English Cocker Spaniel - description, characteristics of the breed

If you have decided to get a pet that is distinguished by endurance and is an excellent companion, with whom you can go hunting if desired, then you need to pay attention to a breed such as the English Cocker Spaniel. Dogs make the dream of the perfect dog with impressive manners and striking appearance come true.

Description of the English Cocker Spaniel breed

The animal stands out among others with its beautiful appearance, intelligent eyes and devotion. Unlike other representatives of the hunting dog species, the spaniel feels good in an apartment. Breed-class dogs take an active part in exhibitions. The description of the English Cocker Spaniel includes the following main points:

• favorite entertainment – ​​loud barking with or without reason;
• lack of strong aggression towards strangers;
• neatness in everyday life as a result of proper upbringing;
• congenital nervousness is the main defect of the English Cocker Spaniel breed;
• intolerance to prolonged loneliness;
• presence of excellent sense of smell with hunting instinct;
• the need for active walking with physical activity.

What does an English Cocker Spaniel look like?

The breed, along with huskies and mastiffs, is one of the oldest representatives of dogs in the world. Their ancestors lived in Europe since time immemorial. The name of the breed literally translates as “Spanish dog”. Externally, the English Cocker Spaniel dog looks like this:

• height at withers
• weight – 14 kg;
• the head is proportional, without stretching;
• ears are long, low set;
• the eyes are large and dark-colored;
• the nose is fleshy with wide nostrils;
• massive jaws with a classic bite;
• the case is strong, compact in size;
• the back is straight without sagging;
• limbs are strong and straight;
• paws are rounded with adjacent toes;
• tail docked, natural length to hocks;
• The fur is soft and adheres tightly to the skin.

Having met a well-groomed handsome man on the street, few people will remain indifferent. Many people immediately wonder how much an English Cocker Spaniel costs. The price varies significantly depending on the place where the purchase will be made and what documents the buyer needs. So at the poultry market you can find a puppy for $30-50, but no one can say what it will grow out of. For breeders, the cost rises to $100-150. A purebred show-class puppy can raise the price to $350.

Personality of the English Cocker Spaniel

Inquisitive hustlers are distinguished by their friendliness and strong character. The main characteristic of the English Cocker Spaniel is complete obedience to the owner, but others will not allow themselves to be manipulated. It will not work to force a dog to do something; it will show the maximum level of stubbornness, and will imitate misunderstanding until the last moment. The breed has a cold attitude towards children; the animals will play with them, but at the slightest discomfort they will immediately leave.

The English Cocker Spaniel perceives other animals normally; it is better not to take risks with birds, because the pet is unlikely to be able to cope with the temptation to hone its hunting techniques. Excellent sense of smell and vision lead to the fact that a favorite pastime for pets is playing detective. It looks especially funny during walks, when they start excavating in the flower beds. By temperament, the British are restless party people who love to travel.

English Cocker Spaniel colors

Many people believe that the breed can only come in a few shades. The most popular are the English Cocker Spaniel, black or golden, although in reality there are many more of them. Breed standards establish the following shades:

• single-color
  (golden, black, chocolate);
• spotted
  (fawn, black or red with white accents);
• tricolor
  (black and white or liver and white with tan);
• speckled
  (fawn, blue or liver roan).

Character

The English Cocker is very sociable and friendly, but he has his own preferences in the family. Among the household members, he himself chooses an owner for himself, to whom he feels boundless devotion.

Such attachment is sometimes even to the detriment of the dog; the spaniel becomes too dependent, he suffers separation from his owner extremely painfully and reacts too sharply to punishment from him.

The English Cocker is jealous, he often shows stubbornness and strives to dominate. Females are particularly dominant.

Representatives of the breed get along well with children of any age. The Cocker will quickly find a common language with the child, since he himself is just as active, playful, inquisitive and tireless when it comes to games and entertainment.

A spaniel can become a good home guard. He shows distrust of strangers. He is suspicious of strangers and looks closely for a long time to determine whether a house guest is dangerous to the family.

The cocker notifies its owners about the arrival of strangers by barking loudly, so that thieves will not enter the spaniel's territory unnoticed.

