🐾 Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniel

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Who it is

• Scientific name: Canis lupus familiaris
• Family & relatives: A spaniel breed of dog; like all dogs it descends from the wolf and is related to other spaniels.
• How to spot it: A medium-small dog with long silky ears, a wavy coat, and a sweet, gentle face.

Its body & abilities

• Size: About 36 to 43 cm tall at the shoulder.
• Weight: Usually about 12 to 15 kg (26 to 34 lb).
• Body & adaptations: Its long feathery ears and thick coat need regular brushing to stay clean and free of tangles.
• Top speed: A lively, sporty dog that loves to run and can keep a happy trot for a long time.
• Strength: Strong for its size, with lots of stamina for long walks and games of fetch.
• Senses: An excellent nose and keen ears, first bred to find birds by scent in fields.
• Growing up: Puppies are born tiny and grow quickly, reaching full size in about a year.

Where it lives

• Habitat: Lives as a family pet in homes with room to play and walk.
• Where in the world: Kept as a pet worldwide.
• Territory: Its home and yard, shared happily with its family.

What it eats

• Diet: A pet that eats good dog food in daily meals with fresh water always available.
• Favorite foods: Quality dog food and occasional healthy treats; it loves mealtime.
• How it hunts: Long ago it was bred to flush and fetch birds like woodcock, which is how it got its name.

How it behaves

• How it moves: Walks, trots, runs, and swims well, with a merry wagging tail.
• When it is active: Active and playful by day and content to nap by your side in the evening.
• Family life: Very friendly and people-loving, happiest when part of family activities.
• How it talks: Barks, whines, and a constantly wagging tail share its cheerful feelings.
• Babies: After about 63 days a mother has a litter of around four to six puppies, which she nurses and cleans.

Its place in nature

• Role in nature: A gentle companion and family friend; once a helper on bird hunts.
• Conservation: Domestic breed, not a wild animal, so it is not counted for conservation.
• Dangers: Its long ears need cleaning to stay healthy, and regular vet visits keep it well.

Life & legacy

• How long it lives: About 12 to 15 years with good care.
• In our culture: One of the most popular family dogs, and the star of a famous animated spaghetti scene.
• Where to see it: In homes as a family pet and at dog shows.
• Fun fact: The Cocker Spaniel got its name from hunting a bird called the woodcock.