Cocker Spaniels

Children's Literature - Barbara L. Talcroft

Crabtree's "Pet Care" series offers advice to middle readers on choosing and caring for many popular pets, including four dog breeds. Easy-to-read text describes each breed and relates a bit of history. Potential dog owners learn about the characteristics of the breed and are challenged to consider their commitment to the time-consuming care needed to keep a dog healthy, happy, and safe. White pages of large text are sprinkled with colored photographs of kids and dogs; pet-lovers can read about feeding, housebreaking, grooming, exercising, and visits to the vet. Cocker spaniels, they will find, come in many colors and were originally from England, where they helped hunters catch game birds called woodcocks; American cocker spaniels are now a separate breed. Each breed has its special needs: American cocker spaniels have shorter heads and thicker coats than English ones, so keeping their coats beautiful takes hard work. Cockers are mostly friendly and love to play, though they may take time to train. Fortunately, they can live in a small home or apartment, but since these dogs hate to be alone, a family with one spaniel might need two! Other tips apply to all breeds—chocolate and raw meat or eggs are not good foods, gentleness and patience are required for training, warning signs of illness mean an instant trip to the vet. Caring for a dog is a big responsibility. Children (and their parents) will want to consider this information carefully before deciding to become cocker spaniel owners.