The Cocker Spaniel has charmed countless people – owners and admirers alike. As one of the most popular breeds in America, almost everyone has met a Cocker at one point in their life and many have fallen in love and hoped to one day own a Cocker of their very own. But as rich in personality as this breed is, they are certainly not for everyone. As with any breed, it is always highly advised to research the breed first, before buying.

The first thing to be aware of, in considering owning a Cocker, is that they have a LOT of hair! Not only does their hair naturally grow very long, but it is extremely thick as well. Even those who choose to keep their dog shaved down will find that they still need to spend a good amount of time keeping it clean and brushed out regularly. Cockers who are shaved down very close to the skin often develop skin irritations, so it is best to keep it on the longer end for the sake of the dog. Cockers with the full coat will need weekly baths and require a lot of brushing. Always remember to add ear cleaning to the grooming routine, as their long ears can easily become infected from dirt and grime.

The next subject is to emphasize just how important it is to obtain your Cocker from a good source, such as a responsible breeder. Unfortunately, as with all very popular breeds, there are many uninformed backyard breeders and puppy mills that breed dogs with no regard to health or temperament. Cockers that come from these sources often have nasty temperaments and/or crippling health problems. If you have ever met an aggressive or fearful Cocker Spaniel, 9 times out of 10 it came from bad breeding. Getting a dog from a responsible breeders vs. a pet shop or backyard breeder will make the difference of night and day.

This is a breed that loves their family, and wants to be close to them at all times. It is not rare at all for a Cocker to follow their owner from room to room… even the bathroom! They also generally tend to love strangers which does not make them suited to be guard dogs (although they do make great watch dogs – barking whenever anyone comes to the door).

This is a gentle and sensitive breed that doesn’t tend to overwhelm guests with relentless barking and jumping. It should be noted that most Cocker Spaniels also get along very well with children. Since they are small and not normally extremely exuberant, they don’t tend to knock kids down as with some larger breeds. However, they still make great play companions and are more than happy to run and play outside with children.

Tail almost always wagging, Cockers are a very happy bunch! Affectionate and loving, it is hard not to smile when a Cocker is by your side – their optimistic nature can be contagious! One thing that they are often optimistic about… the prospect of food! Most of them love food almost as much as they love people, and many will go to great lengths to try to steal human food whenever possible. Luckily, this is easily remedied with training.

As a result of their love of food (as well as genetics), Cockers tend to gain weight easily and must be exercised on a regular basis to keep them from becoming fat. This said, even slim Cockers need exercise! These dogs were bred to run in the fields with hunters all day so they do have a lot of energy that needs to be burned. As long as their exercise needs are met, they can live in apartments.

The Cocker is normally a great student when it comes to training, as he is quite eager to please. He can be sensitive to overly harsh corrections so it is important to be aware that you aren’t pushing him too far, too fast. Cockers with iffy temperaments might go so far as to growl or snap at a trainer when given a hard correction. While this should never be accepted, it is still important to note. Those that are trained can compete successfully in many canine events such as obedience, hunting test & trials, agility, and tracking!

Cockers usually get along very well with other dogs and are great for multi-dog households. Cockers love to be around their “human pack” but if their owners are gone, another dog can help keep away loneliness. Being social is very important for this breed! If they have no outlets to fulfill their need for socializing, they may become bored and could get destructive through chewing, digging, or excessive barking. As long as you provide enough exercise, companionship and training, a well-bred and socialized Cocker Spaniel will be an amazing pet! Here at The Academic Hound, we have experience with Cocker Spaniels. If you live in Travis or Hays county, TX and are looking for a dog trainer, give us a call!

“AmericanCockerSpaniel wb”. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever was bred to mimic the actions that foxes take when they hunt birds. What does this mean, exactly? Wild foxes that live near bodies of water will naturally dash about, play, and act silly with the intent of enticing curious birds to come a little closer. When the birds get close enough, the foxes grab them! Hunters in Nova Scotia noticed this and wanted to breed a dog that could do the same thing, with the exception of retrieving the birds (after the hunters shot them), rather than the dogs killing the birds themselves. Although this all sounds like a story born out of a fairy tale, it is entirely true!

Although they might look like small Golden Retrievers, Tollers (as they are affectionately known) have an entirely different temperament. Reserved and somewhat more cautious than the Golden, it is only once they warm up to a new person that they will start to show their playful side. They should never be outright shy. A normal Toller personality is stable, as well as happy without being exuberant. Once they are comfortable in their environment, they often become the life of the party!

