A phrase is thrown around in everyday human discourse: you should get a dog if you are looking for loyalty.
Indeed, a dog is a wonderful companion. But that is very general to most dogs.
So is a Pitbull Cocker Spaniel the best choice for you when you decide to get a dog?
If you are interested in knowing this, read on.
Brief History
Cocker Spaniels originated from Spain in the 14th century.
They are famous for their hunting abilities.
Cocker Spaniels are naturally attracted to hunting, and consequently, they are very good at it.
On the other hand, it wasn’t until the 18th century in England that the Pitbulls came to be.
These dogs are perfect guard dogs.
They are the epitome of loyalty when it comes to dogs.
Pitbulls stick with their owner and protect them in any scenario.
Sometimes their aggressive guarding instincts are powerful to a fault that they might put themselves in danger, but ensure their owner is safe.
Their guard is also enhanced by their intimidating appearance that can scare away people or other animals in moments of aggression.
All about the Pitbull Cocker Spaniel Mix
The Pitbull Cocker Spaniel is a mix of both the Pitbull and the Cocker Spaniel.
The mixed breed is usually known as the Cockerpit.
When the Cockerpit is bred, it will exhibit mixed traits from both parental breeds.
But it can also display more attributes from one parental breed than the other.
So, for instance, you can have a Cockerpit with more Pitbull characteristics than the Cocker Spaniel characteristics and vice versa.
It’s tough to find this American Pitbull Terrier and a Cocker Spaniel mixed breed.
Most of the time, when you come across this mixed breed, it is likely an accidental breed.
Though is becoming increasingly popular to see breeders offering puppies of this mix.
However, as breeding becomes popular, this mix becomes easier to find.
You can find a Cocker Spaniel Pitbull mix if you find a breeder and ask for a mixed breed litter.
Some breeders might be willing to help, but others might not be able to help you at all.
This mixed breed isn’t one that many people want, so it’s not likely to become as popular as a crossbreed like the Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel and Poodle Mix).
Why did they breed these two breeds?
Although the breeding might be accidental, whoever bred the two wanted to take the aggressive traits of a Pit Bull and mix them with the more chilled characteristics of a Cocker Spaniel.
The Cocker Spaniel is often described as loyal, intelligent, friendly, energetic, playful, faithful and athletic while the American Pitbull Terrier is often described as brave, aggressive, loyal, fearless and protective.
This combination of traits makes for an interesting dog that will suit any family or home.
They are excellent with children but not good with other dogs so this dog should only be in a home with no other pets.
However, if socialized and trained properly they can become good with other dogs.
The mixed breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club but is recognized by the United Kennel Club and the International Designer Canine Registry.
The Cocker Spaniel was originally bred in England during the 19th century and was used for hunting.
They were named after the town of cocker in Sussex.
The American Pitbull Terrier was developed from crossbreeding bulldogs and terriers in England during the 1800s and were used as fighting dogs.
In 1887, they were brought to America where they became known as Pitties or Bullies.
What Does a Cockerpit Look Like?
A Cockerpit combines the appearance of both the Pitbull and the Cocker Spaniel.
The Pitbull genes give the dog its strong muscled body, while the Cocker Spaniel genes give it its athletic body.
The result is a round-shaped, broad-headed Cockerpit puppy with a well-defined muzzle and a befitting laid-back chest.
It is just the perfect package of muscled beauty.
Their physique is both inviting and intimidating at the same time.
Their muscled body makes people think twice before going past the dog, but the athletic, ethereal nature of the dog makes it inviting.
Since the dog might have more traits from either parent breed, you cannot have one type of appearance.
For example, it might have a glossy smooth Pitbull-like coating or the silky, wavy coat of a Spaniel.
The coat’s colors might also range from black and white, brown, golden, red, and rarely gray to blue.
They have a short coat that is easy to groom and only needs to be brushed once or twice a week.
This mixed breed is a medium sized dog.
They tend to have the head of the Pit Bull with its wide jaw and ears that are either cropped or hang down.
They have the long muzzle of the Cocker Spaniel with its dark, almond shaped eyes.
The lifespan of the Pitbull Cocker Spaniel Mix mix breed is 10-12 years.
