English Spanador

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

Origin
Great Britain <> Canada -> U.S.A.
Translation
Francis Vandersteen
This breed is also known as
Cockador 
English Spantriever

A brief presentation of the English Spanador

The English Spanador is a cross between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Labrador Retriever. This hybrid breed is the perfect family dog, serving as both a watchdog and a gentle companion for children of all ages. With an engaging personality and affectionate temperament, the Spanador is a big dog whose bark is worse than his bite. If it suspects suspicious activity or notices a stranger, the Spanador alerts its owner with a series of loud barks. This can be annoying for some people, but for those looking for a loyal and affectionate watchdog, the Spanador may be the ideal solution. This breed has a medium to long coat that tends to fall out seasonally, so be prepared for fur on your clothes and furniture. Although they may not be suitable for owners with allergies, the Spanador is an ideal breed for all levels of experience and is fairly easy to train as they love to please their owners.

History of the English Spanador

Although the Spanador is a relatively new breed, we know that it was created to meet the desire for larger crossbred dogs. On top of that, there isn't much information on the Spanador's history. So, to get a better idea of what this breed of dog looks like, we can turn to the origin stories of the parent breeds: the Labrador Retriever and the English Cocker Spaniel. Combining these two unique breeds, we end up with the Spanador, which is an excellent blend of the two. Loyal, intelligent, hard-working, reliable and gentle, the Spanador is an excellent pet for those looking for an easy-to-train dog that will get along well with just about anyone. Whether you're new to dog ownership or have plenty of experience, the Spanador would be an excellent addition to any low-maintenance family eager to please.

 

        

A little of the English Cocker Spaniel

        
The English Cocker Spaniel is a breed that has always been used as a hunting companion, loving to flush game from bushes and retrieve it on command. Its name, the Cocker, was in fact derived from its unique talent for hunting woodcock, which is a type of wading bird. This breed is most often recognized by its beautiful silky coat, large intelligent eyes and long velvety ears covered with slightly wavy fur. Although this breed has some wonderful traits, poor breeding has influenced some of the breed's negative aspects. Despite this fact, if you find a reputable breeder, you can get a wonderful, loving, handsome dog with the gentlest disposition imaginable.
Standard of the English Cocker Spaniel

A little of the Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever is also a very clever breed when it comes to hunting and, of course, retrieving. At first, they were known as the Little Newfoundland, which distinguished them from the larger, longer-coated St. John's Newfoundland. Over time, the dogs became known as Labradors, thanks to the Spanish word for "worker". These dogs are extremely hard-working and loyal, always striving to please their masters as best they can. They have been known to retrieve objects from the water such as nets, downed prey and even carry messages between boats. When British travelers visited Newfoundland, they fell in love with the Labrador and brought them back to England, where they caught the eye of an earl who wanted them to help him hunt. It wasn't long before the Kennel Club of England recognized the breed in 1903, opening the door for these talented dogs to enter America. In the early 20th century, Labradors were imported by American sportsmen, where their popularity soared. They are now used as show dogs, companions, hunters and guard dogs.
Standard of the Labrador Retriever

Appearance of the English Spanador

Because the Spanador is a cross between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Labrador Retriever, its appearance can vary considerably. As a general rule, a Spanador is a medium to large dog with an athletic build and long tail. The Spanador's long to medium coat is available in a wide variety of colors, from the black, yellow and chocolate of the Lab to the multiple color patterns of the English Cocker Spaniel. Whatever the coat color, you can be sure that your Spanador will turn heads. The ears of this breed tend to be slightly longer than those of the average Labrador, yet considerably shorter than those of the English Cocker Spaniel, and frame a strong muzzle. The eyes are either light or dark brown and full of a playful intelligence that's hard not to love. Because of the fineness of the Spanador's coat, despite its length, this breed appreciates warm but not too warm temperatures.

Temperament of the English Spanador

If you're looking for a large dog that tends to think of itself as a pocket dog, then the Spanador may be perfect for you. This adorable breed is very energetic and loves to play, but ultimately, crawling into your lap or settling down beside you for a good cuddle is one of its favorite activities. The Spanador is wonderful with children of all ages and other animals, though he'll be wary of strangers from the start. This makes him an excellent watchdog, but socialization will be important at first to ensure that no aggression towards strangers appears. You want him to eventually warm up to people if he gets the chance. Early training is also essential with this breed, as he can be very nervous and destructive if not instructed otherwise. This is typical of a working dog, however, the good news is that the Spanador is there to please. Use consistency and a gentle but firm hand, and he'll do exactly what you want. This makes him an excellent dog for new pet owners, as he learns quickly. Because of this breed's barking tendencies, it may be best to have a Spanador in a more rural area, unless you have understanding neighbors. All in all, the Spanador is a wonderful addition to any home looking for a gentle, affectionate, playful and loyal dog.

Needs and activities of the English Spanador

Because the Spanador has two active, working pedigree parents, you can expect it to need plenty of exercise during the day to keep it happy. As a highly intelligent breed, the Spanador will need both mental and physical exercise at least three times a day to stay tired and satisfied. Some activities you and your dog can do together for exercise might be a long walk, jogging, bike riding, hiking, playing fetch in the yard, training, hunting and dog parks. If you take the time to properly train and exercise your dog, he'll be more inclined to listen and behave when needed. Because of the amount of energy available to the Spanador, it is more suited to living in a larger house or in a smaller home with a yard for exercise.

Maintenance of the English Spanador

The Spanador is a relatively low-maintenance breed, requiring only occasional brushing to keep its coat healthy and clean. Bear in mind that because both parent breeds tend to shed seasonally, the Spanador will put hair on your furniture and clothes. To keep shedding to a manageable level, brush your dog at least twice a week to remove hair and dirt from the body. Bathing should only take place every few months, or if your dog is particularly dirty. In addition to brushing and bathing, it's extremely important to dry your Spanador's ears thoroughly after bathing or swimming. This is because the breed's folded ears can trap moisture very easily. Residual moisture can cause irritation and infection if left too long in the closed ear canal without being able to dry completely. By cleaning and drying your dog's ears often, you can prevent infection and irritation. Trim the Spanador's nails every few weeks to keep the paws healthy and snag-free.

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