They are smart dogs and may require their trainer to keep up with them! Although very attentive, they do tend to get bored with “the same old training routine” and do better when the trainer mixes it up a bit. That said, they are one of the easier breeds to get motivated. Compared to dogs that are only food-motivated, or only toy-motivated, most Tollers will work for anything! The breed is also sensitive, meaning they do not learn well when too much force is used in training. Tollers can be trained to compete in many different competitions, including conformation, retriever tests and trials, canine good citizen, coursing, tracking, agility, dock diving, flyball, obedience, and rally. Because they are a breed that loves trying new things, especially activities with their owners, Tollers would love for you to try them all!

Tollers make great dogs for hunters, but they are equally as rewarding for families who are able to fulfill their natural needs in other ways. For those individuals who don’t plan on taking their dog out hunting, they can still make their Toller happy by playing fetch in the backyard or taking their dog swimming at the lake! This is a breed that loves to go on road trips and explore new things. He is the perfect hiking companion! Providing both mental and physical stimulation is a “must” for this breed. His energy needs to be channeled into appropriate outlets so that he doesn’t become destructive (and if he is bored… he will). The Toller is considered to be a med-high energy dog and, although not hyperactive, does best with an active owner. At night, after he has been thoroughly exercised, he will gladly sit with you on the couch to watch tv.

The Toller normally gets along very well with other pets, and is rarely aggressive even to strange dogs. Although they may chase the family cat from time to time, it is almost always as a game and they do not normally do so with the intent to hurt or kill. Tollers also do well with children, making them excellent family dogs.

Outright aggression is very rare in this breed, but particularly dominant and/or manipulative Tollers might try to take the title of “alpha” if no one in the household is firm enough. As with any dog, boundaries need to be set and house rules enforced so that this does not happen.

Because they are retrievers, they tend to be very orally fixated. This means that they like to pick up objects and carry them around… often in the hopes that you might throw it for them to fetch! It is an owner’s job to teach them what they are, and are not, allowed to grab. This should be taught in early pupphood, along with teaching them not to mouth at people!

For the most part, Tollers don’t bark excessively which makes them great for people with close neighbors. They do, however, often bark an alert when someone comes to the house (although they might run away if someone breaks in). They also make a high-pitched sound when they are excited which has been nicknamed the “Toller Scream”. For evidence of this sound, a visit to YouTube will provide many examples.

It is important to note that these dogs do shed profusely a few times a year. They also tend to enjoy getting muddy or otherwise messy. They are not for clean freaks. If you have a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and are looking for a dog trainer in Travis or Hays county, TX, call us today!

The Clumber Spaniel is one of the first nine breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Today, this old breed is still used for hunting but is also a delightful companion and house dog. The breed is very loyal and loving to their families, and their clownish sensibilities can provide constant amusement.

They are particularly good with children, although recommended only for older children who won’t be toppled over by the brute size of these dogs. They also generally tend to get along well with other pets. Some Clumbers love strangers while others are shy around guests. Either way, they do not make good guard dogs (or usually even watch dogs). Because of their love of people, Clumbers should not be “outside-only dogs”. They need to be around their owners in order to be truly happy.

A takeaway from their hunting heritage, many Clumbers enjoy picking up objects and carrying them around. Anything from their own toys, to your clothes, to whatever the nearest small object happens to be. This makes them excellent dogs for playing fetch and retrieve games! It should be noted that some Clumber Spaniels can be possessive of their toys/objects/food and it is vitally important to work with them as puppies and get them used to giving up these objects to humans. Because they enjoy having things in their mouths… it should go without saying that many Clumbers also like to chew. This can lead to all sort of destruction, including not only smaller objects but also furniture. Although furniture can be expensive to replace, chewed-up smaller objects such as clothing are usually more dangerous because they can lead to blockages and obstructions. Emergency surgery is required when a dog obtains an intestinal blockage, which is not only expensive in itself… but also very dangerous. Clumbers need to be trained to not chew/eat objects, but also should be supervised if they are particularly prone to this bad habit.

When mature, Clumbers do not require a great deal of exercise, which makes them great for people with a more sedentary lifestyle. This is not to say that they should never be taken for a walk – as all dogs should be walked or exercised regularly – just that they won’t need daily 3 mile romps. A short walk here and there, supplemented with a structured playtime, is usually sufficient for most Clumbers. In the house, the breed normally retains their easy-going couch potato mentality. Puppies, however, are more active.

