 There are two types of Cocker Spaniel. The English and American. Our lucky Dog of the Month, Billie our Cocker Spaniel mix is of the English descent.
The English Cocker Spaniel is one of the oldest spaniels known. Centuries ago when Spaniels were used as working dogs in England, the varying breeds were divided up into 7 different breeds:
Being a Spaniel, Cockers are great gun hunting dogs and are able to work through tough grounds, both wet and dry. They are very gentle whilst working and are great at flushing and retrieving for their human. The name ‘Cocker’ comes from the bird called a ‘Woodcock’, a type of bird this breed was very well known for flushing out. The English Cocker Spaniel is a compact, medium sized dog. They come in a variety of colours including solid and multi colours consisting of black, liver, red and white. They can also be seen in ‘roan’ variations, known as ‘parti colour’ Professional and regular grooming is a must for the Cocker Spaniel. Their long ears and feathers love to pick up anything from along the ground they can and can hold a lot of water during the cooler months. Due to thick fur on their ears they can be prone to infections and also holding grass seeds. The Cocker Spaniel today is a lovable little dog that loves to be part of the family. If socialised well from a young age they love to be around other dogs. Being working dogs they are a breed that requires plenty of exercise to keep both their mind busy and avoid unnecessary weight gain. The average life expectancy of a healthy Cocker Spaniel is 12 – 15 years.
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 Although an exact origin is unknown, Beagles are believed to have originated in 15th Century England, initially utilised as a hunting dog for small animals such as rabbits, fox or pheasant. The word “Beagle” translates in middle French to “noisy/loudmouth” which is fitting, as Beagles are known to be extremely vocal and energetic. Beagles are naturally very friendly and enjoy being part of a family or pack, getting on well with both children and other dogs. Today, Beagles are commonly used in law enforcement, putting their nose to work in order to detect drugs, explosives and illegal imports at airports all around the world.
Beagles are a small to medium sized dog, weighing in at between 9-11kg. There are two recognised size classes of Beagles, between 13-15 inches and under 13 inches tall. Beagles have a smooth short-haired coat and require minimal grooming. An occasional brush is necessary as they are moderate shedders, as well as frequent ear-checks to prevent any signs of infection. Beagles come in a variety of colours, including lemon, tri-colour and orange and white. Cheerful, curious and determined, Beagles are very sweet and gentle dogs. Despite this, they can be very independent and require firm consistent training to avoid behavioural problems. Their keen intellect means that once they have their sights (or nose) set on something, they can stubbornly pursue it. Beagles can be suited to apartment-living so long as they are exercised frequently; however, access to a fenced small yard is preferable. Due to their active and inquisitive nature, Beagles need plenty of exercise to avoid becoming destructive. As a scent-hound, Beagles will follow their noses no matter where it leads them, so on-lead walks are a must. In the right environment, a Beagle will make a social, brave and highly intelligent addition to any family. The average life expectancy of a Beagle is between 12-15 years. Congratulations to our Dogs of the Month for July 2019 - Lulu the Beagle and Billie the Cockalier! Lulu is a 2 year old Beagle who is full of beans and a lot of love, Billie is her 7 month old sister who is a cuddly little Cockalier. Both Lulu & Billie brighten up the days of our Doggy Doaters with their love, cuddles and play times! Congratulations girls!  |
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