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What's So Special About Cocker Spaniels?
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Birds of a feather, they say, flock together. So too it seems is the case with dog lovers. Most of my friends enjoy the company of dogs even though, due to various constraints, many do not keep one as a pet. Why are dogs considered to be man's best friend? What is it that makes them so lovable? I think what has always bonded us humans to dogs is that they are large hearted, adaptable and forgiving, loyal to a fault, and their affection is boundless. These are common traits amongst dogs of generally all breeds, even the crossbreeds and mongrels.
Each breed does have its own peculiarities in terms of size, coat, ears, temperament, disposition and abilities. In cross breeds where, for example, a Labrador might have been mated with a German Sheperd or a Beagle with a Terrier, it is easy to recognize traits of the two different parents in the pups. In the case of mongrels, who are a mix of many breeds it is very difficult to recognize the characteristics of any breed. Yet mongrels can sometimes be the most devoted, hardy and low maintenance pets.
Unless one wants to enter his pet for dog shows, where every physical characteristic is carefully checked to see if it meets the laid down standard, purity of breed and its pedigree is not of as much importance as its basic training. Nobody, not even an avid dog lover, feels happy around an ill mannered or foul tempered dog.
I am fond of all types and breeds of dogs, from the very big but gentle and adorable Saint Bernard to the tiny but sometimes rather saucy little Chihuahua. But, despite my love for all breeds and belief that all dogs make excellent pets, there is one breed with which I have always hit it off best and about which I have the fondest memories right from childhood days. And that is the English Cocker Spaniel.
Shortly after marriage, my (ex) wife and I agreed that our home was incomplete without a dog and our first ‘child’ should be a puppy. We were posted in Mathura, a one-horse town about three hours out of Delhi. During the week, we would go through advertisements for sale of pups in various Delhi papers and then, over the weekends, we would drive down to see the ones that we had shortlisted. On one such visit, a tiny pup, all of three or four weeks, came charging towards me, his yet undocked cocker spaniel tail wagging nineteen to the dozen. He clambered up my shoe and reached up my leg with his forepaws. In doing so, he lost his balance, toppled over and fell down backwards. But he scurried right back up the shoe to make his second gallant attempt at ascending my leg. I bent over and picked him up, placing him on my open palms at eye level to have a closer look at him. No sooner had I done that, he sprinted up along one of my arms and was about to slide off and fall. But my wife was alert. She caught him just in time and held him in her hands, His tail was still wagging furiously, even as he was squirming and barking in his little voice as if to say, “Let me go – I need to investigate you guys.” I looked into his eyes and they were the softest, yet liveliest and naughtiest pair of dog eyes I had ever looked into. I think my wife and I both decided instantaneously that he was going to be ours. That is the story of how we acquired our first pet, a golden cocker spaniel, who we named Bonzo.
He was followed by Sandy an orange roan, and now, since the last five years, we have had Fido, a liver roan. Yes, you guessed it, both cockers.
Recently, just last month, my eldest son who was completing his final year of the bachelor's course in Aviation and Space Technology from a university in Kiev, Ukraine, called to ask if he could bring along with him a small pup. Apparently he had been serving as a volunteer at a clean and friendly animal shelter located close to his university and he had fallen in love with one particular pup.
This was about the time when Joe Biden had made the famous remark to the Ukrainian President during a vist to the latter’s country that Ukrainian women were the prettiest in the world. I reminded my son that we live in a flat (apartment) in the middle of congested New Delhi, and keeping two dogs would not be easy. He agreed but sounded quite heartbroken. I also thought to myself that the young man is only asking to bring along a pup, and not one of the pretty girls that the US Vice President was so smitten by. So I asked Anup what type of a pup he was wanting to adopt.
And he replied, “Papa, he’s a golden cocker spaniel. I’ve named him Chester. He looks just like Bonzo and you’ll love him.” That settled the matter: How could one say no to a cocker? Now, we have two of them, one aged five years and the second seven months.
