Powerscourt Cocker Spaniels - Breed Information

The Cocker Spaniel is a relatively small, compact dog, with a height of between 15 & 16 inches at the shoulder & an approximate weight of around 30 lbs (12 - 15 kg). The Cocker is classed as a medium sized dog. The average life span of a well cared for & healthy Cocker is approximately 10 - 12 years although there are many dogs who live to fifteen plus.

The Cocker was originally developed from its larger cousin the Field Spaniel. Cockers were bred to flush out birds from under bushes & hedgerows etc.

There are 26 coat colours (base colours and base colours with tan points) recognised in cocker spaniels including lemon and lemon roan, although the lemon colours are rare. To see pictures of each of the colours please visit this page!

Cocker Spaniels make brilliant family pets due to their wonderful temperament. The Cocker's reputation goes before him as a friendly, happy & well-mannered dog. They are easy to train (with patience & consistency), eager to please & make devoted companions. A Cocker likes to be with the family & will follow you from room to room, if allowed. Cocker's are merry & happy dogs, they are happy to work & happy to play.

The Cocker Spaniel is a gundog, & he will enjoy (given the opportunity!) many happy hours investigating interesting smells & looking for the opportunity to flush out wildlife from the surrounding countryside. Equally, a Cocker is at home on his master's lap or in front of the fire. Most Cockers (although not all) like water & relish the occasional swim. Cockers are adaptable dogs & can be easily trained to retrieve as well as flush.

For full details of the Breed Standard please go the UK Kennel Club site via this link.

There are a number of diseases seen in the breed such as the eye diseases progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), glaucoma & the fatal kidney disease familial nephropathy (FN). Selected breeding is helping to eradicate these problems & in recent years the situation has improved, this is thanks to responsible breeders, the BVA/KC health schemes & more recently the option to DNA test all dogs used for breeding for hereditary PRA via the OptiGen test & for FN via either the OptiGen or Antagene tests.

There are also other diseases/conditions that occur in cocker spaniels that are not breed specific i.e. they occur in other breeds including crossbreeds/mongrels. Please see the Other Health Issues page for more details.

The Cocker Spaniel has a long & silky coat. The Cocker coat, if not clipped will require regular & thorough grooming in order to prevent matting & to keep the dog comfortable. A well-trimmed Cocker is a pleasure to look at, however it does take time.

New owners should take time to familiarise themselves (your breeder should be a good source of information, they will perhaps be willing to advise you or in some cases they will trim dogs for a living) with the coat care of your Cocker. If you wish to have your Cocker professionally trimmed, find a grooming parlour who knows about Cocker Spaniels. The average Cocker will require trimming on a six to eight week basis.

If after a lot of thought you have decided that the Cocker is the breed for you, the next step is to find a reputable breeder. Contact breed clubs or go along to a Championship Show in your area, where you can assess breed type & talk to breeders. Remember that many good breeders have no need to advertise, they have extensive waiting lists.

Once you have chosen your breeder, ensure that both sire & dam have eye certificates to ensure that they are free of hereditary problems. Ask about temperament, as this is essential in the Cocker. Make sure you see the dam with her pups & don't be afraid to ask questions.

Unlike other breeds there is very little in temperament etc. to choose between a dog and a bitch. Bitches are quieter, & can be easier to house train but they do have seasons approximately every six to ten months. During a season, you will need to keep your bitch away from male dogs for approximately three weeks & possibly alter your normal exercise routine in order to keep interested dogs away from your home. A bitch in season will also have a bloody discharge, which although normally slight, can stain furniture etc.

Dogs grow slightly larger than bitches & can be a bit stronger, however dogs generally are more loving & faithful than bitches but they can take a little longer to house train & at around the time of puberty can get a bit full of their own importance & need slightly firmer handling.

A Cocker puppy should not be over exercised; in fact, when you first acquire your pup the exercise he gets from playing with you & his visits to the garden for toileting will be adequate. From six months, your puppy can have twenty minutes free running & half an hour walking on the lead daily. From about 8 months of age (or when he's stopped growing), you can start to build up the exercise and as an adult he will enjoy as much exercise as you are able to give him.

All dogs require training to a greater or lesser degree. This depends on what you expect from your pet. As a family pet, lead training, toilet training & basic obedience is necessary. This will ensure the animal has a happy co-existence with the family & will behave in a manner acceptable to members of the public who meet him. Training is best started as soon as the puppy has completed his primary vaccinations i.e. at around the age of 12 weeks.

If you feel you would like to give a good home to a rescue dog please contact your local Rescue Officer, details can be obtained from The Cocker Club. Many dogs require re-homing due to many different reasons, death of the owner, break-up of marriage, moving abroad etc.

	Buy from a reputable breeder (do your homework!)
	Ensure the dam & sire have current eye certificates & if possible that they are OptiGen prcd-PRA tested.
	Ask if the parents have been tested for FN via OptiGen or Antagene?
	Ask if the parents have been hip-scored using the KC/BVA Health Scheme?
	Check the temperaments of the puppies parents.
	Follow the breeders feeding instructions & any other care instructions.
	Let puppy have its rest. Educate your children to this end. Do not let children tease or be rough with a puppy.
	Don't over fuss your puppy, enjoy him but don't make him dependant upon your every waking moment! He will soon become miserable when he can't be with you.
	Have a routine with your pup/dog & stick to it!
	Be prepared for some happy times, but also expect some trying times. Pups are hard work!
	Keep in touch with the breeder, they can always offer you help & advice.
	Locate a good vet. Ask locals for their advice.
	Ensure your dog is trained, be firm but kind.
	If using a grooming parlour, try & find one with a good reputation for trimming cockers & where the dogs are treated gently & kindly.

� Powerscourt Cockers 2000 - 2008. No part of this site may be reproduced without permission. All images � Chris Pritchard.


Please use the links below to find out more information about where to buy your new puppy; how to tell if a breeder is reputable & what questions you should ask the breeder when you go to see the puppy!