Cocker Spaniel

If we're frequently recumbent, it's just that we're living up to our good, old spaniel name -- espainholz, from the Old French epaignir meaning "to lie down." Back in the 14th Century, when game birds were hunted with nets, our ancestors were commanded to lie down so as not to frighten the birds when the nets were cast. By the 18th Century in Great Britain, when hunting woodcock was all the rage, we were the best at that. So they called us Cocker Spaniels. The American Kennel Club recognized our breed in 1946. As always, we're splendid gun dogs -- flushing and retrieving with the best of them -- and fabulous family pets. And we're still really good at lying down.

• Affectionate, devoted family friend
• Agile and active
• Easy going
• Even-tempered, good-natured
• Hardy hunter
• Intelligent and ready to learn
• Pleased to please

• Busy is better than boredom
• Coat is high maintenance
• Independent thinker
• Prefers country, tolerates town
• Stubborn streak
• Training must be firm but gentle

About those children -- if there will be any in my life. Please know that I love kids, but not to wrestle roughly with. Supervise our play -- maybe something we all enjoy, like fetch or Frisbee -- on land or water. And I'm great at sitting still -- while they learn to brush my fur.

Susceptibility to numerous eye conditions (cataracts, glaucoma, PRA, ectropion, and entropion) as well as hip dysplasia and patellar luxation (dislocated kneecaps).