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The name "cocker" hails from the woodcock, a bird this spaniel was initially bred to hunt. Excellent retrievers with sensitive mouths, Cocker Spaniels are great at hunting all sorts of birds in difficult terrain. Because they are originally hunting/water dogs, their skin tends to be super oily. Though the English Cocker is regarded as a companion dog because of his good nature, the intrinsic talents of this breed fall in the realm of hunting, retrieving, competitive obedience and agility.

A compactly crafted, medium-sized dog with long floppy ears that reach to the nose when pulled forward, this breed is strong, well-balanced, and solid with medium length hair. Their inky oval eyes have an unyielding intelligence about them—enough to make you melt.

These companion dogs are energetic, merry, and easy to love. Naturally affectionate, they are wonderful with children—to a point. Though gentle and playful, they do not tolerate teasing and taunting very well. With strangers, this dog is a socialite and will chat it up with the best of them. A great watch dog, the English Cocker Spaniel barks if anyone knocks on the door and they obey orders respectfully.
 

Because of their long ears and their love for outdoor exercise, this breed is prone to ear problems due to heat and/or bacteria. During the summer, the ears should be checked for grass seeds and signs of infection and cleaned often to remove wax buildup. HealthyPetNet Ear Care will help this kind of debris to rise to the surface, allowing you to clean it out with ease. Hanging so close to the ground, the ears become quite vulnerable to ticks and dirt. It is highly possible for this breed to go deaf if the ears are left unchecked.

Grooming is also a must. These dogs are also known for their skin challenges. Because of their oily skin and various allergies, itching, lesions and sores can occur often. Board certified dermatologists suggest that these dogs should be washed 8-10 times a week!

Make sure you give this breed plenty of exercise because a low thyroid, which these dogs are known for getting, can result in obesity.

If you plan to trim down this summer, this dog is the perfect companion. This breed loves exercise and has plenty of stamina. You'll find yourself struggling to keep up.

According to recent scientific study, it seems as if the choice between a collar and a harness should no longer be arbitrary. Studies have found that the use of collars in dogs with ocular conditions such as glaucoma or weak corneas can create intraocular pressure (IOP), a condition which can lead to severe eye damage and vision loss.

Published in the May-June issue of the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, the study found that the pressure created by the use of neck collars significantly increases IOP in certain dogs. Some breeds such as American Cocker Spaniel, Basset hound, Boston Terrier, Chow Chow and Miniature Poodle are predisposed towards eye problems such as glaucoma where the pressure in the eye is elevated due to an obstruction that prevents fluids in the eye from flowing out. If not treated immediately, acute glaucoma can and will lead to irreversible blindness.
 

Dogs predisposed towards eye problems or with mild glaucoma should wear harnesses, not collars, as the application of neck pressure using a leash attached to a harness results in a significantly less increase in IOP than the use of a leash attached to a collar.

However, a study was conducted on healthy breeds of both sexes including the Alaskan malamute, Siberian husky, Staffordshire terrier, American Cocker Spaniel and the Chinook. While the Alaskan malamute and the Siberian husky generated the greatest tension when pulling against their collar, these two breeds experienced the least increase in IOP than did the other three breeds. Perhaps dogs bred to pull objects may be somewhat resistant to increased IOP.

Since we still have a lot to learn about IOP and its long term implications, any pet with weak eyes or that tends to pull while being walked on a leash may be better off with a harness than with a collar.

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