How Big Can A Cockerpit Grow?
If you have a small apartment and are looking for a dog to fit in your space, a Cockerpit is a good choice.
Also, if you don’t have a backyard, the Cockerpit is still a good pick.
The Cockerpit is a moderately sized dog.
A fully grown Cockerpit can be up to 45 pounds.
Males can range between 40 and 45 pounds, while females can be lighter.
While standing, a fully grown Cockerpit can range between 15 and 20 inches.
These dogs are very swift and perfect companions in their moderate size.
Cockerpit’s Temperament
The dog’s temperament, behavior, and personality are key considerations for dog owners.
For example, the parent breeds of the Cockerpit have a good temperament, but they also require training.
As a result, the Cockerpit has an excellent temperament when appropriately trained.
The Cocker Spaniel’s great temperament makes them very easy to train.
They are very friendly with children and are incredibly loyal.
In addition to their training, these dogs are intelligent and enjoy learning new things.
Moreover, the Cocker Spaniels are great in other dogs’ companies.
However, their loyal nature can make them territorial with their space, food, and toys.
Pitbulls are also very loyal and loving.
They look fierce, and people sometimes misunderstand them, but these dogs have fantastic personalities.
Their guard instincts make them very brave and watchful, hence they are the best and most secure companions.
On the other hand, the Cocker Spaniel mix is very easygoing with humans, but they can be a little aggressive when met with other dogs.
In addition, these dogs need to be very active and busy.
Therefore, they need sufficient exercise and enjoy walks and playing games such as fetch.
As you can see, the temperament of this mixed breed can vary depending on which parent they take after more.
However, in general, they are friendly, loyal and affectionate dogs that love to be around their family.
They are also good watchdogs as they will bark to alert you of any strangers or strange noises.
This breed needs plenty of exercise and should be taken on long walks or runs every day.
They also need mental stimulation in the form of puzzle toys or training classes as they can become bored easily.
While cocker spaniel mix with pitbulls make for great family companions, it’s important to socialize them early so that they know how to properly interact with other dogs and people.
Are Cockerpits Aggressive?
Generally, properly trained dogs are not aggressive.
The same goes for Cockerpits.
These dogs show aggressive tendencies if they are inadequately trained or lack enough socialization, among other factors.
It is easy to tell if your Cockerpit puppy is growing to be aggressive.
It would be best if you looked out for traits such as excessive jumping, biting when petting, barking at people, growling or snarling, and trying to bite ankles when people walk by.
Other factors such as lack of socialization, feeling threatened, poor breeding, medical problems, and a history of abuse might contribute to the dog’s aggressiveness.
Training a Cockerpit
The Pitbull Cocker Spaniel is a smart and intelligent dog.
This makes it easier for you to train your Cockerpit.
The best way of training the dog is through positive reinforcement.
Positive reinforcement makes it fun for the dog to learn new activities and new ways of doing things.
These pets might be a bit stubborn when training.
When they exhibit such characteristics, you mustn’t use force.
It will estrange your dog for you, making it fear you or ruin your relationship.
Positive reinforcement works on the basis that if a dog relates doing a certain task with a reward, it is more likely to repeat the same upon command.
As the dog is learning, you should keep improving on the treats offered to the dog to keep it motivated.
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The best time to begin obedience, behavioral, and socialization training is when your Pitbull Cocker Spaniel puppies are still young.
For the best results in socialization and proper behavior, it’s best to start training your pet as soon as possible.
Pit Bull Cocker Spaniel Mix Exercise Needs
Regular exercise is necessary for both Pitbull Cocker Spaniel Mix and their owners.
Just like with any other dog, exercising them will help to keep them healthy, happy, and strong.
Exercise keeps your dog’s heart rate up and helps to burn off excess energy before it gets too high.
This also helps to prevent the formation of bad habits like chewing or barking excessively.
Pitbull Cocker Spaniel Mix need regular walks around the neighborhood so they can get used to being out in public with you.
If you take them on short daily walks or playtime at a local park, then they will be less likely to become destructive when left alone for long periods of time.
If you have more than one Pitbull Cocker Spaniel Mix, then it is important to make sure that each dog gets its own exercise time.
It is not healthy for them to share the same walking routine because they could start to fight over who leads the pack.
