Appearance of the Crested Cocker
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A Crested Cocker generally resembles a slender Cocker Spaniel with a few crested Chinese features, including a delicate muzzle and ears. It's a small breed whose constitution lies somewhere between the compact body of the English Cocker Spaniel and the fine-boned Chinese Crested silhouette. They have long tails, dark noses and eyes, and small, compact feet. Crested Cockers have an average weight of 7 and 11.5 kilos, and reach heights of 30.5 to 38 centimeters. The length and color of their coats can vary considerably, with some having full coats with longer hair around the face, feet and ears, while others have shorter coats or hairless areas around the torso and legs. The heavily coated areas consist of stiff, soft "hair" and can be multicolored combinations of apricot, black, beige, blue, chocolate, cream, palomino, slate, white, brown, buff, red and silver with merle, spotted or roan markings. |
Temperament of the Crested Cocker
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Crested Cockers are sensitive dogs known for being affectionate, playful and alert pets. This breed becomes very attached to its owners and loves to be loved. Crested Cockers also get on well with children and enjoy lively indoor play sessions with family members. However, they can be shy around strangers and may take some time to familiarize themselves with new people and animals. Note that because this breed is so people-oriented, they will become restless and anxious if left alone for long periods. In addition, Crested Cockers are very aware of their surroundings and are occasional barkers, but don't tend to be yappy or overly hyperactive. Yet they are intelligent dogs and respond very well to obedience training. In fact, these dogs may be happiest when they relax indoors and follow their owners' instructions. This trait makes Crested Cockers well suited to urban or apartment living. |
Needs and activities of the Crested Cocker
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The Crested Cocker is a fun, playful breed that requires a little daily exercise and a lot of human affection. Crested Cockers will appreciate a moderate daily session of walking and playing. This breed is good for city or apartment living, as it doesn't require a large amount of exercise. Crested Cockers are also well suited to all types of climate. However, owners should ensure that their pet is not exposed to significant amounts of sun or cold if it has hairless areas on its body. Also note that this breed has a strong impulse to hunt, so Crested Cockers can chase smaller animals and should always be supervised when in off-leash areas. On the whole, Crested Cockers are mainly indoor dogs who spend a lot of time snuggling up to family members. |
Maintenance of the Crested Cocker
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Crested Cockers are not completely hypoallergenic, but produce fewer allergens due to their hair-like coat on their Chinese crested side. They are moderate shedders, but should be brushed regularly if they have a longer coat. When grooming, owners should trim the ears, face and feet to avoid infections or impediments to the dog's mobility. Crested Cockers should also be bathed once a month and, like all dog breeds, have their teeth brushed daily and their nails trimmed once or twice a month. Owners should take every precaution to protect their dog's hairless areas with clothing or skin treatments to avoid topical irritation or infection. |