The American Cocker Spaniel is a dog that never goes unnoticed! With its huge ears and very hairy body, the little dog has a beauty that draws anyone's attention. Because it has a cheerful and playful way, it has been gaining space in the hearts of people all over the world. Today, the American Cocker Spaniel is one of the most popular medium dog breeds out there! However, even withDespite their growing success, many people still confuse them with the English Cocker Spaniel, the breed that gave birth to the American dog. Although they are indeed very similar in many ways, especially in personality, each has its own characteristics. The English Cocker Spaniel is a very similar breed. Paws of the House tells you everything about the American Cocker Spaniel dog breed: price, origin, personality, care, curiosities and much more. check out!

Learn about the origin of the American Cocker Spaniel breed

The American Cocker is one of the types of Spaniel dogs, which are dogs that originated in Spain during the Middle Ages. Spaniel dogs were great bird hunters, and because of this ability, they were taken to different parts of the world. One of these places was England, where the English Cocker Spaniel originated around the 14th century. As early as the late 1800s, many of these dogs wereWhen they arrived in America, breeders began to cross the English Cocker Spaniel with some small breeds, such as the Toy Spaniel. The goal was to produce a smaller Spaniel dog that could hunt small birds. Thus, the American Cocker Spaniel, a variation of the English Cocker, was born.

For a long time, the two were considered the same breed, but it wasn't until the 1930s that the American Kennel Center (AKC) began to consider the American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel as separate breeds.

The long ears and voluminous hair are hallmarks of the American Cocker Spaniel

The most striking feature of the American Cocker Spaniel is undoubtedly its large, long, drooping ears. They also attract a lot of attention because they are very hairy. In fact, the entire body of the American Cocker Spaniel has a very voluminous coat. The head of the breed is very rounded and the body is usually more compact and chubby. The coat of the American Cocker is abundant and can be smooth or soft.wavy, always long and with a very silky look.

There is a huge variety of colors of the dog breed. You can find black, brown, golden and red American Cocker Spaniel. In addition, there are dogs with bicolor patterns (two colors) and even tricolor (with three colors). Some examples are the black American Cocker Spaniel with brown dots, black with white dots and light brown with dark brown tones. The American Cockeris a medium-sized dog, with an average height of 35 to 39 cm and weight in the range of 10 to 15 kg. It is worth mentioning that the American dog is smaller than the English version, which can reach 43 cm.

The American Cocker is an animal full of energy and attached to its guardian

• Coexistence

The American Cocker Spaniel is a very cheerful, fun and lively dog. Very curious and explorative, this dog has an inexhaustible source of energy and is always willing to play. But don't worry: even with all this excitement, the puppy is also docile and calm in everyday life. Living with the breed is usually pleasant, as the smallest version of the Cocker puppy is always cheerful and cheerful.makes anyone's day happier with its positive energy.

The American Cocker is a super loyal animal that loves the company of its owner. Very loving, sensitive and affectionate, the dog of this breed appreciates the presence of the owner and quickly becomes attached to him. This attachment, however, makes the American Cocker Spaniel not very fond of being alone. In moments of loneliness, it is common to see the dog barking a lot and, if not well trained, it can become agitated anddevelop destructive behaviors, and may even exhibit separation anxiety.

That's why it's so important to train the pet and bet on environmental enrichment to always keep the pet entertained. In addition, it is essential that the American Cocker has an exercise routine. This goes for both the dog that lives at home and the dog that lives in an apartment. Doing physical activities is the best way to release all the animal's energy in a healthy way, avoiding thewalks in the street, interactive dog toys and even water play are activities that every American Cocker loves!

• Socialization

The American Cocker is naturally a sociable dog. He may be a little wary when meeting someone new for the first time, but once he gains their trust, he is quite at ease. American Cocker Spaniel dogs get along very well with children. They have a lot of fun together, as they are naturally playful and fun. The American Cocker Spaniel also tends to get along well with children.other animals, whether they are dogs or any other species. However, even though a dog is sociable, socialization is essential. This process helps to reduce the initial distrust of strangers and ensures that the pet has a better interaction with others, whether people or animals. The ideal is to socialize the dog when it is still a puppy American Cocker Spaniel, as the results are more efficient.effective throughout life.

• Training

Training is another important process for an American Cocker Spaniel. The breed's agitation can become a problem in everyday life. Training will make the guardian more in control, including to prevent excessive barking. Despite being a little stubborn, the American Cocker Spaniel is an intelligent dog and very easy to train. In addition, he loves toThe tip is to bet on repetition and positive reinforcement, always offering treats and cuddles when the animal gets a command right. The ideal is to train the American Cocker Spaniel puppy, but it is never too late to start this process.