Pitbulls are known for being very strong dogs, so you will need to be sure that your Cocker Spaniel mix can handle a lot of activity.
If you take them on long hikes or runs, then they may become too tired and might not want to walk when you get home.
The best way to determine how much exercise your Pitbull Cocker Spaniel mix needs is to talk to your veterinarian.
They will be able to give you specific advice based on the dog’s age, breed, and health condition.
Cockerpits Grooming
These dogs’ fur is different.
Depending on the parental genes that are superior in your dog will dictate the type of fur on your dog, which will determine the grooming nature of your dog.
Cockerpits can have shorter fur because of the Pitbull genes, or they can also have curly fur because of the Cocker Spaniel genes.
The fur can feel silky and smooth and might be medium in length.
These dogs shed lightly.
Their fur can range from white, black, fawn, or mixed.
The grooming of the dog will depend on the specific dog.
If the dog leans more towards a Cocker Spaniel, you will need to groom it thrice a week due to the long curly fur.
But if it is more of a Pitbull, you can groom it once a week.
Also, a monthly visit to a professional dog salon can help keep the dog clean and tidy.
You can also bathe your Pitbull Cocker Spaniel if it runs in the mud or you realize that it has significant dirt on its coat.
Cockerpits’ Health Concerns
Mixed breed dogs raise many health concerns because the resulting pup might carry the bad side of both breeds.
Unfortunately, the same concerns arise when it comes to Pitbull Cocker Spaniels.
Cocker Spaniel Mix with Pitbull Hip and Joint Issues
Cocker Spaniels and Pitbulls are prone to hip issues, like hip dysplasia, that are more likely to be passed down to Cockerpits.
Hip dysplasia is a hereditary disorder that might affect future generations.
Dogs with hip dysplasia are unable to walk normally because of an abnormality in the development of the hip joint.
The Cockerpit is a strong dog with a petite body.
However, their body weight can strain their legs, leading to hip problems and other joint problems.
Cocker Spaniel Mix with Pitbull Ear Problems
Cockerpits are also most likely to develop ear problems like their parents.
They are susceptible to ear infections.
Their floppy ears need a lot of cleaning to avoid infections.
If your dog adopts a Pitbull’s ears, it might be at a lesser risk for ear infections, but not for thyroid disease, cataracts, or heart disease.
Other health issues that might affect the Cockerpit include:
- Eye issues
- Autoimmune problems
- Hypothyroidism
- Anemia
- Skin problems
Can Cockerpits cause Allergies in Humans?
Cockerpits are not hypoallergenic.
Their fur, saliva, and dander contain Can f1 and Can f2 allergens, which are possible triggers for allergies.
In this case, a brief interaction with the Cockerpit can have severe consequences for individuals sensitive to allergies.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that they affect everybody, but if you need to get a Cockerpit, consult your doctor and the veterinary doctor to ensure your well-being and that of the dog.
Does The Pit Cocker Spaniel Mix Make A Good Family Pet?
Yes, they make great family pets.
It’s due to their good temperament – you will find them to be friendly, loyal and affectionate dogs.
Are Cocker Spaniel Pit Mix good with children?
Cocker Spaniel Pit mix dogs are generally friendly with kids, however you should always supervise them around small children.
Some dogs may be wary of toddlers and may even growl at them or try to play too roughly.
You can help socialize your dog by taking him/her out in public places where there are lots of people around.
If you’re worried about safety issues, make sure to get a dog that has been obedience trained.
Does The Pit Cocker Spaniel Mix Make Good Guard Dogs?
Cockerpits can be very protective of their people and property, but are not aggressive by nature.
They will bark at strangers, but will generally ignore them unless threatened.
If a stranger gets too close to your property, then he may growl or snap at them in self-defense.
This is not unusual for a dog of this breed, as many cocker spaniels do the same thing when approached by strangers on their territory.
Cockers will also try to protect their home if someone is breaking into it ( at which point their guard dog instincts will take over).
Take Away
The Pitbull Cocker Spaniel mix started as an accidental breed but has proven to be a lovable breed.
These dogs are fun-loving.
They are filled with energy and are very active.
They are also amazing companions and guards to humans.