The American Cocker Spaniel breed profile is highly interesting and unique because of its specific characteristics. These dogs can become the sweetest and most loyal companions of all families. It is very warming and loving to keep this American dog as your pet. The Cocker spaniels are the most cheerful and sensitive dogs. They are emotionally attached to their owners, which sometimes makes them act over possessive towards their loved ones. The specialty of these dogs includes high intelligence, intensive care, and instant learning. You can easily train and control them with your friendly behavior and appropriate commands.
Cocker Spaniels are one of the oldest dog breeds that originated in Spain. They got classified as the American and British Spaniels in the 16th century. This article is a complete guide on the American Cocker Spaniel breed profile including all its physical traits, appearance, behavior, social nature, facts, health issues, compatibility, and genetic personality. You can also learn about some important care and maintenance tips at the bottom of this article.
Physical traits and Nature of American Cocker Spaniel
American Spaniels are very impressive and attractive both in their physical appearance and emotional nature. The American cocker spaniel history tells us that, they were used for flushing woodcock and playing spring games. Here is the detailed information on their weight, size, and other breed-defining factors:
1. Appearance
American Spaniels are the fluffiest, soft, and furry dogs with different colored coats and eyes. You can feel a thick layer of fur on their body that is quite wavy and smooth. They have hairs all through their body, which can be trimmed evenly while grooming. Their owners loved to keep them with shorter hairs on the head and back, whereas long hairs on the ears, belly, legs, and chest. Their eyes are highly expressive with lots of emotions and warm gestures.
2. Weight and Size
All dogs are measured from their shoulders to calculate their appropriate height. According to the American cocker spaniel size guide, male cockers have an average height of 37cm to 39cm, whereas female cockers have 34cm to 37cm of height. Both male and female American Spaniels have a recorded weight of 7kg to 14kg.
3. Color
These dogs are developed in multiple colors like roan, black-white, tan, liver, lemon, blue roan, chocolate, golden, chocolate roan, lemon roan, liver ticked, liver roan, golden black, and orange. Their color gets darker and brighter with time and aging.
4. Personality
The American cocker spaniel characteristics are quite different from the British Spaniels because of their smaller size. People usually get fascinated with these dogs because of their sparkling personalities and affection power. They have a friendly and possessive nature towards their families and loved ones. It is easy to handle these dogs, as they have inherited disciplined nature, which gets affected when kept alone and carelessly. You can mold your American spaniel puppies in the way you want, as they are very catchy and instant learners. People love their emotional balance of being disciplined, funny, and silly at the same time. It is important to make them learn how to interact with strangers and their social lifestyle.
5. Compatibility with other dog breeds and animals
Raising a young puppy with other breed dogs is easier than making them adjust at an older age. Young Spaniels love to get bonded and attached to different animals and people. Their polite nature let them easily get friends with all kinds of dogs and cats. It is not even that hard to introduce them at older ages but training them from a younger age will help you in keeping them more supportive and wiser with all pets or situations.
6. Intelligence and Behavior
The American Cocker Spaniel breed profile is incomplete without praising their intelligence and active minds. There is no doubt that these spaniels are perfect family dogs, but they are also a joyful entertainer and a loyal companion. Their impressive presence of mind allows you to keep them safe with your kids and newborns. Most of their owners enjoy getting entertained by their innocent and wise gestures. Their lifespan is of about 12 to 15 healthy years. This means you will have a friendly pet friend for so long. They are the most obedient American dogs, who understand all difficulties in their family. You may get a surprise cuddle from them on being sad and can enjoy extended laughter through their playful acts.
7. Popular Interest and Facts
These interests are one of the most common American cocker spaniel interesting facts:
- Training with rewards
- Enjoys retrieving
- Cuddling with their special person
- Playing with kids and same-age pets
- Occasional swimming
- Lesser hunting abilities
- Flushes Woodcock and other birds
- Highly Sensitive and occasionally nervous by nature
- Easy to get stressed by rough handling and loud noise
- Cannot spend a day alone
- Best graded dog in intelligence test
- Only selects one person as their special friend
American Cocker Spaniel Breed Profile: Health Issues
You will always get some major health issues in any American Cocker Spaniel breed profile, as they are easy to get prone to different diseases. Mostly, all American cockers are healthy dogs, until and unless they are left irresponsibly. It is important to keep them well-groomed and updated with all health tests. Except for a few genetic diseases, all other health issues in them are because of their dirty furs and harmful exposures. Their most common health problems are ear infections, eye defects, skin problems, thyroid issues, and emotional instability. These are detailed major diseases that can make your spaniel dog rougher and more unresponsive:
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Cataracts
A cataract is the most common eye disease in American dogs, which loses their lens transparency and regular vision power. It is generated by unusual clumps near the eyes that cause lens haziness. Such affected dogs can get home treatments with efficient vitamin tablets and antioxidants.
