Cockerdor

Size:

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Exercise Level:

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Good with Children:

Good with other pets:

Affectionate:

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Height: 50 - 56cm M | 45 - 50cm F

Weight: 10 - 22kg M | 9 - 21kg F

Life Expectancy: 12 - 15 Years

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Introduction

The Cockerdor dog breed, also known as Spanador and Cockador, is a cross between the American Cocker Spaniel and the Labrador Retriever. The designer dog’s existence began around the tail-end of the 21^st century in the United States, mainly as a companion pet.

The Cockerdor inherited the friendly and playful disposition of his parent breeds. Thus, he gets along well with children and other dogs. The Cocker Spaniel cross Labrador breed can be unwelcoming to strangers, however, he could be socialised from a young age.

The grooming requirements of the Cockerdor are slightly demanding since his coat sheds a lot. When it comes to exercise, the Cocker Spaniel cross Labrador breed needs plenty to lower high energy levels. The average lifespan of this designer dog is 12-14 years.

History

The Cockerdor dog is an American Cocker Spaniel cross Labrador breed, which earned him several nicknames, such as Cockador and Spanador. The Cockerdor dog was developed in the United States towards the end of the 21^st century, making this designer breed a relatively new addition to the canine world.

Since the Cockerdor dog breed hasn't been around for long, the Kennel Club is yet to recognise it as an official breed. However, several organisations have added the Cockerdor to their registry, including the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), Designer Breed Registry (DBR), and International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).

Let’s know more about the Cockerdor dog breed by learning his parent breed’s history.

The American Cocker Spaniel was primarily bred to pursue and hunt birds. Hunters favour working cockers for his high stamina allowing him to work for long periods. He can also navigate rough terrains with ease and flush out and retrieve game adeptly.

Around the early 1900s, the American Cocker Spaniel and his counterpart, the English Cocker Spaniel, were recognised as 2 different breeds. The American variation being the smaller and more mellow of the two makes him a favourable canine companion.

The Labrador Retriever’s origins began on the Island in Newfoundland, which is located on the coast of Canada. Developed around the 1800s, this hunting breed's primary task is to help fishermen and hunters retrieve their catches. It is a common sight to see the Labrador Retriever jump in and wade in the cold waters to assist his owners.

Working side-by-side with people fostered the breed's affinity for humans. Modern-day Labrador Retrievers are not only well-known as loving family dogs but also as assistant dogs specifically for the blind.

What is a Cockerdor?

Breeders developed the Cockerdor dog breed to inherit the Labrador Retriever's sweet nature and the American Cocker Spaniel's small size. This combination makes this Cocker Labrador crossbreed an endearing choice as a companion pet.

Appearance and Grooming

Generally, the Cockerdor dog breed is a smaller version of the Labrador Retriever. He has a lean and well-muscled athletic body with firm legs and large paws. His head is wedge-shaped and his eyes are large, round, and expressive.

The Cocker Spaniel cross Labrador breed sports a pointed muzzle with a glossy black nose. His ears usually take after the American Cocker Spaniel. They are set high on his head and hang down to the side of his face. In some cases, Spanador puppies may inherit the American Cocker Spaniel’s fringed ears too.

This Cocker Spaniel cross Labrador breed has a wide variety of coat colours including tan, white, black, brown, red, and cream. The coat colour can also be similar to that of a black Labrador.

His coat length can range from medium to long. The Cockerdor dog’s coat can be quite thick and sometimes comes with feathering around the chest, ears, and legs.

When grooming the Cockerdor dog breed, brushing should be done once a week. However, since he sheds heavily during summer, brush the Cockerdor dog’s coat twice a week around this time. Have a vacuum with you too to clean up loose hairs. Don't forget to comb the fringing around the Cockador dog’s chest, ears, or legs to prevent them from matting.

Bathing this Cocker Spaniel cross Labrador breed can be carried out once or twice a month. Frequent baths should be avoided since they can dry out his skin. Only give your Cockerdor dog an additional bath if his dog odour becomes too overbearing or if his coat is excessively dirty.

Routine ear cleaning is essential when grooming the Cockerdor dog breed. His pendulous ears are more at risk of dirt and debris build-up which can cause ear infections. Thus, clean them once a week. Other grooming needs of the Cocker Spaniel cross Labrador breed are daily tooth brushing and monthly nail trimming.

How big will a Cocker Spaniel Lab mix get?

The Cockerdor dog breed is a small to medium-sized designer dog. Male Cockerdor adults can grow up to 50-56 centimetres (20-22 inches) and weigh around 10-22 kilos (22-50 pounds). Female Cockerdor adults measure approximately 45-50 centimetres (18-20 inches) in height and 9-21 kilos (20-47 pounds) in weight.

Temperament and Intelligence

Being the offspring of 2 affectionate breeds, the Cockerdor possesses a loving nature. He wants to be involved in his human companion’s daily life. Thus, the Cocker Spaniel cross Labrador breed enjoys sticking close to his family and he follows them around wherever they go.

