We Saw Mia The Cocker Spaniel In Richmond
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Here’s a classic looking young Cocker Spaniel that we vaccinated at our Richmond clinic. The Cocker Spaniel is actually a generic term for either the English or the American Cocker Spaniel which are two similar breeds derived from the Field Spaniel or Springer Spaniel of 18 century England. Dogs like Mia, pictured here, were originally bred to hunt the Eurasian Woodcock and later in America were bred to different standards for hunting the American Woodcock. As long as 600 years ago the Spaniels may have been Spanish hunting dogs but since the time that they were appropriated by the English they have come to include the small King Charles, the medium Cocker, and the larger Springer Spaniel. Anecdotal history is that in early 20th century America Cockers were bred as house pets with breeders paying obsessive attention only to coat and appearance and the inadvertent side effect was the development of unfortunate personality traits. So it was that in the 1970s we veterinary students were taught that Cockers were unpredictable and dangerous biters. However, my experience is that in recent decades their temperaments have become predictable and stable and they make good pet dogs. Long silky hair in the ears has always been an invitation to otitis externa – outer ear infections. Cocker Spaniels need home grooming or professional grooming or occasionally body clipping so remember that many groomers require a Bordetella or Kennel Cough vaccination. – Geoffrey Antipa