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Hypothyroidism
It is a thyroid-related hormone deficiency that leads to obesity, lacking energy, and infertility. This disease is not completely curable but can be managed by oral medication and proper diets throughout their life.
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Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is a malformation issue that occurs with the increasing age of these dogs. It is related to their hip joints that cause extreme pain and laziness. If not cured on time, it can also result in arthritis in future conditions. It can be a hereditary problem that worsens with inappropriate diets, incurred injuries, and specific environmental factors.
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Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
The American Cocker Spaniel health problems are mostly associated with an improper immune system. This disease makes the body destroy its own red blood cells. If your dog is getting more tired and faints regularly, then this can be a valid symptom of Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. It also leads to insufficient oxygen supply to their brain and other body organs.
Care and Maintenance of the American Cocker Spaniel
This section of the American Cocker Spaniel breed profile will guide you about four major parts of maintaining your cute American Spaniel. It is obvious to keep them fit, clean, well-trained, and full of nutrients for their healthy lifestyle. So, here is the detailed guidance on each of these factors:
1. Exercise
American Spaniels have considerable speed and endurance because of their smaller size. They usually burn their energy themselves by flushing woodcocks and playing all day. But still, they need proper and important exercises that focus on selected parts of their body. Walking on long roads and sniffing will help them maintain regular stamina. One can also go for a brisk walk and ball exercise with their American cockers to keep them flexible and reflexive. Sufficient exercising will keep their body weight in control and avoid them from feeling bored or grouchy. You can also put swimming in their daily exercise, as a happy option.
2. Training Cocker Spaniels
Early morning training will give them a healthy and beautiful exposure to get more involved in exercising and other activities. The trainers need to make them learn basic etiquette and important canine manners, so that, they can easily cooperate in any social environment. Inborn activeness and an alert mind are also one of the major American cocker spaniel dog traits. Just guide them in the right direction and they will grab it easily. Remember to be kind and gentle, while giving commands for productive and instant results. Try to take them for occasional show rings, obedience competitions, tracking, flyball, and hunt tests. This will make them more attentive and competitive.
3. Grooming
American cocker spaniel breed info also involves proper grooming and attention tips. Regular combing and grooming will avoid their hair from tangling. You must buy an appropriate comb that supports heavy brushing and gentle touch. Remove all loose hair from their body by proper baths and cleaning. Always use premium dog shampoos for their gentle skin and sensitive hair. Rinse your spaniel dog thoroughly for removing extra residue and dirt. These dogs also require regular nail trimming and timely injections for others’ safety. Keep them away from germs and insects to avoid skin infections and diseases.
4. Diet and Nutrition
It is important to complete their nutrient needs with each meal they have. They should be given quality food to maintain a healthy weight and energy. Do not give extra cheat meals to your Spaniel dogs, as this can make them overweight and lazy. Give them a measured meal at fixed timings to ensure their better immune system.
FAQs
1. Are American Cocker Spaniels Good Family Dogs?
Yes, they are the best family dogs because of their loving and friendly nature with both adults and kids. The American cocker spaniel behavior completely depends on how you behave with them.
2. Are Cocker Spaniels Aggressive?
No, they are not aggressive by nature but can become combative situations. They hate it when someone else comes closer to their owners.
3. Do American Cocker Spaniels Like to Cuddle?
American Cocker Spaniels are highly fond of cuddling and playing with their owners. Most Americans have mentioned this in their American Cocker Spaniel breed profile, that they love spending quality time with their spaniels by cuddling them while sleeping and watching TV.
4. Do American Cocker Spaniels Bark a Lot?
No, they only bark in unsafe conditions and when left alone. They rarely bark because of their protective nature and anxiety issues on separation.
5. Can an American Cocker Spaniel Be Left Alone?
No, they are just like a little kid, who needs proper attention and care. Do not choose them as your pet if you cannot afford enough time for their care and maintenance.
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