The English Cocker Spaniel is friendly with other pets and lives peacefully together. But it is better not to leave too small animals (chickens, hamsters, rats, etc.) alone.

Do not forget that the spaniel has an innate hunting instinct and small animals can become prey at any time, despite the dog’s upbringing.

Pros and cons of the English Cocker Spaniel

Dogs of this species are considered ideal for keeping at home. The English Spaniel breed is endowed with the following advantages:

• active and intelligent;
• devoted;
• gets along well with children;
• resistant to temperature changes;
• quickly adapts to new conditions.

Anyone who is interested in how long English Cocker Spaniels live will be interested in the fact that the average life expectancy reaches 15 years. Getting to know the breed will be incomplete without knowing its shortcomings. These include:

• difficulties in training;
• aggression towards strangers;
• strong barking;
• tendency to dominate, education is important;
• possible obesity;
• need for systematic care;
• susceptibility to ear infections and joint dysplasia.

Health and heredity

Obtained through repeated crossings to preserve unique hunting qualities, the American Cocker Spaniel breed is prone to hereditary ophthalmological diseases. Early manifestations of cataracts and retinal atrophy are observed even at the age of one year. Corneal dystrophy, entropion of the eyelids, and prolapse of the third eyelid are also transmitted hereditarily.

Skin dermatitis due to food allergies is also common in cockers. Sebaceous cysts and seborrhea in dogs are considered common. The narrowness of the ear canal leads to otitis media, as it quickly becomes dirty, and untimely cleaning of the ears can lead to an outbreak of infectious inflammation of the inner ear. As for orthopedics, hip dysplasia and age-related arthritis are most often observed in Cocker Spaniel dogs.

It is important to regularly treat your dog against seasonal parasites - carriers of dangerous infections. In addition, a flea bite can cause serious dermatosis in a cocker, and an infected tick transmits a life-threatening disease to the dog, often resulting in death.

The difference between the Russian Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel

The first breed is started by hunters who plan to hunt birds. Such animals are less demanding in terms of maintenance and more hardy. An English Spaniel dog can also take part in such events, but it requires special training. For those who wish to take part in exhibitions in the future, it is better to opt for the “English”, because the Russian representative is not recognized by the international canine association.

Due to this, puppies are more expensive, but due to their popularity, many people breed them and it is easier to buy them. English dogs can be kept in apartments; a Russian spaniel can live in an enclosure and be a good guard. In general, spaniels are friendly and active dogs that, when properly cared for, enjoy good health and a long life span.

Neutral reviews

I recently got a cocker. I want to say that this dog is smart, cunning, a thief, loves everything tasty, there are signs of aggression from fear. Doesn’t spoil anything at home, doesn’t pick up anything on the street, is faithful. Cries like a child when left alone. Cowardly , but can defend its owner even in front of a dog that is 5 times larger in weight. Friendly and not vindictive. Bladder is weak, can urinate at night. Ears and eyes often hurt. Grooming every day. Paw care and paw inspection. Walks tail behind the owner. There are disadvantages. but as this dog loves, no one knows how to love!

I have been involved in cynology for many years. One of my dogs was just this breed. Their character, if properly raised, is really good, but with improper upbringing and insufficient activity, these dogs can be aggressive. Owners often turn to a dog handler with their character problems. This is a hunting dog and it needs a lot of physical activity. Proper care of their coat is also necessary.

There is am. cockers in some lines with a somewhat unsatisfactory psyche. As a groomer, I have had to deal with such things.

But I’ve never met STUPID people.

Another thing is that a smart dog is always more difficult to train - it has 1000 and 1 ways to reject the command. And some owners take this for stupidity - like, if he doesn’t want to teach the team, then he’s stupid.

And the faces of American women are too touching, so the owners often follow their lead.

That's why they have such fame because they have a bad character.

It's not like that. It’s people who can’t raise them properly!

So, if you decide to get this breed, think only about complex coat care.

And we’ll help educate the whole world!

(I personally am not a fan of this breed, but why insult them so much!)

I’ll write as the owner of two charming Americans and a fan of this breed: I agree with everything said above!

