English Cocker Spaniel vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison

The English Cocker Spaniel has a rich history that dates back to at least the 14th century in England. Originally bred as a bird hunting dog, the breed's name "Cocker" comes from their specialization in hunting the woodcock bird.

Early spaniels, including the Cocker, were used as gun dogs to flush out and retrieve game. Over time, they were developed into a smaller, more agile hunter, distinct from other spaniels like the English Springer Spaniel.

By the 19th century, breeders in England focused on enhancing the breed's stamina, agility, and hunting instincts, while also fostering a gentle temperament. The English Cocker Spaniel became recognized as a separate breed from the American Cocker Spaniel in the early 20th century. Though originally bred for fieldwork, the breed’s affectionate nature and beautiful, silky coat led to its growing popularity as a companion dog.

Today, the English Cocker Spaniel is cherished both as a working dog and a family pet, known for its friendly, playful, and loyal personality.

This is an ancient working dog breed which hails from the Italian island of Sardinia. When you do research, you find that no one is sure as to this dogs exact origin, and there are a number of theories as to how the dog developed.

Regardless of how the Dogo Sardesco came about, it is a valued companion of farmers in Sardinia, being appreciated for its protective nature.

The dog is a kind of Molosser or Mastiff dog. In the past the dog has been used as a working and hunting dog, and today he is a popular dog in mainland Italy. He is also known as Sardinian Mastiff, Sardinian Molosser and Dogo Sardo.

The Dogo Sardesco isn’t recognized today by international kennel clubs, and breeders on the island of Sardinia have done nothing to form a breed club for the dog.

The English Cocker Spaniel is a medium-sized, elegant, and compact dog known for its beautiful coat and gentle nature. With a graceful, athletic build, it has a slightly wavy, silky coat that is longer on the ears, legs, chest, and belly, giving the dog a refined appearance.

Their large, expressive eyes and long, floppy ears add to their charming look. Typically, they stand between 15 to 17 inches (38 to 43 cm) tall and weigh between 26 to 34 pounds (12 to 15.5 kg), with males being slightly larger than females.

This breed is known for its friendly, affectionate nature, making it a beloved family companion. The English Cocker Spaniel is also energetic, requiring regular exercise and mental stimulation, and is well-suited for active families.

Originally bred as a bird hunting dog, they have a strong instinct for retrieving and a keen sense of smell. Despite their hunting background, they are also social and adaptable, getting along well with other pets and children.

Their eager-to-please attitude makes them trainable, though they do require consistency. Overall, the English Cocker Spaniel is a loving, playful, and loyal dog that thrives in a family environment.

The dog Sardesco is a medium to large sized dog generally measuring 56 to 68 cm at the withers and weighing roughly 30 to 45 kg.

Because the dog isn’t bred to specific standards, it varies in appearance, but it is a powerful looking dog, being lean and athletic. The dog’s tail is traditionally docked, but with tail docking being frowned upon, the tail is left long and the dog loses its distinctive look.

The head of the dog is large and the ears are also traditionally cropped to be very short. Left naturally, the ears fold down closely to the sides of the head.The eyes are small and amber colored. The coat is short and smooth, but thick, and while it comes in many colors, the more regular color is red, brown, black, grey or brindle.

Temperament:

The Dogo Sardesco becomes a loyal family pet, more so when he has been trained and socialized. Although he is a devoted and affectionate dog, forming particularly strong bonds with his human family, he isn’t recommended for homes where there are young children.

He also doesn’t take too kindly to other pets in the home. This is because they are a strong-willed, dominant breed and might therefore not be a good choice for first-time dog owners.

Because Sardinian breeders have focused on developing an aggressive dog, he has become a dog suspicious of- and aloof with strangers. He is stubborn and self-willed, and to make him more obedient and amicable, he will require training and socialization. He is an alert, intelligent dog and this makes him an excellent watch dog.

The Sardinian Mastiff is an active dog too and won’t do well in a home where the people aren’t interested in exercise. He is the kind of dog that will need to be taken with you on walks, and he will love to spend time running alongside you when you go running or cycling.

He won’t adapt too well to life in the city, particularly when there is just a tiny garden.

