Types of Cocker Spaniel
Having a pet dog is every child’s dream. A Cocker Spaniel is medium-sized, which makes it easy to bring up in an apartment and also is constantly trying to please everyone.
There are two main types of Cocker Spaniel and they are English Cocker Spaniel, and the American Cocker Spaniel.
The English Cocker Spaniel
The English Cocker Spaniel is slightly larger than his American cousin, measuring approximately 17 inches and weighing approximately 30-34 pounds when fully mature. The English Cocker Spaniel’s features are more elongated then those of the American Cocker Spaniel. Thus, the face is longer, the eyes oval-shaped, and the body more slender. The life expectancy of the English Cocker Spaniel is of approximately 15 years if treated well. They came in colors such as the Black Cocker Spaniel, white, tan, red and all the combinations in between.
The American Cocker Spaniel
The American Cocker Spaniel is just slightly smaller than the English version, thus measuring only 15 ½ inches maximum and weighing approximately 28-30 lbs when mature. The bitches are smaller than the dogs by merely an inch or so and they also weigh less. The same applies to the English Cocker Spaniel bitch and dog. The life expectancy of the American Cocker Spaniel is similar to that of the English version if the dog is groomed and fed as per requirements.
Other Helpful Information About the Cocker Spaniel
Both types of Cocker Spaniels have their tails docked to about 2 ½ inches. This is a ritual that originates back when the Cocker Spaniel was mostly used for hunting, and the tail used to be docked to help him not get entangled in bushes.
Both types of Cockers Spaniels are intelligent and easy to housebreak and train with a loyal, loving and obedient nature, which makes everyone in the family adore him or her.
Both the English and the American Cocker Spaniel are also prone to ear and eye infections, due to which you need to take extra care and groom them as often as possible in order to ensure that they are always clean and healthy.
Other diseases to which Cocker Spaniels are prone are hip, elbow, and knee dislocation, and cataracts with age. The English Cocker Spaniel is also prone to epilepsy. Cocker Spaniels should not be left alone and unattended for long periods of time, as they will develop a panic and anxiety disorder and turn destructive to everything that surrounds them. Breeding of the Cocker Spaniel should be done strictly with the same breed after carefully checking the medical records for any genetic, mental or medical disorders.
To have a healthy Cocker Spaniel, whether it is English or American, ensure regular check-ups, daily grooming if possible, daily exercise and balanced diet. They are originally hunting dogs, and need as much exercise as you can offer them.