What is it that makes cockers so special? I mean the original English Cocker Spaniel, not its more recent American descendent which also is recognized as a separate breed. In all fairness, there is something special about the latter too. He’s such a charmer. While the English Cocker is a handsome dog, the American one is more glamorous, almost effeminate.
Legend has it that there was a cocker spaniel aboard the Mayflower when the Pilgrim Fathers sailed to America from Southampton in 1620. He must have been a fine companion for the first settlers in the New World.
Over the years, Americans changed everything they had got from the British. In the case of the cocker, they made it a little smaller, changed the shape of its head, increased the length of its neck and induced the growth of a lot of coat. Trust the Americans to make their Cocker a bit of a showman, a dazzling version of the hardy English Cocker Spaniel, who was bred essentially as a gun dog. Thankfully, the nature and temperament of the two cockers remain unchanged.
Getting back to the question: What is so special about cockers and why do I love them more than all other breeds? One friend suggested that I must have been a cocker in my previous life. I countered that by saying that I might be destined to be one in my next. And, later, when I gave it more thought, I realised that cockers are probably happier than most humans.
But, more seriously, while searching for an answer, I went through the breed standard yesterday and it became quite clear that the cocker is a happy-go-lucky dog who spreads joy and good cheer around him. Could one ask for a better quality than that in a dog or even a human? Here are some extracts from the breed standard which repeatedly emphasize the merry trait in this special breed:
General Appearance: “Merry, sturdy, sporting ...”
Characteristics: “Merry nature with an ever-wagging tail ...”
Temperament: “Gentle and affectionate, yet full of life and exuberance.”
Eyes: “... with [an] expression of intelligence and gentleness but wide awake, bright and merry ...”
Tail: “Must be merry in action. [If docked] Never too short to hide, nor too long to interfere with, the incessant merry action when working.”
So here is my prayer: Dear Lord, please make me a cocker spaniel in my next life. I don’t care whether my master is a grim faced retired colonel with a moustache on his lip and a swish stick in his hand or a stunningly beautiful 36-24-36 bombshell, so long as I am allowed to be happy and make others happy around me. An occasional run in the open countryside or undergrowth of the woods, would of course help.
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Glad you liked it MFG .... if there is one person on HubPages who knows and understands pets and animals, that must surely be you!
I loved it! Klondike has some cocker spaniel in him, I am sure. Thank you for reminding us to cherish the perfect qualities of our pets, even if they are not from one particular breed. So happy for you and your family, twice the joy!
I see you figured the links part but not how to get the pix in the way you wanted. Never mind...still a great hub.
I liked the 'Die for your country' err..position.
Cockers are great dogs...love their ears and those melting eyes.
And nice to see you have moved on beyond golf. ;)
Thank you Pushi. I agree, all dogs are great, and I do love them all. It's just that there is some karma or something that links me specially to cockers. :)
Yes, Diana, I did manage to figure out part of my doubts! Care to be a cocker with me in the next life? :p That "die for your country" - where he'd roll over on his back and play dead - used to be such a craze with the kids wherever we went on posting.
Sounds like you are quite smitten, Jaspal...but I do tend to agree with you! My niece has the most adorable cocker spaniel who we all worship shamelessly...and does he lap it up! Great to see another hub from you - may they keep flowing.
And may your prayers be answered...if you bump into a familiar cat remember you knew me in another life! :P
You are a writer! This hub flows from beginning to end. As for cocker spaniels, my first purchase when I moved to Denver as a single person was a blonde English cocker spaniel. I named him Lord Snowden. He was my best friend until I got married. I still dream of him. When I was a kid, two of my favorite books were about cocker spaniels. One I got out of the church library every single year as a ritual: Samuel Small's Secret Society. Sam was a black cocker and his secret society was composed of people he regularly cheered up. The other book, Champion Dog Prince Tom is the true story of a little blonde cocker who won highest honors in both Field Trials and Obedience. I loved those books so much that I remember these details after nearly 50 years, lol. Thanks for a beautiful hub.
What a super Hub Jaspal, full of feeling. If I could add one more quality that dogs have, they let you know straight away whether they like you or not. No duplicity of any sort.