As far as training is concerned, Clumbers are smart enough to get their own way. If they don’t feel like training, they will “dig in their heels” and flat-out refuse to work. For many people, this is enough to dissuade them from obedience training their dog. The trick is to recognize that if you work the dog through his stubborn faze, he will soon realize that training is the only option. This is not to say that one should be hard-handed with training, but only to be firm yet fair. Many Clumbers, despite their obstinate nature, are actually fairly sensitive animals and do not learn well when under stress. Once trained, there are many different competitive avenues to explore with your dog such as tracking, conformation, rally, therapy, hunting, obedience, agility and nose work!

Regular grooming is a must with the Clumber Spaniel. He should be fully brushed out 2-3 times a week, depending on his coat and lifestyle. The more he is brushed, the less he will shed, however… he will still shed no matter how much grooming you put into him. For some people, the amount of hair that he sheds is far too much. This is worth checking into if you are thinking about owning a Clumber. Coat care will also involve baths. Because he is low to the ground, he tends to get dirt and mud caught in the feathering of his belly and legs. If the coat care doesn’t dissuade you, make sure that you are ok with drool because Clumbers drool a lot!

Although not very tall (Clumbers are a medium sized breed), what they lack in added height they make up for in bulk. Males can weigh as much as 85 pounds! It is important to realize that this is normal for the breed, and although other breeds of that height would be considered obese at such a weight, it is typical for a Clumber. Because of their size, these dogs can eat quite a lot (and often will still try to steal human food left out on the counter).

Some female Clumbers are prone to submissive urination, especially when young. Luckily, this can be trained out in most cases. If this behavior doesn’t go away with behavior modification, it is worth taking your dog to the vet to rule out physical causes. Clumbers are healthy in many respects although some can be prone to bladder infections. While on the subject of health, it is worth mentioning that both hip dysplasia as well as entropion/ectropian are problematic in the breed.

Photo “Clumber spaniel glowa rybnik-kamien ppl” by Pleple2000

Not often seen out and about, the Field Spaniel is a small yet hardy little gun dog, bred for hunting on both land and water. Hunters, in particular, admire this breed for their rugged nature and willingness to work but it is not necessary to be a hunter if you would like to own one of these dogs. When paired with the right individuals, Field Spaniels can make charming pets! Novice owners who have never owned a dog before might even be a good fit, but only if they are fully prepared for what they are getting into.

So what are the stipulations if you would like to own a Field Spaniel one day? First, a potential owner must be willing to forgive dog hair, for this breed sheds year round. Regular grooming will help but will not stop the constant hair from collecting around your house. Second, a person should be ok with the potential that their dog might be quite vocal. While some members of the breed are quieter, others are constant “talkers”. This not only includes barking, but also howling, whining, or even yodeling! Third, Fields love water and many of them delight in playing in their water dishes. Although you might mind puddles throughout the house, they certainly do not.

The breed is inquisitive, clownish, and is always looking for something to do. This, combined with their high energy, can cause them to be destructive if under the wrong care. They need some sort of job to keep their minds and bodies busy, otherwise they are apt to destroy house and property.

Sensitive, yet loving to their owners, they prefer the company of “their people” at all times. This includes children, who they generally do very well with. This breed is very affectionate to everyone they know and love, although they may take awhile to warm up to strangers. Fields also generally do quite well living with other dogs.

The Field Spaniel needs plenty of exercise every day. The more driven and/or energetic the Field Spaniel, the more they will need to expel their energy through jogging, swimming, jumping… whatever you can give them! This is not a dog who will just lay on your carpet all day and look pretty, they were bred to work! Apartment living is fine, but only as long as the owner is willing to commit to getting the dog out for strenuous exercise every day. It is worth noting that even if you live in a house with a large backyard, you still need to go out and exercise with your dog. Field Spaniels are very people-oriented and don’t do well if they are just expected to live outside by themselves.

Speaking of backyards, many breeders will not sell to prospective owners who do not have a very secure fence. Fields can be escape artists and are masters at jumping over short fences, digging under others, or sometimes even chewing through cheap fencing!

Due to the long hanging ears of this breed, they are prone to ear infections. This can be kept in check by regular cleanings, as well as removing excess hair from inside the ears.

“Black Field Spaniel” by Peter

Unlike other sporting breeds, Fields can be difficult to train. They were bred to think independently while hunting which makes them more apt to listen to themselves rather than their owner. Although smart, it is not generally in their makeup to be naturally obedient but they still must be taught basic obedience at the very least. Luckily, despite their sometimes slow learning style and occasional willfulness, they do love to make their owners happy! This can be used to an owner’s advantage during training, because affection will usually go a long way toward convincing a Field that obedience is fun! It is usually easier to train a Field Spaniel with motivation than correction. Once trained, they can be taught to compete in many different areas, including conformation, obedience, tracking, agility, hunting and rally.