GROUP 3 - GUNDOGS

Brief History

Cocker Spaniels were developed in Britain and were originally known as the wood-cocking spaniel because of their ability to go through the undergrowth and flush out the Woodcock bird. Over the years, the breed standard has been revised and the Cocker Spaniel of today is a far sturdier dog, but still capable of performing the task of driving out game.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.

The average life span is 13 to 16 years.

Temperament
Known as the “Merry Cocker”, this little dog is friendly, affectionate and loyal, with an ever-wagging tail. He is an intelligent animal and is easy to train, happy to work and happy to play.

General Breed Description
The Cocker Spaniel is a strong dog, with a compact body and a merry nature. He is gentle and affectionate, full of life and exuberance, and always active, with a typical bustling movement. Cocker Spaniels come in a variety of colours, so may be solid black, golden, liver (chocolate), black and tan or liver and tan; bicolours of black and white, orange and white, liver and white or lemon and white; tricolours of black, white and tan, or liver, white and tan, or roan.

Coat and Care Requirements
The Cocker Spaniel sheds twice a year and unless he is clipped off, this long, silky coat will require regular and thorough grooming to prevent matting and tangling.

Particular attention should be paid to trimming hair from under and around the ears, the undercarriage and the feet and pads. The ears also need to be checked often, as infections can occur, so regular cleaning with a cotton ball (not cotton bud) is recommended.

Size
Height: Males 39 to 41cms (15.5 to 16ins), Females 38 to 39cms (15 to 15.5 ins).

Weight: 13 to 14.5kg (28 to 32lbs).

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about the breeds health and what health testing the breeder does. The Cocker Spaniel is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. They may include Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Familial Neuropathy (FN) or Adult Onset Neuropathy (AON).

Suitability
Cocker Spaniels thrive on human company and make excellent companions for almost everyone. They will suit an active family as well as less active seniors. Cockers are renowned for loving their food and diligence is required to ensure they do not become overweight. They can do almost anything including obedience and other dog sports such as Agility, Flyball, and Conformation dog shows, as well as being a lovable pet.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/64