The Temperament and Rescue of English Cocker Spaniels

Written on April 28, 2009 – 7:39 am | by English Cocker Spaniel |

The idea of buying a dog is almost always accompanied by the image of a fluffy, shaggy, bundle of joy and energy that you can play and cuddle with all day long. In the case of the cocker spaniel, this image is true.

The English cocker spaniel has such a happy disposition that it has been given the nickname “merry cocker” and is known as a very loyal and joyful dog. On the other hand, they are also known for their extremely stubborn will, but the cocker spaniel can be easily trained if it has an owner willing to take the time to teach it how to behave. They do not like to be left alone and they are very loyal and affectionate tending to bond with one person in a family over the rest of the family so they are good for families with children. One interesting fact is that their coat color has been known to link to their temperament. The color pigment melanin is in their coat and is similar to the chemicals that act as transmitters to the brain. Studies have shown that solid colored English cocker spaniels were more aggressive than multicolored ones with red and golden ones being the most aggressive of all. In order to be involved in English cocker spaniel rescue, these more aggressive dogs need to be trained from birth that behaviors of an aggressive nature are not permitted. The owner of an English cocker spaniel needs to teach them that they are the owner and the dog is not. Without doing this at an early age, the dog could end up thinking he is in charge which would cause a great change in temperament and behavior.

Getting involved in English cocker spaniel rescue is very easy and very important. The English Cocker Spaniel Club of America started a rescue program in 1989 that had the main purpose of rescuing cocker spaniels that were in shelters or had owners that could no longer take care of them. Any dog that is brought into this program is treated by a veterinarian, gets temperament evaluation, and is rehabilitated however needed before it is placed in a new home. One great thing that this establishment does it they choose not to re-home dogs to homes where the purpose is breeding and they don’t resell dogs regardless of pedigree. So many dogs have been hurt in over-breeding them that all dogs brought here are neutered or spayed before being placed in a home. The importance of English cocker spaniel rescue is imperative and getting involved is as easy as contacting this rescue group.