American Cocker Spaniels - Dogs - Health Problems
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Picture source:
The American Cocker Spaniel picture library
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Purebred American Cocker Spaniels seldom suffer from genetic diseases, but this possibility cannot be ruled out. There are too many 'puppy mills', which produce faulty and unhealthy species, and we cannot be secured against coming across one of such animals.
These animals are prone to spinal problems, eye problems, such as retinal atrophy and glaucoma, which may lead to total blindness. Lack of proper care may result in ear infection and skin problems, which is often the case with dogs, which have been bought from amateur breeders.
Ear infection is the most widely spread concern in American Cocker Spaniels. Their ears have long hair, which may block the circulation of the air and thus create a propitious environment for moisture-loving bacteria. Therefore, ears require special care and grooming.
American Cocker Spaniels - Dogs - Grooming and Exercise
The coat of an American Cocker Spaniel requires daily grooming. It can be neatly trimmed, and the dog should be socialized and taught to bear trimming and clipping procedures. Long-haired dogs are better off shampooed regularly. The hair must be soft, but strong, which is particularly important when it comes to picking out bits of vegetation and seed heads out of it after roaming thickets.
Ears and lips require particular care, because these areas are more vulnerable to attacks by bacteria, which may cause festering and inflammation. Check the ears regularly for dirt, mites and sores. Trim the ear hair carefully, if needed, but do not pull out hairs. Ear problems can force your dog to violently shake its head, which may result in the appearance of hematomas, which require surgery. If you have spotted a sore, or there is something wrong with the dog's behavior, do not try to deal with the problem personally, call a veterinarian.
American Cocker Spaniels like moderate exercise, and if you have a good yard or a play ground in front of your house, your pet is going to do perfectly well in your house. These dogs like fetching games, and they are also good in playing ball. They must be socialized and taught manners in early puppy hood. Although American Cocker Spaniels are easy-going and amicable, a poorly socialized and untrained dog can be one big bundle of troubles.
American Cocker Spaniels - Dogs - General Information Links
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Picture source:
hunde-page com © 2000 - 2004
Alina Geishofer
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Lucky and Shelby - Shelby is a black & white parti that lives with a Bichon Frise. The site introduces you to these two, and also features tips for dog owners.
Merle Cockers - Information about one of the most unusual coat patterns found in Cocker Spaniels, and why you have to know what you're doing before breeding Merle Cocker Spaniels.
My Cocker Spaniel - Features a message board for Cocker enthusiasts, short videos of Cockers at play, and information about Cocker issues.
Pattie's Cocker Crew - The home of eight formerly homeless Cockers. Be sure to view the family pictures.
Sables Are Cockers Too - Promoting sable-colored American Cocker Spaniels with an email list and lots of pictures. Also features information concerning the struggle for acceptance of Sable colored Cockers in the show ring.
Samamari- A hobby kennel in Sunnyvale, California, that is focused on professional handling of Cockers in the show ring.
Santana's Little Spot on the Net - Cute black American Cocker Spaniel lucky enough to have her own large website. Come see the animated playground, web friends, and awards.
Scooter The Cocker - This website showcases many pictures of Scooter, a Red and White Parti Colored American Cocker Spaniel. The site also provides tips on raising a puppy.
Tashecon- Meet Tahoe and Sheila, two tri-colored Cockers living in Sacramento, California.
The Cocker Spaniel Information Pages - Extensive information for Cocker breeders including coat color genetics, Cocker health issues, and training.
American Cocker Spaniels - Dogs - Rescue Links
American Spaniel Club Foundation Cocker Rescue - Rescue policies and guidelines of the American Spaniel Club, the national parent club for the American Cocker Spaniel.
Annie's Rescued Friends - A North Carolina based all volunteer rescue organization dedicated to saving the lives of homeless cocker spaniels and adopting them to qualified families.
Carolina Cockers - Located in Columbia, South Carolina, and dedicated to fostering and finding forever homes for Cockers in need.
Castaway Cocker Spaniel Rescue - A Cocker Rescue group based in Hellam, Pennsylvania.
Cocker Paws - A privately owned, privately funded Cocker rescue group located in northwest Arkansas. The site features pictures of Cockers that are currently in need of good homes.
Cocker Rescue of Fort Lauderdale - Adoption application, pictures of available dogs including those with special needs, and a calendar of events.
Cocker Spaniel Adoption Center - Helping needy Cocker Spaniels find loving homes by displaying their pictures and descriptions and by telling their stories. Although based in Maryland, they will try to find homes for Cocker Spaniels wherever they need them.
