – 34 pounds. The remainder of this article will deal with the American variety.

Colors

The American Kennel Club recognizes three color classes for Cockers: black, any solid color other than black (ASCOB), and parti-color. Black Cockers may be solid black, or may have black and tan coloring similar to a Rottweiler. ASCOB colors include the full range from light buff to brown to dark red. Parti-color dogs are primarily white, but at least 10% of their body is black, brown, or tan. Show dogs’ coats are kept long, to the point where the fur touches the ground. However, most non-show dogs are clipped to provide ease of grooming.

A Cocker’s Trademark Feature

The most distinguishing features of a Cocker are the long, silky ears. Remember Lady from Lady and the Tramp? The long ears give the breed a definitely feminine aura, even in the males. Although beautiful, these long ears can cause these dogs to suffer from frequent ear infections. The long, floppy ears trap moisture, creating a perfect environment for yeast and fungi growth. Keeping the dog indoors most of the time will help to prevent this painful problem. In addition, the ears must be cleaned weekly.

Cocker Spaniel Politics

Aside from Lady, the most famous Cocker may be Checkers, the black and white Spaniel owned by the Nixons while they were in the White House. In fact, Checkers is credited with saving Nixon’s place as Eisenhower’s running mate in the 1952 Presidential election. Eisenhower was on the verge of dropping Nixon as his running mate, when Nixon went on TV for a soul-bearing speech that closed with mention of the new puppy he had been given for his daughters, Tricia and Julie. The American public loved the fact that he was a “real” person with a dog, so much so that they overlooked the irregularities in Nixon’s campaign expenditures that had recently been reported. His surge in popularity after the Checkers speech is credited with saving his spot on the ticket, and perhaps with even winning the election for the Republicans. (If they had only known what would happen 20 years later!)

Stuck on You

Very friendly, the breed loves lots of companionship. In fact, many Cockers are named Shadow because they stick to you wherever you go. However, the downside to this social behavior is that separation anxiety is often a problem. Left alone, the dog may become depressed or anxious and destructive. Separation anxiety is difficult to deal with, but you can try leaving the dog a piece of clothing or a bath towel with your scent on it to ease his fears. Crating a dog suffering from separation anxiety may save your sanity. Finally, there are medications available that can calm your dog when you are going to be away.

Cocker Spaniels need lots of love.

Very Protective

Cockers are not necessarily good with children, especially the very young. They prefer calm, gentle care which very small children are not always capable of. Although not large and intimidating as a watchdog, the breed is known for its protectiveness, as this story from Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas attests:

“Just a few days after coming home, Comet was already "on the job", something in which it seems he takes great pride. At night if he hears a noise outside that he doesn't like, he will run upstairs and stand guard in front of my six year old daughter, Ericka's, room, and he will only return to the sofa and watch TV with me when he feels that the danger is past.”

Cockers Love “See Food” Diet

The Cocker is the smallest of the sporting breeds, usually standing no more than 15 inches high. This makes them the ideal dog for smaller apartments and homes. Although they like to play, they don’t require a large area for running as larger breeds often do. Cockers do have a propensity for putting on weight, often being described as “eating everything in sight”. In other words, if they see food, they’ll eat it. For this reason, regular exercise is a must to prevent the problems associated with obesity. (For more on dog obesity, visit our Obesity and Nutrition article)

Be sure to exercise your Cocker Spaniel regularly.

Eye Disease

Cocker Spaniels often have problems with their eyes, resulting in cataracts and glaucoma. Just as in humans, cataracts in dogs are a film which forms over the lens of the eye. The lens is important in focusing light on the retina by flexing to pull objects into focus regardless of whether they are near and far away. When proteins in the lens clump together, they form a cloudy film causing blurred or hazy vision. The cause of cataracts is not known, although it is thought that exposure to ultraviolet radiation may contribute to their formation. Diabetic dogs are at greater risk of developing cataracts and should have their eyes checked regularly. The only treatment for cataracts is replacement of the lens.

Glaucoma is a loss of vision associated with damage to the optic nerve. This nerve connects the eyeballs to the brain, enabling the dog to see. When the nerve becomes damaged, blindness follows, although medication can slow the progression of the disease. The exact cause of glaucoma is unknown, but dogs that are nearsighted or suffer from diabetes or high blood pressure are at greater risk.

Other Health Concerns

Another disease that Cocker Spaniels are prone to develop is Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia, or AIHA. Cocker spaniels have a predisposition for autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). In this condition, the dog’s immune system attacks his own blood cells. The cause is unknown, but may be associated with lupus, bacterial infections, medications or vaccines. A dog with AIHA will have pale gums and will be fatigued. In addition, he may have an enlarged liver, which you would notice by swelling of the belly. AIHA is treated with steroids and chemotherapy drugs.

Cockers are Great Companions!

Don’t let these health warnings scare you off of the breed. They are not terribly common and can all be treated. Cockers are still great dogs, friendly companions, and hard workers, whether on the hunt or in the show ring. If you’re looking for a small dog that will be a loyal friend, the Cocker Spaniel may just be the right breed for you!