Why You’d Want to Get A Cockalier Dog Breed?

Heritage and Registry

History

There are not many records available to check the origin of Cockaliers because they are fairly new designer breeds. It is even unknown when the intentional crossing started before the demand for this breed increased.

Nevertheless, Cockaliers may have been mingling with other dog breeds naturally for a long time already.

Registry

Cockaliers may not be recognized by the American Kennel Club because it is a designer breed, but it is still recognized by the following:

• International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR)
• American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC)
• Dog Registry of America (DRA)
• Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC)
• Designer Breed Registry (DBR)

Its recognized name by the ACHC is simply Cockalier, while all others acknowledge it as Cockalier Spaniel.

Parent Breeds

Cocker Spaniel

The Cocker Spaniel parent of a Cockalier is believed to have originally come from Spain. It was bred traditionally as fowl hunters.

Cocker Spaniels have a gentle personality. They are very sensitive and not aggressive which makes them good with children and other dog breeds. They are known to be great companions too especially with the positive outlook they seem to have all the time.

While a Cocker Spaniel would love to play tag with its human outside, it would also be as happy just shadowing its fur parent inside the house. Its adaptability makes it compatible with all types of lifestyles.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

A Cockalier is half Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. The latter is said to be recreated breeds with ancestors originating in the United Kingdom as pets of the royals and nobles. It was even named after Charles I and his grandson, Charles II, who showed unparallel care and adoration to said dog breed.

It was hard to think of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as anything but majestic. It was evident that even at present, it still holds itself with grace and elegance.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are naturally smart and gentle. They make good companion dogs because they are sweet and friendly. They can be a little clingy sometimes but this is just their love language. They are even strong athletes which bode well for humans who are always active and are always looking for an adventure.

Both the Cocker Spaniel and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parents of a Cockalier are recognized by the American Kennel Club.

General Information on a Cockalier

Physical Appearance

Cockalier is a cross between two different purebred parents. Normally for mixed breeds, it is not easy to predict how it would turn out when it comes to its appearance. However, this is not as hard for a Cockalier because their parents have a lot of similarities.

From what was observed so far, Cockaliers have fluffy and droopy ears, black nose, and brown eyes that are very soulful and expressive. They have short legs too.

Their coats are of medium length that can be curly or wavy and can come in two or more combinations of black, brown, red, and white. This coat is good in protecting them against mild weather but it won’t hurt to give them an additional layer of clothing during too cold of a season.

Cockaliers are small dog breeds. They can grow between 12 to 15 inches on average and can weigh about 10 to 28 pounds.

There is no significant difference recorded between a male and a female Cockalier aside from the former being slightly bigger compared to the latter.

Grooming

Brushing

You’d be happy to know that the length and the structure of the coat of a Cockalier would put its grooming requirements on the low-maintenance side.

Just once or twice a week brushing and combing with a slicker brush and medium-toothed metal comb would do just fine. This would help their fur be tangled-free and mat-free. It would also help remove all the dirt on their coat and make it look tidy and healthy all the time.

It is also required to increase the frequency of combing during its shedding season. When this care is neglected, you may find your Cockalier in an unpleasant position because not only would it be spreading the dead hair in your home, the matting would also be uncomfortable and an eyesore.

Don’t worry about your Cockalier being not receptive to grooming because it will enjoy it. Cockaliers thrives in human attention so this will be a good bonding experience for you and your fur baby.

Bathing

You can relax in terms of bathing a Cockalier because you can just do it whenever necessary. It doesn’t need to be frequent unless it has become dirty from its activities.

When bathing a Cockalier, you need to be equipped with a dog-friendly shampoo and conditioner. You can buy this at any pet store or your vet can even introduce one for you. Do not even think of using human products to your Cockalier because these may contain substances not suitable for your pet.

As you bathe your Cockalier, take the chance to check for parasites. You also need to be careful not to get any bathwater to its eyes and ears. Afterwards, you need to dry them with a soft towel and a hair drier.

Other Grooming Needs

The grooming of a Cockalier doesn’t stop at bathing and brushing. It also needs regular ear cleaning, nail clipping, and oral hygiene to ensure that it is in perfect condition at all times.