With rare exceptions (since dogs are all different), cockers are truly voracious vacuum cleaners, VERY active and even fussy, very sociable and affectionate - malice is considered a vice in this breed and occurs only with improper upbringing (or congenital mental disorders - but this is rare) . Laziness. it depends on what you mean by it: a cocker can happily lie in a chair or on a sofa for half a day (provided the owner is nearby) and be a wonderful sofa dog. or he can run around the street excitedly all day, tirelessly play fetch (a favorite for this breed), hunt and participate in competitions. The breed is very hardy and has enough “fuse” even when many other breeds are running out of steam.

Dullness is an indication of the owner, not the dog. Cockers are wonderful to train. but they also sit wonderfully on the neck and begin to dictate their terms if you give them some slack (just don’t think that I am advocating keeping the dog in a “black body” and beating it. You just always need to be consistent and strict in education).

Grooming is the main difficulty, both time and money (antistatic shampoos-balms, bathing once every 10 days, overalls, combing tangles, haircuts once every 1.5-2 months.). This is something worth thinking about thoroughly.

Poor health. Ears, eyes. Tend to be overweight. Diabetes mellitus.

There was a boom in this breed in Moscow about 25 years ago. American Cockers could be seen very often on the street. The breed is very beautiful, but it takes a lot of effort to make a dog look good.

Positive qualities: Most dogs are good-natured. They love to play. Bring the ball and look for a stick thrown into the grass. They treat children normally. There are no problems with food; they eat everything. Size is medium.

Negative qualities: Dogs of this breed are prone to obesity. Excessive appetite. They eat everything, steal and eat, nothing can be left on the table. You need to get your hair cut every 2 months. After three months, the dog looks like an overgrown ball of an unknown breed. I don’t know how it is now, but haircuts used to be expensive. The salary was 100 rubles, and a haircut cost 25 rubles. The haircut took 3 hours. It is necessary to trim the claws and in this breed the hair also grows between the fingers, that is, it is necessary to trim the hair between the fingers, otherwise the hair there begins to rot and gets into tangles, fistulas between the fingers and an unpleasant odor may appear. It will be painful for the dog to walk. This breed has bulging eyes, which often causes eye problems. If your eyes fester, you need to monitor this carefully. The ears droop downwards, which is why they often irritate and hurt. Also make sure to smear, wipe dry, etc. Long hair. Comb every day, preferably 2 times a day. Trim your back. If the dog doesn't like it, it gets angry and might bite. Long wool skirt after walking all the leaves of the stick are hooked. The dog brings a lot of sand and dirt from the street. It takes a long time to dry after washing. In general, a very problematic breed.

How to choose an English Cocker Spaniel puppy?

In order to become the owner of a purebred and healthy baby, you need to know what to do:

1. Find a reputable breeder or cattery.
2. Find out as much information as possible about your parents, because their offspring inherit their talents. This is true if English Cocker Spaniel puppies are purchased for hunting.
3. Bitches are easier to train, they do not have dominant desires, although in the future they are all equally good.
4. It is better to make the choice in person. Observe the entire brood and take the most vigorous and curious one.
5. The puppy must be 7 weeks old. Only in this case will he be able to survive on his own without his mother.
6. The baby must be well-groomed, strong and proportional.

Positive reviews

I am outraged by the untruth! We had a cocker in our family for 12 years. She died a natural death. She didn’t drink from the puddles from the ground, she didn’t pick up anything from the cats, she had zero emotions. she lived in friendship with a little parrot. The neighbor’s red cat was like family. She growled at the children only when they started swearing. There was no special training... it all depends on the owners and how delicate their pets are. For us, the cocker was a member of the family, no higher or lower... we buried her like a human being and did not take her to a landfill.

Ooo! Americans have so many disadvantages! What are you saying? This is the most wonderful dog! Mine is 4 years old. Not a pick-me-up, obedient, kind. Bought without documents. Minimal care. If you cut it, wash it, etc., then the dog is fine. There are also health difficulties, but some don’t. Our dog has weak intestines. But! If you choose the right food, everything is ok. I cut it twice a year, wash it once every two weeks, and it smells if you let it go. Ears, you need to watch out for them, since childhood they were taught to make a “tail” for 15-20 minutes, air them out, clean them. After eating, wash the tips of your ears; they get dirty all the time. Very smart, catches the mood instantly! The only negative is that he doesn’t like dogs, but that’s just ours and perhaps he’s annoying, but that’s more of a plus, he’s very gentle. Can play for hours. A hundred times YES for the American Cocker!

