The Cocker Spaniel is known for its huge, sweet eyes and charming looks. As one of the world’s most popular breeds, they make great pets and are quite friendly with children and other dogs. Originally bred as a hunting dog in the 14th century, the Cocker Spaniel specialized in hunting birds and woodcocks.
Due to this hunting lineage, this breed is brilliant and trainable. These breeds have remained one of America’s favorite dogs for years because of their mix of characteristics. They are small to medium-sized, perfect for athletic activities, travel, and staying at home.
The Cocker Spaniel has now been cross-bred with other dog breeds. Each of these mixes has a unique temperament and personality. So how do you choose a canine friend for your home?
Here’s a detailed guide on some of the popular Cocker Spaniel crossbreeds.
The 13 Popular Cocker Spaniel Mixes
Before choosing a breed, it’s essential to understand that the puppy will inherit genes from both parents. Therefore, you’ll need to know the traits of both parents and how they’ll look when the dog is old. The appearance, personality traits, and coat color will vary depending on the generation.
1. Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel x Poodle Mix)
The Cockapoo mix is a result of a crossbreed between a purebred Poodle and a purebred Cocker Spaniel. This breed is one of the most popular crossbreeds in the world. As a designer dog, it comes in a wide variety of colors.
Combining the energetic traits from the Cocker Spaniel DNA and being trainable from the Poodle side, this is a very smart breed. However, their appearance varies widely, and they draw some features from the Spaniel and others from the Poodle parent. The height and weight will also vary depending on the parent; therefore, it’s best to get the information from the breeder.
Cockapoo breeds come in a huge range of colors ranging from cream, black, and brown. Your pet could either have long, scruffy waves or tight curls. The fur is retained during a change in season, and they’ll rarely shed. Despite this, you need to groom your dog once or twice a week to prevent the coat from matting.
As pets, Cockapoos make great companions. They are energetic and therefore need an active family. They are also friendly and fun-loving, making them perfect for your entire family. This breed is a Velcro dog that follows its keepers all the time and loves being petted.
2. Corkie (Yorkshire Terrier x Cocker Spaniel Mix)
This breed is a mix of a Cocker Spaniel and a Yorkshire Terrier. The Corkie is a small companion dog known for its sweet and fun-loving nature. Inheriting good qualities from both parents, this breed is a happy and playful puppy.
Despite their small appearance, this breed is aggressive and brave. As small- to medium-sized dogs, they will grow to around 12 inches tall and weigh approximately 10 to 12 pounds. Their fur coats are uniquely long and silky, and flow like the coat of a Yorkshire Terrier. The coats require regular grooming and trimming.
Because of their small size, the Corkie is well suited for families with older kids to help with the socialization process. In addition, this dog might be an excellent option for people prone to allergies because they come from a line of hypoallergenic Yorkie parents. However, you’ll need to confirm these details with your breeder, especially if you have family members who are allergic.
3. Spanador (Cocker Spaniel x Labrador Retriever Mix)
A popular breed, especially in America, the Spanador is a crossbreed between the Cocker Spaniel and the Labrador Retriever. This combination also results in a breed referred to as Cockador. These dogs are typically huge dogs which is a trait from the Labrador parent.
Getting a Spanador for your home is an excellent option if you and your family are active. This mix combines adventure and energy from both parents; therefore, they need to engage in lots of exercise and activities.
As the dog grows, they measure between 15 and 22 inches and weigh approximately 40 and 60 pounds. In terms of physical appearance, the ears will be longer. They’ll also have a soft, silky fur coat that’s water-resistant.
4. Bocker (Beagle x Cocker Spaniel Mix)
The Bocker is a mix between a Beagle and a Cocker Spaniel. If you need a hunting companion, this medium-sized dog makes a perfect choice. The happy-go-lucky dog needs at least 1 hour of exercise every day.
As a good companion breed, this breed likes spending time with his keepers, therefore, is a perfect fit for most families. In addition, because of the Beagle ancestry, the Bocker picks some physical traits such as a thick fur coat, coat colors, big eyes, and a chubby body.
5. Golden Cocker Retriever (Golden Retriever x Cocker Spaniel)
This breed is one of the most recent entries into the designer dog world. The Golden Cocker Retriever results from crossing a Golden Retriever with a Cocker Spaniel. Coming with a balance of friendliness, energy, and fun, this dog is popular with young families.
Both parent breeds have a similar temperament which is transferred to the puppies. They have medium-length golden coats and pick some traits from the Cocker Spaniel, such as long flappy ears. The heavy coat adopted from the Golden Retriever requires regular grooming to avoid matting.
Before getting a Golden Cocker Retriever for your home, check with the breeder for any disease history. Both parents are highly prone to an eye infection that can result in blindness with old age.
6. Cockalier (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x Cocker Spaniel)
The Cockalier is a descendant of a Cocker Spaniel and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. These dogs are calm and friendly and love to cuddle with their owners. They make a great family addition if you seek a kind companion for a senior or small children.
