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The Complete A-Z Guide To The Cocker Spaniel
The Complete A-Z Guide To
The Cocker Spaniel
Published by Sharda Baker
© 2006 - 2011
www.cocker-spaniel-world.com
The Complete A-Z Guide To The Cocker Spaniel
Foreword
………………………………………………………………………………… 5
Chapter 1: Introduction
………………………………………………………………… 6
- The Man / Wolf Connection ………………………………………………………… 6
- Emergence of the dog ………………………………………………………………… 7
- History of the Cocker Spaniel
………………………………………………… 7
- Differences of American and English Breeds………………………………………… 8
Chapter 2: Physical Characteristics
…………………………………………………. 9
- Appearance …………………………………………………………………………. 9
- Size …………………………………………………………………………………. 9
- Coloring
………………………………………………………………………… 10
- AKC Color Classes ………………………………………………………………… 11
- Temperament ………………………………………………………………………… 11
Chapter 3: Breed Standards
………………………………………………………… 12
- American
………………………………………………………………………… 12
- English
………………………………………………………………………… 16
Chapter 4: Picking the Right Dog ………………………………………………………… 21
- Making the decision to grow your family
………………………………………… 21
- Considerations Specific to the Cocker Spaniel
………………………………… 22
- Puppy or adult?
………………………………………………………………… 22
- Male or female?
………………………………………………………………… 23
- Choosing a show dog?
………………………………………………………… 23
Chapter 5: Buying Your Cocker Spaniel ………………………………………………… 25
- Investigate the Sources
………………………………………………………… 26
o
How to Shop Breeders
………………………………………………… 26
- Dos and Don’ts of Selecting a Proper Breeder
………………………………… 26
- Assessing Breeder Skill & Knowledge
………………………………………… 27
o
Track Record ………………………………………………………………… 27
- Questions to Ask the Breeder ………………………………………………………… 28
- The Breeders Questions for You
.………………………………………………... 29
- Selecting a Healthy Puppy ………………………………………………………… 30
- Purchase Contracts ………………………………………………………………… 32
- Registration ………………………………………………………………………… 32
- Pedigree
………………………………………………………………………… 33
- Health Records
………………………………………………………………… 33
- Health Certificates ………………………………………………………………… 33
- Genetic Tests ………………………………………………………………………… 34
- Puppy ‘Tests’
………………………………………………………………… 35
- Alternate Sources
………………………………………………………………… 36
o
The Shelter ………………………………………………………………… 36
o
Rescue Groups
………………………………………………………… 37
o
A Word About Adopted Dogs
………………………………………… 37
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© 2006 - 2011
www.cocker-spaniel-world.com
The Complete A-Z Guide To The Cocker Spaniel
-
The Cost of Owning a Cocker Spaniel
………………………………………... 37
o
Cost to Purchase
..……………………………………………………… 37
o
General Expenses: food, vet, ....……………………………………………... 38
o
Miscellaneous Expenses
...……………………………………………… 38
Chapter 6: Making a Home ……………………………………………………………….. 40
- Getting ready for a puppy
……………………………………………………….. 40
- Prepping your home for the new arrival
……………………………………...... 40
- Puppy-proof your home
……………………………………………………….. 41
- House dog
……………………………………………………………………….. 43
- Outdoor dog ……………………………………………………………………….. 45
- Bringing Puppy Home
……………………………………………………….. 46
- The first night home ……………………………………………………………….. 47
- Room to explore
……………………………………………………………….. 48
Chapter 7: Care & Nutrition
………………………………………………………. 49
- Grooming
………………………………………………………………………. 49
- Proper Brushing
………………………………………………………………. 50
- Bathing
………………………………………………………………………. 51
- Nail & Paw Care
………………………………………………………………. 51
- Ear, Eye & Dental Care
………………………………………………………. 52
- Nutrition
………………………………………………………………………. 53
- What to Look For
………………………………………………………………. 54
- What to Avoid
………………………………………………………………. 55
- Dry or Canned
………………………………………………………………. 56
- Table food
………………………………………………………………………. 56
- Dangerous Foods
………………………………………………………………. 57
- Toxic Plants ………………………………………………………………………. 57
- Treats ………………………………………………………………………………. 61
- Water ………………………………………………………………………………. 61
- Special needs ………………………………………………………………………. 61
Chapter 8: Health Concerns
……………………………………………………… 62
- General concerns
……………………………………………………………… 62
- Preventive care
……………………………………………………………… 62
