Differences between breeds

Question
QUESTION: My puppy is 12 wks.old and weights around 7 pounds.
We got her as an English Cocker Spaniel, but many people who see her, including the vet, think that she is a Cavalier King C. Sp. I have been looking at pictures of puppies and it can be very confusing since they look alike a lot!
The person from where we got her, said that her mom weights 10 lbs. If that possible for an ECS? We like our puppy a lot. However, we would like to know to be able to provide her with the adequate care an training.
The CKCS expert thinks that she might be a mix since she looks like a Blenheim (red and white) CKCS.
I would like to have your opinion from the CS point of view. Thanks!

ANSWER: A Cavalier is very distinctive from an English Cocker or an American cocker.  So I'd have to ask where you got her?

And no, it's absolutely NOT possible for an English Cocker adult to weigh 10 lbs.  Not remotely possible.  And your pup weighs 7 lbs at 12 weeks?  Something is very amiss here.  An adult English cocker would weigh about 30 lbs...or more.

But the important thing is you love her and you want to do all the best things for her.  So the first question I'll ask is what are you feeding her?

Now as to "training" - all dogs respond to the proper training and it's not breed specific.
So I can help with that if you'd like.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


Nala   QUESTION: Thank you for your response. So...are 7 lbs not enough for a 12-week-Cocker? I am giving her Nutro for puppies but planning to change to Avo-Derm because It's seems to be better for allergy prone dogs. Should I change? I have been searching for a safe, natural formula but it is really hard to know which one is really good. Nutro was recommended by a friend. She also likes carrots, peanut butter, and Nylabone treats.
She is a beautiful, fun, and energetic puppy. We are doing basic training, not professional, at home. She is almost potty trained with a few accidents still inside the house. She has been obsessed with bitting our pants and legs while walking and with really bad puppy bitting. Noise aversion Tx. is working well with her. We are using the can with coins, and now she will look at the can and stop! She seems to have a mind of her own and to like challenges. I am including her picture here for you. Any advice will be welcome :)

Answer
I didn't say 7 lbs. is not enough for a 12 week spaniel.  I said the Mother could not POSSIBLY weigh 10 lbs since an adult English cocker would weigh approx. 30 lbs.

Nutro is not the best food.  AvoDerm is "okay".  Be careful about too many carrots since they're loaded with sugar.  Fresh green beans - zucchini - an asparagus stalk - a chunk of apple are all good for treats.

If she's "semi" housebroken at 12 weeks you're doing a great job.  They still don't have super bladder control though, so be patient.  Take her out every 2 hours - choose a command "go potty" and watch to see when she's about to go - then give the command.  Praise wildly and give a treat.
She'll soon connect the action-command-treat.

Food!  What I love for spaniels is Innova EVO.  And for puppies, it's great.  high protein - low or no carbs.  Go to Naturapet.com and find a dealer near you.  This is the Mercedes of dog food.
And good nutrition and lots of exercise is the key to good health.

As to the biting pants - yes, this is puppy behavior and I'm glad you're on it.  It'll pass.
Another tip is to get down on her level - STARE into her eyes and say NO calmly but firmly.
Do not lose eye contact.  When she turns away, you just won!

Addressing unacceptable behavior now (gently but firmly) will prevent problems in the future.
Never yell - never hit - don't get excited - just be firm.  Pack leaders are calm-they don't get hysterical:)

Please do write Jose, with any questions.  It's what I'm here for.
Delores