Great Hub.
You are right Feline - I too got a bit worried when I realized that I might be smitten. But then I learnt that dogs are so much safer than some of the other creations of our Lord. Why do I have a sneaky suspicion that one cat I know is suffering a case of mistaken identity? At heart she's a cocker too. But regardless, she's never ever going to be forgotten!
Thank you Storytellersrus. Coming from you, I take it as a valued compliment, even though I am well aware of my writing (in)ability! For a person like me, reading is so much more fun than writing - and I intend getting hold of both those books. At the age you first read them, I used to read the many mysteries spun by Enid Blyton. There was a dog in most of them, but from the pics that come to mind, I don't think any of them was a cocker.
Thank you Sabu. Yes, so very true. There is no pretense about dogs at all. They let you know right away where you stand!
When I was growing up we owned two Cocker Spaniels, but at different times. Ours were named Spicey, being they were of reddish brown in color. A lot like Lady, in 'Lady and the Tramp'. I loved our dogs! As a child I did not realize our first Cocker Spaniel had a crooked face...thus given to us free as he was a pure bred and no one would buy him that way. Great dogs! Would love to own one some day!
Again you post on something I have less than no idea bout..sigh... in any case - a golden cocker spaniel, if i recollect correctly, was the dog owned by one of the characters in the Secret Seven (Enid Blyton?), a series I was smitten by at one point. I loved the Seven, so by osmosis I guess, I loved the spaniel.
The second reason I like spaniels is that they are the only species of dogs that I am not mortally afraid of. They do not yip, nip or sniff unnecessarily. In this relation I'd like to say that pomeranians are the scourge of the earth!
keep writing :)
I love all dogs but cocker spaniels are my favorite. I had a blonde one called Susie when young and then another when the children were little they were beauitful and well behaved. Nice hub!
what a lovely hub! You can really write Col!
Loved reading your composition - your dogs have all been wonderful, affectionate and well-trained. I am sure Chester is a great addition to the family. We of course have never had a dog, but love our cats as much as you love your dogs!!!
Ah Jaspal, this reminded me of my cocker spaniel when I was growing up ... Toffee was the most adorable and affectionate soul alive. Cockers are loving and they are true friends
aaah yes Jas, I think if I could come back, I would love to be a cocker and lap up all the adoration... :)
Knowing your luck, you would come back as a bulldog :P
Jasp;
..You dog, you dont need to come back in another life as a dog !!
..Definitely not a dog's life you are describing and doing a great job of it..keep it up--the tail and other such paraphernalia..
Gwennies pen, I hope you do get to keep a dog soon. You will have to devote some time and effort and budget for some additional expenditure, but a dog makes such a difference to one’s own life. As you say, a minor aberration in appearance makes no difference to the love and bonding with one’s pet. After all, even with humans, someone with a ‘crooked face’ can be just as good and loyal a friend as someone with a more straight face.
Thanks for reading Divya. Weren’t those Enid Blytons such fun? As a kid, I practically devoured them! The Secret Seven, the Famous Five and the Adventure series were all so much fun. And each had a dog, though I forget the breed. I’d love to lay my hands on some of these books again!
Thank you Myawn. I am glad it rekindled fond memories for you.
Thank you Mini! Have you made up your mind finally on keeping a dog?
Thank you for dropping by, TigerLily, my dear sister. I don’t know how the USA made you into a cat person! Remember Rex and Peter (the springer spaniel) and the fun we used to have with them at Faridabad? :)
Phoenixritu, you are a true dog person and you know how special the relationship with a dog is. All dogs are great, but I seem to have cockers written in my destiny. And, no, I am not complaining!
Oh yes Diana, with your charm you certainly would get a lot of attention as a cocker. And pray why would you like me to be a bulldog? Not that bulldogs are bad – they look ferocious, but can be very friendly guys too.
You said it, Ravi! It is a dog’s life already! And one dog recognizes another, what? :p
But don't let the cat out of the bag, not here in public! :)
Ooooooh cockers! Our little one is nearly 8 months and such a happy dog! She wakes up happy, stays happy through the day and goes to bed happy. Such a contrast to our rather quiet, huge Lab cross - who surprisingly is learning to lighten up thanks to her! Love those pics Jaspal!
