Blue Spaniel

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26-40 lbs
15-19"
United States, United Kingdom
Australian Cattle Dog
Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Heeler Spaniel

The Blue Spaniel is the mix between an Australian Cattle Dog and Cocker Spaniel. They are bred to be active companion dogs. This breed is a generally known to be happy, smart, and energetic. Blue Spaniels come from two athletic parent breeds, so they require regular and vigorous exercise to remain happy. They have an average lifespan of 10 to 14 years, weight of 28 to 45 pounds, and height of 15 to 20 inches. Their general size depends on whether they descend from American or English Cocker Spaniels, with the former being on the smaller side. They typically look like undersized Cattle Dogs with Cocker Spaniel features, including floppy ears and a medium-length, wavy coat that requires regular brushing. Because they are a relatively new breed, they are currently unable to join the American Kennel Club (AKC) roster of purebred dogs.  
purpose Purpose
Companionship, sporting
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Australian Cattle Dog, Cocker Spaniel

Blue Spaniel Health

Average Size
Male Blue Spaniel size stats
Height: 16-20 inches Weight: 28-45 lbs
Female Blue Spaniel size stats
Height: 15-19 inches Weight: 26-40 lbs
Major Concerns
  • PRA
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Osteochondritis Dissecans
Minor Concerns
  • Deafness
  • Cataracts
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Familial Nephropathy
Occasional Tests
  • Hearing
  • X-Rays
  • CT Scan
  • Ophthalmic Exam
  • Orthopedic
  • Arthroscopy
  • Urine and Blood Analysis
  • Brain Auditory Evoked Response (BAER)

Blue Spaniel Breed History

The name Blue Spaniel is a nod to the breed’s color that it inherited from the Australian Cattle Dog and the name of its other parent breed parent, the Cocker Spaniel. The Australian Cattle Dog, a descendant of Collie varieties and Dingoes, was bred in Australia in the mid-1800s to herd cattle. Eventually, the mixed breed known for its endurance and work ethic, was bred with Dalmatians and Sheepdog varieties to resemble the Australian Cattle Dog we know today. The AKC recognized the breed in 1980. The Blue Spaniel’s other parent, the Cocker Spaniel, originated in the United Kingdom and was bred in the 1800s as a sporting companion. Cocker Spaniels were gifted at woodcock hunting, from which part of their name “Cocker” was derived. Until 1936, the English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel (which tends to be smaller than the former) were considered the same breed. American and English breeders, however, began to disagree about how to mate the dog. This resulted in two varieties: an “American” and an “English” Cocker Spaniel. The American Cocker Spaniel is more popular in the United States, while the English Cocker Spaniel is more popular in the rest of the world. The union of the Australian Cattle Dog and Cocker Spaniels has given way to the Blue Spaniel, which is a relatively new breed. The size difference between the English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel account for this breed’s wide variations in average height and weight ranges. Though the Blue Spaniel’s personality is not stabilized, it is generally known to be pleasant, smart, and energetic. Currently, the Blue Spaniel is not recognized by the AKC. As such, Blue Spaniel breeders should be thoroughly researched if you are considering purchasing a puppy through them. 

Blue Spaniel Breed Appearance

A Blue Spaniel typically looks like small Australian Cattle Dog with Cocker Spaniel ears and coat. It has a compact, athletic build. The size depends on whether the Australian Cattle Dog is bred with an American or English Cocker Spaniel. Either way, they are generally medium-sized. The average weight is 26 to 45 pounds and the average height is 15 to 20 inches tall. Their coat is blue (mottled or speckled) or black and white with tan markings. Blue Spaniels retain the Cocker Spaniel medium-length, wavy and soft coat. They have an alert and intelligent expression, with low-set floppy ears, a scissor bite, dark nose, and oval eyes that are usually dark brown or hazel. Their tail is medium length and tapered, while the paws are round with resilient pads for running. 
Eye Color Possibilities
hazel Blue Spaniel eyes
Hazel
brown Blue Spaniel eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Blue Spaniel nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
blue Blue Spaniel coat
Blue
black Blue Spaniel coat
Black
white Blue Spaniel coat
White
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Blue Spaniel wavy coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Blue Spaniel Breed Maintenance