The Cocker Spaniel amazed me with its intelligence, watching my dog, I realized that she is a thinker, in order to achieve her goal, she builds combinations and even tries to deceive me. They are also very active and cheerful dogs, easy to train, very efficient. Very strong tied to the owner, loyal. I have never regretted that I bought an American Cocker Spaniel.

Cockers are food eaters; you should not overfeed your dogs. But in general, I don’t see any shortcomings in them. Maybe I'm lucky with my dogs.

The American Cocker is the breed for me. This is exactly the kind of calm and docile dog I have dreamed of all my life. I am simply delighted - from walks to trips to inserts. From day one my girl performs like she's been doing this her whole life.

easy to train, loyal

I was lucky enough to be the owner of a dog of this breed as a child. They have many advantages, but unfortunately, they have one rather significant disadvantage, but more on that later. Regarding the advantages, they include the fact that they are very smart, understanding, and loyal. I was still just a child when I was given a dog, and like any boy I loved to tug, constantly touch and torment him a little, like a child, to which he was sympathetic. What cannot be said about other breeds, I know many cases from my friends that they were bitten by a dog in childhood, this has never happened to me. This breed is easy to train. Very suitable for raising in an apartment. In addition to everything, he is also a real hunter, which is noticeable when walking a dog; his instincts take over. She looks quite cute, small with funny curls, ideal as a first pet for a child. As for the minus, this is poor health, you need to carefully monitor what he eats, otherwise health problems may arise specifically regarding diseases of the internal organs. But with good care, this is an ideal option.

General impression:

Ideal friend for a child

We had an AMC: I have never seen a smarter, kinder and calmer dog! she’s amazing) I can’t imagine any aggression on the part of this breed, although our Bonya chased pigeons in the yard, but it’s still a spaniel) Cons

:
problems with ears with the advent of age and vacuums the streets no matter how you feed)) Our spaniel Bonya for me is an example of an ideal dog)
Advantages:

easy to train, there will be no shortcomings if trained well, mobility, impressive appearance

Flaws:

does not know food restrictions

I will not describe the breed, there is enough information on the Internet, I will only write my experience of communicating with a dog of this breed.

An American Cocker lived with me for 12 years, before him I had a Scottish Shepherd. I confidently say that any dog ​​needs to be trained! Even if it is the size of a matchbox!

The American Cocker is very easy to train and obedient, always ready to play and frolic, and the dog needs constant communication with people, moreover, they enjoy life next to a person. But all the advantages of this breed will be crossed out if you forget that the dog is a pack animal, and having given way to the leader of the pack, the dog will certainly sit on your neck. The pack has its own laws, this applies to dogs of any breed, and not just American cockers. A small puppy looks very touching, a kind of soft toy, which is often indulged in all the whims, and later they complain that the matured dog is uncontrollable and wayward. Only the owners are to blame for the appearance of monsters, watch educational programs on raising animals more often, apply this knowledge in life, contact professionals if problems arise, and your pets will not bring you grief! The Cocker doesn't know that he is a small dog, he acts as if he is very big and strong. He is very loyal to his owner and, thanks to his inquisitive mind, is very trainable. The more time you spend raising and training your puppy, the more joy you will have when interacting with him in the future. You should not get this dog if you are not willing to spend a lot of time caring for its coat and regular haircuts, but this no longer applies to the character of these animals.

Kind, fluffy, cheerful, playful

Poor health, but not everyone

To say that the American Cocker Spaniel is a good dog is an understatement! From my own experience I realized what a miracle this is. Our dog was given to us when she was one year old. At the sight of those eyes, it was impossible to refuse. This is their first advantage. They have very beautiful eyes, but an even more beautiful heart. In all these years, he has never attacked us or bit anyone in the family. They love guests very much.