The English Cocker Spaniel is a medium-sized, graceful breed known for its friendly and affectionate nature. Standing between 15 to 17 inches tall and weighing between 26 to 34 pounds, they have a silky, slightly wavy coat with longer feathering on their ears, chest, legs, and belly, giving them an elegant appearance.

Their large, expressive eyes and long, floppy ears further enhance their charm. These dogs are gentle, playful, and social, forming strong bonds with their families and getting along well with children and other pets. Energetic and active, they enjoy regular exercise like walks, playtime, and sometimes swimming.

Smart and eager to please, they are relatively easy to train, though they may show a bit of independence at times. Loyal and loving, they seek companionship and attention from their owners. While generally healthy, English Cocker Spaniels can be prone to certain health issues like ear infections, hip dysplasia, and progressive retinal atrophy. Overall, they make excellent companions for active families or individuals due to their affectionate, energetic, and loyal temperament.

The Dogo Sardesco has always performed his role as a working dog well, and this is a reliable watch dog as well as the dog takes his job of guarding his human family seriously.

With his aggressive temperament, he has appeared on the list of banned breeds, and this is why he isn’t an ideal choice for homes where there are small children, as some small children haven’t been taught how to treat a dog with respect.

However, when properly trained and socialized he becomes an excellent companion dog. He has an intimidating look about him, but when he is with his human family, another side comes out and he is affectionate, loving and protective.

The English Cocker Spaniel is generally healthy, but like all breeds, it can be prone to certain health issues: Ear Infections: Their long ears can trap moisture, leading to infections. Regular cleaning is essential. Hip Dysplasia: A hereditary condition where the hip joint doesn’t develop properly, leading to arthritis and pain. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): A genetic condition causing progressive vision loss.

Cataracts: Cloudiness in the lens of the eye, common in older dogs. Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions like immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. Heart Issues: Mitral valve disease in older dogs. Obesity: Prone to weight gain if not properly exercised or fed. Regular vet visits, proper diet, and exercise help manage these conditions.

The Dogo Sardesco is a relatively healthy breed who is unlikely to suffer with ailments common to dogs, but nonetheless there are some diseases or conditions that you might want to be aware of with your dog.

Skeletal and visual problems can occur in this breed. Both hip- and elbow dysplasia are common orthopedic disorders in dogs and they can cause a lot of pain and discomfort and even cause lifelong disability.

Genes and environmental factors play a part in your dog developing this disease.If he has been diagnosed as having hip or elbow dysplasia, get your dog to the vet as there are treatments which can at least make your pet a lot more comfortable.

Remember that feeding your puppy Dogo Sardesco too much food which is particularly high in calories can mean him growing too fast, and this can contribute to this hip dysplasia problem.

Caring for an English Cocker Spaniel involves meeting their physical, emotional, and grooming needs. They are an active breed, so it’s important to provide daily exercise—a walk or play session for about 30 to 60 minutes will keep them happy and healthy. Mental stimulation is equally important, so be sure to provide toys, puzzles, and training sessions to keep their mind engaged.

Grooming is essential for this breed, as their long, silky coat needs to be brushed 2–3 times a week to prevent matting, especially around the ears and legs. Regular ear cleaning is also important to avoid infections, and they should be bathed every 4–6 weeks using a gentle dog shampoo.Nail trimming every 3–4 weeks and teeth brushing a few times a week will help maintain their overall health.

Their diet should consist of high-quality food tailored to their age, size, and activity level, with fresh water always available. Regular vet visits for vaccinations and health check-ups are crucial, and you should be vigilant for any signs of illness like ear infections or limping. Additionally, early socialization and positive reinforcement training will ensure they grow into well-rounded, obedient companions. By providing consistent care and attention to their physical and emotional needs, your English Cocker Spaniel will thrive as a loyal and loving member of the family.

Dog owners who don’t like the idea of spending too much money on grooming will appreciate that the Dogo Sardesco is a very low maintenance breed, and that a good brushing twice a week will keep the dog’s coat shiny and healthy.

As with all other dogs, he will need to have his teeth brushed to remove plaque build up. Not only does plaque lead to dental disease, but bad teeth can lead to other health issues too.

Nail clipping will also be necessary if your pet doesn’t wear the nails down naturally from getting to run on a hard surface from time to time.