Cocker Spaniel Terrier Mix!!!
Also popularly known as Corkies, the hybrid is a designer crossbreed between a purebred American Cocker Spaniel and a Yorkshire Terrier. Unlike other hybrids they come possessing highly variable appearance and personas, and hence investing in these pups is always a good surprise.
Below we have arranged a detailed breakdown of the woofer’s origin history, their temperament, exercising requirements, and many other essential data. Give it a thorough read if you are hoping to welcome one of these pups to your home.
Table of Contents
- 1 Where do the Cocker Spaniel Terrier Mix come from?
- 2 How does a Corkie look like?
- 3 How big do the Corkies get?
- 4 How long does a Cocker Spaniel Yorkshire Terrier live for?
- 5 Are Cocker Spaniel Yorkshire Terrier Mix Hypoallergenic?
- 6 How to groom their coats?
- 7 Do they make good dogs? Are they fit for an apartment lifestyle?
- 8 How do you train a Cocker Spaniel Yorkshire Terrier Mix?
Where do the Cocker Spaniel Terrier Mix come from?
When it comes to a Corkie, the history pages don’t have much information that shows the exact justification behind its creation. However, with its parents’ breeds, it is definitely sure that the creators responsible for this amazing idea wanted to have a designer canine that was very much people-oriented and could spend hours cuddling up with its owner.
Similarly, it hasn’t been much time since the woofer was introduced to the world only a few decades ago, but given its extremely adorable features, the pup has risen to be one of the most prized designer breeds.
How does a Corkie look like?
Arriving with two sets of DNA, deciding the physical attributes of a Corkie pup, even within the same litter is never possible. The pup may go on any of its parents or exhibit an appearance that subtly matches the two very different breeds, and thereby producing entirely different characteristics.
But on an average, these puppers are generally categorised as small to medium sized dogs with a somewhat long torso and a sturdy build up. So, never go on their petite sizes, as the hybrid owners often call them as tiny beasts due to their spunky attitudes.
They have a small head, a short muzzle which is often adorned with a black or brown nose and a set of soul-reading dark colored eyes. This deadly combination is alone to make pet parents go weak on their legs, so be aware of their alluring beauty. Their ears may be erect or floppy with layers of fur travelling all the way down, giving off a well-defined look. Furthermore, just like their parents, their legs are typically short, making them the perfect lap dog.
The Cocker Spaniel Terrier Mix has a long silky coat with various color combinations including sable and white, red roan, blue roan and tan, golden, cream, blue roan, red and white, silver, buff and white, red, white and tan, brown and tan, black and white, etc. Or else they may also represent single bold colours as Spaniels.
How big do the Corkies get?
Based upon their parent’s dominant set of genes, these woofers may measure around 8 to 14 inches in height, with the small-sized ones between 8-11 inches, and the medium-sized ones lying between 12-14 inches. The height is typically decided by the probability of the Spaniel’s genes in the pup’s body, as Yorkies are naturally small.
Likewise, upon reaching maturity, a Cocker Spaniel Terrier Mix weighs up to 20 pounds, with a small fractional difference between males and females. These were initially created to be small sized family companions and hence their small size makes them the prime choice for individuals looking for designer lap canines.
How long does a Cocker Spaniel Yorkshire Terrier live for?
A healthy Corkie’s lifespan is between 11-14 years, but with proper care and nutrition, it can go way longer than the average sum. While they are no wonder healthy, they do come with risks of unexpected vet bills. So, before we talk about the Corkie’s vulnerability to health conditions, let’s have a look at their parents.
Starting with the Spaniels, these purebreds are very much susceptible to skin, ear, and eye infections and hence proper grooming and attention to their eyes and ears are highly crucial. Next with Yorkshire Terriers, the breed is highly prone to respiratory issues, cataracts and digestion problems.
Therefore, some of the most common health issues that may be passed down to Corkies from their parents, include:
- Eye and ear infection
- Joint issues
- Reverse sneezing
- Patellar luxation
- Hypothyroidism
- Epilepsy
- Hip dysplasia
- Skin allergies, etc.
Are Cocker Spaniel Yorkshire Terrier Mix Hypoallergenic?
If you have been diagnosed with chronic dog allergy syndrome, then congrats, a Corkie might be the right option for you. Typically blessed with its Yorkie parents’ coat texture, these dogs are known to shed comparatively less than its Spaniel parents. Therefore, the lesser the fur shedding, the lesser production of dog allergens on their tiny bodies.
However, their hypoallergenic coat works only up to a limit and hence should not be considered to be 100 percent capable. Every canine produces a different set of proteins from their body, and it is always best to get a green-flag from your family doctor as well as a professional vet before bringing these puppies home.
How to groom their coats?
As stated earlier, the Cocker Spaniel Yorkshire Terrier Mix has a long, sleek, beautiful coat which needs high maintenance. They can easily get tangled or matty when kept unkempt for long, and regular brushing and raking are a must. Thus, you will be required to bathe and trim their hair on a fixed interval for the ‘ideal Corkie’ look.
Pet parents do need to make sure that their nails, eyes, ears, and teeth are also well cared for, as no one wants to see their beloved woofers seem like little madmen on the loose. Professional salon time is also necessary when having these pups.
Do they make good dogs? Are they fit for an apartment lifestyle?
Corkies are known for their fun loving, lively nature, but some may also display snappy and aggressive behaviour when provoked in the wrong way. While most of them don’t mind a little pull or poke, leaving them with small children or pets unmonitored might not be for the best. The hybrid is a product of two hyper-sensitive hunting dog breeds and hence have a higher prey-drive, which can become an issue.
Apart from that, these pups are one of the sweetest, tiny little pups with enough love for everyone. They will happily hop onto your arms or lay down on your lap for long hours when in the mood to laze around. Moreover, given their very laid back nature, they make one of the best choices for apartment lifestyles, as they are relatively easy to manage.
However beaware, as these puppers have a tendency to becoming obese and hence regular walks of 45-60 minutes is a must. They should also be offered with ample mind-stimulating games and dog-friendly toys to play with, as their boredom or separation anxiety can make them extremely destructive or snappy.
How do you train a Cocker Spaniel Yorkshire Terrier Mix?
If planning to own a Cocker Spaniel Yorkshire Terrier Mix, the pet parents will need to focus more on their socialisation skills. The hybrid can become extremely territorial or have an innate desire to hunt anything small, and hence the pup needs to understand the difference between good and bad actions.
These woofers respond well to positive reinforcement training methods. Although they might not be the most intelligent hybrids of all, their eagerness to please their pet parents is what makes them a good option for interested owners. So, if you are regularising their training and introducing new commands with a good set of rewards, chances are that the pup will most likely get rid of its annoying willfulness and listen to you.
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