Cocker spaniels love to walk and play in the snow. Travel, and over different distances. As for food, everything is quite simple, the main thing is to give fortified food, that is, a sufficient amount of calcium and other minerals to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The fur of American Cockers is very soft, simply silky. But it is long, and you need to constantly comb it out. The paws are very furry, so you have to either comb them all the time or cut them, which is not practiced with these dogs, but it’s your creativity! The dog needs frequent bathing due to the fact that long hair collects all the debris and ticks during a walk, so don’t be lazy if you want to see your dog healthy.

At home, they like to sleep and relax, although if you show them a ball, they will happily play with you. They love water, rivers, and dive for a stick. But after drinking water you need to clean your ears. Also, don’t forget about the nails; they need to be trimmed if the dog doesn’t move much, otherwise just watch. Long nails are painful for a dog.

One of the very important disadvantages is health. Often, due to a bad childhood, their health fails. This breed was bred from other breeds which resulted in poor health. For starters, it's the stomach. Do not let her pick up food from the floor or ground that you do not give. Feed him fresh food, maybe 2 times a day, do not overfeed. Obesity is common in these dogs, as they are very good at begging.

These dogs also have a weak heart. It would not be superfluous to give asparkam, for example, but only after consulting with a doctor as a food additive, once a week, just to maintain the heart muscle.

And the third disease of these dogs, no matter how terrible it is, is cancer. They are prone to tumors. But this is a rather rare occurrence. And often curable. Moreover, it is not very expensive.

Otherwise, this is the best friend in the world! This is true! and for the whole family. These dogs are VERY smart, easy to train, and love children!

General impression:

A piece of my soul and my best friend

* Characteristics of the American Cocker Spaniel are based on the assessment of experts on the website Usatik.ru and reviews from owners. Data are averages and may not reflect the behavior of an individual individual. Unfortunately, it is impossible to take into account all the individual characteristics of a single pet.

The American Cocker Spaniel is an example of a companion dog. These are very calm, obedient, friendly animals. This breed is a hunting breed, which undoubtedly affected their character and habits. The Cocker Spaniel is an endless source of energy. This is a great friend for children, a companion and assistant for adults. If you decide to adopt an American Cocker Spaniel into your family, be sure to familiarize yourself with the main characteristics of the breed presented in this publication.

Contents of an English Cocker Spaniel

Dogs feel most comfortable in private homes, where they have the opportunity to run or dig in the ground. When keeping in an apartment, it is important to take regular and long walks. An English Cocker Spaniel with red or another coat color is kept according to the following rules:

1. Determine the dog’s resting place; it should remain unchanged throughout the entire time. There should be a comfortable sunbed there.
2. Walking is carried out 2 times a day. A leash and muzzle are used for protection.
3. For outdoor keeping, an enclosure with a spacious booth is built, which is insulated if necessary. If there is a strong minus, it is better to move the pet indoors.

Health

On average, an English Cocker Spaniel can live 14-15 years. Among the representatives of the breed there are long-livers, living up to 16-18 years.

By nature, the cocker is endowed with good health and rarely gets sick. He has a strong immune system. Much depends on how the owner takes care of his pet.

Caring first of all lies in proper care, ensuring proper living conditions, and a balanced diet.

It is important to regularly carry out deworming, routine vaccination, and treatment for skin parasites.

It is also necessary to visit the veterinary clinic with your cocker annually for preventive examinations.

English cockers have been noted to be predisposed to the following diseases:

• Allergies – skin or food.
• Eye diseases – glaucoma, cataracts, cherry eye, entropion.
• Ear diseases - the spaniel has a large ear that completely covers the middle and inner ear. Therefore, inflammatory processes and otitis often occur, and the development of demodicosis is also possible.
• Hysteria, “red spaniel rabies” is not a character trait, but a disease; spaniels often panic and have attacks of hysteria.
• Hip dysplasia - the cocker begins to limp and suffers from severe pain, which intensifies as the disease progresses.

