The Cocker Spaniel Dachshund mix is a small mixed-breed dog with plenty of personality. Other names for the Cocker Spaniel Dachshund mix include the “Spaniel Doxie” or the “Doxie Spaniel.” These elegant breeds often have long, silky hair, are reasonably energetic, and make wonderful family pets.
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Though, like most designer dog breeds, it can be hard to predict exactly what they’ll look like, what their adult dog behavior will be, and indeed what you can expect overall from the beloved Cocker Spaniel Dachshund mix – the most adorable breed.
Cocker Spaniel Dachshund Mix – At a Glance
| Weight: | 20 – 30 pounds |
| Height: | 9 – 15 inches |
| Lifespan: | 12 – 14 years |
| Coat Colours: | Brown, white, black, cream, tan. |
| Temperament: | Affectionate, loyal, driven, loving. |
| Suitable for: | Families with or without children, single individuals and the elderly. |
What Does a Cocker Spaniel Dachshund Mix Look Like?
The Cocker Spaniel Dachshund mix will borrow its appearance from both parent breeds. Your Spaniel Doxie may inherit the shorter coat and silky hair of the Cocker Spaniel. Your Docker – yet another name for the Cocker Spaniel Dachshund mix will likely come in various color patterns.
Spaniel Doxies will likely have small, wedge-shaped faces with short snouts and little brown noses. It may also have shorter legs and the slender, long body of the Dachshund. Your Spaniel Doxie will likely have floppy ears, like the Cocker Spaniel.
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Although, as with any mixed-breed dog, it might be challenging to get a clear read on your Docker dog’s eventual appearance. Their parent dogs can only offer so much insight, and with designer dogs, their appearance (just like so much of their personality and temperament) can be a toss-up.
The History of the Cocker Spaniel Dachshund Mix
As with most crossbreed dogs, the history of the Cocker Spaniel Dachshund mix is a bit of a mystery. However, we know that the first Docker puppies were born in 1999 in the United States.
To learn more about Doxie breeds, we will examine the history of both parent breeds to guide us on how these adorable breeds came about.
The History of the Cocker Spaniel
The Cocker Spaniel is a medium-sized dog that is thought to have originated in Spain, spelled initially “Spanyel,” “though the Cocker Spaniel was first mentioned in 1801 in the Cynographica Britannica, with the word “cocker” coming from its utility as a hunting dog of woodcock.
During the 19th century, the Cocker Spaniel was referred to by many names, all of which were spaniel-hunting breeds. The only requirement for a dog to be named a Cocker Spaniel in the 19th century was to weigh less than 25 pounds, according to the breed guide of the time.
As time progressed, breed guides became more rigid with what they considered Cocker Spaniels, separating them from King Charles Spaniel – a smaller breed. At the tail-end of the 19th century, English Springer Spaniels and English Cocker Spaniels were finally recognized as separate breeds.
Modern Cocker Spaniels are currently split into two groups: English Cocker Spaniels and American Cocker Spaniels; both were initially bred to be hunting companions – each breed has its own breed guide. They are primarily companion pets today, though hunters still use this vivacious breed in fetching capacities due to their high prey drive.
How Popular Are Cocker Spaniels?
The modern history of the Cocker Spaniel in the United States began in 1878 when the American Kennel Club first recognized the breed. Still used in a hunting capacity throughout North America, the American Cocker Spaniel was specifically bred smaller than its English counterpart, as American woodcocks are more petite than English ones.
In the United States, the English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel are two separate breeds, according to the American Kennel Club. The AKC classifies and measures the popularity of both breeds separately.
In 2021, the American Cocker Spaniel was the 27th most popular dog in the U.S., whereas the English Cocker Spaniel was the 43rd most popular dog in the country.
Who Are Cocker Spaniels a Good Dog For?
Cocker Spaniels are fantastic dogs for those seeking an energetic breed with a high prey drive, whether you’re going to use it as a hunting companion or solely as a companion pet.
