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The English Cocker Spaniel is a compactly built sporting dog that stands between 15 and 17 at the shoulder. The softly embossed head, with its dark, melting eyes, which expresses a cautious and dignified expression, is flanked by succulent, close-knit ears. The medium-length coat, which is seen in a variety of striking colors and patterns, is silky to the touch. “”Balance”” is an important term in understanding race: the Election Commission is balanced in nature, construction and movement.
Beneath the physical beauty of the EC beats the heart of a relentless, eagerly hunted hunter who is famous worldwide for his ability to flush and retrieve gamebirds. For those who prefer more domestic activities, there is no more attractive and agreeable domestic partner.
The breeds of the AKC Sporting Group were developed to aid hunters of the winged game. These “”sporting dogs”” (also known as goondogs or bird dogs) are subdivided by function – that is, how they hunt. They are Spaniels, Pointers, Setters, Retraisers and European utility breeds. Of these, Spaniels are generally considered to be the oldest.
Spaniel breeds of England evolved centuries ago from dogs of Spanish stock (the term “”spaniel”” derived from “”Spanish””). This was long before the invention of reliable hunting rifles, when bird hunters used dogs in conjunction with nets, bows, and sometimes hawks.
The early authorities divided the Spaniards not by race but by type: either the water Spaniels or the Land Spaniels. Land Spaniels began to divide by size. The larger types were “”Springing Spaniels”” and “”Field Spaniels”” and the smaller ones, which specialized on flushing woodcock, were known as “”Cocking Spaniels””.
In the 19th century, the rise of the dog show, combined with the frenzy of Victorian England for classification, designated various spaniel types as official breeds. Thus, through English Springer Spaniels, Field Spaniels, English Cocker Spaniels, and all of today’s British Spaniels breeds.
American dog fans of the early 20th century developed a companion-bred cocker. It was smaller, with a more opulent coat, a shorter head, and a more domed skull, than its English cousin. Those who favored the old English Hunting Dog formed the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America in 1935. In 1946, the AKC officially recognized the Cocker Spaniel (U.S. type) and the English Cocker Spaniel as separate breeds.
In general, the Cocker Spaniel breed has strong rounded heads in proportion to the rest of the body. The muzzle is wide, with a square, even jaw with expressive eyes that are full and look straight ahead. The edge of the eye is oval, giving an almond-shaped appearance. Their expressive eyes indicate general intelligence and enthusiasm among the dogs in the sporting group. The eyebrows are clearly defined and the iris color varies in variations to dark brown. The most prominent feature of the Cocker Spaniel is its long, low-pending, lobular ears, which are full and feathered; Long enough to reach your nose when pulled forward. Cocker spaniels have well-developed nostrils, as is typical of sporting type breeds, and the nose tends to be black or brown depending on the coat color of the cocker.
The Cocker Spaniel sports a beautifully flowing coat, which comes in a variety of colors. The coat has thick feathers on the ears, chest, abdomen and legs. The hair on the body is of medium length, but on the head it is shorter and finer. Cocker Spaniels have two types of coat, show and field; The difference is that the show cocker has a longer coat than the farm variety. In the past, tail docking has been performed on Cocker Spaniels. It is customary to cut the tail to protect it from being caught or injured during its work in the field. Often, anesthesia was not used due to the risk of complications, and the procedure can be quite stressful on the Cocker Spaniel. With the Cocker Spaniel moving towards less in the field and more in the home and show circuits, the practice of tail docking has been eliminated for most Cockers.
“”The English Cocker Spaniel is one of the most distinctive looking members of the Sporting Group.”” The English Cocker Spaniel is the largest of the Cocker Spaniel breed, but only slightly, with males measuring between 15.5 and 17 inches and females between 15 and 15.5 inches. The English Cocker Spaniel weighs between 28 and 34 pounds. The English Cocker Spaniel is compact, standing on straight forelegs, with its weight above the shoulders. The cocker’s back curves toward the muscular hindquarters, allowing the breed to drive with its hind legs, thereby gaining considerable speed, which is useful in flushing prey from the undergrowth.
The English Cocker Spaniel has a double coat, the top layer being soft and silky, with an undercoat of soft dense fur. The coat is one of the most attractive characteristics of the English Cocker Spaniel, and can come in solid black, red, buff; Particolor (black and white, or red and white) also known as a “”tick”” or “”roan”” pattern; Or black and tan. Show divisions of color include ASCOB, meaning any solid color other than black, and can include silvery white, dark liver, or chocolate. The black and tan coat has tan dots on each eye, inside the ears, on the muzzle and cheeks, on the inside of the legs, and under the tail. The English Cocker Spaniel is tall, with a narrow head and chest, and a long muzzle.
The gestation period in lasts for 60-64 days The primary period of the reproductive cycle of the female is called Proestrus and goes on for around 9 days. During this time the females begin to draw in males. The subsequent part is the Estrus when the bitch is receptive to the male. It goes on for around 3 to 11 days. The third part is the Diestrus. Usually, it happens around day 14. In this period the bitch’s discharge changes for distinctive red and reaching its end. The vulva gets back to average, and she will no longer allow mating. The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time span between heat periods ordinarily keeps going around a half year. The litter size ranges between 6 to 8 puppies at a time
Most English cockers have a fairly prolific coat that needs regular care, including brushing and combing at least once a week to keep the dog looking its best and preventing the formation of mats and tangles. Also the dog is usually trimmed every month or in certain areas – around the feet, on the face, under the neck, under the ear and under the tail. The owner can learn to use scissors, thinning scissors or a stripping tool, and clippers to trim a composite and help maintain the clean appearance of the English Cocker. Ears should be checked weekly for debris and excess wax, and nails should be trimmed at least monthly.
With a Mira, devoted disposition, the English Cocker was developed to follow directions in the field, and the breed is still very keen to please. He is easy to train and enjoys working with his person as long as only positive methods are used. The Election Commission will react poorly to harsh or negative training approaches; He should love and respect his person. Early socialization is recommended to ensure a well-adjusted partner that is suited to a variety of situations.
An excited, active sports dog, the English Cocker Spaniel requires daily exercise for his physical and mental well-being. He would do well with activities like hiking or hiking with his boss or playing ball in the backyard. When his hunting instinct is strong, he should be on a leash for a walk, and a fitted yard is recommended. Mira and affectionate, the English Cocker Spaniel is an excellent family companion and easy to train for. Whether he is working in the field or lying on the sofa at home, his tail rarely stops.
English Cocker should be fed a high quality dog food suitable for the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior) and activity level. Some English cockers are overweight, so check your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treatment training can be an important aid, but giving too much can lead to obesity. Give table scalp sparingly, if at all, especially avoiding high-fat foods and cooked bones. Know which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. If you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet, check with your vet.
Although English Cocker is a healthy breed overall, some genetic health conditions do occasionally occur. These include progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, familial nephropathy, and adult onset neuropathy. A responsible breeders will have their breeding stock tested for conditions that may affect the breed. English Cocker’s ears should be regularly checked for signs of infection, and brush teeth frequently using toothpaste designed for dogs.
Recommended health tests from the National Breed Club:
Recommended health tests from the National Breed Club: