Cocker Spaniel

Lifestyle Needs

Cocker Spaniel

The English Cocker Spaniel is a favourite of the Spaniel type.  Originally bred to flush game birds,  the breed may be divided into two types: those who work and those bred for showing.  Type varies considerably in terms of colour and size  A Cocker is generally an energetic breed and should have at least an hour of exercise every day, including plenty of opportunity to run free.  His fine coat and long ears need regular grooming.

Inbreeding Coefficient - COI
(Should be as low as possible)

The UK Kennel Club breed average COI is 9.6% - see 'A Beginners Guide to COI'

Effective Population Size - EPS

49.10

EPS is a measure of how many individuals are contributing genetically to a breed population. It is a measure of the size of the gene pool in a breed. Lower than 100 is considered critical by conservationists and below 50 brings a breed close to extinction. For more information see the Kennel Club article.

Health and Welfare Problems due to Conformation
(Body shape and physical characteristics)

  • The Cocker’s longish hair can easily become tangled and matted, so should be tended to and groomed daily.
  • His long ears and hairy feet invite seeds, insects and other debris and should be cleaned and checked every day.
  • Eye disease due to eyelid conformation
  • Lip-fold dermatitis
  • Prone to obesity

BVA/KC Health Schemes: www.bva.co.uk/chs

  • Hip Dysplasia: breed 5 year mean score 11 (parents should be lower)
  • Eye Scheme: Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) (annual testing); Goniodysgenesis/primary glaucoma (G) (annual testing) – a gonioscopy test should be carried out at over 6 months old or before breeding and repeated every three years.

Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) : No EBVs are currently available for this breed
www.thekennelclub.org.uk/about-ebvs

DNA Tests Available
DogWellNet and IPFD Harmonisation of Genetic Testing for Dogs (HGTD)
www.dogwellnet.com/breeds

  • Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA)
  • Familial Nephropathy (FN)
  • Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
  • Glycogen Storage Disease V11
  • Bernard-Soulier Syndrome (BSS)
  • Exercise-Induced Collapse
  • Acral Mutilation Syndrome (AMS)
  • Adult Onset Neuropathy AON

Availability of a DNA test does not mean that it is always necessary or even desirable for breeders to use this test.

Other Breed-Specific Health Screening Schemes

None known

Ask the breeder to show you the certificates for the above tests/screening for both parents. If any of the above tests have not been considered necessary by the breeder (and there may be good reasons), ask her to explain why.

Other Diseases Reported
(For which there are currently no genetic or screening tests for sire or dam)

  • Atopy
  • Heart Disease – Pulmonary stenosis; Patent ductus arteriosus; Dilated Cardiomyopathy
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Malassezia dermatitis
  • Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease)
  • Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushings disease)
  • Chronic hepatitis
  • Pancreatitis
  • Cancer: anal sac adenocarcinoma; mammary carcinoma; perianal gland tumors; oral melanoma; plasmacytoma (cutaneous); lymphoma
  • Histiocytoma (benign tumour)
  • Cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCL)
  • Incomplete ossification of the humeral condyle (IOHC)
  • Otitis externa and media
  • Factor 11 deficiency
  • Factor X deficiency
  • Haemophilia A
  • Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA)
  • Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (IMTP)
  • Distichiasis
  • Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
  • Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (Dry eye)
  • Heart disease: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM); Heart block
  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
  • Epilepsy
  • Cataract
  • Urolithiasis
  • Phosphofructosekinase Deficiency (PFK)

Ask the breeder about the medical history of the parents, grandparents and great grandparents. Consider carefully whether to purchase a puppy if some of these or other diseases are in the family line.

Ask about the breeder’s policy in cases of serious genetic diseases occurring to your puppy in later life. Good breeders will request to be informed of such events in order to improve future breeding decisions.

You are strongly advised to buy from a breeder who uses (or is prepared to use) the AWF Puppy Contract and Puppy Information Pack (PIP):  www.puppycontract.org.uk

The breeder should also be familiar with the CFSG/DBRG Code of Practice for Dog Breeding

Or the Kennel Club’s Assured Breeders Scheme Standard and Guidance:
Standard PDF | Guidance PDF

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