What Cocker Spaniel puppies look like: features of pet development and the basics of proper care

The Russian Spaniel is a breed of dog bred three hundred years ago for hunting in our lands. To do this, breeders crossed cocker spaniels, hounds, and pointers. The hybrid has become the pride of domestic cynology. The dog turned out to be not only a good hunter, but also a loyal friend. Today he helps the military and police in searching for drugs and weapons, and is an excellent companion for the family.

You can distinguish the Russian spaniel from dwarf breeds and other crossbreeds by their external characteristics. The dogs are of medium size, have an elongated, lean body, and a head with tight-fitting skin. Thick wool comes in three types of color:

• single color: black or brown;
• bicolor, with piebald spots on a dark background;
• tricolor: black and piebald with tan.

Other shades are found only among mestizos. Adult dogs have a height at the withers of up to 45 cm, a weight of up to 18 kg, and a life expectancy of 15-18 years.

How to choose a puppy

It is better to buy Russian spaniel puppies from kennels, through kennel clubs. Our specialists have experience caring for babies from the first days of life.

When purchasing there, a veterinary passport is issued indicating the date of the first vaccinations. In addition, the owners issue a document of origin. It indicates the date of birth, the name of the parents, the brand number, and the address of the breeders. Without these certificates it is impossible to issue a hunting dog book and go to the hunting grounds.

It is worth choosing a puppy when it is 10-12 days old. Unlike newborns, babies during this period already show character traits: active, calm, lazy or intimidated. The next visit must be made after 20 days. At one month of age, you can evaluate teeth, bite, coat, and the absence of congenital diseases. It is better to take the dog home after two months.

Dog breeders explain that both boys and girls spaniels have many positive qualities. In male dogs, thoroughbredness is clearly expressed, which is important at exhibitions and tournaments. They can withstand great physical stress and can hunt any day of the year.

Bitches are more affectionate, obedient, and devoted to their owner. Except for the period of estrus, they are absolutely indifferent to the opposite sex.

A Russian hunting spaniel puppy in Russia is not expensive. A purebred dog with an ideal pedigree can be bought for 10-20 thousand rubles. A healthy dog ​​without documents often costs 3-5 thousand rubles. But, even when purchasing online, you should check for vaccinations and anthelmintic procedures.

Dry food for cocker spaniel

Many owners increasingly prefer dry food: they do not need to be pre-prepared, and manufacturers assure that dry food contains all the elements necessary for the development and full life of a dog. The owner only needs to choose the right food, taking into account the activity, weight, needs, age and condition of the pet.

Properly selected dry food provides the dog with everything he needs.

Before making a decision regarding any type of food, you should definitely consult your veterinarian. After all, some dry mixtures contain elements that will only harm the dog’s individual characteristics: even the best food manufacturers cannot create a mixture that takes into account all the variations in the dog’s personal and breed needs.

For example, you need to choose dry food for an English Cocker Spaniel. You need to pay attention to:

• size of the dog – English Cocker Spaniels are considered a small breed;
• activity – these are active dogs;
• coat length – longhaired.

When choosing dry food, it is important to take into account the characteristics of the breed

It turns out that you need to buy puppy food for active long-haired dogs of small breeds. But most manufacturers’ lines do not offer such narrowly targeted food. Therefore, it is recommended to take one characteristic as a basis - for example, take food for small breeds. And the missing elements can be supplemented with mineral supplements - for example, vitamins for active animals or healthy coats.

The main rule is that dry food for cocker spaniels must be of high quality, premium or super-premium categories. It should contain everything necessary for the pet’s health and not lead to allergies or digestive disorders. In order not to search for the right food while experimenting on the health of the animal, you should contact a veterinarian for advice on feeding.

Important! Usually, when using dry food, it is not necessary to supplement your pet’s diet with any mineral mixtures, since industrial food already contains all the necessary substances. However, this rule applies only to those foods that fully comply with the description of the breed.

Balanced food is the key to your pet’s health and energy for many years

Keeping in an apartment and in an enclosure

The Russian spaniel tolerates frost and heat well. Therefore, after six months of age, he can live in an enclosure. To do this, the dog needs to make an insulated booth that does not allow rain and drafts to pass through.

Russian Spaniel puppies do well in apartment conditions.

For convenience, they need to lay out a bed of the appropriate size. It should be located in one place in the room, at a distance from heating appliances, doors, and upholstered furniture. Choose heavy, stable food bowls. Buy toys only at a pet store so that your dog cannot bite them and get poisoned by rubber or foam rubber.

Dimensions of a lounger, booth, house or enclosure

Cocker spaniels are medium-sized pets. This determines the size of the bed, booth, house or enclosure.

Standards for the listed equipment for the breed:

• mats, rugs, beds, cribs – M or L; • booths, houses – rarely used, since the dog is a decorative breed, the size is determined taking into account the pet’s height; • cells – average dimensions are 75 by 53 by 60; • aviary – free space is achieved on an area of ​​1.2 by 1.2 m.

Cocker spaniels are a medium-sized breed, which is reflected in the selection of clothes, shoes, collars, and other items. It is advisable for the owner to know how the dog develops according to the norms in order to track whether the pet is growing correctly. Height and weight values ​​indicate the health status of the animal.

