Breed Specific Questions
Q: How often should an English Cocker be groomed?
English Cockers require regular grooming. They need to be groomed every 6-8 weeks. If your English Cocker is kept in a show type trim, he/she will need to be brushed every other day and regularly shampooed and conditioned to prevent matting. If you English Cocker is kept in a puppy trim or shaved down, less brushing is necessary, but close attention should be paid to coat length, as even short coat can matt if not kept clean, conditioned, and brushed. This is definitely a breed that requires regular grooming. It is not a low maintenance breed.
Q: Are English Cocker Spaniels good with kids?
English Cockers are wonderful with kids, especially if they have been raised around them. They make excellent family pets. They were developed as a gentleman's hunting dog.... meant to play with the kids and also put dinner on the table. They are a good size to have around children; large enough to play with kids, yet small enough to run and play in the house.
Q: How much exercise do English Cocker Spaniels require?
English Cockers are part of the Sporting Group and require a similar amount of exercise to other members of the sporting group. They are sporty little spaniels, who generally love outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, dog parks, and fetch. They are happy to settle in the house and spend an evening inside, but only after a generous amount of off lead exercise. If you work during the day and plan to add an English Cocker to your household, you should have a plan in place to provide daily exercise for your English Cocker. This could be doggy daycare, play dates, fetch during the evening, long early morning walks, etc.
Q: Is there a temperament different between the different colors of English Cockers?
It is much more common for there to be a temperament different between the different "families" of dogs than for the difference to be based on color. Breeders select for the traits they prefer and so their family of dogs will tend to have those particular traits. I recommend visiting a breeder's home if possible, in order to get to know his/her family of dogs to see if they have the personality that you are looking for. In dogs, what you see is what you get. Puppies tend to have similar personalities and energy levels to their parents.
Q: What possible health problems might a Cocker Spaniel develop?
The English Cocker Spaniel Club of Canada has a very detailed page on health issues that "could" become an issue within the breed, but in most cases you won't deal with any of them. Talk with prospective breeders about health issues that they or their buyers may have encountered over the years. If they say they've never had a health issue, look elsewhere because if you've bred dogs for any length of time you have dealt with health issues!
Q: How old will he be before he acts like an adult dog?
Each line develops at a different rate. Some will physically look and act mature by a year of age, others not until about two or three years of age. Environment and training will also play a factor in how your dog will mature temperamentally.
Q: How protective will the dog be?
English Cockers are people oriented. They should never be aggressive or unruly. He may bark at the doorbell or someone strange at the door, but wag their tail excitedly when greeting new people
Q: How big will the dog get?
Most females with reach a height of 15 to 16 inches and weigh 24 to 28 pounds. Males range from 16 to 17 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 26 to 34 pounds, depending on the bone structure.
Q: How do Cockers get along with other animals?
If properly socialized an English Cocker should get along with most other animals. If threatened or challenged he may bluster, or hide behind your legs. That's why it's very important to socialize your dog by attending puppy socialization classes and at least a basic obedience class. Be sure they have the opportunity to meet people and other dogs at an early age, to learn the proper attitude when meeting strangers (dogs or people).
Q: How long can he be left alone at home?
English Cockers are social animals! They enjoy spending time with their family or other dogs. Confining him to a crate for 9-10 hours a day is detrimental to their physical and mental welfare. If you work be sure you have an exercise pen or enclosure to house your dog while your gone. Set up a time during the day when you or a friend can come to walk/exercise the dog in the middle of the day. Otherwise be prepared for all sorts of havoc to your home or garage when you return. Puppies are naturally curious and will find all sorts of things to amuse themselves. Eating the woodwork, digging holes in the vinyl flooring, chewing furniture, etc. As they get older, they settle down and become more well manned.
Q: How much exercise does the dog need?
Any dog needs adequate exercise. Be it a walk around the block, a romp in the back yard, playing ball in the park. English Cockers don't need a five mile run every day, but should have adequate space to chase a ball or just run full tilt, for the fun of it! But daily walks on a leash are usually enough.
Q: What are the best training methods for this dog?
Be sure to enroll your puppy in a puppy socialization class and then basic obedience. There are many methods for training from food, clicker, praise and various forms of correction. There are millions of books written on the subject. Do some research and define what your willing to do.
Q: How often should an English Cocker be groomed?
English Cockers require regular grooming. They need to be groomed every 6-8 weeks. If your English Cocker is kept in a show type trim, he/she will need to be brushed every other day and regularly shampooed and conditioned to prevent matting. If you English Cocker is kept in a puppy trim or shaved down, less brushing is necessary, but close attention should be paid to coat length, as even short coat can matt if not kept clean, conditioned, and brushed. This is definitely a breed that requires regular grooming. It is not a low maintenance breed.
Q: Are English Cocker Spaniels good with kids?
English Cockers are wonderful with kids, especially if they have been raised around them. They make excellent family pets. They were developed as a gentleman's hunting dog.... meant to play with the kids and also put dinner on the table. They are a good size to have around children; large enough to play with kids, yet small enough to run and play in the house.
Q: How much exercise do English Cocker Spaniels require?
English Cockers are part of the Sporting Group and require a similar amount of exercise to other members of the sporting group. They are sporty little spaniels, who generally love outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, dog parks, and fetch. They are happy to settle in the house and spend an evening inside, but only after a generous amount of off lead exercise. If you work during the day and plan to add an English Cocker to your household, you should have a plan in place to provide daily exercise for your English Cocker. This could be doggy daycare, play dates, fetch during the evening, long early morning walks, etc.
