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Cocker Spaniel
A merry, gentle gundog with long silky ears — affectionate and eager to please.
How to spot it
A compact, sturdy dog 36–43 cm tall and 12–16 kg, with long, low-set feathered ears, a silky medium-long coat in many solid and mixed colours, and a constantly wagging tail. (This is the English type; the American Cocker is a little smaller with a fuller coat.)
Temperament
Gentle, affectionate and famously cheerful — the "merry" Cocker — and eager to please, which makes it a lovely, sociable family dog and a soft, sensitive companion.
Exercise & training
Bred to flush and retrieve game, it is active and needs a good daily walk and play. It is bright and trainable, responding best to kind, reward-based handling.
Grooming & care
The feathered coat needs brushing several times a week and regular trimming to avoid mats. The long ears trap moisture, so check and clean them often to prevent infection.
Health & lifespan
Around 12–15 years. Watch for ear infections, eye conditions and, in some lines, inherited disorders; buy from breeders who screen.
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