Cocker Sheltie (Cocker Spaniel & Shetland Sheepdog Mix) Info, Pictures

The Cocker Sheltie is the marvelous mix of the Cocker Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog. This guy is a hybrid pooch who is a charming combination of their parent’s best traits. Both of their parents are happy, playful, friendly, and loving dogs in their own right. So, you can expect the Cocker Sheltie to be doubly so.

They are small enough to fit in most family homes but robust enough to make a fantastic doggy sibling for families with young children. They get on well with all animals and other humans, and they are known for being an all-round friendly pup. This adaptable pooch has a lot to offer, but in return, they have a few special requests.

If you are about to embark on a Cocker Sheltie journey but need to do a little more research to make sure they are the breed for you, you’ve come to the right place. Here in this guide, we will run you through everything you need to know. By the time you’ve finished reading this mixed breed manual, we think you’ll be straight on finding a breeder.

Let’s see what this happy and gorgeous mixed pooch has to offer.

Cocker Sheltie Puppies

Unlike some other mixed breeds out there, the Cocker Sheltie is not particularly demanding or challenging. Their adaptable and easy-going nature is why they are quickly rising in popularity.

Their main request is that you spend a lot of time with them. They are a sensitive soul who needs companionship, and a lot of it. It doesn’t have to be their main master who spends all of their time with them. But as long as there is someone around, they are happy.

With this in mind, for those few hours when you do have to leave them alone, they will be quite anxious. But there is a lot you can do to alleviate this. We’ll talk about crate training and toys later on in this guide, but these are steps that you’ll need to take so that they are as happy as they can be.

For some owners, being needy is one of the only sticking points to this pup. But if you are looking for a needy dog who will want to glue themselves to you, you couldn’t ask for a better dog than the Cocker Sheltie.

Having come from a working dog heritage, the Cocker Sheltie will need a lot of exercise. Their Shetland Sheepdog parent is a herder, and their Cocker Spaniel parent traditionally helped their hunter master to collect his catch. So, you’ll need to set aside around 1 hour every day to expel that herding energy.

Depending on whose jacket he inherits, they will need grooming daily or every other day. They have a pretty and voluminous coat, but it does require attention to keep it looking so lovely. You could combine a snuggle on the sofa with a grooming session, and they’ll love being pampered from head to toe (just make sure to change into your scruffs so that you don’t mind getting hairy!)

3 Little-Known Facts About the Cocker Sheltie

1. The Cocker Sheltie Might Try to Herd You

Their Shetland Sheepdog parent is one of the best herding dogs in the world, and you can expect that this guy will inherit some of their herding genes. This is great if you are seeking an intelligent dog. But, this does mean that they will often try to herd family members in the home, so discourage this behavior.

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2. The Cocker Sheltie Is One of the Sweetest Mixed Dog Breeds

Both of their parents are sweet, so if you are looking for a sweet and friendly pup, this might be the breed for you.

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3. The Cocker Sheltie Is More Energetic Than People Think

Don’t let their small size and pretty coat fool you; this guy needs a lot of exercise to keep them happy and satisfied. They are not a quiet lapdog.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Cocker Sheltie 🧠

The Cocker Sheltie is a great all-rounder, and there isn’t a mean bone in their body. They are super sweet, and with their big round eyes, they’ll melt your heart in no time. They are super loving and affectionate and will happily snooze their afternoons and evenings away with you. They make the best duvet day buddy, so if you’re going to Netflix and chill, this boy will want in on the action.

They are also really chilled about who comes in and out of their house. They are fantastic with strangers, including your friends and the delivery guy, and they will not give anyone any trouble. Friendly with all, including any unwanted intruders. If it is a guard dog or watchdog that you are looking for, you want to keep searching, because the Cocker Sheltie is not that dog.

They come from a working lineage, which means that despite their size, they are full of beans. This means that they are not the typical lap dog that everyone might assume they are. You’ll need to keep them entertained with brain games and interactive play throughout the day. Try hiding treats in cups and getting them to guess which one it is in is something that you could easily play with this clever canine cookie.

The Cocker Sheltie is also very fun and loves an enjoyable romp in the garden with their family. If you have young kids who would like a frolicking canine to keep them entertained, this guy is up to the task.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Cocker Sheltie, if you haven’t already guessed, is great for families. They get along with everyone, from baby to great-grandma. And they will also welcome family friends and those they have never met before into the fold with open arms. They are super friendly and want everyone to be their best friend.

Being so gentle and sweet, the Cocker Spaniel is suited to families with children of all ages. They are very patient and loving, and you’ll often find them snuggling up to the little ones.

