Appearance of the American Cotralian
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| As a hybrid breed, the Cotralian will combine different aspects of appearance from both parent breeds. Although it's difficult to predict what each Cotralian will look like, even within the same litter, the typical Cotralian will be a larger dog with short to medium-length hair that's very soft. The English Cocker Spaniel and the Aussie are both extremely attractive dogs, so it's easy to assume that the Cotralian is also a very attractive breed. Their coats can come in a wide range of colors and tend to be the same style against the body as the Australian Shepherd. The ears, however, are more like the English Cocker Spaniel in being loose against the head and full of fur, a slight crimp in the coat may be visible. Bright, intelligent eyes rest on the Cotralian's face and, like the Australian Shepherd, can actually be bright blue in rare cases. More often, however, the eyes will be dark brown or black. The Cotralian's body is robust and athletic, with a long tail that may have very light feathering on the underside. Cotralians do best in mild to cooler temperatures, as their longer fur type tends to keep them on the warmer side. |
Temperament of the American Cotralian
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| This breed of dog is certainly not for the novice dog owner. While the Cotralian is very loyal and loving, it is also very intelligent, which means that a firm hand in training will be needed to ensure that the dog knows who's boss. On top of this, the Cotralian can tend to be a little aggressive towards small children and small pets. This is probably due to the hunting and herding instincts of its ancestors. Although this problem can be solved with early socialization and lots of training, it would be best for this hybrid breed to be in a home with older children and larger animals. In addition to this, the Cotralian is a gentle, loyal and playful dog that likes to spend a lot of time with its owner, whether playing or working. It's a breed that doesn't bark unless it has to, and it may bark at strangers because its trust has to be earned. For this reason, the Cotralian is an excellent dog to have around your neighbors, as he won't be a nuisance with endless barking sessions. |
Needs and activities of the American Cotralian
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| Because the Cotralian has working dogs as parent breeds, you can expect him to need 1 to 1.5 hours of physical and mental activity to keep him happy. Some activities that work very well to tire your dog out would be a long walk, a jog, a bike ride, a workout and a recovery game in the yard or a park. It's important to spend plenty of time training your Cotralian so that no aggression or bad manners can develop. On top of that, training is a big part of keeping your dog mentally tired so he doesn't get bored. The Cotralian is a very lovable dog and loves to cuddle, but he certainly needs to be exercised a few times a day. If you do, your dog will be able to grow and mature responsibly, putting its energy to good use. |
Maintenance of the American Cotralian
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| The Cotralian is a moderate maintenance dog. Although there isn't much in the way of a grooming routine, both its parent breeds shed seasonally, so weekly grooming will be necessary. Brush your Cotralian a few times a week with a metal comb and raking brush to remove any fur and dirt that may be on the body. This will keep the coat healthy, clean and shiny. Bathing should only take place once a month, or whenever your dog is particularly dirty. Be sure to dry your dog's ears thoroughly after bathing or swimming. Because Cotralian has folded over the ears, moisture can get trapped inside and cause ear infections. By drying your ears, you can avoid any infection problems. In addition to bathing and brushing, be sure to trim the paw nails every few weeks or whenever you hear the nails clicking against the floor. This will keep feet healthy and snag-free. |
English (United Kingdom)