The breed is a small mixed dog, between 13 and 15 inches tall, and weighing around 15 and 25 pounds in terms of size. They will also inherit the long, wavy coat from both their parents. Therefore, you’ll need to groom the fur coat occasionally to prevent matting. Just like the parents, the fur coat will have a mix of tan, white, and other colors.
7. Cockeranian (Pomeranian x Cocker Spaniel)
If you are a fan of small dogs, then this is the right breed for you. The Cockeranian is an offspring of the Cocker Spaniel and the Pomeranian. Despite their small size, they are quite active and adventurous. In a day, they need to exercise for at least an hour.
The Cockeranian is a good option for people living alone in an apartment. They are small and don’t require much space, making them perfect companions. The only disadvantage is that this dog barks a lot like its parents, which can be frustrating for your neighbors.
The fur coat is soft, fluffy, and has curls just like both parents. You have to groom the dog regularly to keep the coat well-maintained.
8. Cock-A-Tzu (Shih Tzu x Cocker Spaniel)
This mischievous little companion is a ball of energy. They thrive well in both rural and city areas. During the day, they like spending their day playing in the garden or cuddling on the couch. A mix of the Cocker Spaniel and Shih Tzu, this breed makes a great watchdog and will alert you when you have visitors by barking.
This breed also loves human attention and will follow you around for rubs and cuddles. Their temperament is calm, and they are very intelligent, making them trainable.
9. Cocker Pei (Shar-Pei x Cocker Spaniel)
The Cocker Pei descends from a crossbreed of a Cocker Spaniel and a Shar-Pei. Coming from a recent experiment in crossbreeding, it’s hard to predict its appearance when it grows old. This medium-sized dog combines the physical characteristics of both parents as it matures.
This breed is a social dog that loves the company of other dogs. Furthermore, if you have young children in the family, they’re a very social and gentle breed.
10. Cocker Pug (Pug x Cocker Spaniel)
For pet lovers that need an affectionate and friendly dog, the Cocker Pug is an excellent option. A mix between a Pug and the Cocker Spaniel, they’re a curious and adventurous dog that makes a great companion for walks and excursions.
The appearance will draw some features from a Spaniel and others from a Pug. In most of these breeds, the body looks like a Spaniel, while the face will have features of a Pug.
Cocker Pugs grow to a medium size, weighing between 15 and 25 pounds and growing up to 11 to 14 inches tall. The coat for this species tends to be thick and short to medium in length.
11. Docker (Dachshund x Cocker Spaniel)
This dog stands out due to their big paws, short legs, and long body. These features are common with a Dachshund breed. Picking long, wavy ears and a more proportionate body from the Spaniel, the Docker is a popular dog breed.
Dockers need early socialization and persistent training as they mature. They make good pets for families and enjoy plenty of attention. Socialization is essential, mainly because these dogs tend to be over-protective and have some form of aggression toward strangers. When they feel threatened, expect them to put their paws to use.
12. Siberian Cocker (Siberian Husky x Cocker Spaniel)
If you breed a Siberian Husky and a Cocker Spaniel, you get a Siberian Cocker. This breed is strikingly beautiful with their miniature Husky look that blends with traditional hunting dog features. Dogs under this breed sometimes inherit the blue eyes of a Husky or get two different colored eyes.
Siberian Cockers are sociable creatures, making them great companions. They also tend to be very energetic, requiring you to set apart at least 60 to 90 minutes for intense exercise. If you live in an apartment, you can keep one of these as long as you provide them with play sessions and regular walks.
13. Cockerhua (Chihuahua x Cocker Spaniel)
Also known as a Chi-Spaniel, this little canine friend is adorable. The dog is a crossbreed between a Cocker Spaniel and a Chihuahua. Just like the parent, the Chihuahua, this dog has a lot of character and attitude. When living with a family, this dog is affectionate and tends to crave attention. Also, if left alone for extended periods, the dog gets anxious.
The Cockerhua is one of the smallest Cocker Spaniel mixes. They typically weigh between 10 and 20 pounds and grow to 8 to 13 inches tall. The dog takes up physical traits from both parents, such as long wavy ears and little eyes.
Final Thoughts
Getting a Cocker Spaniel mix is a pretty straightforward process. These breeds come in various colors and varieties. However, before settling on one option, it’s best to know the background of both parents. During cross-breeding, you might not get all the traits you expect; therefore, it’s essential to confirm with the breeder that the parents are healthy.
You can organize with the breeder to test for diseases and disorders that are prevalent in the breeds. No matter which Cocker Spaniel mix you choose, ensure they fit your lifestyle and needs.
You may also be interested in:
- Male vs Female Cocker Spaniels: What are the Differences?
- Mini Saint Bernard (Cocker Spaniel & Saint Bernard Mix)
Featured Image Credit: Mary Swift, Shutterstock
