[kobracks]

Hi everyone!

I'm new here, so please let me know if similar questions are posted elsewhere or if I'm posting in the right section

I am a first time dog mama to a beautiful cocker spaniel puppy named Henry that I adopted from a rescue group. When I first got him in February he was 4 months old and weighed about 9/10 lbs. My vet said he looked like a very small cocker and that he didn't think he would weigh more than 20 lbs. I wasn't expecting him to be that small as I thought cockers generally weighed between 30-40 lbs? The vet also thinks he might be part field spaniel since he also has such a small frame, though the rescue group did say he was a purebred cocker. I've tried to do some research online about field spaniels and different kinds of spaniels but all seem to be much bigger...

He is 8 months old now and weighs 18 lbs. My question is- is that a normal weight for a male cocker spaniel? He definitely looks like an English cocker spaniel but just a much smaller version of the others I have seen. Or does anyone know of another type of spaniel he could be mixed with? I'm considering having the wisdom panel dna test done because I'm so curious
and just so I know about any health issues to look out for, etc.

Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

Kelsey

 

[Mesonoxian]

Congrats on the puppy!

Since you got him from a rescue he may not be from a breeder who breeds towards the standard. In that case, he may be on the smaller end of things (weight, frame, etc.). Or Henry may have a growth spurt! While he may be mixed with something else, I would tend to think that he's probably all Cocker, just not bred to standard.

If you do decide to get a DNA test done, just keep in mind that they're not always super accurate. Since they work by genetic markers, sometimes breeds show up that are probably not prominent in your dog's recent history, but if there's a gene leftover in his makeup from, say, an english setter or something, that may show up as part of his DNA panel.

As long as he's a healthy weight (not skinny, but has a visible waist and tuck), he'll be fine.

(Pictures? We love pictures!!)

 

[Lokikinz]

Maybe he was the runt of his litter. When my Grandmother's Maltese had pups I picked out the runt because she was the smallest and now, being 15 years old she is still significantly smaller than her siblings and she also outlived all of them!

I would love to see pics of your pup, he sounds very cute and I am sure he is healthy

 

[kobracks]

Mesonoxian and Lokikinz Thanks so much for responding! You both brought up good points I hadn’t thought of… The rescue group had saved his pregnant mom from a puppy mill that was being shut down in MO so it is quite possible that they were trying to breed them to be smaller. I’ve attached some pics of him below ☺

He also has an instagram! @Henrythemerrycocker

 

[Lokikinz]

You are very welcome, glad my input was helpful...

As for Henry, he is very handsome. One of the prettiest Cockers I have seen in a long time... Prince Henry! I like it

 

[revolutionrocknroll]

From those pictures he looks more like the byb/rescue/pet American cockers I've seen (not the show dogs which are more likely to show up on google searches and in breed encyclopedias that have more exaggerated features and longer, showier coats) ESPECIALLY the two top right photos you posted where he has a more pronounced stop and big, round eyes. They're also a little smaller than English cockers so 20 lbs isn't unusual for them.

If you're in the US or Canada and he's from a puppy mill, it's much more likely for him to be American cocker than English.

So that's my vote.

 

[muttmama]

He sure is adorable and I love his name!

 

[Mesonoxian]

I agree with what @revolutionrocknroll says, that seems very logical.

But hey, who cares if he ends up a little small? He's sure CUTE!!
(I also have to say, he's wonderfully photogenic, we already love his IG!)

 

[PoppyKenna]

Oh my gosh, he is adorable!!

I agree that he looks like an American Cocker, and his weight is probably about right. He may gain a bit more and fill out some in the next six months or so. But you never can tell.

I have a Cocker mix (also a rescue) who weighs about 24 lbs, but he's built solid. My little guy came from a hoarder so it's impossible to tell what he's mixed with, or if he's just truly very poorly bred. Probably both.

Cockers sure are funny little dogs, though. I know you'll have a blast with your guy