Thanks for dropping by, Shalini. Am so happy to hear about your experience with the cocker. I bet she demands (and gets!) all the attention from the elder dog and your family members. :)
The lab genes must make for a wonderful and full-of-life dog too. The only reason I prefer a cocker to a lab is that the latter is rather too big for a flat. His swishing tail can knock all your little things lying around on the coffee or side tables! How old is he/she?
In case you haven't, you must read Marley and Me.
Great stuff there Jaspal. The images add to the beauty of your article, more so since they are those of real pets :-)
Thank you Ravin. I'm glad you liked it. Yes the pics are very real. Unfortunately, the ones of the earlier dogs - and also of the two breed specimens - are scanned at home from prints and therefore only of mediocre quality.
You reminded me of our Cocker Spaniel. I don't think he was purebred, but close enough. The poor animal always had gunk coming out of his mouth and eyes, but so full of love and energy. When it was dinner time, he would let us know that "now it is time to feed me," by pulling his dog bowl around until he could flip it over and bring it to us. No one taught him that trick. He did like to sleep on my bed, but would grunt and groan grumpily if I tried to get him to move, but I always knew he never meant it as a threat, but it a friendly protest to let him sleep. He was no dummy, but played along with almost every game. We humans would be so lucky to have that much love for each other!
Thanks for the memories, a fine hub.
Thanks Alexander. Once you've had a cocker in your life, he remains in your heart for keeps. You can never forget the abundance of love and good cheer he shares with his loved ones.
I did not mention in the hub, but I believe this breed is amongst the most intelligent. Also, a cocker revels in attention and adulation. Which is where a negative trait kicks in: If it gets too much of the adulation, it starts believing and behaving as if it is the boss at home!
Lovely hub, I cannot imagine life without a dog. I have not actually owned (lived with!)a Cocker as I am a Dachshund person but perhaps next time I will find a Cocker friend.
This is so beautifully expressed and so wonderfully detailed. Your writing brings such joy!
I loved the photos and the way Cocker Spaniels have been connected to the family through the generations.
Way back in 1961 we had an English Cocker called Philip that grew up in NDA ! He would accompany us on long walks there and also go swimming with us at Peacock Bay. ... I know from the memory of his many escapes how loyal, loving and how infectious their spontaneous joy is.
Here's to all Cocker Spaniels of the world and their owners that make them extra special .... and to writings about them.
Jaspal, I read Enid Blyton too! I loved the Five and their adventures. I lived their lives for at least one summer, when a friend of mine who'd lived in England introduced them to me. Amanda and I have discussed these books- she loved them, too! Hey... group hub!!!
Glad you liked it Gypsy Willow. As a dog lover you know that all dogs are so loving and loyal. But a cocker is a little more full of fun and frolic than a dachshund. You won't regret getting yourself one.
Thank you Kamal. Yes I have such fond memories too of Phillip when he was at Faridabad for some time. We'd play fetch or hide and seek with the ball the whole day, and he was always more than up to it. He was one of the most intelligent, loving and well behaved dogs I've ever known. I also remember him when you were at Akbar Road ...
How's our young and enterprising dog-groomer doing?
Dogs are not my first love as far as pets are concerned...if I had beat FP to the Feline Prophet avatar, that would have been most suitable for me. (FP, I AM coming back as a cat!)
But the joy you have for dogs, not just your beloved cockers, but for all dogs, shines through in every way, and I am learning from you while I adjust to having a dog in my life for the first time, my big old Goldie.
Now, I must rain on this dog love-in a bit...just a mist of rain and not hard hail-like pellets: the only cocker I knew was a girl named Cindy who bit me on the face when I was about 4 years old. I had invaded her space while she was hiding under her mistress's bed. I am sure this dog had "issues", as all dogs can have...but that was my first and only experience with a cocker spaniel.