Cocker Spaniel Rescue of Austin / San Antonio - Saving the world, one cute Cocker Spaniel at a time.
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Picture source:
The American Cocker Spaniel picture library
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Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas - Houston - A non-profit organization with many delightful Cocker Spaniels of all ages, sizes and colors who are looking for forever homes.
Cocker Spaniel Rescue of New England - A non-profit organization devoted to placing homeless cocker spaniel dogs. Features pictures and complete descriptions of dogs available for adoption.
Columbus Cocker Rescue - A non-profit organization based in Columbus, Ohio, and dedicated to providing foster care and permanent adoptions for Cocker Spaniels.
DFW Cocker Spaniel Rescue - A small group of volunteers in east Texas who work to place abandoned and rescued cocker spaniels in new homes. The site features pictures and descriptions of Cockers available.
Florida Cocker Spaniel Rescue - Devoted to the rescue and adoption of Cocker Spaniels in the state of Florida.
Mid Michigan Cocker Rescue - Helping to give a second chance, a second home, to a companion who never should have been treated as second class!
Oldies But Goodies Cocker Rescue - Based in northern Virginia, Oldies But Goodies Cocker Spaniel Rescue saves over a hundred dogs each year. The site features a picture and complete description of each dog available.
San Diego Spaniel Rescue - Serving San Diego and Orange counties in California. Helping homeless Cockers get a new "leash" on life!
Shorewood Cocker Rescue - Located in Western Wisconsin, this Cocker rescue group is dedicated to placing homeless cockers in permanent homes with responsible, loving families.
Small Dog Rescue of Central Florida - Helping to find new homes for unwanted Cocker Spaniels and other small breeds. Serving the central Florida area only.
Furrever Friends - A small network of volunteers who work out of their homes to rescue and find forever homes for Cocker Spaniels in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana.
American Cocker Spaniels - Dogs - Other American Cocker Spaniels sites
Cocker Spaniels Information - Cocker Spaniels are representatives of a large group of dogs commonly referred to as Spaniels. American and English Cocker Spaniels are two different breeds that are rather close in their characteristics due to kin relationships. However, both breeds differ some in appearance, display specific personality traits, and perform slightly different functions in the modern world.
There is a certain confusion connected with the omission of the first part of this dog breeds name. US dog lovers tend to call the American Cocker Spaniel simply "the Cocker," whereas European breeders and owners mean English Cockers when using the word. Hence, both the American and the English Cocker can be called just the Cocker Spaniel.
Cocker Spaniels Breeders - Cocker Spaniels belong to a large group of Hound dogs developed in Europe in the 14th century. Chaucer, the author of famous "Canterbury Tales" mentioned little alert dogs in his works. They were used for hunting small water and land game and were valued highly for their wonderful sense of scent and devotion to their master.
Spaniels that were mostly of lighter colors took their name from regions they first appeared in. Spain or, probably, the border between Spain and France is considered the true motherland of Spaniels. In their early years, they were also called "Spaniells" or "Spanyellys."
Cocker Spaniels Pictures - Cocker Spaniels are native to England. Primarily, they were a variety of land Spaniels used to hunt small game. Hunters valued the dog greatly for its unique skill to hunt and retrieve the woodcock. The breed was small and agile enough to get through dense bushes which was a hard task for larger dogs. The name of the breed originated from that very bird.
A field trial held in 1839 is thought to have been a stage of paramount importance in the development of the breed. An English Cocker Spaniel named Stylish Pride turned out to be the winner. That dog attracted the attention of dog lovers to smaller Spaniels.
Cocker Spaniels Puppies - Cocker Spaniels make up the Sporting group of dogs according to the AKC. In fact, they belong to the Hound dog group and are still being used in such activities as hunting, tracking, and field trials. To be able to perform their functions, Cocker Spaniels were bred with emphasis on physical mobility, a great extent of agility, strength, and good mental powers.
Cocker Spaniels are good in flushing and retrieving small game. Their small size, 24-28 pounds to 28-34 pounds in American and English Cockers respectively, allows them to reach places with dense bushes that are usually inaccessible to larger breeds.
Cocker Spaniels Rescues - Cocker Spaniels are sporting dogs that have a long history and are well distributed in the world. There are two breeds named Cockers - the American and the English Cocker Spaniel. Judging by their name one can assume that they are close relatives and have a lot of similar features both in appearance and personality.
English Cocker Spaniels are a little larger. They can weigh from 28 to 34 pounds. Females are usually smaller than males. The English Cocker stands about 16-17 inches at the shoulder. It has a flat skull and a broad muzzle. The upper lip does not cover the lower part of the jaw.
