What's that dog with the shiny coat, floppy ears, and cheerful spirit? It's the cocker spaniel! Cocker spaniels are active dogs with a loving nature and lots of pep. Their owners think they are the best dogs ever―and it's easy to see why. If you're a cocker fan, you'll want to learn all about this breed, from its popularity as a celebrity pet to its history as a hunting dog in Spain. You'll also want to find out how to care for the cocker spaniel. So check out this go-to guide for cocker lovers―and learn all about why cocker spaniels are the best breed there is!

"Natalia's love of this breed is easy to see as she compiles her experience and research into this handy guide. Perfect for a lover of the breed." DOGS MONTHLY MAGAZINEFinally, here is a one-of-a-kind book, BLACK&WHITE EDITION, that tells you everything about English cocker spaniels. Aimed at both the perspective puppy parents and the true lovers of the breed, "Perfect cocker spaniel" is the result of thirty years of acquired knowledge and personal experience of living and raising dogs, including the English cocker. The breed became the author's choice over a decade ago. Since then all her efforts have been channelled into studying, observing and learning everything she possibly could about these merry little dogs, so that she could give her spaniels the best life and share tips and advice with anyone interested in the breed. This is the only book on English cocker spaniels you will ever need as a reference guide. The encyclopaedic yet very personal tome consists of two parts, theory and practical. The comprehensive theory covers the history and characteristics of the breed, provides expert advice on nutrition, breed specific diet, in-depth information on grooming and the art of hand-stripping, health, first aid and preventative care, behaviour, training and more. The practical part fully prepares you for finding, raising and living with your English cocker puppy month by month to ensure that your chubby little guy becomes the most perfect spaniel you've ever dreamed of! The book is accompanied by beautiful black and white photos and illustrations, a list of references on the latest evidence-based research as well as further reading titles to benefit anyone interested in canine health, psychology and nutrition.This is a straight-talking guide written for the love of the English cocker - for the most caring parents and the happiest pups.

Joe Irving was a highly-experienced gundog trainer and in this book, he describes in refreshingly clear style what you have to do to possess a first-class gundog. He was an authority who could diagnose the trainer's problems with the same sympathy he hadfor the dogs. He believed that trainers must recognise their own shortcomings and their mistakes, and learn from them. He tells the novice trainer what is to be done step-by-step and, just as importantly, he explains how to obviate defects of behaviour in the dogs and remedy them when they occur. The general care of spaniels from infancy to maturity is dealt with throughout, and there are succinct summings-up at the end of each chapter that are, quite incidentally, practical dicta to be remembered, such as 'Keep the dog interested. Don't bore him' or 'This can be a frustrating lesson but you must not get excited -- or punish the dog'. Every facet of hand-training is dealt with in the first nine chapters and what follows is concerned with the first working season with your dog and then on to the techniques to be employed in field trials. By this time, the owner too has been trained! Fully illustrated with photographs and diagrams.

Thinking about getting a Cocker Spaniel but your only experience with this friendly breed is Lady from Lady and the Tramp? Adding a dog to your family is a significant and long-term decision. Cocker Spaniels typically live for 10 to 14 years. So, if you're feeling overwhelmed about everything you need to know before you decide to bring a Cocker Spaniel home, use this handy guide to answer your questions The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels will provide you with everything you need to know from choosing your puppy and preparing your home to socializing, training, grooming, and feeding your Cocker Spaniel. Topics included in this guide: Understanding the requirements that reputable breeders must meet Recognizing the importance of health tests and certifications for Cocker Spaniels Tips for puppy-proofing your home Understanding why socializing your puppy is important Learning the best options to house-train your puppy Using obedience training to create a well-behaved dog Teaching your dog to understand basic and advanced commands Reducing or removing separation anxiety Learning about the best diet for your dog Understanding Cocker Spaniel exercise needs Managing Cocker Spaniel grooming needs Identifying common Cocker Spaniel health conditions Preparing for travel by car or plane with your Cocker Spaniel Helping your dog age gracefully

The "original" Cocker Spaniel, the English Cocker Spaniel is actually the most popular Cocker Spaniel on the planet, with a thriving following in most countries around the world. Designated as a separate breed from America's Cocker Spaniel in 1936, thanks in large part to the support of the breed's patroness in the U.S., Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge, the English Cocker Spaniel has been prized for his merry disposition, impressive trainability, and sensible nature for generations. The history of the breed, as told by breeder and author Haja van Wessem, encompasses the story of both Cocker Spaniel breeds and provides insight into how the breeds became separate entities. The characteristics chapter discusses the breed's much-prized personality and physical characteristics as well as its coat of many colors (illustrated by useful charts that depict how colors are produced).New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, exercise, and grooming/trimming are illustrated with photographs of handsome adults and puppies. In all, there are over 135 full-color photographs in this useful and reliable volume. The author's advice on obedience training will help the reader better mold and train into the most well-mannered dog in the neighborhood. The extensive and lavishly illustrated chapter on healthcare provides up-to-date detailed information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, preventing and dealing with parasites, infectious diseases, and more. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as historical dogs, breeders, or kennels, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and parasite control. Fully indexed.

The definitive list of breed books, written by internationally-famed experts for serious dog people. Although most of the authors are British, the list has true trans-Atlantic appeal, and several titles have won coveted awards from the Dog Writers' Association of America. These include Bullmastiffs Today (Breed Book of the Year 1996/97), The Complete Rhodesian Ridgeback, The Complete Saluki, and Great Danes Today. A number of these titles were previously available in the U.S. through Howell Book House. Complete Border Collie sold 14,000 for Howell from March 1995 to December 2000. Still regarded as the best book on the subject.