Fido, Chester, Sandy, and Bonzo are winning my heart through your joyous telling of why cockers are special. The next time I meet a representative of this breed, I will not turn away. I will offer my hand, get down on the floor, and let the dog sniff me out to his satisfaction.
Awesome Hub.
Sure Stortytellersrus – group hub it will be! Group of two or more? I am usually much in demand for group projects. They always assign me the task of looking after the administrative arrangements - making sure that there are ample quantities of drinks, eats and coffee, and there is good music playing while the rest of the group concentrates on the job at hand. We could even plan a small party to celebrate the successful completion of the group hub.
When do we start? And where? :)
Thank you so much, Sally’s Trove. Your comments are always so refreshing and add much value to the subject matter.
I know your love for cats. But, you are no cat. Just like the Prophet is no feline. Both of you suffer a case of mistaken identity: Dogs (most probably cockers) at heart, trying in vain to put on a catty facade.
Glad to hear that you did not lose heart after that dog bite. These things can happen to anyone, even people who have dedicated their whole lives to animals. A well known dog judge, Late Mrs C Bede Maxwell, wrote in her book, The Truth About Sporting Dogs, that she always thought very highly of this breed because of its good temperament. But she had been warned that the first dog to bite her in the show ring would be a cocker spaniel. Sure enough, an eight month old one obliged!
Ooops ST...I think Jaspal just blew our cover! :P
It's raining cat and dog comments - wow! LOL!
Jaspal - our Lab cross is 1 year 8 months and our cocker spaniel 8 months - they make a wonderful pair! If ever you're in Pune, you must come take a dekko!
That's a great idea from Storytellersrus.
Very well said, Jaspal...from beginning to end!:-)
And each one, from Bonzo, Sandy, Fido to Chester are adorable!...really lovely pictures!
Jaspal, this confirms your status as a cocker spaniel- look at your popularity. Each hub you write-- and there are not many, lol-- results in loving comments and a sense of community. I can see why you would be popular with group projects! I suggest you take the lead on this...
Thank you Shalini. I would love to do that. A visit to Poona is long overdue. Are you volunteering as a member of the group hub?
Glad you liked it Rashmi. Some of the pics are scans of old prints and not so clear, but they all have fond memories attached to them. :)
Isn't that the best thing about HubPages, Storytellersrus? All the sharing of experiences and encouragement that one receives from such a nice and loving set of folks.
Of course I volunteer - and you are most welcome anytime! - now I'm off to see a hub by Storytellsrus that looks interesting!
Cocker spaniels do make great pets. They are high energy and full of fun. But for me their coat requires more work than I can give so they are not the one for me.
Thanks for reading Ashley. You do have a point there about taking care of their coat - their hair is so soft and fine, it mats up right away unless they are combed and brushed every alternate day. I have never had an American Cocker Spaniel, but can imagine that their coats would require even more attention and care.
Cockers are a truly lovely breed, and you affection for them shines in every word. Lovely Hub! Thanks so much for sharing this.
With that very nice comment from RedElf, a committed cat person, all cocker spaniels and their friends have reason to be even more joyous than they usually are!
Thank you so much ... :) I hope you know that we love cats too. It's just that some cats don't always approve of us dogs!
My sister raises rotweillers. She loves her dogs and enjoys the breed so much. This was an enjoyable and informative hub. You should write more :)
Thanks for reading and your comments, Trimar. Rottweilers have occasionally been misunderstood because of poor training and lack of attention from their owners - no fault of theirs. I am glad your sis has time for them. They, and all dogs for that matter, are so very devoted and prepared to do all they can for us. As the old saying goes: A dog is the only animal on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
Jaspal, I have to confess I'm not much of a dog person, but did in my youth have a little dog, mostly spaniel, I think, called Lucky,and I did love that dog very much. but have not had a dog since then. If I did ever consider getting one a cocker spaniel would be on my list.
Thanks for a very entertaining Hub.
Love and peace
Tony
Am glad you liked this hub Tony and it reminded you of Lucky ... Keeping a dog is a bit of an effort, but it's well worth it.
