Alice White
Away from melancholic walks in the park, forget about boredom and quiet evenings in your favorite armchair! If the American Cocker Spaniel has appeared in your life, then no matter how old you are, you will feel an incredible surge of strength and vivacity. It is simply impossible to be in sadness, depression for a long time next to this living and joyful being, and it is simply impossible to get bored. And if at first the activity of the American Cocker Spaniel seems excessive to you, then soon you will not be able to do without this funny bouncing ball with huge ears and a clear voice. In many countries, the closest relative of the “American”, the English Cocker Spaniel, is popular. However, American breeders developed a hunting dog with a very special exterior on its basis. American Cocker Spaniels were singled out as a separate breed in the 40s of the 20th century. It is distinguished from its English counterpart, the American Cocker Spaniel, by a shorter snub-nosed head and luxurious thick and dense coat. I must say that with its activity, the American Cocker Spaniel is a dog with an extremely balanced and predictable psyche. She adores children, and those, in turn, find it difficult to find a more suitable companion for endless fun games. The American Cocker Spaniel is the perfect blend of explosive energy, a shrewd mind, and intuition. Thanks to his natural tact and excellent instinct, the cocker is well versed in changes in your mood and knows exactly where to stop so as not to drive his beloved owner to madness. The mobility of the American Cocker Spaniel can be explained very simply: for many years its main purpose was hunting, which required quick reactions from the dog and a huge reserve of strength for hours of hunting fun.
Externally, the American Cocker Spaniel is a compact, well-built, muscular dog of medium size. This breed is characterized by a beautiful head with a snub nose and low-set, hanging ears. Of course, the indisputable advantage and real pride of the American Cocker Spaniel is its thick and shiny coat. Almost any color is allowed in these dogs: one-color, two-color (black and tan, black and white), mixed (piebald, tricolor). Cocker is the smallest hunting dog breed in the world – the height of males at the withers is 37-39 cm. The average weight of the breed reaches thirteen kilograms.
If you have chosen this particular breed of dog, we will not dissuade you. The American Cocker Spaniel is a worthy representative of the canine tribe, which, moreover, has a lot of advantages for urban maintenance. Moderate size and docile nature allow him to get along well even in a small apartment. However, we are choosing not a bicycle, but a living creature, so in any case, weigh your decision well. Before going to the kennel, decide on the gender of the future pupil, the desired color, as well as the goals for which you are acquiring a dog. If you do not plan to participate in exhibitions and want to take a puppy, as they say, “for the home, for the family,” the problem of choice is greatly facilitated. Take someone who you like or someone who has an eye on you. It happens: a minute ago it was a flock of absolutely identical fluffy balls, but suddenly your gazes collided, and you know for sure – where it is your dog. It’s another matter if you dream of an exhibition career. In this case, knowledge and experience are necessary, although they are not a guarantee that you are acquiring a future champion. If you do not have this knowledge, you can always consult an expert, or even better, take him with you to the kennel to help you choose a dog. Recommendations for choosing an American Cocker Spaniel puppy are as follows: the baby should be sufficiently plump, cheerful, and playful. Indicators of a dog’s prospects are a beautifully shaped head, a correct compact body, and well-defined angles of the limbs. Of course, these indicators will change with age, but they give an idea of the future appearance of the dog. The character of the puppy is a matter of personal preference. A playful, temperamental puppy is well suited for a large family with children. For an elderly person, it is better to take a calmer, more balanced dog. Whether you are taking a companion dog or a future champion dog, make sure your little one is healthy. He should have a wet and shiny nose, clear eyes (no discharge), a firm, soft stomach, and normal stools. An important indicator of the health of a cocker is the coat – it must be clean and shiny. Ask the breeder what vaccinations have been done and if the puppies have been dewormed.
When deciding to purchase an American Cocker Spaniel puppy, it is important to understand that its original appearance will require special care. To make your dog look like a Cocker Spaniel and no one else, visit a hairdresser once every two to three months. Once every two weeks, you need to trim the hair yourself between the toes, around the anus, and inside the ears (up to ½ the length of the ear band). Do not forget about the claws, which need to be cut as they grow back. To avoid staining the spaniel’s long, ubiquitous ears, they must be tied up before every meal. From the first days of the appearance of the puppy in the house, he must be taught to daily combing. At first, the baby may show impatience and even resentment (by the way, any attempts to snap back should be nipped in the bud). However, over time, this simple procedure should become a familiar part of life for the dog. Note that the Cocker Spaniel needs to be bathed quite often – preferably at least once every two weeks. The use of professional products – shampoos, conditioner balms – greatly facilitates the care of the thick hair of the cocker spaniel. Of course, today few people use American Cocker Spaniels in hunting, and they are more often referred to as decorative indoor breeds. However, the temperament of these dogs longs for an active pastime. Your cocker will enjoy walking through the woods, playing with a plate and a ball – in general, everything where you need to run fast, jump high and enjoy life loudly.
The American Cocker Spaniel quickly adapts to life with a person and easily learns the rules of cohabitation. Nevertheless, one should not hope that this will happen spontaneously, of course: the cocker spaniel must be taught to catch the connection between the event and its consequence (reward or punishment). In general, the American Cocker Spaniel is a very quick-witted dog that lends itself well to training. Due to her natural curiosity, she perceives classes as a fun, exciting game that usually gives pleasure to both the dog and the owner.
