The American Cocker Spaniel is one of the most beautiful hunting breeds. A special stand in movement, an elegant exterior and luxurious wool make him a real king in the show ring.
The American Cocker Spaniel is a relatively young breed. It is believed that its direct ancestors are English spaniels. But, according to most cynologists, small stocky hunting dogs with long ears, like the American Cocker Spaniel, lived in ancient Greece, and from there they got to the territory of Iberia (modern Spain). The character of this breed is very friendly and flexible. Animals are soft, good-natured and practically do not bring any problems to the owner in terms of care and education.
Care and maintenance
The coat of this dog is soft, silky and very pleasant to the touch, but only if it is provided with regular care - bathing and brushing.
In summer, the American Cocker Spaniel is bathed once a week, in winter - once every two weeks, and with a special professional shampoo and always in warm water. Show cockers require the most careful maintenance, so they take more time. After bathing, the dog should not only be wiped with a soft towel, but also dried with a hair dryer.
In addition to washing, the coat of dogs of this breed needs to be trimmed. Be sure to remove hair in the ears and behind them, on the paws, since too long hair will simply interfere with them. In the armpit area, the villi are very soft and often roll down, forming so-called tangles, so they are also removed or simply shortened.
The American Cocker Spaniel is a very active dog and needs to be outdoors as much as possible. It is advisable not only to lead the dog on a leash in a circle, but also to play with it, throw a stick or a ball at it, that is, walks should be as active as possible. Moreover, the pet will be happy to run, jump, because the greatest happiness for a cocker is being close to his master and doing something with him.
Food
The energy needs of an adult dog depend on its lifestyle, climatic conditions and individual predisposition. American Cocker Spaniels never give up food and are real virtuosos in begging. It is very difficult for many owners to refuse, not to believe the pleading gaze of the pet, but in no case should you feed dogs of this breed without restriction, give something in excess of the diet, treat with tidbits and leftovers from the table, as this can lead to the appearance of extra pounds …
For good development and good health, both a puppy and an adult dog, in addition to meat, must necessarily include plant foods and milk in the diet. But it is best to feed them ready-made dog food for American Cocker Spaniels or simply for spaniels. As a prophylaxis against intestinal parasites, it is recommended to add herbs and finely chopped garlic to the feed once a week.
