Toy Cocker Spaniel

The Toy Cocker Spaniel is not a purebred dog, but a mix of the Cocker Spaniel with the English Toy Spaniel. It means that Toy Cocker Spaniels cannot compete in shows for purebreds and should not be obtained for breeding. Kennel clubs and canine registries don’t recognize hybrids and crosses between two or more breeds.

The Toy Cocker Spaniel can be registered by the ACHC (American Canine Hybrid Club.) It registers so-called “designer” dogs created by crossing two purebred dogs. Such dogs are neither purebreds, nor mutts. Though they cannot be registered, their purebred ancestry is documented. Hybrid dogs are healthier than purebreds, as their gene pool is mixed and more varied than it is within one breed. It creates a hybrid vigor or the heterosis effect. Still, designer dogs are prone to hereditary disorders of their parents.

When obtaining a Toy Cocker Spaniel or any other hybrid puppy, you don’t know about its future looks or personality, as it can be any combination of characteristics of two breeds. Don’t expect that only the good characteristics of two breeds will emerge in a designer dog. To get a general idea about the Toy Cocker Spaniel, you have to learn about typical characteristics of the Cocker Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel. Choose a Toy Cocker Spaniel puppy only if everything about both breeds matches your lifestyle and living conditions. What makes the situation worse is that some breeders use not purebred, but mixed dogs for creating designer puppies. To improve the desired characteristics of the next litter, designer dogs can be further bred to purebreds or other mixed dogs with necessary characteristics.

Designer dogs are very adaptable and can be trained to perform any task their parents were good at. Normally, designer dogs make good pets and family companions. Most of them are friendly, communicative, easy-going, loyal, playful, and easy to train. These dogs need the same amount of care and attention with purebreds. They should be taken for a walk daily, groomed, and fed quality food. A Toy Cocker Spaniel puppy is not suited for families with small children, as it’s vulnerable and fragile.