Cockalier Spaniel -- English Cocker Spaniel X Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

		Cockalier Spaniel
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Great Britain -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Cockalier Spaniel

A handsome, generous and intelligent hybrid, the Cockalier will continue to grow in popularity as the public becomes more aware of its existence. Combining the docile temperament of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with the playful nature of the Cocker Spaniel, the Cockalier has a personality that really shines. With their deep brown eyes, flowing ears and soft muzzle, the Cockalier is a very cute crossbreed. Some will have a curlier, more fringed coat than others, and there are a wide variety of potential coat color combinations.

History of the Cockalier Spaniel

The Cockalier is a new breed of dog that was created by mixing two very popular breeds: the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Cocker Spaniel. The two Spaniels, the Cocker and the Cavalier, are not different breeds when it comes to their appearance, although they certainly fall on opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of their personalities. We don't know when this cross was created, although it's probably been around for a few decades.

	A little of the English Cocker Spaniel
	The Cocker Spaniel used to create the Cockalier can be either the traditional English variety, or the more modern American Cocker Spaniel. Spaniels were first used for hunting in the 1400s and 1500s, and the Cocker Spaniel was used as a hunting dog to flush out woodcock so that hunters could shoot and retrieve whatever was unearthed with a soft mouth. The name Cocker is derived from the word Woodcock. Over time, the breed was naturally separated into two categories, those used for showing and those used for working. Around the 1920s, the Cocker Spaniel breed began to split into English and American versions, the American Spaniels being considerably lighter and less athletic.

	Standard of the English Cocker Spaniel
	A little of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
	A dog with a noble history, the Cavalier has always been held in high esteem by royalty and aristocrats, and in the 1600s Charles I owned several. The working dogs Charles I would have owned were a far cry from the Cavaliers we know today, and would have had longer muzzles and legs, allowing for superior athletic ability. The breed was recognized by the Kennel Club in 1945, and has been a member of their toy group ever since. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have the reputation of being one of the most docile and gentle dogs in the world. However, they suffer from many health problems, not least mitral valve disease, a degenerative heart condition thought to affect over half their population. In an attempt to eradicate this disease, it has been suggested that Cavies be crossed with other breeds to widen the gene pool.

	Standard of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Appearance of the Cockalier Spaniel

The appearance of Cockaliers will vary from litter to litter, and it will take some time for the breed to achieve a uniform appearance. For the time being, puppies may resemble one parent more than the other. They tend to have a rather domed skull, with dark, circular eyes that should not protrude, and a relatively long muzzle. Their pendulous ears are densely feathered and hang gently to the side of their faces. Their body is rather robust and rests on short but straight legs. Their tail is of medium length and may have a plume of fur. The Cockalier's coat is highly prized and consists of fine, wavy fur of medium length. Two-tone dogs are common, and color combinations can be brown and white, red and white or black and white. Solid coat colors are also possible and will include red, brown and black. A Cockalier reaches a height of 30 to 35 cm and generally weighs 4.5 to 11 kg.

Temperament of the Cockalier Spaniel

Because the Cavalier and Cocker Spaniel have such different personalities, the Cockalier's temperament can be difficult to predict. Most dogs are gentle, people-oriented and are happiest when around those they love. They are gentle and patient with children, and rarely, if ever, attack them. Likewise, they get on very well with all other pets and will rarely fight. Although the Cockalier can make an adequate guard dog and barks at the first sign of an intruder, it is simply not hostile enough to make a defense dog and is inclined to welcome new visitors with enthusiasm. Easy to live with, Cockaliers don't tend to be too demanding and will never say no to a game, but don't require constant entertainment. That said, it is not advisable to leave this dog alone for too long, as it can be very dependent on people and can develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods.

Needs and activities of the Cockalier Spaniel

Cockaliers need to get out and about to expend some energy and check out all the interesting things in their secure garden. If you walk them, be sure to keep them on a leash, unless the area is secure. Otherwise, they may take off after any small game they smell. Their hunting instinct is always strong, so it's best to be aware of it. Cockaliers are equally at home in an apartment or a house, but they need to go out every day. They adapt well to the city or country, and enjoy a temperate climate.

Maintenance of the Cockalier Spaniel

The Cockalier's coat will vary depending on whether it more closely resembles its Cavalier King Charles Spaniel parent or follows after its Cocker Spaniel parent. They generally have a coat ranging from the soft Cavalier coat to the more curious Cocker Spaniel. They need regular brushing to make sure their fur isn't sticky, but once or twice a week with a firm bristle brush is fine. The Cockalier will love the attention of the grooming session. Take the opportunity to clean his ears too, check around the eyes and brush his teeth to keep them healthy. Their nails may need trimming, especially if they're indoors - you'll soon know when you hear them making noise on the floor.

Details: Written by: Francis Vandersteen; Also available:; Last Updated: 16 February 2024; Hits: 591

Cockalier Spaniel -- English Cocker Spaniel X Cavalier King Charles Spaniel