Caring for an English Cocker Spaniel

There is nothing difficult about keeping a dog. The main thing is to spend time caring for the coat so that it does not lose its beauty. The basic care and maintenance of an English Cocker Spaniel is no different from most other breeds. It is important to carry out the following manipulations:

1. Brush daily using stiff brushes, a slicker brush and a metal comb.
2. Bath rarely; frequent contact with detergents can lead to dandruff. It is recommended to use proven shampoos, for example, ALL SYSTEM or PF Whitening shampoo.
3. It is recommended to raise the ears during feeding so that they do not get dirty. Additionally, regular cleaning is carried out to remove contaminants.
4. Paws are wiped after every walk.
5. Haircuts are carried out every 6 months. You can contact a specialist or try to do everything yourself.
6. Teeth are examined once a week. It is recommended to regularly cleanse with special pastes.
7. Nails are trimmed as needed if natural wear does not occur during walks.

What to feed your English Cocker Spaniel?

The breed is considered a gourmet, so the owner needs to control the pet’s diet. Overeating dogs without sufficient exercise will become obese. Feeding can be done with both dry food and natural products. An adult pet should be given 250 g twice a day. It is important to purchase premium food, for example, Pronature Holistic or Advance Medium Adult. A proper natural daily menu for an English Cocker should consist of the following products:

• lean meat, boiled or raw;
• offal after deep freezing;
• porridge;
• fermented milk products;
• sea ​​fish;
• vegetables and fruits.

Prohibited foods for the English Cocker Spaniel include:

• legumes;
• potato;
• pasta;
• sausages;
• bones;
• cabbage;
• tomatoes.

English Cocker Spaniel Grooming

There are several basic techniques for processing the hair of these dogs; if necessary, they can be combined:

1. Stripping
   - plucking hairs using a special knife.
2. Placking
   - hair is removed with fingers.
3. Clippercut
   - an ultra-thin haircut is made with a special clipper.
4. Flatvec
   is a standard clipper haircut.
5. Blending
   – creating an image using scissors.

If the dog does not participate in exhibitions, you can groom the English Cocker Spaniel yourself. Best option:

• trim the head with a trimming knife;
• strip the body;
• Trim the hair on your legs a little;
• trim the hair between the fingers.

What to feed an American Cocker Spaniel?

Dogs often have indigestion and tend to become overweight. Food allergies also require changes in the usual diet, so it is better to use special dry food. You can choose any manufacturer for small breeds for people with allergies or sensitive digestion.

A mixed diet is allowed with the addition of the following natural dishes:

1. Quail eggs (no more than one per day).
2. Lean meat (rabbit, beef, turkey).
3. Seafood with no shell or bones.
4. Cereals (rice, buckwheat).
5. Fermented milk products (low-fat sour cream, kefir, cottage cheese).

If the food is completely natural, you will need to include vitamin complexes. It is better to choose bowls for American Cocker Spaniels that are massive and stable so that the pet does not carry them in his teeth or turn them over.

Puppy

For a one month old puppy, 3-4 tbsp is enough. l. natural food, an adult needs 1.5 cups. Dry food should be given, paying attention to the instructions on the pack. Offering food from the table is prohibited.

When your pet eats, his ears may fall into the plate and get dirty. To prevent this, you should wear a golf elastic band or attach the ears to the wool using a clothespin.

Training an English Cocker Spaniel

Classes should be conducted in such a way as to interest the child in a new activity. An English Cocker Spaniel puppy responds well to active games and should be trained in this manner. A high level of intelligence will help you quickly remember commands, but the lessons should not be long so that the dog does not lose interest. The first training begins when the baby reaches the age of 3 months.

It is important that the puppy is socialized and feels normal around unfamiliar people and animals. At the age of 8 months. move on to a general training course. Classes with an English Cocker Spaniel must be carried out in compliance with the following rules:

• timeliness
  - the sooner you start, the easier it will be in the future;
• regularity
  - classes should be daily;
• sufficient loads
  – high potential requires active teams;
• tolerance
  - it is forbidden to scold mistakes;
• personal contact
  - the owner must train without strangers.

Education and training

Mostly everyone knows about the docile and intelligent nature of the Cocker Spaniel. But this is not a toy for a child and in no case a sofa cushion. Cockers are active, energetic, sociable and always ready to please. They understand the owner perfectly, but this does not mean that the dog does not need to be raised or trained.

A dog should receive its first training lesson when it is trained to use the toilet outside. Cockers are so smart that on the third day they themselves begin to ask for a walk.

