The English Cocker Spaniel
is the smallest in the gundog group, yet are able to flush out and retrieve
game birds from undergrowth. A gentle, popular pet, they are also called the
Merry Cocker because of their energetic, playful, eager-to-please nature and
their unique tail wagging which includes their entire hindquarters. English
Cocker Spaniels are compact, but bigger than their relative, the American
Cocker Spaniel. Their tails are docked at birth. They are friendly,
lively, and a hard worker. Enthusiastic about anything, the English Cocker
Spaniel is very devoted to family, and loving in nature. They are social animals,
making both a good family pet as well as hunter. They get along with children
that are older. Although popular, the Merry Cocker has a plethora of health
problems. English Cockers can suffer from allergies, deafness, heart disease
and other problems. They are excellent at flushing out game, the purpose for
which they were bred. English Cocker Spaniels are happy little dogs, eager
and able to please their master continuously.