What lovely words and images. Bonzo as a pup is so cute. I could grab him. I love all dogs and what makes a particular one special to me is a certain look in the eye.
wow ! nice hub.I especially lov Bonzo learning to die for his country :) very , very cute and cuddlesome dogs. Thanks for sharing.
All dogs really are so loving and lovable, Ethel. And you are right: Eyes are the windows to the soul, as much for dogs as for humans.
Thank you for the lovely comment, Crayonbrains. Bonzo was a real charmer! He loved showing off his tricks and being the at the center of everyone's attention.
My first pup that my xhusband brought home was a English Cocker, unfortunately he had an accident at age 11 months. Since, we've had at least one dog in our household. We've had mutts and pure-breeds, small, medium and large. For years when we lived on the big farm my kids and their friends brought me many rescue cases that needed to be loved. We've had one more Cocker since, 'Jake' came to us after his owner died and he had no one to take him in. He lived till he was almost 16 years old. Spaniels are a really sweet and spunky breed.
Loved the hub Jaspal,
regards Zsuzsy
Is today your birthday, September 7th? If so, Happy Birthday! :)Thanks for all the support of my hubs! You are very sweet and supportive, as well as much appreciated!!
I absolutely love the pictures in this hub. When I was really young we had a cocker spaniel. Rosie was a fantastic dog.
Thanks Zsuzsy Bee, Gwennies Pen and Tdarby ... I am so sorry for the long delay in acknowledging your thoughtful comments - it was an oversight. You do know they were written by some of my favorite authors, and are highly valued!
Gwennies, you want to make me older, and won't even share your own birth date? :p
Dearest Jaspal,
Thank you soooooooooooooo much for writing a Hub about my absolute favorite breed!! I have had five cockers over the years; my last, Lauren Marie lived 23 years!! She's been gone over 6 years and I still miss her daily!! Although I have two rescued dogs and four rescued cats at the moment, my life is never complete without the floppy ears and marble brown eyes of a cocker!!
Blessings to you and yours, Earth Angel!!
Thank you Earth Angel - it's wonderful to hear from someone who shares the same love for cockers. You've described them so well, "the floppy ears and marble brown eyes!" There is also the ever-wagging tail! :)
I can well understand what you say about life not being complete without a cocker - their love is unique and so uplifting for one's soul.
You have quite a houseful of rescued animals. Do they get along well with each other?
Hi Jaspal,
Congrats! You have chosen as a quality hubber of India. This article along with some others of yours is posted in
http://hubpages-india.blogspot.com/ .
Please write some more quality hubs.
Thanks and thumbs up.
Jyoti Kothari
Thank you Jyoti ... Yes, I will have to get down to writing a few more hubs - their quality, I will leave to you to judge! :)
You are far too humble Jaspal. Words flow from your fingertips like the gentle passing of water in a stream. Your words carry a reader to the place of which you write and allow them to visit the place from hence you write, your heart. So my conclusion is you either underestimate your talent or you're a damn good kibitzer. I'm leaning more toward the latter! When will we be graced with another hub to delight our minds? Soon I hope, I'll look forward to it.
Hi Carmen ... thank you for appreciating my writing ... I'm actually an old dog learning this new trick!
About being a Kibitzer: We used to have a more direct and unpretentious word for it - a shammer. Which, as anyone who has been a cadet in any military academy will tell you, is almost considered a compliment there: You have to be a genius to outwit the drill or physical training sergeant majors and get away with a lesser grind! Out here on HubPages, I am not so sure!
In all honesty, one enjoys reading. There are so many talented writers here, and I cannot find time to read as much as I would like to.
But, now that you have pointed me out, I will try and write another hub or two ... give me a few days ... :)
You truly have a gift for storytelling, Jaspal. And your pictures really capture the happy-go-lucky demeanor of the cocker. I love the pic of young Chester; love them all, really, Bonzo and Fido and Sandy. I feel as if I knew them. Years ago I had a gorgeous blonde cocker spaniel named April Dawn whose eyes could melt your heart. What a joy she was.
Thanks for the lovely hub.
