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Cocker Sheltie |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Cocker Sheltie |
| A Cocker Sheltie is a cross between the English Cocker Spaniel and the Shetland Sheepdog. It is considered a breed-specific creation because two pure registered breeds were bred to create the Cocker Sheltie. Their coats are generally long and dense, requiring regular brushing. Other characteristics the Cocker Sheltie can inherit from its parents are a herding instinct, a friendly disposition, high energy levels and an affectionate nature. The Cocker Sheltie will do best in a home with a fenced yard. The Cocker Sheltie is an excellent active companion for a dog owner who likes to be on the move. |
History of the Cocker Sheltie |
| Because the Cocker Sheltie is such a modern breed, documentation on its history is limited to none. |
A little of the English Cocker Spaniel |
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| The word Spaniel means Spanish dog, and they are thought to have originated in Spain. Thought to have been discovered since the 1300s, the Cocker Spaniel was first trained to flush woodcock from their hiding places, hence its name. Divided into land and water Spaniels by the American Kennel Club when first registered in 1878, the breed was further differentiated by size. This division also led to both the English Cocker Spaniel and American Cocker Spaniel breeds, with the English Cocker Spaniel becoming separate in its own right in 1946. Both are listed in the AKC Sporting Group, the American Cocker Spaniel being the smaller of the two. Both breeds do very well in the ring. | ||
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| Standard of the English Cocker Spaniel | ||
A little of the Shetland Sheepdog |
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| The Shetland Sheepdog is a miniature Collie developed on the Shetland Islands. The original name for the Shetland Sheepdog was Shetland Collie. They are now commonly called Sheltie. During the 1700s, fishermen visited the Shetland Islands and brought with them their dogs such as King Charles Spaniel, Yakki dogs, Spitz like dogs from Scandinavia and Sheepdogs from Scotland, which were then crossed with Shetland dogs. The result was the Shetland Sheepdog. The Shetland Sheepdog was used as a sheepdog. The Shetland Sheepdog was first registered with the American Kennel Club in 1911. The dog was named Lord Scott and had been imported from the Shetland Islands by John G. Sherman Jr. Today's Shetland Sheepdog excels at flyball, tracking and breeding. Shetland Sheepdogs are also ideal as therapy dogs. | ||
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| Standard of the Shetland Sheepdog |
Appearance of the Cocker Sheltie |
| The Cocker Sheltie will be a medium-sized dog with a long, dense double coat. The Cocker Sheltie can be seen in a variety of colors such as merle, tricolor, black, brown, beige and white. It will have a robust, agile body and weigh between 11 and 16 kilos. The hybrid will have an alert, gentle facial expression. Its ears may be floppy. The tail is medium-sized, and the muzzle is often long and narrow. The head may be rounded like that of the English Cocker Spaniel or tapered like that of the Shetland Sheepdog. |
Temperament of the Cocker Sheltie |
| The English Cocker Spaniel is a social, affectionate breed. They are gentle, intelligent and kind. If socialized from an early age, they are good with children and other dogs. The English Cocker Spaniel is eager to please and craves attention. They are easily trained and excellent at obedience training. They are a curious, active breed. The Shetland Sheepdog is a herding dog and can have herding instincts. This means they can bark and herd other animals or even people. They can also take off and chase another dog, car or bike. They should not be walked off-leash. The Shetland Sheepdog has a high-pitched bark. Shetland Sheepdogs are highly intelligent and easy to train. It's a playful, loving and lively breed. Your Cocker Sheltie will be eager to learn. He'll be energetic, playful and make a wonderful pet. He'll need guidance, and when instructed, he'll thrive as a member of the household. |
Needs and activities of the Cocker Sheltie |
| Your Cocker Sheltie can have high energy levels. It's important to take him for daily walks. He'll love to play fetch, explore and run in a fenced yard. The Cocker Sheltie may also enjoy visiting a dog park to play and make new friends. The Cocker Sheltie is a very intelligent dog and will love to learn and excel in obedience classes. English Cocker Spaniels and Shetland Sheepdogs don't do well in hot weather. Therefore, your Cocker Sheltie should not be exposed to extreme heat. During the summer months, he should be walked in shady streets. |
Maintenance of the Cocker Sheltie |
| The Cocker Sheltie will have a dense, long coat. Its coat should be brushed regularly to help remove dead hairs and prevent matting. The Cocker Sheltie needs a monthly bath with a mild dog shampoo. His nails should be trimmed monthly. To prevent tartar build-up, the Cocker Sheltie's teeth should be brushed with canine toothpaste several times a week. Ears should be checked weekly for the proliferation of debris, odors or yeast, as hybrids with long ears can be prone to problems. It's recommended that dogs be seen by a vet once a year for a wellness check. Puppies and older dogs will need more frequent visits. Your vet may recommend a monthly heartworm treatment and preventive treatment against ticks and fleas. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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