For most people thinking of having a pet like a cocker spaniel, the first thing to consider is the cocker spaniel pros and cons. Nobody wants to venture into something without looking at the positives and negatives. Therefore, it is normal if you want to look at the pros and cons of the Cocker Spaniel.
The English Cocker Spaniel is a small, intelligent dog that makes a great hunting partner. Unlike other hunting dog breeds, the cocker spaniel is happily living in a house and needs to move around. There are both good and bad things about having a Cocker Spaniel. The sweet and friendly nature of cocker spaniels makes this dog a great family pet, which is a plus.
American Cocker Spaniels makes better pets for energetic families with older children and active adults of any age who like to groom a dog daily. Adult Cocker Spaniels are highly active and should not live in an apartment. This breed of dog is highly active and does best in a home with a nice yard where it can run and explore during the day. Cocker Spaniels are sensitive to rough handling and need a calm and patient owner to bring out the best in them.
Characteristics of Cocker Spaniel
Before looking at the pros and cons of Cocker Spaniel, it is crucial to explore their characteristics. These dogs exhibit certain attributes that you should consider before buying one. For instance, their needs and health challenges differ from other dog breeds.
Cocker Spaniel – Training
When you bring a cocker spaniel into your home, training is essential, so the dog does not take charge. Even though dogs can be resistant, they will respond more favorably (and more quickly) if you employ positive training rather than physical force. Cocker Spaniel is notoriously difficult to teach since they follow their instincts for aggression from their owners, even when they are not confident, they are in threat.
Cocker Spaniel – Trait
The capacity of the fully-grown Cocker Spaniel to adapt quickly to different people and environments is one of the many characteristics that make it such a popular breed. They have pleasant personalities and are obedient, loyal, and friendly.
They do not bark much, making the Cocker Spaniel an ideal pet for renters. This breed does well with both large families and the elderly. Cocker Spaniels, considered medium-sized dogs, are joyful and eager to please their owners.
Cocker Spaniel – Health Problems
You should know that these dogs have certain health issues. First, ear issues are widespread in all dog breeds with long ears. In their sensitive ears, a virus can cause infection. Because of this, you should be aware that American cockerels are a breed that needs particular care if you intend to acquire one.
Ear issues that manifest as crying once the ear is touched, frequent head shaking, and smelly fluid from the ear are a few symptoms of the American Cocker. This breed should keep its ears dry and be treated frequently to prevent this issue. It is recommended to visit a veterinary for ear cleaning because performing ear cleaning while unconscious can have unfavorable effects.
Another issue with this breed is deafness. Deafness can impair single or double ears, which occurs in several American Cocker Spaniel puppies. When a cockerel is slow to sound after 11 days of age, deafness should be suspected because a healthy puppy typically begins to respond to sounds after 11 days.
Several eye conditions are more common in American cockers. Insufficient tears from the tear glands lead to dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca).
Intriguing information about the Cocker Spaniel
- Beggars do not come any more skilled than these dogs. You cannot say no when they beg for food in such a sweet way. However, this is essential because even minimal exposure to human food can cause severe health issues.
- While English cockers are often used for hunting, that does not mean they can pick up and chase down the prey. On the hunt, the purpose of the spaniel is to chase out and bring down birds in place of a shot. When a shotgun is dropped into the water, a spaniel will retrieve it quickly and skillfully.
- Cockers have a fantastic stance! When a dog spots a swan or woodcock, it stands up on its hind legs, jumps swiftly forward, and picks the bird up from where it is.
- The spaniel enjoys hunting tremendously. This dog is prepared to run all day long through the woods, through swamps, and along the riverbanks. Cockers are incredibly resilient, and they become twice as strong while hunting.
Cocker Spaniel Pros and Cons
The cocker spaniel is a superb hunting dog with exceptional intelligence and compact size. The cocker spaniel feels wonderful in living conditions and requires regular mobility for extended periods, unlike other hunting dog breeds. Let us explore the several cocker spaniel pros and cons.
Pros of Cocker Spaniel
Find below some pros of having a Cocker Spaniel as a pet:
1. Cocker spaniels are a highly adaptable breed of dog
Cocker spaniels are extremely well-liked additions to contemporary families because of their adaptability. They adapt tremendously well to several personalities and settings without altering their inherent nature. Although there are exceptions with dogs, most of these dogs are kind, devoted, and obedient pets with a lovely disposition.
Even when they sense a stranger is in their territory, they will not bark excessively. Because of this, they are an excellent complement for families who reside in smaller spaces, including apartments or condominiums.
2. Cocker Spaniels are highly intelligent
The Cocker Spaniel is naturally intelligent, making him an excellent gun dog. Countless die-hard hunters have lauded him for being a friendly dog with a lot of excitement for learning. Furthermore, these breeds are highly loyal to their owners and dedicated to their work. As a result, they have a great desire to dazzle and impress. These characteristics shape them to become adaptable dogs.
3. Cocker spaniels have a long lifespan
Most cocker spaniels have long, healthy lives free of serious health issues that plague other breeds. These dogs have an average lifespan of about 15 years, with a few living up to 20 years. When you purchase a dog for your family when your children are between the ages of 8 and 10, they become a companion who can guide them through the critical adolescent years with unwavering love.