Thank you for the kind words Peg ... coming from a dog lover, they are highly cherished. Much like you, I love all dogs. But there is something about cockers (specially when they are pups) that makes them so irresistible - they just grab your heart the moment you look at them.
Oh, good hub and great picks! Cocker spaniels are VERY special, and it's so cute that they KNOW it!
Thanks Paradise ... Oh yes, they sure know it, and they tend to get spoiled easily if they are molly coddled or given too much attention. It doesn't harm to occasionally remind them about who is the boss at the home! :)
A lovely hub. you are definitely a writer - keep at it. i pretty much love all breeds of dog, cockers are very pretty. My sister in law breeds field spaniels, they are lovely too. As you say, what is it about vacuum cleaners. Ours have bitten through the hoses of so many we now have a big roll of electrical tape for patching them up!
Well birthday boy, I can see I have chosen to offer greetings incorrectly. I should be saying MERRY birthday to you, MERRY birthday to you. It is the word of choice for cocker spaniels, after all!
How is Chester? Is he living with you? I have not heard a peep about him, nor a whimper. And is Fido totally dependent on this young pup, now grown out of his chewing ways?
This is a beautiful hub, as are ALL your hubs; all THREE of them. Four is a nice number, don't you think?
Merry Year of Grace, Jaspal. Pet the pups for me...
Lolol... Merry thanks to you, Merry Storyteller. Yes, both dogs are here with me and I've petted and hugged them on your behalf.
Yes ma'am, I've got the subtle hint by now, one of these days you will suffer another hub or two ... :) I don't know how or why you like my writing .... I find it so boring and so full of errors ...
hece perro es muy divertido para los niños y tambien es jugeton y lindo
Absolutely Kevin! Cockers and children get along so very well with their spontaneous and joyful frolicking. I have very fond childhood memories of playing 'fetch', 'hide and seek', going for long runs, and swimming with an uncle's cocker. We'd be inseparable whenever I visited their place on holidays.
What a great hub! :D I love cocker spaniels. So beautiful! Your pics are great too!!
A very well written hub with great information. Nicely put togther - pleasant and nice writing style too
beautiful testimony to english cockers. I love many breeds of dogs, but particularly the english cocker spaniel. I grew up with them, and my parents bred them for a short time, now I have my sweet 10 month old gold roan "Flo" who looks a lot like your gold roan "Sandy", although I think here in Australia the coat has been bred to be thicker and heavier than it was when I was a child in the '70s, don't know if that is the same in India now, but your dogs look like they have the shorter flatter coat that cockers had in my childhood. `my dog has the same beautiful temperament that I remember in my childhood dogs.......love them!!!
Thank you for reading and the nice comments, Shygirl and Kims. :)
Ali, you are right ... many spaniels even in India now seem to be having thicker coats (and sometimes slightly curlier ones too) than earlier. Do you think it might be because of some interbreeding between the American and English cockers?
Loved this hub. Voted up, useful & awesome.
We have a rescued American Cocker, who was confined to a small cage for most of his first year. I think he is also the result of another American innovation called the "puppy mill".
I wish his personality was more in keeping with how you describe the English cocker. I must constantly remind him to exhibit good behavior that Rio, the mixed breed, does automatically.
Thank you for reading and sharing your experience, naturegirl. One year in a rescue is a long time, and it has a great impact on a puppy's mind. Our younger fellow, Chester, was picked up by my son after having spent 4 - 5 months in a rescue. It is only now, after almost two years, that the characteristic merriment shows on him most of the time.
I loved your photo's of your beauitful dogs. I would have done the same as you. If a spaniel whatever breed ran up to me, I would have swooped him/her up and ran home.
I write children animal talking stories that's why your hub appealed to me
Montana Farm Girl 2 years ago
What a nice hub!!! One of my favorite dogs I ever had, was a sweet little black and tan cocker we named Magic! Cockers are such a wonderful breed!!! Magic was kind, loving, affectionate and such a good "guard dog", constantly watching over and protecting our sons when they were young!! I miss her to this day!!!