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'Wicket' - Smith/Minor
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Congratulations on finding
one of the dog world's best kept secrets, the English Cocker!
I think ECs are proof that Mother Nature
loves to laugh. Truly the clown of the dog world, they are just as
happy lying on the couch watching TV with the family as they are
trotting merrily through the field searching for birds. While some
hunting breeds may seem more "high-strung" and hyper, the
typical EC (originally bred for flushing birds) is a very mellow,
loving dog. Very much a family dog, they definitely should not be
considered for a busy family that has no quality time to spend with
their pet. Easily bored, they can become destructive and/or noisy when
left alone for long periods of time. |
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Most are very eager to please, the
main problem being that they are sometimes SO smart they sometimes can
outfox the owner! They are challenging but satisfying students of
almost all performance events including agility, hunt tests,
obedience, etc.
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English cockers come in a variety of
colors, from "self colors" (or "solids") of red
(dark red to light golden or "orange"), liver, black, and
black and tan, to parti colors of all of the above colors in
combination with white. Blue roan is the most common color seen in the
US, the coloring being much like that of mixing salt and pepper
together. Roans are also seen in liver and orange.
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Puppy Litter - Bartholomew |
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to bloodline, and indeed some say from color to color, but a typical EC will
greet strangers at the door with wariness until they receive the OK from
you, at which time they'll usually shower this new friend with kisses (and
hair <g>). They require grooming every couple of months, and brushing
several times weekly (depending on the amount and type of coat, which also
varies from color to color, and bloodline to bloodline). As with most breeds,
there are several genetic health problems possible. Any reputable breeder
should be willing to explain and discuss these with you.
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3 Blue Roan with Tan
Puppies - Roth
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Unlike some breeds, the males of this breed
are usually quite soft and loving, and no harder to housebreak than any other
dog. Also as with most any other breed, pets should be spayed or neutered
as young as possible to not only avoid unwanted pregnancy but to avoid medical
problems in later years.
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| There are many well-educated,
knowledgeable and responsible breeders of English cocker spaniels around
the world. Unfortunately there are also those that choose to profit from
producing EC puppies. The ticket to finding the perfect dog for your family
is to keep looking until you find a responsible breeder you can trust, and
then trust them to choose the right dog for you.
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Deyette
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