Feeding rules

During the first days in a new home, Russian Hunting Spaniel puppies should eat the same food as the breeder. Then you can transfer them to food or natural food. All foods should be given to the dog separately, 1 tablespoon at a time. After 12 hours, it becomes clear whether the dog has an individual intolerance or an allergic reaction.

Natural food should consist of 70% lean meats, cut into small pieces. The dog's stomach does not digest raw minced meat. Twice a week, boneless sea fish and boiled eggs are given. Fermented milk products should include calcined cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, and kefir. Vegetables must be boiled and mixed with vegetable oil. Prohibited foods include:

• fat meat;
• River fish;
• millet and pearl barley porridge;
• legumes;
• citrus fruit.

Premium industrial food is divided into categories taking into account the breed of dogs and their physical activity. In addition, food for puppies, pregnant and lactating bitches, and elderly animals is sold separately. If you measure portions according to the instructions printed on the packaging, you don’t have to buy vitamin complexes and dietary supplements. All useful components are already present in dry granules, canned food and gravy.

Weight of Russian Spaniel puppies by month

If a puppy or adult dog weighs more than normal, his diet is adjusted and fasting days are carried out.

What should you not feed English Cocker Spaniels?

Some foods that are not intended for a dog's stomach can cause body disorders and even death of the pet. Therefore, you need to make sure that you don’t get into the cocker’s mouth:

1. Corn, beans, pasta, potatoes, wheat bread. The cocker's stomach is unable to digest these foods; they contribute to indigestion.
2. Spices and seasonings, especially hot ones. Since a dog’s sense of smell is hundreds of times sharper than a human’s, what is a pleasant tang for the owner can cause a loss of smell in the pet.
3. Pork, fatty lamb, raw chicken.
4. Barley and millet porridge.

The dog should eat only healthy foods recommended by experts.

Your pet should not be fed very cold or very hot food; food should be at room temperature or slightly warmer (about 40 degrees). All fatty, spicy, smoked, sweet and salty foods are prohibited.

Strictly prohibited products

• river and thermally untreated sea fish (leads to infection with worms);
• seafood;
• tubular bones and ribs (split into long sharp particles that can leave cuts in the gastrointestinal tract and lead to the death of the dog);
• sugar, chocolates, pastries, cakes (reduce appetite and spoil digestion, destroy teeth, cause tearing);
• sausages, sausages (severely damage the liver, the animal can die in adolescence);
• broccoli or uncooked white cabbage;
• spoiled and rotten foods (lead to indigestion).

Poor nutrition leads to undesirable consequences

Hygienic care

Spaniel puppies love to run through plantings, bushes, and tall grass. Therefore, they need to buy an anti-parasite collar and change it as the repellent odor evaporates. Veterinarians recommend regularly examining your dog and treating wounds and cuts promptly.

Particular attention should be paid to the ears. Due to their long, hanging shape, they are poorly ventilated, and inflammatory processes develop at the site of scratches.

The fur of a Russian spaniel does not smell like a dog. It has a natural coating that repels dirt. Therefore, it is necessary to bathe the animal once a month. Pet stores sell dog shampoos and conditioners to make grooming easier. Much more often (once a week) you should comb out knots, cut out tangles, comb the ears and tail.

Characteristic diseases

Spaniel puppies are vaccinated four times. Modern vaccines prevent the development of several infectious diseases at once. Adult dogs are vaccinated once a year. Before each procedure, it is necessary to prepare your pet. He is given an anthelmintic drug 10 days in advance, and on the day of injection his temperature and physical activity are checked.

Dogs of this breed are distinguished by good health. However, they are prone to allergic reactions. They manifest themselves as irritation on the skin and general lethargy of the animal.

Another weak point is the long drooping ears. They close the ear canal and create a favorable environment for the development of infections. With insufficient activity on walks, dogs become obese.

Education and training

The Russian Spaniel is considered a one-owner pet. Therefore, one person must feed, care for, walk the dog, and teach it to commands. The dog is given a short, sonorous nickname. First, after pronouncing it, a treat is given out. Gradually the puppy gets used to it and leaves everything as soon as he hears his name.

Training also includes the execution of the “Place!” command. To do this, after pronouncing the order, the puppy is lightly slapped on the croup with a hand, and then carried in his arms to the bed. Soon the dog itself runs to the mat, without waiting for physical impact. To help develop skills faster, you can reinforce them with treats and pats on the head.

The dog must be accustomed to a collar, leash and muzzle. Even if the dog never bites, he should wear a protective mask on his face when walking along city streets. To do this, all devices are put on after the command “Walk!” Gradually, the dog stops resisting, patiently endures the training and rejoices at the opportunity to frolic.

Breed characteristics

The Spaniel's personality is suitable for any person. Representatives of the breed get along well in families with children and single people, with experienced or novice hunters. Not suitable only for lazy people - the spaniel is too energetic.

He has a lively, playful disposition and behaves like a puppy until old age. Ready to follow the owner with its tail, wanting to attract attention. At the same time, it lends itself well to training and has remarkable endurance. Not prone to dominance, gets along well in a pack of several dogs.