If you’ve ever brought your dog to our DogFest Breed Meet-Up you’ll know how much we love our breeds! We’ll be doing a special shout out to all of Britains favourite breeds. Just one glance around the festival and it’s easy to spot that the Cocker Spaniel is a firm favourite in the UK.
The English Cocker Spaniel is a Very Beautiful Creature
Once you’ve owned a cocker, you may never want to own any other breed. He’ll follow you like a shadow, giving you absolute love, and be fiercely protective of you. Being neither very big nor very small, your Cocker will be the perfect fit for cuddles and snuggles in quiet moments. A Cocker spaniel is gentle and affectionate, lively and intelligent, and an excellent choice for a family dog: where everyone helps to release some of that energy! His engaging personality makes him a hilarious and loyal companion.
READ MORE>>> If you’re keen to join the Breed Meet-Up in your breed category, find each festival timetable here: Burghley Breed Meet-Up; Tatton Breed Meet-Up; Ashton Breed Meet-Up; Harewood Breed Meet-Up; Knebworth Breed Meet-Up.
History
Although some researchers claim Spaniels come from Asia, its more commonly believed that the breed originated in Spain. Either way, Spaniels reached England sometime in the 14th Century and today are one of the most popular breeds in England.
The Cocker Spaniel became a breed separated from all other Spaniels in 1893. Prior to this, all the many different varieties of Spaniel were grouped together. Currently, there are 18 different types of Spaniel, of which our adorable English Cocker is by far one of the most popular. He became separated from the American Cocker Spaniel in 1945 on account of their differences in height, body type, hair, and head shape. Our Spaniel is the bigger of the two.
READ MORE>>>Find out: Whats Included in your Festival Ticket
Cocker Spaniels were bred to flush out and retrieve birds in woodcock shooting, hence their name. They are still one of the most popular gundogs in the UK today, you’ll spot them on the shooting fields nimbly grabbing a bird by it’s leg and bringing it in. More often they are bred for the show ring where their coat markings and glossy curls are what gets the judges gasping. The Show Type Cocker is placid by nature, isn’t bounding off after every scent and is quite easy going.
Grooming
If your Cocker loves exploring, they may need daily grooming to keep that lovely feathery hair around their legs and tail from getting matted, for burr and stick removal after a walk. Otherwise, they are low moulting and require a groom about once a week.
Being luxuriously long, their ears will need special attention. When held straight the Cocker Spaniel’s ears stretch all the way to their noses and given that they love to run with their noses to the ground, their silky, glossy ears may need some extra care.
Grooming is an enjoyable way of bonding with your dog, and just 3 minutes a day makes all the difference.
READ MORE>>> Catch Chloé Fuller’s Super Spaniel show in our Action Arena! Meet our celeb Pictured below
Training
Cocker spaniels can be busy little dogs, keen to please and very intelligent which makes them easy to train and exceptionally responsive to reward-based training.
It’s important to know that their growth plates don’t close until around 14 months old and their hearing is the last thing to develop! Don’t over exercise in the first 12 months, 5 minutes walking for each month of age is the general rule of thumb (at 4 months aim for 20 minutes max). Instead of walking, use the time to train your pup with manners, boundaries and basic obedience.
Personality
Lovingly nicknamed ‘the merry Cocker’ for their ever-wagging tail and adorable happy personality, some refer to them as the most optimistic breed. This might be on account of their constant grinning.