4. They have a silky-smooth coat
The touchable silkiness of a cocker spaniel’s coat is a sure sign that they are well-groomed. That indicates they are a lot of fun to pet, which can occasionally entice people to stop for a head massage and an introduction. You might view this as a drawback if you do not enjoy random contact with others, but most families appreciate the extra attention. You will fall in love with the golden cocker spaniel breed.
Cons of Cocker Spaniel
Find below some cons of Cocker Spaniel dogs below:
1. Training the cocker spaniel is difficult
Compared to other breeds, the Cocker Spaniel is more stubborn. Additionally, he is a cunning and mischievous dog that, given a chance, will act independently.
Cocker Spaniel puppy will be challenging to teach for inexperienced dog owners. An experienced handler has a better chance of producing effective training results. Despite the Cocker Spaniel’s challenging training requirements, you can still advance your gun dog training. Consistency is critical, but so is creativity. Because these dogs are easily distracted, you can turn training into a game to keep them interested.
Be patient when training your Cocker Spaniel puppy because learning takes time. But do not allow any of his evil to go unpunished; he will do it again. The dog is quite sensitive to your feelings; therefore, you should refrain from using harsh correcting techniques like shouting. Use a stern but gentle voice to correct your puppy.
2. Cocker Spaniels Require a Lot of Exercises
The Cocker Spaniel is not the best companion for people who like to stay at home. He needs a lot of physical activity and mental stimulation because he is a working dog with high energy levels.
The dog must be entertained and physically active for at least one to two hours. Short strolls will not do for him. Owners must therefore develop innovative dog games and workout routines.
Cocker Spaniels cannot calm down unless they are physically exhausted from exercise. Otherwise, they will get bored and decide to find something to do for enjoyment on their own. This frequently has negative results since they could engage in destructive behavior. Learn exactly how much exercise a Cocker Spaniel needs.
3. The Cocker Spaniel dog is a screamer
How much do Cocker Spaniels bark? Yes, a lot of them have a reputation for barking, especially when they notice outsiders entering their domain. They use ranting and raving to alert their owners when they are potentially in danger.
Because they want attention, some Cocker Spaniels will bark. The working Cocker Spaniel puppy’s constant barking can be reduced by exhausting his energy through vigorous exercise. Instead of ranting and raving loudly throughout the house, he would rather lie in his bed immediately afterward.
4. They prefer not to be around noisy kids
It can be hit or miss for some families to have young kids (under the age of 8) in the house because cocker spaniels take their signals from their owners. If there is a lot of raucous energy in the house, the dog may misbehave even though they have a good relationship with children when they are calm.
The cocker spaniel’s strong energy needs can also result in high anxiety levels, which can cause them to act aggressively toward family members. When a pet feel threatened in this circumstance, biting is not uncommon for them to do. With repeated exposure to this energy, other members of this breed tend to become timid.
5. Some cockers may experience serious health problems
Although most cockers live long, healthy lives, a few health issues could hurt some people. In addition to having sensitive ears and eyes, certain people are more prone to allergies and skin diseases. To reduce the number of trips you make to the vet, you will need to get periodic ear cleanings on this breed.
Some common eye conditions are progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Heart issues, Cushing’s disease, and chronic inflammatory hepatitis can all manifest in some dogs. Look at the pup’s lineage whenever possible because some of these problems are inherited.
FAQs About Cocker Spaniel Pros and Cons
Frequently asked Questions and answers about Cocker Spaniel pros and cons:
Do Cocker Spaniels Bark a Lot?
Some breeds of dogs are more likely to engage in excessive barking. Despite its kind nature, the Cocker Spaniel is known as one of the dogs that bark the most. Because of this, most people think cocker spaniel aggression is inherent.
Are Cocker Spaniels Destructive?
Neither the American nor the English Cocker Spaniel is known to be a particularly aggressive dog breed. When they misbehave, their outbursts of aggression are frequently mislabeled as “Cocker Rage” or “Sudden Onset Aggression.”
Can Cocker Spaniels be Left Alone?
Because Cocker Spaniels are prone to abandonment issues, keeping someone around while at work is preferable. Even this may be too much for your dog to bear. Therefore, you must never leave them alone for longer than four hours.
Are Cocker Spaniels High Maintenance?
Purebred cocker spaniel requires daily brushing and bathing, making them high maintenance in grooming. Cocker spaniels do not shed much, which is good news because dogs with longer hair require frequent cleaning and trimming every three months.
Do Cocker Spaniels Like to Cuddle?
Many Cockers prefer cuddling up close to their owners on their laps, face, head, chests, or even just by their sides. Some individuals adore the thought of cuddling up with a Cocker Spaniel while they watch television on the couch at night.
Conclusion
With your knowledge of cocker spaniel pros and cons, you have the edge of deciding if you are ready for such a task. The ability of Cocker Spaniels is well-known, but they also make lovely pets.
However, it should be noted that these dogs are not suitable for everyone. Anyone who wants Cocker Spaniel as a pet should be ready to deal with its positive and negative traits. This dog is best suited to an active, experienced family.
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