File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Hey /an/

So, I'm thinking about getting an American Cocker Spaniel soon, and I've been preparing to get one for about half a year now (waiting on getting a bigger place before adopting). I was hoping perhaps you guys could give me some tips or advice on taking care of this type of breed.
>> Anonymous
don't
>> Anonymous
>>291591
Adopt one.
http://www.americancockerspanielrescue.com/
>> Anonymous
then just get one, you need our validation? It's dog. They shed, they chew things, they are pretty smart and obedient, they are better than a rat dog, they are good guard dogs. Many of them are prone to barking at EVERYTHING...ALL THE FUKING TIME. Half the houses I go it with one of these fuckers it will just stand there and bark at me the whole time. So if you have few, frequent visiters then cool, but if you have tons of new people always over then it sucks.

tl;dr: It's a dog, you want a dog, you want that dog, get that dog
>> Anonymous
http://www.americancockerspanielrescue.com/photosadoptions.htm
>> Anonymous
>>291603
Only watch dogs bark a lot when people are around because they're trying to warn you that possible danger is around.
>> Anonymous
>>291598
What about getting one from a breeder?
>> Anonymous
Because of the long hair and very large ears, they are prone to ear infections.
Get a professional to cut their hair because they are prone to 'heat spots', which means if you cut their hair too short then the dog feels like they have a very bad sunburn (sorry I can't explain it any better then that).
Their temperment can be a bit funny, and have been known to bite without warning (that's not with just bad owners), so be wary around children.
Lastly, my friend had two that suffered health problems, one cocker had hyperthyroidism, and the other kept getting ear infections.
>> tigerfeather !CrwtTbFNxQ
>>291659
Ear infections, yes. But "heat spots?" No, that's just bad grooming (blade burn from people who don't know how to use blade coolant).

OP, remember that American Cockers are also prone to yeast infections between their toes and under their ears from the wet conditions their thick hair creates. Also, red Cockers (but mostly Springers and English Cockers) are more prone to Canine Rage Syndrome.

I always said that if I ever got an American, I would name it "Ol' Moley," because 98% of them get a LOT of nasty moles as they get older. Also, they tend to smell bad, although that's true of most gun dogs and hounds anyway.
>> Anonymous
>>291772
Yeah, my friend had a American Crocker Spaniel and she had what were called cysts all over her body (they weren't moles, but they felt like them). She was a very sweet dog, but she had so many health issues, even for an average Cocker it was just too much.

He told me to check their ears every week or so and to clean them (along with the fur around their eyes), as well. For the part of smelling bad I think that comes from their ears, but I'm not sure.

I thought about a similar type of dog that I'm not sure would be a good breed to get, but maybe a King Cavalier would be better suited for me?
>> tigerfeather !CrwtTbFNxQ
>>291774
Why not just get a spaniel mutt?
>> Anonymous
Unless you want a mean, snappy, smelly dog with tons of health problems? Don't.

We get cockers in all the time to be groomed and they have to be the most assholish, gross dogs I've ever come across. They age very horribly, have a bad temper, and bite and bark all the time. I've yet to come across a cocker spaniel that was nice, quiet, didn't stink, and didn't need a muzzle when being groomed.

Even after cleaning their ears, bathing them, drying them, combing them, and doing their cut, they still stink and most the time are covered in so many moles and spots that it's hard to keep them maintained.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
Get an English Cocker Spaniel, they look less retarded and are pretty good nice.
>> Anonymous
>>291571
American cocker spaniels are hyper as shit and stubborn and hard to train.
>> Anonymous
i has an english springer spaniel. great dog :)
>> Anonymous
>>292638
I work at a shelter and I came across some cockers . They were pretty sweet, and didn't stink at all compared to some cockers you mentioned.

I guess it all depends.
>> Anonymous
king charles is a better bet. less health problems (although no matter what, if you want a purebred dog, your going to find health problems) they also dont have that thick damp cote and require less for grooming (but still need it regularly) AC just have to many health issues to be a good breed anymore