The Cocker Spaniel

Cocker spaniels are one of the world’s most cherished breeds. Although originally bred to be a hunting dog, cocker spaniels have since become a wonderful overall companion animal, which is why they have always been one of the most popular breeds.

Looks: A properly cared for cocker spaniel is a beautiful dog and remains beautiful regardless of age. Their long coats, heartfelt eyes and long wavy ears attribute to their graceful beauty. A cocker spaniel’s coat can come in a variety of solid colors or patterns. To maintain their beauty, cocker spaniels require frequent and regular grooming. In addition, they also need to be brushed each and every day to prevent their fur from getting matted. If they do not receive the proper grooming that is necessary for this breed, their overall health and wellness can easily become quickly compromised. This is not a breed of dog that can be neglected when it comes to a grooming routine. Do not become a cocker spaniel owner unless you are committed to consistent daily maintenance and grooming schedule.

Size: Cockers are physically small to medium in size, ranging about 14 – 15 inches in height. This popular breed is easy to handle and travel with. Their life expectancy is usually between 10 – 14 years of age.

Personality: Cocker spaniels are happy, playful dogs. They are people oriented and prefer to be close to their humans. Devoted and loving, the cocker spaniel makes for a fantastic family dog. Because they cannot handle being alone, this is not the type of breed you can leave home alone for very long and certainly not all day because they will most likely develop behavior problems. People who can work remotely from home, those who can take their dog with them to work or wherever they roam, folks who stay-at-home and/or people who are retired would be the best pet parents for a cocker spaniel.

Health: Like with any pet, you may be lucky enough to have a dog that lives a full and healthy

Cocker Spaniel Rescue of New England, Inc.

life with little to no physical issues. However, the most common health issues that cocker spaniels have been known for are eye issues (cataracts, conjunctivitis, cherry eyes, glaucoma), skin problems, and ear infections.

Exercise: Cocker spaniels do well with daily walks or by playing fetch. Cocker spaniels can be highly active and may enjoy an activity like agility. If you have another pet companion, they would like playing with their pal, too.

Training: Early puppy training classes and socialization is good for this breed. Since they love their human companions so much, they are eager to please and are easily motivated by food reward and praise.

Since its inception in 1987, hundreds of abandoned of unwanted cockers found homes with caring, loving families. By networking with animal shelters, other rescue groups and veterinarians, CSRNE has saved, improved, and extended the lives of one of America’s most popular breeds.

www.csrne.org

Somany of our local rescue organizations and animal shelters are overwhelmed with homeless dogs that need to find their forever families. This great need is, in many ways, due to the large number of returned pets from animal adoptions that took place at the start of covid-19. People are moving, going back to work, taking vacations, losing their jobs, suffering from either financial and/or medical hardships along with a variety of other reasons causing the uptick in returned dogs to shelters across our state. The combination of the many new dogs routinely coming into the shelters, along with the overwhelming animal surrenders, our local animal shelters and rescue organizations depend greatly on the generosity, love and support from volunteers, donators, and adopters.

To bring awareness about this matter to our pet communities, this issue contains information about some of these animal shelters and rescue organizations. With thanks to the support of dog loving local business owners, Connecticut Dog has put together this editorial feature that will continue to be included in each issue of the magazine going forward where these and additional animal welfare facilities will be featured.

As you turn through the following pages, please be mindful of the animal shelters and rescue organizations located within your own community and think about ways that you can help make a difference in the lives of abandoned, abused, neglected and homeless animals.