20-35 lbs
9-18"
United States
The Cock-A-Mo is a designer dog, an intentional hybrid between the American Cocker Spaniel, a game flushing gun dog turned family companion, and the American Eskimo dog, an American descendant of several different Spitz type dogs from Europe. The resulting hybrid is an engaging and highly trainable animal with a high intelligence and a love of learning. These crossbreeds can come in several color combinations and they have soft, double-layered coats that can be either corded or silky. Grooming these dogs requires daily attention and a little extra work, but they are a relatively quiet canine and if their exercise needs are met, they can be a suitable candidate for apartment living.
Spaniels are classified as gun dogs, but they have been flushing and retrieving game for human hunters since the 1500’s, long before the gun was invented. The first Spaniels were divided into two groups based on where they worked; water Spaniels and land Spaniels. It was at some point during the 17th century that a distinction was first made between types of land Spaniels based on size and they began to be classified as either Springer or Cocker Spaniels. The taller Spaniels were called Springer Spaniels as they were typically employed to “spring” game animals for the hunt but the smaller dogs were particularly adept at flushing game birds like woodcocks from the low bushes, earning them the name of Cocker Spaniel. In 1902 The Cocker Spaniel Club was founded in England but when the Cocker Spaniels was bred in America they were bred as companions rather than hunting dogs and they changed considerably. Their backs lengthened, their heads became more domed, and their prey drive was greatly reduced. The change was drastic enough that in 1935 a group was formed for those who preferred the traditional look of the English Cocker Spaniel and were intent on discouraging interbreeding the English style Cocker Spaniel and the newer Americanized version. In 1946 the Cocker Spaniels that had developed in America were recognized as a separate breed, the American Cocker Spaniel, which is the breed typically utilized to develop the Cock-A-Mo breed. The American Eskimo dog is a fairly new breed in comparison, a descendant of several types of European Spitz type dogs that were brought to America in the early 1900’s.
These dogs do best if they are bathed sparingly, as bathing them too frequently can lead to dry and uncomfortable skin. They do, however, require daily brushing to remove dead hairs and tangles and to properly distribute those oils to the fur. This hybrid’s fur is prone to tangling, and those tangles can turn into mats rather easily if brushing and combing are neglected for a few days. The American Eskimo sheds heavily when the seasons change, requiring multiple grooming sessions per day, and this trait may be inherited by the Cock-A-Mo as well. Although it may seem easier in the short term, shaving northern breed dogs like the American Eskimo can permanently damage the follicles of the outer coat allowing only the fuzzy undercoat to grow back in patches.
The Cocker Spaniel is an energetic breed, but not an overly active breed. The American Eskimo is a very active animal. The Cock-A-Mo tends to require a higher amount of exercise than average due to the American Eskimo heritage. This crossbreed can generally remain active in the colder weather due to their thick insulating undercoat, and usually handle the heat fairly well as long as they remain hydrated. A minimum of sixty to ninety minutes of vigorous activity a day is needed to keep these animals at their happiest and healthiest, and they tend to be well suited to a number of activities, including trick training, agility courses, fetch, and brisk walks. Although they are happiest with a larger house and a yard to run in, these dogs can be suited to apartment living if they get an adequate amount of exercise and daily activity.
Written by Darlene Stott
Published: 10/09/2017, edited: 02/24/2021
More articles by Darlene Stott
How big does her breed grow.. Cockamo