Q: Is there a temperament different between the different colors of English Cockers?
It is much more common for there to be a temperament different between the different "families" of dogs than for the difference to be based on color. Breeders select for the traits they prefer and so their family of dogs will tend to have those particular traits. I recommend visiting a breeder's home if possible, in order to get to know his/her family of dogs to see if they have the personality that you are looking for. In dogs, what you see is what you get. Puppies tend to have similar personalities and energy levels to their parents.
Q: What possible health problems might a Cocker Spaniel develop?
The English Cocker Spaniel Club of Canada has a very detailed page on health issues that "could" become an issue within the breed, but in most cases you won't deal with any of them. Talk with prospective breeders about health issues that they or their buyers may have encountered over the years. If they say they've never had a health issue, look elsewhere because if you've bred dogs for any length of time you have dealt with health issues!
Q: How old will he be before he acts like an adult dog?
Each line develops at a different rate. Some will physically look and act mature by a year of age, others not until about two or three years of age. Environment and training will also play a factor in how your dog will mature temperamentally.
Q: How protective will the dog be?
English Cockers are people oriented. They should never be aggressive or unruly. He may bark at the doorbell or someone strange at the door, but wag their tail excitedly when greeting new people
Q: How big will the dog get?
Most females with reach a height of 15 to 16 inches and weigh 24 to 28 pounds. Males range from 16 to 17 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 26 to 34 pounds, depending on the bone structure.
Q: How do Cockers get along with other animals?
If properly socialized an English Cocker should get along with most other animals. If threatened or challenged he may bluster, or hide behind your legs. That's why it's very important to socialize your dog by attending puppy socialization classes and at least a basic obedience class. Be sure they have the opportunity to meet people and other dogs at an early age, to learn the proper attitude when meeting strangers (dogs or people).
Q: How long can he be left alone at home?
English Cockers are social animals! They enjoy spending time with their family or other dogs. Confining him to a crate for 9-10 hours a day is detrimental to their physical and mental welfare. If you work be sure you have an exercise pen or enclosure to house your dog while your gone. Set up a time during the day when you or a friend can come to walk/exercise the dog in the middle of the day. Otherwise be prepared for all sorts of havoc to your home or garage when you return. Puppies are naturally curious and will find all sorts of things to amuse themselves. Eating the woodwork, digging holes in the vinyl flooring, chewing furniture, etc. As they get older, they settle down and become more well manned.
Q: How much exercise does the dog need?
Any dog needs adequate exercise. Be it a walk around the block, a romp in the back yard, playing ball in the park. English Cockers don't need a five mile run every day, but should have adequate space to chase a ball or just run full tilt, for the fun of it! But daily walks on a leash are usually enough.
Q: What are the best training methods for this dog?
Be sure to enroll your puppy in a puppy socialization class and then basic obedience. There are many methods for training from food, clicker, praise and various forms of correction. There are millions of books written on the subject. Do some research and define what your willing to do.
Let Me Answer Some Questions about Bluestone Kennels
Q: Where are you located?
A: We are located in Lake Echo, Nova Scotia. Just outside of Dartmouth.
Q: What traits do you breed for?
We breed for Beauty, Brains, Health and Temperament, not necessarily in that order. We put a huge amount of time and effort into our breeding program. Dogs are our hobby and also our lifestyle.
Q: Do your dogs live in your house?
Yes, they are in the house or the yard. Our dogs are required to get along well with other dogs. Our dogs are crated at night or when we are out during the day. When we are home they have the run of the house.
Q: Do you sell puppies to pet homes?
A: Yes, we place puppies in pet homes on limited registration with a contract requiring that the puppy be spayed/neutered.
Q: How many litters do you have each year?
A: We usually have between one and two litters of puppies every couple of year. It can vary depending on the amount of time we have available. Puppies are extremely time consuming and require a commitment to being home for about 3 months. This does not always fit in with our busy schedule.
Q: Can we visit you and see your kennel?
A: We do not have a kennel. Our dogs live in our home. If you are interested in meeting the dogs please connect me to arrange an appointment time that will work for both of us.
Q: Where are you located?
A: We are located in Lake Echo, Nova Scotia. Just outside of Dartmouth.
Q: What traits do you breed for?
We breed for Beauty, Brains, Health and Temperament, not necessarily in that order. We put a huge amount of time and effort into our breeding program. Dogs are our hobby and also our lifestyle.
Q: Do your dogs live in your house?
Yes, they are in the house or the yard. Our dogs are required to get along well with other dogs. Our dogs are crated at night or when we are out during the day. When we are home they have the run of the house.
Q: Do you sell puppies to pet homes?
A: Yes, we place puppies in pet homes on limited registration with a contract requiring that the puppy be spayed/neutered.
Q: How many litters do you have each year?
A: We usually have between one and two litters of puppies every couple of year. It can vary depending on the amount of time we have available. Puppies are extremely time consuming and require a commitment to being home for about 3 months. This does not always fit in with our busy schedule.
Q: Can we visit you and see your kennel?
A: We do not have a kennel. Our dogs live in our home. If you are interested in meeting the dogs please connect me to arrange an appointment time that will work for both of us.