English Cocker Spaniels are known for their playful and loving nature. Due to their lovable personality and unmatched looks, they have fans all over the world. These important family members are social creatures and especially enjoy being in the company of people. Due to their friendly temperament, they adapt perfectly to children and even don’t refuse to live with other pets.

The English Cocker Spaniel is an intelligent companion animal, which makes the process of its training even more straightforward. Just like the Irish Setter, innate curiosity and interest in fun activities underscores its genetic heritage as a hunting dog.

These important members of the family have boundless energy and necessitate a person by their side who will meet their needs directly. For physical and mental well-being, cocker spaniels need daily exercise. Whether it’s hiking, walking, or jogging, the main thing for your furry friend is to spend time with you and enjoy the emotions associated with this process. 

Note that these companion animals have a sensitive nature and will only respond to positive training methods. Aggression during training may contribute to the development of unwanted behavior along with fear and anxiety.

Ear Infection

To reduce the risk of developing infections, regular cleaning of the ear and keeping it clean is of particular importance. Use a veterinarian-recommended ear-cleaning solution and gently clean your companion animal’s ears with a cotton swab. Be careful not to damage the inner ear during this process. Since moisture creates the perfect environment for bacteria to multiply, make sure your companion animal’s ears are dry immediately after the procedure.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma causes increased intraocular pressure and damage to the optic nerve. In the initial stages of glaucoma, the companion animals’ vision deteriorates slightly, but over time, it may even lead to incurable blindness. Although it is difficult to prevent the disease, regular veterinary check-ups and eye health diagnostics can significantly help to detect the disease at an early stage and effectively guide the treatment process. 

A diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, and E are great ways to maintain your beloved companion’s eye health.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Progressive retinal atrophy causes gradual degeneration of the retina and loss of vision. The mentioned disease is passed on to companion animals by inheritance, but regular eye exams and a diet rich in antioxidants can help maintain retinal health. Before obtaining an important family member, carefully research their genetics and make sure that your future companion doesn’t have a genetic predisposition to vision problems.

Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a common skin disease in companion animals. This is an inflammatory process developed due to an overactive immune response to allergens. Atopic dermatitis causes skin inflammation, redness, and itching. The symptoms of atopic dermatitis are often similar to those caused by other skin conditions, which is why it is important to have the diagnosis made by a veterinarian.

Retinal Dystrophy 

Dystrophy causes retinal degeneration and vision loss. The cause of the disease may be a hereditary factor, aging, or diabetes. Consultation with a veterinarian is crucial for diagnosing the disease. In case of timely and correct treatment, your beloved companion will be able to effectively avoid the hazards.

Nephropathy

Dogs with nephropathy are born with abnormal kidney structure. Nephropathy is a progressive disease and if not properly treated, it may even lead to kidney failure. Clinical signs of nephropathy include uncontrollable thirst, increased urination, loss of appetite, and vomiting. Persistently high levels of protein in the urine may indicate the disease. That’s why visiting a veterinarian and taking a urine test is the best way to detect the disease at an early stage.

English Cocker Spaniels are known for their active temperament and therefore require a well-balanced diet to satisfy all the nutritional needs. With that in mind, it’s important to feed them high-quality dog food suitable for their age. Their diet should also be rich in proteins to support proper muscle development and recovery. Furthermore, they need adequate amounts of carbohydrates and healthy fats for energy.

Good sources of high-quality protein for English Cocker Spaniels include lean chicken, turkey, and fish. Fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins D and B2, as well as essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium.

Considering that vitamins and minerals are crucial for English cocker spaniels, modern dog food is formulated to provide balanced amounts of all the required nutrients. But don’t forget to provide ample hydration and ensure that clean water is always available, especially after exercise or in hot weather.

Some English Cocker Spaniels are prone to gaining excess weight, so it’s important to monitor their food intake and keep an eye on their weight. Regular weight checks and meal planning can help prevent obesity-related health issues. There is no doubt that each dog is unique, and their dietary needs vary based on factors such as age, health status, and activity level. So, consulting a nutritionist will unquestionably help in effectively meeting the specific nutritional requirements of your furry companion.

The English Cocker Spaniel is one of the oldest and most famous spaniel breeds, which was bred in England to hunt small birds, specifically woodcock. These important members of the family were valued for their speed, keen sense of smell, and compact size. It is exactly because of these physical characteristics that the Cocker Spaniel was able to navigate the dense forest and find birds. 

The dignity of the breed has always been properly appreciated not only by hunters and farmers but also by members of the English royal family. Even Prince William and Kate Middleton own an English Cocker Spaniel named Lupo.

In the 1890s, the spaniel family split into two and began to develop independently of each other. The reason for this was the desire of American breeders to create a variation of the traditional cocker spaniel. English and American Cocker Spaniels were officially separated in 1946 and recognized as two independent breeds.