Blue Spaniels are moderate shedders and – accordingly – require a moderate level of regular grooming. They are not completely hypoallergenic, but produce less allergens due to their hair-like coat from their Spaniel side. Owners can reduce shedding and matting by brushing 1 to 2 times a week and giving their Blue Spaniel monthly baths. Owners should give special attention to cleaning out Blue Spaniel’s large, floppy ear every time they are washed. Like all dog breeds, Blue Spaniels should have their teeth brushed on a daily basis and nails clipped 1 to 2 times a month to avoid painful overgrowth. Clipping around the head, ears, tail and feet is recommended. 
Brushes for Blue Spaniel
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Comb
Comb
Clipper
Clipper
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Blue Spaniel requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Blue Spaniel Temperament

Blue Spaniels are known to be happy and friendly dogs with occasional aggressive herding and hunting tendencies. These tendencies are triggered when Blue Spaniels are around groups of dogs or small animals. Blue Spaniels do bark occasionally and are known to be sensitive to environmental and routine changes, as well as aggressive behavior from others. Luckily, the breed also responds well to obedience training, given its high level of intelligence and willingness to please its owner. Otherwise, Blue Spaniels can be very playful and eager to engage in games with their owners and most other dogs. Because both parent breeds require physical and mental stimulation, Blue Spaniels must be exercised and entertained regularly to remain content and healthy. The Blue Spaniel is more like its Cocker Spaniel ancestry in that it is extremely people-oriented, making it an affectionate and loyal family dog that relishes in human attention. 

Blue Spaniel Activity Requirements

The Blue Spaniel comes from two highly energetic and curious breeds. As a result, they require consistent and daily exercise. Blue Spaniels should have at least one moderate to long walk a day, paired with vigorous play with other dogs or retrieval games with people. Blue Spaniels thrive in temperate and cool environments. They will be fine in warm to hot environments if they are not over exercised in the heat. Blue Spaniels will be happiest in a suburban or rural home with a big yard that they can play in. Both parent breeds have high impulses to wander, so Blue Spaniels must be monitored closely if they are off-leash or in an area that isn’t enclosed. Though Blue Spaniels enjoy being outdoors, they are primarily indoor animals that enjoy downtime with their owners and family. 
Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
9 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
90 minutes
activity minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Blue Spaniel

Similarly Sized Breeds to Blue Spaniel

Blue Spaniel Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.20 - $1.40
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$34.00 - $45.00
food bag monthly cost
author-img

Written by Kathleen Egger

Published: 10/16/2017, edited: 02/24/2021

Blue Spaniel Owner Experiences

Dharma
16 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
swimming
napping (in the sun)
Car Travel
Hiking
cuddle
We adopted Dharma when she was just a year old and she has been a core member of the family ever since! She is such a sweet and loyal dog, as she has grown up with my brother and I. Of course, as she has gotten older, she has become more senile and less friendly (particularly when she is tired) and has slight arthritis – but she is still constantly participating in our family outings, specifically hiking, where she still loves to herd us. And according to her vet: she has a clean bill of health! We decided to add another pup four years ago, and they are so sweet together (and I like to think that Daisy has helped increase her lifespan). I think the biggest take away from having a Blue Spaniel is that activeness is key. Allowing them to explore the world around them provides them with energy and mental stimulation that will provide a longer and happier companionship :)
5 months, 3 weeks ago
Lakota
2 Years
5 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
cuddle
Play
Pool
Perfect dog! She has the cocker spaniel temperment and ears but the blue heelers coat. Healthy cute fun but calm. She rarely barks and snuggles...her fur is like silk
5 years, 9 months ago
Raja
10 Years
6 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Car Travel
Swim
Tug-of-war
Fetch
cuddle
Play with kids
My Raja is a unique girl. She is extremely lovable and people pleasing. However, as she was adopted and her parentage not fully known, she does have some issues. She is MR, or intellectually disabled. Not to a point that she cannot be left unsupervised, but it does change her response in potentially dangerous situations. She has a beautiful black and blue coat that with age is starting to turn white. She does shed a lot, but is very willing to sit for long brushing sessions. Her energy level has started to decline, but I still call her my “little football star” because she’s the perfect height to take everyone out at the knees. Her herding instincts are present, and she “herds” the kids and other dogs, even our cats. She has always been around other dogs and that has never been an issue, although she sometimes doesn’t respect boundaries. She has never had a problem with being aggressive, but is an excellent watch/guard dog with identifiable alert barks that differ from her other types of noises. I have noticed that she has particularly sensitive skin. She has seasonal allergies, allergies to fleas and ticks, as well as poison oak and poison ivy. Any kind of mild skin irritations seem to affect her for weeks. Overall she is the absolute sweetest girl in the world, which is all that matters to me in my companion dog.
5 years, 1 month ago
charlie
5 Months
1 People
Studio
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Frisbee
was easy to train using a crate. learns commands very good. very active
4 years, 9 months ago
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