Despite the Cockerdor dog breed’s sunny personality, he doesn’t open up to strangers quickly. If an intruder trespasses your home, expect this loyal dog to bark and alert you. With proper training, the Cockerdor can be a full-fledged guard dog.

Building friendships with other canines is a breeze for the Cocker Spaniel cross Labrador breed. The Cockerdor is not prone to aggression and loves the companionship of other dogs. Regardless, all Cockador puppies need proper socialisation, which helps retain their dog-friendly nature as they reach maturity.

Training the Cockerdor dog breed isn't difficult since he is an eager learner and a people-pleaser. Both qualities make the Cockerdor highly responsive to following cues. Make sure to have treats on hand as this Cocker Spaniel cross Labrador breed loves food-based rewards aside from praises.

Pet owners might hit some snags when crate training the Cockador dog breed because he doesn’t like being away from his loved ones. Crate training your Spanador puppy from a young age makes a big difference in achieving good results.

Are Cockerdors good family pets?

Cockerdors are loving dogs that relish receiving attention from their human companions. Their high energy and playfulness make them wonderful playmates for children. For this reason, this Cocker Spaniel cross Labrador breed fit in well as a family pet. However, supervision is still necessary, especially when he is with small children.

Nutrition and Feeding

The Cockerdor dog breed can have up to 2 cups of high-quality dog food. Beware that obesity is a health issue commonly passed on by Labrador Retriever parents to their Cockerdor offspring.

Keep the Cocker Spaniel cross Labrador breed from overeating by splitting his meals into 2 smaller portions. Doing this on a regular basis will prevent him from gaining extra pounds.

Health and Exercise

The average lifespan of the Cockerdor dog breed is 12-14 years but he can live longer if properly taken care of. Regular exercise, a healthy and balanced diet, routine vet check-ups, and a loving home environment are important factors that prolong your Cockerdor puppy’s life as he grows older.

The Cockerdor dog breed may inherit certain health issues from his parents. Learning about them will help you prepare in the future should they manifest on your Spanador puppy.

Hip and elbow dysplasia

Both parent breeds of the Cockador dog are predisposed to hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These health issues are caused by the malformation of the hip and elbow’s ball and socket. As a result, the joints painfully rub against each other. Treating this condition often involves surgery and medical therapy.

Cataracts

The Cocker Spaniel cross Labrador breed is also at risk of inheriting cataracts from his parent breeds. It is an ocular disease that causes a cloudy film to form on the eye's lens, obscuring the affected dog's vision. The most common treatment options for cataracts are surgery and medications.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

This degenerative eye disorder can occur in the Cockerdor dog breed too, since both his parent breeds are predisposed to it. As there is no cure for PRA, its outcome often leads to loss of vision. Pet owners need to help affected dogs adjust to their environment as their eyesight slowly deteriorates.

The Cockerdor dog breed is highly susceptible to numerous hereditary diseases. The best way to prevent these health issues from cropping up is to select a Cockerdor puppy from health checked parents.

Make sure to ask the breeder if both of your chosen Cocker Spaniel cross Labrador puppy’s parents are health tested. Check for recent clear eye tests, hip and elbow tests, and PRA DNA tests. Reputable Cockerdor breeders should be willing to provide you with this documentation.

How much exercise does a Spanador need?

The Cockerdor comes from a breed of highly active working dogs. Thus, he needs around 70 minutes of physical activity every day and fits well as a jogging or running partner.

This Cocker Spaniel Lab mixed breed does not do well being cooped up in small apartments. The Cockerdor needs a home with a large back garden where he can run around and play.

Cost of Ownership

The price tag for Cockerdor puppies can range from £800-£1,000. When in search of Cockerdor puppies for sale, choose reputable breeders. You can find one by asking for referrals from family members, friends, and fellow dog owners. Checking local breed clubs and dog shows are other options you can try.

Being a small to medium-sized pooch, the Cocker Spaniel cross Labrador breed does not need large amounts of food. His monthly food cost can run up £30-£40.

Bringing home a new puppy means furnishing your home with basic dog supplies to make him feel comfortable. The total cost for purchasing a dog bed, crate, toys, collar, lead, and other necessities is £100–£400.

Puppies are highly vulnerable to different canine diseases. Taking your Cockerdor puppy to the vet regularly will ensure that he is strong and healthy. Each vet check-up session may cost around £30-£60.

Keeping up to date with vaccinations is a must when caring for a young Cockerdor puppy. Expect to pay around 100–£150 for initial vaccine shots and £50–£60 for annual boosters.

Consider signing up for pet insurance to offset the Cocker Spaniel cross Labrador breed’s medical bills. Choosing a lifetime coverage has a monthly fee of £18-£80. If you opt for a time-limited package, £15-20 will be added to your monthly expenses.

Cockerdor Breed Highlights

The Cockerdor dog breed requires frequent grooming due to his dense coat.
The Cocker Spaniel cross Labrador breed is a loving family pet and a brave guard dog.
The Cockerdor dog breed is a great dog for active people since he needs ample amounts of exercise.
The Cocker Spaniel cross Labrador breed may develop several hereditary diseases.