January 22, 2009

• He Thinks He's Part Squirrel

  I got a new dog in the last two weeks.  I named him Billie.  He is an English Cocker Spaniel.  It's been 10 months since my cat died, and I finally decided it was time for a new pet in my life.  Being a dog, Billie requires a little more of my attention, but I've done it before.

  Billie was apparently dumped without a collar and spent some time on the street before animal control picked him up.  When I found him in a shelter, he looked like he had never been groomed.  Maybe he was on the street for longer than anyone suspects.  The matting of his coat was so bad, that I had to have him shaved completely down to his skin.  His new coat is coming in beautifully.  I don't understand how he became so poorly kept, because Billie is about three years old, and he seems to have had some obedience training.  He understands simple commands like Come Here, Stay, Wait, and Sit, but he also appears to understand the word "Side" or "Beside." If he is out in front of me and and I say, "Side me," he will immediately come to my heal and walk beside me. 

  There are actually two lines within the English Cocker breed.  One is bred strictly for show; the other is bred as a field dog, though they can also be shown.  Billy appears to have been bred as a field dog.  I say that because I've noticed that he loves to chase squirrels, and if they go up a tree during the chase, he will try to go up the tree after them.  I guess he thinks he's part squirrel.  He also seems to point and flush birds.  I've even seen him approach his game by stealth.  Billie shows a great deal of stamina when outdoors, so I'm going to have to find a Dog Park where he can be allowed to run off of his leash.

  Billie is almost solid black, having only a small white mark on his chest and a small amount of white on his right paw and his nose.  I had him checked out by my vet, and he appears to be in excellent health except for a soft stool which we are working on correcting.  It's not liquid, but it isn't solid either.  There are no signs of worms or other parasites in his body.  After I've finished cleaning him up and get him properly groomed, I'll post his picture.

  The English Cocker differs from the American Cocker is several ways, size being one of them.  The English Cocker stands 2-3 inches taller than the American Cocker and weighs 8-10 pounds more than its American cousin.  They also have longer ears.  They don't talk - I mean bark - as much either at strange sounds and noises they might hear.  They will, however, bark and howl when left alone, for the English Cocker becomes very family oriented and wants to be involved in every facet of its family's activity.  That can be a problem if he must be left alone during the day.  Like other dogs, they will stop barking when they realize that it isn't getting them anywhere.  The English Cocker has a deeper sounding bark than the American Cocker.  And they have different personalities too.  In short, the English Cocker Spaniel makes and excellent companion. No Napoleon Complex; not too small; and not too big for an apartment.

  • 3:37 pm
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