The size and moderate energy levels of the Cocker Spaniel make it an excellent choice for almost anyone, except for the elderly – particularly if they’re adopting a younger Cocker Spaniel, who will require plenty of exercise.
How Did Cocker Spaniels Come About?
Cocker Spaniels were bred in England in 1801, noted in the Cynographia Britannia. They were later reproduced in the United States as a smaller dog breed, with the English Cocker Spaniel roughly an inch taller than its American counterpart.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Cocker Spaniel?
The crossbreeding history of the Cocker Spaniel begins early, though exact dates are hard to come by. The Cocker Spaniel was bred from and to Norfolk Spaniels, Springer Spaniels, and the Welsh Springer Spaniel was created.
Modern crossbreeding of the Cocker Spaniel likely began in earnest in the mid to late 20th century with the explosion of crossbreeding in popularity in the United States, with many mixed breeds being created from the American Cocker Spaniel.
The History of the Dachshund
The Dachshund was bred from multiple breeds of dog, including terriers, and numerous French, German, and English hounds. However, there are vast differences of opinion as to when the Dachshund first appeared – some say the 15th century, while other cynologists argue that it first appeared in the 18th or 19th centuries.
Dachshunds originated in Germany and were bred as badger hunters – the word “Dachshund” translates literally to “badger dog.” Being small enough to enter badger dens and ‘finish off’ wounded badgers or retrieve dead ones. They were also fast enough to give chase.
Over the centuries, Dachshunds have become very popular companion pets. They’re one of the most famous American breeds. They’re known for being a sensitive breed, with lots of personality and fierce loyalty to their owner.
How Popular Are Dachshunds?
Dachshunds first arrived in the United States in the mid-19th century and were first recognized as a breed in 1885 by the American Kennel Club. The Dachshunds dogs are very intelligent pooches with moderate energy levels.
Dachshunds were the tenth most-popular dog in the United States, according to the American Kennel Club’s 2021 rankings.
Who Are Dachshunds a Good Dog For?
Dachshunds are excellent dogs for almost any type of pet owner. Their relaxed disposition and moderate energy levels make them easygoing pets for many different kinds of owners.
They’re quick to become attached to their owners and can sometimes display aggressive behavior to ‘protect’ their owners from unknown people and other pets.
This is to say that Dachshunds generally make great family pets for anyone but can be fiercely loyal and suffer from separation anxiety.
How Did Dachshunds Come About?
Dachshunds were originally bred as hunting dogs centuries ago; their name in German translates to “Badger Dog.” They were produced to help badger hunters fetch their kill, small enough to enter the badger dens and either finish off the wounded badgers or fetch the corpse.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Dachshund?
Many Dachshunds are often kept as purebred dogs due to their happy-go-lucky disposition. Though for those that do crossbreed Dachshunds, they’re a popular parental breed due to their wonderful temperaments.
The modern history of crossbreeding the Dachshund is slightly absent from the world wide web. However, we do know that crossbreeding in the United States gained massive popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This was likely when the Dachshund was first crossbred – mostly with dogs of a similar size – to create a medium-sized breed.
How Important Is a Dog’s Temperament to Your Family?
One of the most important aspects of adopting a dog is thoroughly researching the temperament of the breed you’re considering adopting. This will give you a better idea of whether or not the breed will be a good mix with your family’s lifestyle.
Active breeds do much better with busy families – so the Cocker Spaniel might be better suited to an active family. In contrast, Dachshunds are often better suited to those of a more laid-back persuasion.
Please do adequate research to avoid your dog needing to be re-homed or re-trained at the significant expense of time and money. If you need to re-home the dog, you may cause more trauma and pain than if you’d properly researched the dog’s temperament.
What is the Temperament of the Cocker Spaniel Dachshund Mix?
As with most designer mixed-breed dogs, Spaniel Doxies will likely adopt different temperamental parts of each parent breed. You may find your designer breed Spaniel Doxie is slightly less energetic than your traditional Spaniel, with a fierce prey drive and a stubborn aversion to obedience training – at least initially.