Curiosities about the American Cocker Spaniel

• The American Cocker Spaniel is famous on the silver screen! Lady, the main character of the classic Disney movie "Lady and the Tramp", is a puppy of this breed.

• The American Cocker Spaniel is considered the smallest sporting dog in existence.

• In the ranking of canine intelligence, the American Cocker Spaniel ranks 20th.

• A black American Cocker Spaniel named Brucie won for two consecutive years (1939 and 194) the "Best American Breed Dog" award at the Westminster Dog Show competition in the United States. The little dog was very popular at the time, even earning an obituary in The New York Times when he passed away.

American Cocker Spaniel puppy: know what to expect from the dog at this stage of life

Before adopting an American Cocker Spaniel puppy, it is important to better understand what to expect from this pet and what are the first essential care. From its first months of life, the puppy of the breed is already very curious and exploratory. In addition, its energy does not take long to appear. It is essential that the tutor stimulates the American Cocker Spaniel puppy with games and activitiesphysical.

One of the main precautions that should be taken with a puppy, regardless of the breed, is to apply all the vaccinations for puppies, always following the vaccination schedule. The dog needs to be vaccinated to start going out on the street (including to be socialized and trained). So, do not delay the vaccinations. To feed the pet, always opt for puppy food, as it contains all the necessary ingredients.essential nutrients for healthy development.

Basic care for the American Cocker Spaniel

• Bath

You can even bathe your American Cocker Spaniel at home, but most people choose to take the pet to a professional. As the dog has a very large amount of very long and voluminous hair, it may take a little longer than usual to do the whole step by step of bathing the dog. In addition, the puppy can become agitated at this time, making it even more difficult to bathe the dog.But if you want to have this time with your dog, no problem. Just choose a special shampoo and conditioner for the texture of your dog's hair and remember to dry well after washing. The ideal bathing frequency for an American Cocker Spaniel is once or twice a month.

• Brushing

As the American Cocker's hair is very long and in large quantities, the risk of the hair tangling and forming knots is great. Frequent brushing of the dog's hair is the best way to avoid this problem. It is recommended to brush the American Cocker Spaniel two to three times a week.

• Tosa

The American Cocker Spaniel's hair tends to grow quickly. The big problem is that very long hair can end up hindering the animal's daily life, whether in locomotion or vision. Therefore, hygienic grooming is always recommended. The ideal is to groom the dog every two months, not letting it exceed three months between one grooming and another.

• Nails

The Cocker Spaniel is a very agitated dog that loves to have fun. During play, the animal may end up scratching other people unintentionally if its nails are too big. In addition, the pet is even at risk of hurting itself, as poorly trimmed nails can cause it to trip when running. Therefore, it is essential to always cut the nails of the Cocker Spaniel dog to avoid these problems.problems.

• Teeth

Just like humans, dogs can suffer from dental problems, so taking care of their teeth is a very important part of their routine. Brushing your Cocker Spaniel's teeth prevents diseases such as tartar and promotes better oral health.

• Ears

The size of the ears of the American Cocker Spaniel dog are quite large. The outer part is very exposed while the inner part is well muffled. Therefore, it is important to pay special attention to this part of the body. Cleaning the dog's ear frequently prevents the accumulation of dirt and, consequently, infectious agents that can lead to dangerous diseases, such as canine otitis.Always take time out of your week to check your Cocker Spaniel's ears and remember to dry them thoroughly after bathing, as damp hair encourages the proliferation of fungi and bacteria.

The health of the American Cocker Spaniel needs attention

The American Cocker Spaniel dog is predisposed to some health problems. In addition to otitis, the dog has a great tendency to develop eye diseases. Glaucoma, progressive retinal atrophy and canine cataracts, for example, are typical conditions of this animal. The American Cocker can also develop patellar luxation and hip dysplasia throughout life. To avoid theseproblems, it is important to maintain a veterinary follow-up and perform regular check-ups. Taking the essential care, the life expectancy of the American Cocker Spaniel is 12 to 15 years.

American Cocker Spaniel: breed price can reach R$ 7,000

More and more people feel like having an American Cocker at home. After all, this fun and playful little dog brings joy to any environment. But how much does an American Cocker Spaniel cost? The breed's price is usually between R$ 3,000 and R$ 7,000. Values vary depending on factors such as lineage, color and age (an American Cocker Spaniel puppy, for example, is always more expensive).It is important to research a reputable kennel before buying an American Cocker Spaniel. Prices that are too low are a warning sign.

American Cocker Spaniel X-Ray

Source: United States

Coat: Long and smooth or wavy

Colors: Black, brown, gold and red (distributed in solid, bicolor or tricolor patterns)

Personality: Playful, lively, energetic, clingy and affectionate

Height: 35 to 39 cm

Weight: 10 to 15 Kg

Life expectancy: 12 to 15 years