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Cock-A-Tzu -- American Cocker Spaniel X Shih Tzu

Cock-A-Tzu

He is not recognized by the F.C.I.
Origin
 U.S.A. <> Tibet -> U.S.A.
Translation
 Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Cock-A-Tzu
The Cock-A-Tzu is a specific cross between the American Cocker Spaniel, a hunting dog that became a family companion, and the Shih Tzu, a small companion dog from China that was favored by royalty. The resulting hybrid is an affectionate, endearing dog with great intelligence and a willingness to please. These crosses come in many color combinations and have soft, curly or wavy double-coated coats. Although their grooming requires daily attention and a little extra work, they are relatively calm and their exercise requirements are quite low, making them an ideal candidate for apartment living.

History of the Cock-A-Tzu
The Cock-A-Tzu is a new variety of dog, an intentional cross between the American Cocker Spaniel, a companion dog that was once a hunting dog, and the Shih Tzu, the companion and guard dog of Asian royalty.
        

A little of the American Cocker Spaniel

         
Spaniels are classified as a type of hunting dog, but they have been helping hunters long before the invention of the rifle. Initially, these dogs were bred to chase game out of deep brush for bowhunters and, in some cases, to retrieve birds from where they had fallen. Early Spaniels were divided into two groups according to where they worked: Water Spaniels and Land Spaniels. At some point in the 17th century, a distinction was made between types of land Spaniel and they began to be classified as Springer or Cocker Spaniel, based entirely on the size of the dog. The smaller Spaniels were used to flush out both furred and feathered game such as woodcock, giving them the name Cocker Spaniel, and the larger ones were given the name Springer Spaniel for their ability to flush out game for hunting. The larger Spaniels were named Springer Spaniels as they were used to spouting game, the smaller dogs, however, were adept at hunting woodcock and other such birds for their owners, earning them the names Cocker Spaniel and Cocker. The Spaniel Club was founded in England in 1902. American Cocker Spaniels were bred to be pets and domestic animals and so developed differently from the Cocker Spaniel in England. their backs became longer, their heads more domed and their prey considerably smaller. It was enough of a change that in 1935 a group was formed for those who preferred the traditional look of the English Cocker Spaniel and were adamant about discouraging crosses between the original English Cocker Spaniel and the new Americanized version of the Cocker Spaniel and in 1946 the American Cocker Spaniel was recognized as a distinct breed, which is the breed used to develop the Cock-A-Tzu.
Standard of the American Cocker Spaniel

A little of the Shih Tzu
The Shih Tzu is an ancient breed of dog that originated in China. It is thought to have developed from the Lhasa Apso, a small Tibetan guard dog, which was crossed with small Chinese dogs, such as the Pekingese. Designed to be a companion and guard dog, the Shih Tzu was favored by Chinese royalty for many centuries due to its flowing, hypoallergenic coat and friendly nature.
Standard of the Shih Tzu

Appearance of the Cock-A-Tzu
The Cock-A-Tzu is a small but robust dog that is slightly longer than it is tall, with a short, deep, square muzzle and a broad, slightly domed skull. They generally have the dark, round eyes of the Shih Tzu, although the shape of the eyes can lean towards almond, and their ears are lobular or petal-shaped and usually set fairly high on the head and hang down, although the length of the ears can vary. They can carry their tail directly off the body, like the Cocker Spaniel, or it can be carried over the back like the Shih Tzu. Both parent breeds have a double-layered coat made up of a dense undercoat covered by stiff hair with a slight wave, although the Shih Tzu's coat is considerably longer than that of the Cocker Spaniel. Although this cross may resemble either of the parent breeds more closely, the majority of Cock-A-Tzus have a silky, medium-length coat that can range from wavy to curly, and comes in many color variations, often with white markings.

Temperament of the Cock-A-Tzu
The word most often used to describe the temperament of this particular crossbreed is cheeky. They tend to be on the good side and, as such, get along with almost everyone. They are highly intelligent and are generally fairly easy to train with positive training techniques, but can be emotionally sensitive to harsh reprimands. They're also fairly calm dogs and in most cases will only bark to alert you to something. Although they get on quite well with children, interactions with toddlers need to be supervised to protect both child and dog. Most of these dogs also get on quite well with strangers, although some can be a little more reserved, and they're generally friendly and gentle with other animals too. They don't do well when left alone for long periods and may be somewhat predisposed to developing separation anxiety.

Needs and activities of the Cock-A-Tzu
The Cock-A-Tzu cross has undemanding activity requirements and is generally content with twenty to forty minutes of vigorous activity a day, although dividing exercise sessions into several smaller periods of time is usually more effective. These little dogs are very happy living in smaller spaces with a few short walks or energetic play sessions indoors each day, and many can excel in hound activities, agility training designed for small dogs and advanced obedience training. They are quite intelligent, and some kind of mental stimulation will be needed to avoid overly vocal or destructive behaviors caused by boredom. These dogs are naturally quite calm and tend to make pleasant, polite housemates, making them a suitable choice for apartment living.

Maintenance of the Cock-A-Tzu
The Cock-A-Tzu should be bathed every six to eight weeks to help keep the coat shiny and clean, and in some cases they will need a trim at this time to even out any feathers that appear neglected. Brushing and combing, on the other hand, should be carried out daily. Although their soft, curly or wavy coats don't tend to shed much, they are very prone to tangling and knotting, which can become painful for your pet if not treated regularly. In some cases, this type of injury can lead to infection. They may also be more susceptible than average to developing cavities and other dental diseases, and regular brushing of a dog's teeth can prevent new cavities from forming.
Details
Written by: Francis Vandersteen
Also available: Français (France) Deutsch (Deutschland) Español (España) Nederlands (nl-NL)
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