Spanador Basics
Also known as the Cockador or Cockerdor, the Spanador is an affectionate dog that will prefer being around you as much as possible. These dogs will curl up into your lap even after they’re full grown, and they’ll gladly follow you around the house.
If you’re in search of a dog that features the good looks and personality traits of two popular breeds, the Labrador Retriever and the Cocker Spaniel, look no further than the Spanador. But before you make the decision to introduce one of these great dogs into your family, keep reading to learn a bit more about this breed.
The Spanador is a cross between a purebred Labrador Retriever and the Cocker Spaniel.
Origin
The Spanador is a relatively new designer dog breed that was created as a response to the high demand for a crossbreed of medium size, as most of the crossbreed canines that had been available were smaller dogs.
Pedigree
The Spanador is a cross between a purebred Labrador Retriever and the Cocker Spaniel.
Food / Diet
To help keep your dog happy, healthy, and at the appropriate weight, choose a high quality diet for canines. You can feed your Spanador 2 cups of dry food daily, but split this amount up into at least two servings. If you’re also going to feed your pet a canned food, you should reduce the amount of dry food accordingly to prevent overeating and unwanted weight gain.
Training your Spanador should be a good experience, as these dogs are inclined to obey your commands and please you.
Training
Training your Spanador should be a good experience, as these dogs are inclined to obey your commands and please you. You’ll notice that fewer repetitions are required before your intelligent Spanador learns a new command or trick, so you’ll get fast results, and it should also be easy to housetrain your dog.
Keep in mind that these dogs can sometimes get so excited that they end up jumping on people, so it’s a good idea to train your dog not to do that. Just be sure to always be positive in your approach to your dog’s training, using plenty of praise, rewards, and treats along the way.
Crate training your Spanador might be difficult because these dogs don’t like being separated from their family. If you start crate training your pooch from a young age, however, you could achieve better results.
Weight
A medium-sized breed, the Spanador weighs between 20 and 50 pounds.
Temperament / Behavior
You can expect that a Spanador will have an endearing personality and that this dog will get along with just about everyone. These canines make wonderful pets because they’re loyal, affectionate, intelligent, playful, and they thrive on being around the people they love.
If you have kids, these active canines will be affectionate towards them, as well as energetic and playful, particularly if they’re properly socialized from a young age. And if you have other animals in your home, your Spanador will probably view them as fun playmates, so these dogs make great family pets.
Also, if you’re hoping to have a good watchdog in your home, the Spanador is the type that will be suspicious of strangers and will bark to alert you to any suspicious activity.
Common Health Problems
As a hybrid dog breed, the Spanador might be susceptible to the health problems that commonly affect its parent breeds. However, like other crossbreeds, the Spanador is surprisingly hardy. Plus, there’s no way to determine what an individual dog’s long-term health will be.
When it comes to Spanadors, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for health problems like hip dysplasia, dry skin, and ear ailments.
Life Expectancy
The Spanador has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
Exercise Requirements
Spanadors are active canines that require daily physical activity. This exercise will prevent them from growing bored and exhibiting negative behaviors as a result. Plus, the activity will help them maintain a healthy weight, which is important for their overall health.
If you’re an active person who’s into various forms of fitness, your dog will enjoy participating in those activities with you. Take your Spanador on hikes and jogs, as well as to the beach, to the park, and on other fun trips to spend time in the great outdoors.
A Spanador will also benefit from a safe and enclosed backyard where he can run around without a leash and play freely with his favorite toys. Indoors, be sure to give your pet various toys that will keep him occupied and happy.
Spanadors make wonderful pets because they’re loyal, affectionate, intelligent, and playful.
Recognized Clubs
The Spanador is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, as it is considered to be a hybrid breed. However, this breed is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Designer Breed Registry (DBR) the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
Coat
The Spanador’s coat will be medium to long, and it will shed a moderate amount. Get ready to brush your dog every day, or at least a few times a week, in order to minimize shedding, prevent matting, and keep the coat smooth, soft, and clean. Also have your vacuum handy to pick up fur that’s left around the house.
Puppies
Spanador puppies are irresistibly cute and affectionate, but you should handle them with care to avoid causing any injuries. Supervise children that interact with your puppy as well.
Even though adult Spanadors like a lot of exercise, don’t overdo it with your puppy. Start with shorter exercise sessions and walks, let your puppy get plenty of rest, and build up to longer walks gradually as your pet’s muscles become fully developed.
If you give your puppy a safe place to grow and learn, he’ll develop into a confident and happy adult who will get along with a variety of people and animals. The key is properly training and socializing your puppy from as early on as possible and always taking a positive approach.
Photo credit: treviott/Flickr; Life on White/Bigstock