- Symptoms of illness ……………………………………………………………… 62
- Spaying and neutering
……………………………………………………… 63
- Vaccinations ……………………………………………………………………… 64
- Parasites
……………………………………………………………………… 65
- Common Cocker Ailments ……………………………………………………… 68
- Other Cocker-specific health issues ……………………………………………… 69
- Anal glands ……………………………………………………………………… 71
- Nursing a sick dog ……………………………………………………………… 72
- Caring for the aging dog
……………………………………………………… 73
o
Loss of hearing, vision, incontinence
……………………………… 75
- Handling the loss of your dog
……………………………………………… 76
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© 2006 - 2011
www.cocker-spaniel-world.com
The Complete A-Z Guide To The Cocker Spaniel
Chapter 9: Cocker Boot Camp: Basic Training ……………………………………… 77
- Selecting a training program ……………………………………………………… 77
- Basic lessons ……………………………………………………………………… 77
- Obedience
……………………………………………………………………… 78
o
Basic commands
……………………………………………………… 78
- Training for hunting dogs
……………………………………………………… 81
- Training older dogs ……………………………………………………………… 82
- Housetraining
……………………………………………………………… 82
Chapter 10: Advanced Boot Camp: Behavior Problems ……………………………… 86
How to handle…
- Jumping
……………………………………………………………………… 86
- Biting/Nipping
……………………………………………………………… 87
- Excessive barking
……………………………………………………………… 89
- Separation Anxiety ……………………………………………………………… 90
- Chewing
……………………………………………………………………… 93
- Digging
……………………………………………………………………… 95
- Coprophagia (Poop eating) ……………………………………………………… 98
Chapter 11: The Show Circuit
……………………………………………………… 101
- The world of dog shows
……………………………………………………… 101
- How a dog show works
……………………………………………………… 103
- Award ribbons
……………………………………………………………… 104
Chapter 12: Understanding the Cocker ……………………………………………… 106
- It’s only natural
……………………………………………………………… 106
- How dogs communicate
……………………………………………………… 106
- Life cycle
……………………………………………………………………… 107
- Cockers & kids
……………………………………………………………… 108
- Cockers & a new baby
……………………………………………………… 109
- Cockers with other pets
……………………………………………………….109
Chapter 13: Breeding Your Cocker Spaniel
……………………………………… 112
- Why breed? ……………………………………………………………………… 112
- Choosing a mate
……………………………………………………………… 113
- Breeding your female ……………………………………………………………… 114
- Birth and taking care of puppies (whelping) ……………………………………… 114
- Caring for newborns ……………………………………………………………… 116
- When it’s time for the puppies to leave
……………………………………… 116
Resources
...………………………………………………………………………….… 117
© 2006 - 2011
www.cocker-spaniel-world.com
4
The Complete A-Z Guide To The Cocker Spaniel
Foreword
Because of its cuddly appearance and legend as a friendly companion, not many people realize
that the Cocker Spaniel has the distinction of being the smallest member of the sporting or
gundog group.
Sporting dogs are naturally active and attentive, making them affable, well-rounded companions.
They have extraordinary instincts in water and woods, many of these breeds continue to
participate in hunting and other field activities. The Cocker Spaniel in particular is an excellent
companion but it can also be used for hunting, tracking, retrieving, watch-dogging and agility.
Potential owners should be aware that “Cockers” and sporting dogs in general—need regular,
brisk exercise. So the Cocker Spaniel might be best suited to active owners or homes with
sufficient play space. You might think all this energy to expend is great for homes with children
but this isn’t necessarily the case as you will discover in the section on Temperament.
Other members of the sporting group include Pointers,
Retrievers, and Setters.
The information in this book is geared toward purebred Cocker Spaniels. Not all purebreds will
exhibit all traits and mixed-breeds may or may not possess these traits. As with any dog, it is
important to remember that each animal has its own personality and regardless of pedigree will
exhibit traits unique to its own character.
© 2006 - 2011
www.cocker-spaniel-world.com
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