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Mini English Cocker (Dachshund & Cocker Spaniel Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

mini english cocker

Height: 9 – 11 inches
Weight: 18 – 22 pounds
Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
Colors: Brown, red, black, cream, white
Suitable for: Families, singles, couples
Temperament: Friendly, affectionate, intelligent, loving, curious, stubborn

The Mini English Cocker is a hybrid breed, a cross between a Dachshund and English Cocker Spaniel. These dogs are sociable pooches that love to be around their owners, and they are calm and quiet animals that are happy to be indoors. That being said, don’t be fooled by their cool and calm demeanor — these dogs have a strong hunting instinct that will send them running after the slightest movement. This is thanks to their parent breeds’ strong hunting heritages, as well as a few other unique traits.

Dachshunds, also commonly known as sausage dogs, were bred for hunting small mammals like foxes, badgers, and rabbits. This is partly how they acquired their name, “Dachs” meaning badger and “hund” meaning dog. These little dogs are more popular as companion dogs these days and are often in the top 20 most popular breed lists.

English Cocker Spaniels are beautiful dogs with their characteristically long ears and soft wavy coats. They were originally developed in England for hunting woodcock, hence their name, and are now popular companion animals. The English Cocker Spaniel is the American Cocker Spaniel’s cousin, the two being recognized as separate breeds in the 1930s. The English Spaniel is the larger of the two, with a ton of stamina and energy and a curious, inquisitive nature.

Does this remarkable crossbreed sound like the right fit for you? Read on to find out more.

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Mini English Cocker Puppies

english cocker spaniel cute ginger puppies
Photo Credit: Photobox.ks, Shutterstock
Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The Mini English Cocker is a sprightly little dog for its size, with a surprising amount of energy and stamina. They are usually smaller than both their parent breeds, with bodies not quite as long as their “sausage dog” heritage and ears not quite as characteristic as their Spaniel roots. Still, the puppies in the litter can vary widely and may adopt some of the predominant characteristics of their parents.

Typically, they have short legs with small, round paws, a pointed muzzle, and most often, long droopy ears. They can have wavy, medium-length coats or a smooth, sleek coat, or even a combination of the two.

Due to their small size and calm and gentle nature, these dogs do well in apartments, provided that they still get the required daily exercise. The puppies are about as cute and adorable as they come, and their gentle nature combined with their good looks make for a winning package that you unlikely are able to resist.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Mini English Cockers

1. They are expert hunters

Don’t let those floppy ears, mellow demeanor, and adoring eyes fool you; these dogs are proficient hunters when given the chance. Both the Dachshund and Spaniel have a long history of hunting small game and were bred expressly for the purpose. Their small size and agile frames make them maneuver through the bush with ease, and they have a fiercely combative side that can come out when they are on the hunt. There aren’t many small animals as fierce as a badger, and the unassuming “badger-dog” could hold their own against this legendary foe.

2. They have different types of coats

Dachshunds have three distinct and recognized types of coat: smooth, wirehaired, and longhaired. The smooth variety of Dachshund is the most popular, and all Dachshunds once had this smooth, sleek coat. Longhaired Dachshunds are fairly rare and have beautiful medium-length coats closely resembling an Irish Setter. The longhaired variety is also generally more docile than the other two varieties. Finally, the wirehaired Dachshund has a thick, coarse coat with characteristic beards and bushy eyebrows. They are thought to be more mischievous than the other two, but this is just a generalization.

With these varieties among Dachshunds, along with the wavy coat of the English Cocker Spaniel, you never quite know what type of coat you are likely to get in a mini English Cocker!

3. They are world record holders

Two of the 20 oldest recorded dogs were Dachshunds, and one was a Dachshund Terrier mix. All three lived to be over 20 years old, with the average life expectancy of Dachshunds being around 12-15 years. A Cocker Spaniel once briefly held the Guinness world record title at 22 years old, even older than both the Dachshunds, but this record was soon beaten by an Australian Cattle Dog that lived to be 30.

The parents of the Mini English Cocker
The parents of the Mini English Cocker . Left: Dachshund, Right: English Cocker Spaniel | Photo Credits: Pixabay

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Mini English Cocker 🧠

Mini English Cockers are primarily companion animals, and they are well-suited to their jobs. They are loving, affectionate, curious dogs that are social and love to be around people. Indeed, even strangers are not an issue for these pooches, and they will instantly warm up to new faces. These are happy and content little pooches that love nothing more than to snuggle with their owners.

Both the parents of this breed have strong hunting instincts, and you can be sure that your Mini English Cocker will inherit them. This makes leash training essential, as they will go running off after anything that moves. Stubbornness may be an issue in training, as these dogs inherit this headstrong trait from their parents. Luckily, they also inherit their parents’ intelligence, and once you can break through this stubborn streak, they usually take well to training.

