Cockalier

The Cockalier is friendly, playful, and full of energy. It is a lovable mix of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Cocker Spaniel. This small dog makes a wonderful companion for both families and individuals. The Cockalier has a soft coat and expressive eyes, with a sweet personality to match.

Origin

The Cockalier is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Cocker Spaniel. Both of its parents have a very similar heritage. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small toy dog with a smooth, silky coat; although a lap dog and companion, it does retain strong hunting instincts. The Cocker Spaniel (which comes in both American and English breeds) is a small dog, originally bred to hunt woodcock. This hunting instinct is reflected in the strong spaniel heritage.

The spaniel is a type of gun dog that flushes out the game from the dense brush so its owner can shoot it. There are many interesting facts about these types of dogs. They were supposedly imported from Spain, hence the name of spaniel, but many of them were later developed in France and England.

Like all mixed dogs, the Cockalier’s characteristics can vary a bit, but its two parent breeds are so similar that there shouldn’t be too much variance in the appearance and temperament of the offspring. Most of these dogs will have big, drooping ears, long, flowing hair, and an expressive face. The long coat is usually some combination of black, brown, red, golden, and white. While it does still have a very strong prey drive, it is probably not well-suited as a hunting dog. This is a companion intended for the home.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Cockalier

Size and Weight

The Cockalier is a small dog with a fairly athletic body. It was built to run around and chase games. However, because there are no breed standards, its size can vary quite a bit more than usual.

Common Health Issues

As a mixed dog, the Cockalier tends to inherit any of the health problems from its two parent breeds. This can include progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, cardiomyopathy (weakness of the heart muscles), syringomyelia (a fluid-filled cyst in the spinal cord), and hip dysplasia, in which the bone can become loose from the socket. Cancer is also a leading cause of death in both of its parent breeds. No matter where you’re buying from, you should make sure a thorough health screening has been done. Regular appointments at the vet are also crucial to catch problems early. Fortunately, with proper care and good breeding, this mix normally lives between 12 and 15 years old.

Temperament

The Cockalier is a very friendly and lovable soul, equally playful and tender-hearted, who will fit easily into the family structure. They should get along well with everyone, including other dogs, but you should be careful about introducing other animals, like a cat, into the home unless the dog has been raised with it from an early age. As a highly active and energetic dog, the Cockalier will need plenty of mental and physical stimulation throughout the day. If it’s left alone for too long without anything to do, then it could resort to destructive behavior. It should also adapt well to apartment living, provided it receives enough exercise every day.

How to Take Care of the Cockalier

The Cockalier is a medium-maintenance dog, good for inexperienced owners. Grooming, feeding, and training should be straightforward, but exercise and socialization will require more time and effort. Fortunately, thanks to this dog’s gentle and good-natured temperament, much of its care routine should be hassle-free.

The Best Dog Food for Cockaliers

The Cockalier will need a high-quality diet with plenty of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. Beef, chicken, and fish are all good sources of food. The exact amount should be consistent with its size and activity level. Carefully monitor its feeding intake and limit treats to prevent weight gain.

Maintenance and Grooming

As a light shedder, the Cockalier should be brushed a few times a week to remove loose hair and keep it looking nice and clean. It has no other special grooming requirements, but owners should never neglect other aspects of its care. You will need to trim the nails about once a month to prevent them from cracking and clicking on the floor; this can cause the dog pain and discomfort. Examine the ears regularly for signs of infection and clean them out accordingly. Finally, you can formulate a good oral care routine with the help of your vet to prevent gum and tooth disease.

Training

The Cockalier is a highly trainable dog, both eager to learn and responsive to human commands. Positive reinforcement methods can help a bit with motivation, but this dog should be an active and eager participant in its training.

Exercise

Because of its strong hunting heritage, the Cockalier may require more than an hour of exercise every day. Long walks will not be enough. This dog loves to run and chase after balls or discs. It’s also an eager participant in agility and hunting challenges and excels at swimming. A fenced yard is recommended so you can let it play without worrying about it wandering off. When it’s on the leash, a strong harness is also recommended to prevent injury in case your dog lunges at other animals.

Puppies

Like all dogs, Cockalier puppies will need to be socialized early and often to avoid shyness and temperament issues. Fortunately, because of its naturally friendly disposition, this isn’t too much of a concern. The larger problem is its strong prey drive. This can be discouraged somewhat with proper training and a strong focus on obeying commands, but some prey drive should be expected to remain. Classes, crate training, and daycare can all help improve overall behavior, though. If you have any other questions about puppy issues, like microchipping and vaccines, then you should talk with your vet.

The Cockalier and Children

The Cockalier is a great match for households with children. Their gentle, friendly, and calm demeanor makes them a joy to interact with. The only thing to keep in mind is that children need to be taught how to interact with and handle smaller dogs. They can be a little sensitive and do not always enjoy rough play. Fortunately, the Cockalier is a fairly hardy and tough dog for its small size.

Dogs Similar to the Cockalier

Besides its two parent breeds, the Cockalier is similar to other spaniel types.

• King Charles Spaniel: Also known as an English Toy Spaniel, this small toy dog, made famous by its association with English royalty, is a spunky, affectionate dog with a short, pug-like snout and long coat. While it does retain some hunting instincts, this breed is more suited as a lapdog than a hunting dog. The Cavalier and the King Charles were once the same breed.
• American Water Spaniel: Furnished in a curly double coat of liver brown or chocolate, the American Water Spaniel is a versatile hunting dog, skilled on both land and water, regardless of the terrain, and just as eager to retrieve game as a Golden Retriever. It’s also an excellent family dog that enjoys being at the center of attention.
• English Springer Spaniel: Intelligent, obedient, and eager to please, the English Springer Spaniel is a medium-sized dog with black/liver and white markings all around the body. This breed is split into separate working and show lines.