Silky Cocker Basics
If you want a small, smart, and affectionate companion for your family, a Silky Cocker is a great fit. This recent and rare designer dog breed was developed by crossing the Maltese with a Cocker Spaniel. As both of the parental breeds are well-known as wonderful family pets and have a reputation as one of the most popular dog breeds, it’s no wonder that their offspring is a sought-after designer dog. The Silky Cocker flaunts stunning looks and a lovely personality and tends to be an adaptable pooch that does well in various settings.
The moderate exercise requirements, overall friendliness, and ease of care make the Silky Cocker a perfect choice for active seniors, singles or families with children. They’re also a smart choice for beginner pet parents, as they’re not difficult to train and don’t need extensive grooming. Read on to find out what else makes the Silky Cocker stand out in the world of hybrid breeds!
Whether you’re a senior or single looking for a companion or want a first family pet for your children, the Silky Cocker makes an excellent candidate.
Origin
Not many designer dogs can brag about their origin. For a lot of people, mixed breed dogs are still considered to be mutts, rather than breeds in their own right. This is just one of the reasons it’s hard to draw a clear line that separates accidental crossbreeding and intentional efforts to create a separate new breed and determine when a designer dog was first created. In fact, even though there are many breeders working on creating designer dogs, a lot of these hybrids are still a product of unplanned mating.
The Silky Cocker is no exception. There’s no credible information on the origin of this fairly rare and recent hybrid. However, it’s safe to assume that the first litter of Silky Cocker puppies was born sometime in the last two decades, on the territory of the United States.
Pedigree
While the origin of the Silky Cocker might be enigmatic, there are no doubts about the breed’s family tree. Every one of these designer dogs is a mix between the Cocker Spaniel, either English or American, and a Maltese. Like all other hybrids, this breed is also a first generation mix between two purebreds. The unique combination of the two widely beloved dogs, both small in size and with a soft, beautiful hair, resulted in a petite pooch with silky locks. To boot, these dogs also inherit a lovely temperament from their parents, which only adds to their appeal.
Unfortunately, even though their ancestry traces back to two popular and respected breeds, the Silky Cocker is not recognized by the American Kennel Club. This means that Silky Cocker puppies won’t have official pedigree papers. Regardless, you can rest assured that your new puppy has good genes- the long history of its parent’s breeds proves it!
Food/Diet
To make sure your new pet has a long and healthy life, you’ll have to pay attention to their diet. Dogs are omnivores, and while that expands their menu, it also means that they’ll require varied nutrition for their basic needs to be met. To provide all the complex micro and macronutrients to their pet, most dog owners opt for commercial pet food. Not only that feeding kibble is more convenient to you, but it also makes sure that you’re not missing out on any important aspects of your pet’s diet. For your Silky Cocker, choose high-quality dry food for dogs that’s suited for their size (small breed), age (puppy, adult, senior), and activity level (moderate).
Additionally, you can always go the alternative route and start cooking meals for your pet or switch them to a raw diet. While both of these options have their merits and downsides, it’s important to consult a veterinarian before you decide on either of these nutrition plans. Failing to do so could lead to severe vitamin deficiency and cause health issues for your pet.
The Maltese-Cocker Spaniel mix dog is fairly easy to train, although they might require a bit more effort when it comes to potty training.
Training
The Silky Cocker isn’t just easy on the eyes- these dogs can be very smart. These pooches have curious, bright minds and are eager to please their owners, which always bodes well for training purposes. Your praise (and some treats!) will be a big motivation for your puppy to learn everything you want them to.
The Maltese-Cocker Spaniel mix dog is fairly easy to train, although they might require a bit more effort when it comes to potty training. Regardless, if you start teaching them on time and use positive reinforcement methods, you can count on great results- even if you’re a beginner at dog training.
In addition to housebreaking your Silky Cocker puppy, you should make sure to teach them basic commands such as sit, stay and drop and how to walk on a leash. Also, you shouldn’t neglect the socialization of your new pet. Teaching them commands, manners, and tricks is important, but it’s also crucial for a dog to know how to act around kids, strangers, and other pets. The Silky Cocker has a high prey drive, owing to its Spaniel parent, so without socialization, he’s highly likely to go chasing after cats or small pets in the household!
Weight
Designer dogs, in general, are an unpredictable bunch. The first generation mixed breeds can go either way: from favoring one parent’s gene over the other’s, or being a perfect blend of both. In some cases, this accounts for dramatic variations in appearance of the puppies. The Silky Cocker can have a few surprises for you in store, but their weight is not among them. Both the Maltese and the Cocker Spaniel are small breed dogs, so their mix will be, too.
When fully mature, Silky Cocker will weigh between 12 to 18 pounds. Females of the breed tend to be on the smaller side, as well as puppies who take up after the Maltese parent more.