Not meeting these needed care may result in problems such as ear infections and dental diseases. These could further lead to other conditions that could have a long-term impact on the well-being of a Cockalier.

Many would agree that doing all these is not an easy task. There are so many things to consider like what the length of a Cockalier should be and what ear cleaning solution can be used.

If you are having the same concerns, then you can just seek the service of professional groomers in the area. They are thorough in ensuring the grooming needs of a Cockalier are met. Moreover, it would do a Cockalier good to go through pampering every once in a while.

Food and Feeding

Cockalier should have a well-balanced and healthy diet to maintain their strength and ideal weight all the time. The last thing you’d want as a fur parent is to have a small dog like them be overweight because not only could this lead to other problematic health conditions but this can also impact their mobility.

A balanced diet for a Cockalier should be structured with their size and high-energy levels in mind. Also, its dietary needs should be considered depending on its age and even its health.

For instance, if your Cockalier has allergies then you don’t want to buy dog food with ingredients that would trigger it. Thus, you need to be extra critical of the choices you will make. You should only pick one that is of good quality and made of natural ingredients.

But with the wide variety of options available in the market, you’d surely find the best fit in no time. If you need help, you can always seek recommendations from your vet.

Ideally, for an adult Cockalier, a half cup to 2 and a half cups of kibble would suffice. This should be distributed evenly to twice a day feeding schedule for a proper dog’s diet.

There are fur parents who prefer to mix dry dog food with wet food or cooked food. This doesn’t matter as long as the amount is regulated so that a Cockalier doesn’t gain excessive weight.

With the adorable puppy eyes of a Cockalier, it is inevitable to give in to the desire to give it everything it wants including some treats. While this is not bad in moderation, giving it treats in excess can also lead to weight gain. So it is advisable to regulate the treats and give them only as rewards.

Exercise and Physical Activity

The Cockalier mixed breed has the blood of a hunter – thanks to its Cocker Spaniel parent. Because of this, it’s understandable that it is accustomed to high-level workouts and physical activities that when not provided can lead to boredom, depression, and even destructive behavior.

A Cockalier may need to go through more than an hour of exercise daily. For other dog breeds, this can be just a stroll in the neighborhood or a short playtime at the dog park, but for your Cockalier, you may need to be more inventive especially since the activity should be on a more challenging side.

You may try hiking with your Cockalier for a start. You can also go running with it or play catch. You can even buy interactive toys that would help increase the fun.

If you are not an active fur parent and you have an enclosed yard, you can just let it play by itself as you watch. You will find that even without your help, your Cockalier can find an activity or two to entertain itself.

Training

Cockalier is a crossbreed that is very easy to train. One, because they are intelligent dog breeds in nature. Two, because they have good temperaments and are known to have the desire to please their owners. Thus, it is fairly easy for them to learn new commands, especially when motivated by rewards.

The only thing the fur parent needs to do is to deliver the commands clearly and consistently to achieve a positive result.

There are instances when a Cockalier can be stubborn during training. During this time, just be more patient with it. You may also need to shorten your training time to 3-5 minutes to maintain your fur baby’s focus on the task at hand.

What you should never do is resort to negative reinforcement during training. Keep in mind that a Cockalier is a sensitive mixed breed. Thus, this may do more bad than good, and this may also break its spirit.

Health Concerns

Cockaliers are healthy breeds. However, they can still acquire health conditions that are passed on by their purebred parents.

Among the most common health issues Cockaliers inherit are the following:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Eye Problems
• Cancer
• Ear Infections
• Bloat
• Allergies

There is no absolute way to prevent the above-mentioned health concerns from hitting your Cockalier particularly if both of its parent breeds have it. But regular trips to the vet could still help because this would enable early detection of the symptoms and prevent things from escalating.

While some of the diseases a Cockalier can inherit from its parent may not be curable, there are still ways to manage them so that your fur baby can still live a normal lifestyle. A vet would be able to help you out with this.

Lifespan

Study shows that a healthy Cockalier can live up to 12 to 15 years on average.

The healthier the Cockalier, the longer its life expectancy can be. This is why fur parents should make sure that the healthy lifestyle of a Cockalier is maintained throughout the different stages of its life.