While these dogs are generally quiet and calm most of the time, they are funny and playful when they get going. The Mini English Cocker is an even-tempered, loving, and mellow dog that loves being around their owner and is ideal for apartments and homes with small yards.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Yes! Mini English Cockers are great family pets because they are small and easy to maintain, gentle, and calm. They become highly attached to their owners, though, and will suffer from a great deal of separation anxiety if left alone for too long. If you are out frequently with no one else at home, they may not be the best choice. They are gentle and loving toward children and will bond quickly with them. They are a great pal for your child to play with in the back yard.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Mini English Cockers are a mostly gentle breed that will usually make fast friends with other household pets you may have — as long as they are bigger than them. Smaller pets like hamsters will be seen as prey to be hunted, and this may pose a problem. However, early socialization and consistent training can help this a great deal.

mini english cocker
Photo Credit: Photoshite, Shutterstock

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Things to Know When Owning a Mini English Cocker

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

These small dogs don’t have any specific needs that differ greatly from most other dogs, and 1 or 2 cups of high-quality kibble a day will suit them just fine. Try and supplement this with lean meats and fish occasionally, as this gives them a boost of good-quality protein and provides essential fatty acids like omega-3 and -6 to ensure a healthy coat and skin.

The main concern to watch out for is overeating, as these pooches will eat whatever they can. This is why we recommend that they are not freely fed, and keep clear of filler ingredients like wheat, soy, and corn. Also, human treats like sugar, dairy, and table scraps should be avoided, even when you are confronted with those convincing eyes.

Exercise 🐕

Given that these dogs love being with their owners indoors and are calm and mellow in temperament, you may think that they don’t need much exercise. Nope, the parent breeds of this dog were (and still are) highly active working animals that love to be outside with a job to do, chasing vermin and small animals. That being said, they are not Huskies and will do fine on a minimum of 60-90 minutes a day.

Remember, these little dogs are as clever as they are adorable and will need mental stimulation as much as they need physical exercise. Stimulating games of fetch and frisbee will be a sure winner with them, as it will tap into their innate hunting instincts, hopefully redirecting them from the family hamster!

Agility training is a great idea for these dogs, as it will tick all the mental and physical boxes that they so enjoy.

Training 🦮

Mini English Cockers are intelligent pooches, so on paper, they are usually a breeze to train. But don’t forget their pesky stubborn streak — they may not want to learn commands unless they feel like it. The best way to deal with stubborn and headstrong dogs is to begin training as early as possible and integrate training techniques into your everyday life with them. This can begin from the moment that you bring your new pup home and can be as simple as sitting before feeding or walks outside. Socializing them early with well-trained and obedient dogs is another surefire way to get them obeying commands quickly.

Grooming ✂️

The Mini English Cocker typically has a curly and wavy coat that requires regular brushing to avoid knotting and matting. Some may inherit the sleek and smooth coats of Dachshunds and won’t require as much maintenance. Luckily, no matter the coat your Cocker inherits, they are low-shedding dogs, but regular brushing will still help keep hair out of every crevice of your home. They have long and floppy ears, so you’ll need to pay close attention and try to keep their ears canals clean and dry. The lack of airflow underneath their large ears can quickly lead to infection if left unchecked.

Brushing your Mini Cocker’s teeth regularly will avoid plaque build-up and dental decay, and you should perform regular checks on their nails to make sure they are kept trim. We recommend bathing only when absolutely necessary and even then, only with special pet shampoo or even better, just warm water. Even mild shampoos can cause skin irritation and loss of essential oils on your dog’s coat.

Health Conditions ❤️

Hybrid vigor is a term used to describe the lack of inherited genetic issues that can benefit crossbred dogs, and the Mini English Cocker mostly enjoys this hybrid advantage. That being said, as with all dogs, there are always a few issues that you need to be on the lookout for.

Retinal dysplasia is usually a non-progressive disease, caused by a few factors, including genetic, vitamin deficiencies, and even viral infections. It is characterized by streaks and spots in the dog’s eye and can cause complete blindness in some cases.

Hip and elbow dysplasia are fairly common in both the parent breeds and may affect your Cocker too. Von Willebrand’s disease can occur, although more rarely, and dilated cardiomyopathy is also a possibility.

Other than that, obesity is the most common issue but is easily avoided with a good diet.

Minor Conditions
  • Allergies
  • Bloat
  • Obesity
  • Supernumerary teeth
  • Cataracts
Serious Conditions
  • Cancer
  • Retinal dysplasia
  • Jip and elbow dysplasia
  • Von Willebrand’s disease
  • Dilated cardiomyopathy

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Male vs Female

Most of the major differences between males and females are mitigated when spayed or neutered, and these simple procedures will also lead to a generally healthier and even-tempered dog. Also, a dog’s personality is far more dictated by their upbringing and environment and less by their gender. Each dog is a unique individual, no matter their gender, but there are small differences to be aware of.

Female Cockers tend to be more sedate and mellow than males and are more sensitive and affectionate with their owners. Males tend to be on the more independent side, are less prone to mood swings, and are larger. These are, however, mostly generalizations, and your dog may take on any of these traits, no matter the sex.

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Final Thoughts

The Mini English Cocker is a gentle, mellow breed. It takes a great deal to get this dog upset, though they can be sensitive at times too. They are happiest when around their owners, inside or outdoors, and their gentle nature makes them great with children. They may have a strong prey drive due to their parents’ hunting heritage, as well as a stubborn streak at times that can make them a challenge to train. Other than that, they are a dog that is easy to care for and just as easy to love, with boundless personality and affection toward their owners.

If you are looking for an even-tempered and mellow addition to your pet family, then look no further than the Mini English Cocker.


Featured Image: Photosite_, Shutterstock

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