Temperament/Behavior
It’s not a coincidence that the Cocker Spaniel and the Maltese are among the most popular dog breeds. Their friendly, lively personalities adapt well to families of all shapes and sizes, and they make fantastic companions. Naturally, as the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, the Silky Cocker is also a small energetic dog with an amiable attitude that charms everybody. Those big puppy eyes and wagging tail wilt melt your heart in an instant! Owing to their parents, these hybrids tend to have a playful temperament, always goofing around and looking for toys or playmates to entertain themselves. If socialized on time, Silky Cocker will enjoy having a four-legged companion to share his home with.
A true companion, Silky Cocker is fiercely devoted to his family. These dogs tend to form strong bonds with their owners and like to follow their humans everywhere. You won’t ever be lonely if you have this adorable mixed breed pooch in the house! Similarly, they won’t be distrustful of new people coming and going to the house, so you don’t have to worry about your pooch growling or barking like crazy when your friends come over. Granted, this means they ’re not the best watchdogs out there.
Of course, it’s not only the best traits that get passed onto designer dogs. Sometimes, crossbreed dogs inherit one of the less desirable qualities, and in the case of Silky Cocker, it’s proneness to resource guarding and separation anxiety. The immense affection this hybrid has for his owner can grow into fear of being left alone in the house, and the possessiveness of the Cocker could lead your puppy to be overly protective of food or toys. Fortunately, both of these behavioral issues can be corrected with socialization and train- if they ever become a problem for your pet.
Common Health Problems
One of the driving forces behind the designer dogs trend is the desire to create breeds similar to those that have been cherished for centuries, but with fewer issues than their purebred parents. The reason for this belief lies in the concept of hybrid vigor, which proposes that outbreeding improves qualities in the mixed breed offspring. While there is some truth to this concept, in the case of designer dogs, there simply isn’t enough to go on in order to make that assumption. However, compared to its parents, the Silky Cocker has far fewer health issues you’ll need to worry about.
Cocker Spaniels have a lot of hereditary health problems, but it seems that introducing the Maltese breed into the mix had lowered the number of concerns. The Silky Cocker is still at risk for some breed-specific issues, including the patent ductus arteriosus (congenital heart defect), proneness to eye and skin problems. With age, your designer pet might also be more likely to face the loss of vision and tooth loss, not unlike most small breed dogs.
Life Expectancy
Although there’s not enough information about Silky Cocker’s lifespan, by analyzing the life expectancy of the parental breeds, you can get a pretty clear picture of your new pet’s longevity. With proper care and optimal conditions, this hybrid can live to be 12 to 15 years old.
Exercise Requirements
Even though their petite frame and cute looks don’t suggest it, the Silky Cocker is an energetic, playful dog. Owing to their Cocker Spaniel hunting genes, these hybrids will need a bit more exercise on a daily basis than your average lap dog. For your new pet to stay in good shape, you’ll need to make sure they get at least 45 to 60 minutes of daily activities. This can be split into a few walks around the block, a visit to the dog park or an engaging game of fetch in a fenced backyard.
It’s also important to note that the Silky Cocker can have a tendency to like to explore and wander around- so you shouldn’t ever leave them playing in the yard without supervision. Even if your backyard is fenced in, these four-legged Houdinis will find a way to get away if they spot a squirrel or a bird to chase after. The same rules apply for off-leash walking in unsecured areas, of course.
If you want a small, smart, and affectionate companion for your family, a Silky Cocker is a great fit.
Recognized Clubs
While the AKC and its international counterparts don’t view designer dog breeds as actual breeds at all, there are many reputable canine clubs and organizations that do. Clubs that offer recognition to the Silky Cocker include the American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Breed Registry, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America, and International Designer Canine Registry.
Coat
In case you haven’t already figured it out from the breed’s name, the Silky Cocker has a beautiful, soft hair that gives off a velvety feel when petted. Their coat is long and with beautiful waves in most cases, similar to Cocker Spaniel. Unfortunately, even though the Maltese parent boasts a hypoallergenic coat, this designer dog breed won’t be hypoallergenic. The possible coat colors for Silky Cocker vary from cream, biscuit, and gold, to red, black, and even bi-colored. Everything goes when it comes to shades of their fur!
Puppies
Silky Cocker puppies are a happy, adorable bunch. Even from their puppyhood, these dogs are natural charmers and make friends with ease. Regardless, you should make sure to dedicate time to their proper training and socialization, as it will ensure your cute puppy grows up into a well-mannered dog. You might have to put in some extra work when it comes to potty training, though, but it’s important to housebreak them early on.
As a breed, the Silky Cocker has many qualities that appeal to the potential owner. From their gorgeous looks to easy-going personality, this hybrid will fit in every household. Whether you’re a senior or single looking for a companion or want a first family pet for your children, the Silky Cocker makes an excellent candidate.
Photo credit: Eric Isselee/Shutterstock; MOAimage/Shutterstock