They can live in any type of home, be that a small apartment or a large estate. They are very adaptable. The only thing that they ask is that they get their daily exercise and that you spend a lot of time with them.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

As long as they are socialized well, this pooch will get along with other dogs and all other pets. This is another appeal of theirs, and multi-pet families can rest easy knowing they can fit themselves straight into your family whatever the dynamics are.

Things to Know When Owning a Cocker Sheltie

The Cocker Sheltie is relatively easy to care for when it comes to his food and training needs. They need a bit more effort when it comes to their grooming schedule and exercise routine. So let’s take a closer look at their day-to-day needs.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Cocker Sheltie will only consume between 1½ to 2½ cups of food a day. This will be entirely dependent on their energy levels, size, and appetite. Be sure to give them a high-quality kibble that will provide them with a well-balanced diet.

Dried kibble will also help to break down any buildup of plaque, which is essential in smaller pooches with compact mouths. Periodontal diseases are more common in smaller pooches. Because they could inherit the smaller mouth of their Cocker parent, keeping their mouth clean is essential.

For their luxurious coat to stay luxurious, they will need to eat kibble that provides them with plenty of omega fatty acids too. Look for ingredients such as salmon, meat meals, flaxseed, and sunflower oil. These also have other nutritional benefits such as healthy brain and heart function, better digestion, and overall wellbeing.

Exercise 🐕

The Cocker Sheltie will need around 60 minutes of exercise every day. This will need to take various forms to stimulate their intelligent brain. Long walks, jogging, flyball, and agility doggy classes will all interest them. They will be able to do any exercise you challenge them with, and ultimately, this guy’s just happy to spend time with their master.

Remember that both of their parents are traditional working dogs, so they will want to exercise whatever the weather. Many soon-to-be owners view this guy as a sweet and snuggly pooch who doesn’t need much exercise, but they do. Come rain or shine, they’ll need to exercise.

Training 🦮

The Cocker Sheltie doesn’t instantly transform into a well-behaved angelic pooch without training. They need socialization like all other pups. Socialization doesn’t just mean mixing them with other dogs. It also means exposing them to a variety of animals, unfamiliar people, loud noises, and new surroundings. It is a key process so that they build their confidence and learn how to be a polite pooch.

Being a sweet pooch who is particularly sensitive, they will probably sulk if you tell them off. Positive reinforcement training is always the most effective training method. Although they will love treats, they are more likely to go crazy for balls and sticks. Work out what drives him and use it to your advantage.

Crate training is going to be a must with the Cocker Sheltie. All because they are super needy and likely to become very anxious when left alone for too long. Make it comfy and warm, and they’ll soon see it as their safe haven. Always give them a blanket to cuddle or a toy to play with, as this will take their mind off missing you.

There is a fair chance that the Cocker Sheltie will inherit the herding instincts of the Shetland Sheepdog. If they try to herd your family or other pets in the home, this is something to be discouraged. Having them chase a ball can decrease the need to herd their family, as well as other impulse control games.

Grooming ✂️

The Cocker Sheltie will need daily grooming, or every other day if it is much shorter than the average Cocker Sheltie. They will usually inherit a longer coat compared to the Cocker Spaniel, but shorter than the Shetland Sheepdog’s coat. A slicker brush or pin brush will likely be your best grooming weapon to tackle their wavy coat.

The Cocker Sheltie needs a bath once every 8 weeks, depending on how dirty they get while on their woodland adventures. Be sure not to wash them more than this because you risk damaging their natural skin oils and beautiful coats. A gentle and natural shampoo would be better for this guy because their skin is known to be sensitive.

Health and Conditions ❤️

As a crossbreed, the Cocker Sheltie can inherit health problems associated with either parent. As such, it is essential to take a look at all the conditions that could affect them. Make yourself aware of all the signs.

Thankfully, they are a relatively healthy dog who will enjoy an average lifespan of 10 to 14 years.

Male vs. Female

The main difference between male and female Cocker Shelties is that the males are usually slightly bigger than the females. Because they are small to medium dogs anyway, this probably wouldn’t have much bearing on what sex you might choose.

The most influential factor that determines the Cocker Sheltie’s personality traits is training and overall happiness with their family and circumstances.

Final Thoughts

The Cocker Sheltie is a sweet pooch who will bring brightness to the dullest of mornings. As long as you can provide them with plenty of company and exercise, and spend a little time on their coat, they will be very content. Their requests are very reasonable, and in return, they will shower you with doggy kisses and cuddles.

Now that you’ve read this comprehensive guide on this Sheltie Spaniel mix, what are you waiting for? Find yourself a reputable breeder, and you will be a step closer to adopting one of the sweetest pups in the world.

See also:

• Afaird (Afghan Hound & Briard Mix)
• Spangold Retriever (English Springer Spaniel & Golden Retriever Mix)

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Featured Image Credit: Fasp333, Shutterstock