Spaniel Doxies will likely inherit the fierce loyalty and connection to you as their owner. In sharp contrast to the Cocker Spaniel’s independent streak, they’ll think going to the bathroom is a team sport and likely won’t leave your side unless necessary. This comes from their Dachshund parent breed, who often suffer from separation anxiety.
Is The Cocker Spaniel Dachshund Mix Friendly?
Both the parent breeds of the Cocker Spaniel Dachshund mix are very friendly dogs. You should expect much of the same from your Spaniel Doxie. This friendliness makes the Docker Dog a wonderful pet for families.
Is The Cocker Spaniel Dachshund Mix Easy to Train?
You will likely find that Doxie breeds are challenging to train. While the Cocker Spaniel (as a show dog) is used to following commands as a show dog, the hunting command instincts of the Dachshund have now been bred out of it, following its massive popularity as a companion pet.
Both parental breeds having polar opposite obedience genes might make training your Docker breed more of a challenge.
How Much Can A Cocker Spaniel Dachshund Mix Weigh?
The average weight of the Docker breed can be between 20 and 30 pounds.
How Tall Can A Cocker Spaniel Dachshund Mix Get?
A Dachshund Cocker Spaniel stands between 9 and 15 inches in height.
Similar Sized Breeds
There are a few similar-sized breeds to the Spaniel Doxie mix. These include the English Cocker Spaniel, the Bichon Frise, the Pug, the Silky Terrier, and the Shih Tzu.
Does the Cocker Spaniel Dachshund Mix Shed?
Your Docker Dog could have long, silky hair and will need to be brushed once a week. However, if your Docker Dog has shorter hair, you may get away with brushing it bi-weekly. They tend to be moderately-shedding dogs year-round.
How Much Exercise Does A Cocker Spaniel Dachshund Mix Require?
Doxie breeds will require moderate exercise – at least thirty to forty-five minutes per day, including an off-leash game of fetch to keep your pooch active.
Your Cocker Spaniel Dachshund mix can keep you healthy and happy with adequate exercise.
How Long Can a Cocker Spaniel Dachshund Mix Live?
The Cocker Spaniel Dachshund mix can live between 12 and 14 years. You can maximize the life of your Docker dog by giving it adequate physical exercise and trying and keep up with its moderate energy levels.
What Health Conditions Could the Cocker Spaniel Dachshund Mix Have?
- Retinal Dysplasia (eye condition)
- Intervertebral Disc Disease (IDD – spinal disc condition)
- Dental Issues (tooth decay)
- Patellar Luxation (kneecap dislocation)
- Epilepsy (neurological condition)
- Hip Dysplasia (joint condition)
How Can You Find a Cocker Spaniel Dachshund Mix Puppy For Sale?
Before you search for a Cocker Spaniel Dachshund mix puppy for sale, consider adopting one of these fantastic mixed breed dogs. You’ll be able to check your local veterinary clinic or animal shelter to see if anyone has dropped off a Cocker Spaniel Dachshund mix for adoption.
Alternatively, you can search online at https://www.petfinder.com/, which allows you to search by local area.
How Much Does a Cocker Spaniel Dachshund Mix Puppy Cost?
The average cost of a Cocker Spaniel Dachshund mix puppy is around $500. Yet another reason to consider adoption! Cocker Spaniel Dachshund mixes can be found as rescue dogs.
If you decide to buy a Dachshund Cocker Spaniel, we highly recommend that you read and follow our guide to finding a reputable breeder.
Is the Cocker Spaniel Dachshund Mix the Right Breed For You?
The Dachshund Cocker Spaniel might be the best breed for you if you can keep up with its energetic, social side. Doxie breeds are full of ‘hybrid vigor,’ meaning they’re a particularly healthy dog breed, so you won’t have to worry about frequent vet visits!
The Cocker Spaniel Dachshunds are lovely pets for families, single individuals, or couples. They’re OK in a small space but can suffer from separation anxiety, so be sure to train them well.
The Cocker Spaniel Dachshund mix is a beautiful small dog breed with a keen eagerness to please, a fondness for their owners, and a gentle, even temperament.