What is a Cockador?- All that you want to know

A super adorable mix between a purebred Cocker Spaniel and a Labrador Retriever, the Cockador is another highly sought after Cocker Spaniel hybrid.

However only a few people know that it is also one of the ‘most dangerous’ breeds out there. So dangerous, that one look from these little fur babies is enough to make you forget everything else and just cuddle all day long. Just Kidding!!!

These are the sweetest, little cuddle bears you could ever find amongst all Spaniel hybrids. Just like their parents they are widely known for their loyal and soft side towards all, and hence if you want to have one of these pups, you have arrived at the right place.

Origin History of the Cockador

Also popularly known as the Cocker Spaniel Lab Mix, Spanador, and the Cockerdor, the canine is a relatively newer Cocker Spaniel hybrid. This pup was particularly developed to entertain the demands of pet parents that wanted the perfect amalgamation of the gentle Labrador and the beautiful Cockers.

Unlike other hybrids of the Spaniels, these pups grow up to be medium sized cuddle buds whose entire focus is their family. They can spend literally hours all curled up into a fur ball or be the best active partners for your adventure sprees, given their high energy levels from both their parents.

So, even though not much information is available regarding their origin, pet parents however don’t mind the mystery surrounding their emergence and still tend to prefer the hybrid.

How does a Cockerdor look like?

Generally depicting the physical attributes of a hybrid between two or multiple dogs is never easy. This is because at the end everything goes down to the specific arrangement of parental genes in their body. Thus, depending upon the dominant set of genes, the physical characteristics are defined, which is not possible to denote mostly until the pup grows up. However, if you are really that curious, you could definitely take the help of professional Canine DNA testing kits, that when tested can give you a specific idea of their breed and ancestry.

Typically, upon growing up a Spanador bears the resemblance of both parents, where, as discussed, a few traits of one parent may predominantly surpass the other. These pups have a strong, athletic build given their parents’ reputation as ‘sporting dogs’. Their heads are wedge shaped and have a little rounding on the top and are attached to a strong neck.

Additionally their chest is wide and deep, with a brawny snout, ears flopped which may have fluff covering it just like the Spaniels. To support their athletic body, they are also blessed with strong legs, and large padded feet and a whip-like tail with comparatively more fur as compared to a purebred Lab. They are mostly available in white, red, black, brown, fawn, and cream single tones, although some may also bear dual combinations.

All of these features add on to make a hard-to-ignore pupper that dog parents can’t get enough of.

How big do the Cockadors get?

These medium sized Spaniel hybrids measure a little smaller than their lab parents. With fully-grown males going up to 20-22 inches of height, females tend to be a little shorter with 18-20 inches. Similarly, the weight of a male Spanador can lie anywhere between 22-50 lbs and that of females 20-47 lbs.

But, it is essential to remember that the height measurements may also vary by a little in case the pup has more of its Spaniel parents genes than that of its Labby parents. The same also goes for the weight. Other factors that can contribute to a change in this frequency include their age, lifestyle, medical conditions, and even progeny.

How long does a Spanador live for?

Spanadors typically live for 12-15 years.

While many claim designer dogs and hybrids to be healthier dogs, there is unfortunately no such thing. Every purebred canine is predisposed to some breed-related ailments during their life, and hence simply declaring the Cockadors as a healthier counterpart is never wise. There are a lot of factors that influence the truth, and hence pet folks need to understand their fur babies’ breeding and origin record well.

Apart from that, the hybrid may also be prone to certain health conditions, same as their parents. Some of these include:

Hip and elbow dysplasia
Obesity
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Cataracts
Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GVA) or Bloat
Skin infection or allergies
Epilepsy, etc.

This is why, canine experts advise only getting one of these woofers from registered and professional breeders only. Cross breeding isn’t a child’s play. Even a small careless approach can result in devastating consequences on the pooch’s life and hence why risk their lifestyle with one’s poor choices.

Are the Cocker Spaniel Lab Mix Hypoallergenic?

Unfortunately, no!!!

Same as its parents, the Cocker Spaniel Lab Mix may not be the right person for people with acute and chronic cases of dog allergies. Their little bodies are covered with a dense layer of coat with furs that could be medium to long in length. So, eventually they are prone to moderate to high shedding and production of pet dander and all harmful canine allergies that could be harmful to a sensitive individual.

Their loose fur could stick on to your clothes, furniture or worse get into your food, leading to severe consequences. Hence, it is better to stay away from this very hybrid, as it is never safe to risk your health or the pooch’s happiness.

Similarly, although some parents may claim OTC (Over-the-Counter) medications to be the best in dealing with such situations, it doesn’t change the fact that your body will eventually grow habituated to the medicine, requiring you to opt for higher doses in the future.

How to groom a Cockador?

As discussed previously, these woofers can be moderate to high shedders. Therefore, pet lovers will need to up their grooming game to ensure their home, and furniture stays clean.

Given their dense coats, the hybrid will require regular brushing and raking with high quality slicker brushes, rakers, and other grooming tools. They should be brushed thoroughly to remove dust and dirt particles as their accumulation could trigger major skin problems, hair fall, and even cause infections.

When bathing, always use an unscented, mild-shampoo for their coats, best followed by a dog-friendly leave-in conditioner. Their nails should be trimmed, teeth brushed daily and ears cleaned to keep them away from ear infections or other major issues. Pet parents can also go for professional grooming sessions every few months.

Are the Cocker Spaniel Lab Mix good dogs?

Yeah!!! In Fact every dog is.

The Cocker Spaniel Lab Mix is an energy filled, lively, loyal, quirky fur bundle that every person needs in their life. Their fun loving, goofy personality is best matched for parents who are always on their feet, going to new places or meeting new people. Same as Labs, the puppies will absolutely embrace anything that their parents pass their time with, that may be lounging around or going on hikes to mountains.

The hybrid is known to be friendly and welcoming to all, and hence they can be trusted with both infants and other animals at home. However, still parents will be required to teach the woofers proper socialisation skills from a very young age, just in case.

Additionally, given their lively character, the hybrid will require a good regular physical and mental exercising schedule. From walking them for not less than 30 minutes, to letting them run around in a safely fenced yard, playing tug-of-war or introducing mind stimulating games, the breed will require lots of exercise to vent off their pent-up energies. Or else, they could shift to destructive habits which is no wonder a huge headache for pet parents.

How to train a Cockerdor?

The hybrid is well-known for its eagerness to please its owners and hence training this little pooch won’t be that hard. But, if they do exhibit stubbornness or dominance, the answer to this is patience and regular training.

They adapt well to positive reinforcement training methods, and hence adding lots of praises and tasty, lip smacking treats is the key to a ‘gentleman/lady’ in the house. They also do well in ‘tracking and smell identification’, all thanks to their parents, and hence training them from the same can make them invest their energies much more efficiently.

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