American Cocker Spaniel
Popular Dog Breeds
All about the American Cocker Spaniel
The American Cocker Spaniel makes a great house pet but is also equally adept as a gundog.
Although this breed is of average intelligence, it is extremely loyal and respectful to its master. This dog can sometimes have a tendency to be shy but if socialised well at an early age they develop into a cheerful and merry breed that loves to play.
Cockers that are well trained and know their place within the family are good with children. They can be difficult to train and are known for being a dog with below average intelligence but with persistence can be trained well and become a great dog that offer a lot of enjoyment.
Grooming an American Cocker Spaniel
Hair type: The coat of the American Cocker Spaniel is silky and flat or slightly wavy. The hairs are medium length on the body but short and fine on the head. There is feathering on the ears, chest, abdomen and legs. The coat comes in any solid colour.
Daily coat care: Wipe under the eyes often as they tend to tear. Some owners prefer to leave the coat long, brushing daily and shampooing frequently with quarterly scissoring and clipping. Others prefer to clip the coat to medium length to be more functional. Either way, the dog will need regular trimming. When brushing be careful not to pull out the silky hair. Extra care and attention should be given to the eyes and ears. This breed is an average shedder.
Recommended groom frequency: American Cocker Spaniels should receive a professional grooming every 6 weeks. Particular attention should be paid to their eyes and ears.
At Petmania Grooming Studios we have a full range of treatments available for your American Cocker Spaniel. If you get puppy, we recommend our Puppy’s First Visit at around four months, once your puppy has received all his vaccinations.
Diet
Depending on the size and age of your American Cocker Spaniel, you will need to feed between 159g and 209g of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. Keep your American Cocker Spaniel trim by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time.
Our pet advisors in-store can help you find the most appropriate food for your dog, while you can find out more about the different dog food brands we stock here.
Activity Level
American Cockers have plenty of stamina and need regular exercise. They should be taken on daily, long walks. When walking, avoid brushy thickets that can tangle the coat. Without adequate exercise your American Cocker Spaniel may become disruptive.
Where to get an American Cocker Spaniel
There are lots of places offering dogs or puppies for sale in Ireland, but we would always ask that you consider adopting a dog first. Our animal rescue partners have 100’s of rescue dogs and puppies seeking a forever home and would be delighted to introduce you to them.
However, if a rescue dog is not for you, we do recommend that you choose a registered breeder and seek Irish Kennel Club registration papers which will confirm that the dog has been bred to their strict code of ethics.