The American cocker is very willing to train - after all, they communicate with him on equal terms. A dog should be trained from a very early age. Even a beginner or someone who is having their first experience with a dog can handle this procedure on their own.

But even with a cocker, you should go to the dog park, instilling the rules of general training, despite the good nature and absolute non-conflict of cockers towards representatives of other breeds.

Hunting with an English Cocker Spaniel

Such a pastime with such a dog will reach a new level. Due to the natural skills of the English Cocker Spaniel, white or other shades will:

• serve game;
• find a bird;
• lift it from the thickets under a shot;
• retrieve prey from the water.

It is worth considering the main qualities that the English Cocker Spaniel exhibits during the hunt:

• flair
  - helping to track the bird;
• search
  – in finding the desired smell;
• eyeliner
  - consisting of a quick movement towards the game;
• persistence
  – natural passion for achieving results;
• obedience
  – timely execution of commands.

Clothes for English Cocker Spaniel

In order not to spoil the dog’s fur and not torment the dog with bathing again, it is recommended to have a wardrobe for it. If, thanks to the undercoat and long hair, the spaniel is not afraid of cold weather, then dirt and rainy weather will negatively affect its appearance. Clothing should be made of fabric that allows the body to breathe and at the same time not allow moisture to pass through. An English Cocker Spaniel, chocolate and other shades, needs to purchase the following types of clothing:

• overalls;
• raincoat;
• coat.

Care and maintenance

The English Cocker is an ideal pet for keeping in an apartment. This is facilitated by its small size. But, like any dog, this animal requires good care. There is no need for frequent bathing. This procedure is carried out as needed - as soon as the dog is very dirty. When bathing, you should use a special shampoo.

However, after every walk you need to wash your dog’s paws. The brilliant appearance of the pet is maintained by constant combing and tidying up the tuft on the head, which is plucked. This is especially difficult to do during the first molt, which occurs at 6 months. Your pet's long ears also need to be systematically cared for.

Periodically, your pet needs:

• trimming fur on paws;
• claw trimming;
• plucking long hairs on the face.

Vaccination must be done in a timely manner. You can castrate a male dog if he was not purchased for breeding.

Feeding

Cockers are not gourmets; they are absolutely not picky about food. The diet can consist of both ready-made store-bought food and regular home-cooked food.

It is recommended to develop a balanced menu filled with essential vitamins for your pet. It is necessary to ensure that the dog has constant access to drink. Milk can only be given to puppies, but it is not advisable for adults to include it in their diet. The puppy's serving should be 4 tbsp. l. feed at a time.

The main products in your pet's diet should be meat, fish, vegetables, cottage cheese and porridge. Lean meat is recommended. Vegetables are served stewed. Sometimes the menu can be diversified with eggs. Once every six months, the dog should be supplemented with a vitamin complex to its food, which will help maintain healthy teeth and coat.

Grooming requires special attention. This procedure should be taught from early childhood. To comb, you need to use a metal comb and a massage brush. It is better to schedule the procedure for the period when the dog is fed, walked and wants to sleep. A forelock and sideburns usually grow quickly on your pet's face.

Care must be taken to ensure that hair does not grow on the paws, as this can negatively affect the gait.

We invite you to familiarize yourself with: Exotic shorthair cat? photo, description of the breed, character, exotic standards

Using scissors, the hair in the ears is trimmed. This helps keep them clean.

You need to start raising a pet from the moment it crosses the threshold of the house, while the dog’s psyche is not yet formed and its behavior can be easily modeled. Cocker spaniels are highly trainable, especially as puppies. This breed is quick to train due to certain characteristics: it perfectly understands the owner’s commands and always strives to please him.

Muzzle for English Cocker Spaniel

This is one of the important components of a dog’s equipment for a walk, while traveling on public transport and when visiting a veterinarian. In order not to cause harm, the muzzle must be made of high-quality materials. The English spaniel is a relatively small and non-aggressive dog, so you can choose a leather or fabric product. It is important to choose the right size so that there is no discomfort, and at the same time the dog cannot lose it. You can choose the appropriate option from the following models offered on the modern market:

• leather;
• fabric;
• plastic.