Temperament

When it comes to temperament, you will have no problems with a Cockalier because it is a mixed breed dog with a gentle temperament. They are even considered one of the sweetest canine breeds around.

If you are not convinced yet, then you’d be happy to know that Cockaliers are very friendly too. They are very sociable which makes being around them an easy task. They are loving and loyal as well, and they are not shy in showing their fur parents affection no matter the time of the day.

As small as they are, Cockaliers are highly-energetic dogs. They radiate positivity and happiness that never fail to bring a smile to those around them.

It is not often that you will find a Cockalier that is aggressive because this is not natural for them. They are always eager to please which makes them great companions dogs.

Getting a Cockalier as a Family Dog

In getting a pet, one of the things that are being considered is whether or not it would be a good fit for the would-be fur parent’s lifestyle.

This would not be a concern for you if you are looking to get a Cockalier. Whether you are still single and just looking for a furry pet, or you already have a family with small children, this crossbreed would be a good fit for you.

Cockaliers have a good temperament which makes them good with children and other household pets. Although they can be a little reserved with strangers, they are not aggressive and typically behave well especially when socialized and trained at an early age. They are also low-maintenance and easy to train which bode well especially for first-time owners.

Cockaliers do not come big in terms of size which makes them more manageable. They can live in either a big house or an apartment with no trouble as long as they can have enough physical activity daily. They are highly adaptable too which allows them to thrive in any type of environment.

Needless to say, a Cockalier is a good addition to any type of household.

The Cost of Getting a Cockalier

Purchase Price

Cockalier is one of the best designer dog breeds you can get. If you would like to get one, then you should know that a Cockalier puppy would cost you something between USD1800 to USD3500 from a reputable dog breeder.

You may be wondering why they cost that expensive?

This is because you are sourcing a high-quality Cockalier puppy from a trusted source. Only reputable breeders can guarantee this because they have a strict breeding program that ensures the health and well-being of not just the puppy you will buy but its parent breeds as well.

Trusted breeders only pair parent dogs without health issues to increase the probability that their litters would be healthy as well. Unlike backyard breeders and puppy mills, they do not just do it for money. Instead, they prioritize quality over quantity which benefits the would-be fur parent in the long run.

Miscellaneous Cost

There is more to getting a Cockalier than just the purchase price.

Would-be parents should also think about all other costs such as the cost for food, medical care, and even expenses for dog accessories. These costs are never-ending and should be met throughout the life of a Cockalier.

A responsible fur parent would consider all these before getting a Cockalier because this is instrumental for it to have a comfortable life.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that getting a Cockalier will bring a lot of advantages to its fur parents. It is not only adorable to look at but it has the making of a great companion for life. This is one pooch that would never shy away from giving its family the unconditional love they need.

Nevertheless, getting one is still a serious commitment. It involves a lot of work and even expenses throughout its life that a fur parent should prepare for.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Do Cockalier dogs shed?

A: Cockalier is a product of two purebred dogs that shed so it is expected that it sheds too. The good thing about it is that it only undergoes light to moderate shedding which can be addressed by brushing it a few times a week.

This particular care of a Cockalier should not be neglected because this will cause a build-up that will lead to tangles and matting on its coat. The dead hair will also scatter throughout the house and stick to furniture and even articles of clothing.

Q: Are Cockalier good dogs?

A: Cockaliers are great mixed dog breeds. They are compatible even if you are only a first-time dog owner because they are low-maintenance and are easily trainable because they are really smart. They are not known to provide hardship on their owner. They are affectionate which makes them a good pet and companion for any owner.

Q: How much do Cockalier shed?

A: Cockalier sheds only moderately. You will rarely find a Cockalier that sheds a lot. So this should not be a deal-breaker for those who’d want to get a Cockalier. Since this can be addressed with regular brushing, then this can be a good bonding experience between a Cockalier and its human.

Q: Are Cockalier dogs hypoallergenic?

Neither Cavalier King Charles Spaniels nor Cocker Spaniels are a hypoallergenic dog breed. Thus, it just follows that a Cockalier mixed breed wouldn’t be hypoallergenic as well.

If you are looking for a hypoallergenic dog breed, then you can just settle for a poodle mix. However, you will miss out on the fun and the loving only a Cockalier can provide to you.