MyDogBreedsBull and Terrier is originated from United Kingdom but American Cocker Spaniel is originated from United States. Bull and Terrier may grow 10 cm / 4 inches higher than American Cocker Spaniel. Bull and Terrier may weigh 8 kg / 18 pounds more than American Cocker Spaniel. Both Bull and Terrier and American Cocker Spaniel has almost same life span. Both Bull and Terrier and American Cocker Spaniel has almost same litter size. Bull and Terrier requires Low maintenance. But American Cocker Spaniel requires Moderate maintenance
The Bull and Terrier is a blend between a number of Old English Terriers and the Old English Bulldog. It is believed that this extinct dog was the start of breeds such as the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
They were excellent for hunting rats and weren’t a true breed. The dog was popular in the British Isles and in the United States in the 19th Century. They became rare as different varieties of Bull and Terrier were bred and standardized.
Most terriers have a good deal of Old English Bulldog blood in them so as to provide them with the courage to fight and hunt prey, while the English Terrier blood provided a feisty temperament and longer legs for speed.
Around 1860, the Bull and Terrier breed split into 2 categories – the pure white Bull Terrier and the ones of color. The Bull and Terrier was never recognized as a standardized breed by any of the kennel clubs.
Descended from the English Cocker Spaniel when the latter were brought to the United States in the late 1800s. American hunters wanted a smaller dog for bird hunting, so they crossed them with smaller spaniel breeds. The English and the American Cockers were considered the same breed until 1935 when the American Kennel Club officially separated them into 2 distinct breeds. After this the American Cocker’s popularity increased dramatically.
To this day they are one of the most popular breeds in the U.S. Recently their popularity has spread back to England. The American Cocker Spaniel has evolved from a hunting dog life to a very popular family pet.
There isn’t too much detail and information on the Bull and Terrier but we can be sure that with the cross between the Old English Bulldog and the Old English Terrier, he would have been a small to medium sized compact, muscular dog, standing roughly between 38cm to 50cm in height and weighing anything in the region of 11 to 22kg.
He would have had a big head, and most of the dogs had a medium to long tail. His coat was of many colors such as white, fawn, tan or brindle and would have been short and smooth.
As far as temperament goes, the Bull and Terrier would certainly be courageous, feisty, independent, strong and energetic. Socialization wasn’t available in those days but with training, this intelligent breed would be affectionate with his human family.
The American Cocker spaniel is a sturdy dog of medium size. The have a rounded head with a broad and deep muzzle. The jaw is even and square while the teeth have a scissors bite. The American Cocker has round eyes that are almost always dark with the exception of the Merle who can have blue colored eyes. They have long ears and a docked tail in the U.S. Docking is illegal in most of Europe. The American Cocker bred for field hunts have shorter coats than those bred for show. Grooming is essential for this longhaired breed. It is especially important for the eyes and ears to be kept clean.
Nobody seems to be 100% sure when the classic Bull and Terrier dog became extinct but it is strongly assumed that it was some time between 1890 and 1920.
People believe that there are actually surviving breeds that could be considered Bull and Terriers. One thing is sure, when you consider that the Bull and Terrier is actually made up of several breeds such as the Bull Terrier, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier then you can imagine the character of the dog – brave, hardy, intelligent, feisty, bold, confident and fearless. He was a dog who loved his human family and would have been both friend and protector.
These dogs have been popular around the world, and have had a strong influence in the development of a number of other breeds. Even today, breeders are always looking at ways to develop new breeds based on the descendants of the Bull and Terrier.
This is a gentle, happy dog. They are high energy, high spirited, friendly dogs who like people and other animals alike. They are happy to be with you and want to please you. He can find a home in the country and in the city alike. He is inquisitive and easy to train.
But be warned they can be stubborn and hard to housebreak. They can be shy and need a lot of socialization as a pup. They can take over a household if you are not the strong pack leader they need. They have a tendency to urinate when excited and must live inside with the family. They are far too social to be left outside. An unhappy, unstable cocker can be into resource guarding of things, spaces and people. They can bark obsessively or be hyperactive. They must have a loving home with the family.
The Bull and Terrier was no doubt a robust breed with few health issues. However his owners of that time would have had to be aware of eye diseases such as cataracts that could have lead to blindness.
Other health issues they would have had to contend with would have been hip and elbow dysplasia, a disease which can cause lameness in a dog accompanied with pain. Because the Bull and terrier was mixed with the English Bulldog, the dog owners would have had to be aware of respiratory health problems, as the Bull dog is a breed that is susceptible to these problems.
Perhaps the least of the American Cocker Spaniel’s health concerns are the tendency to overeat and become obese. The more serious concerns include glaucoma, cataracts, dysplasia, allergies, Cherry eye, lip fold pyoderma, liver disease, cardiomyopathy, and congestive heart failure (CHF).
The most serious health issue the breed faces is IMHA or Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia which can be deadly. In fact, it is almost always fatal and comes on quickly. With this condition the dog can bleed out internally and there is little that veterinary medicine can do.
Long ago the Bull and Terrier was developed to be a hunting dog, and because he was a blend of the English Bulldog and Terriers such as the Staffordshire Bull Terrier and English Terrier, he no doubt had a short coat that would have required being brushed down from time to time.
The Bull and Terrier dog was bred for hunting, and he would have in all likelihood have caught some of his own food. He would therefore have got a lot of protein in. His owners would also have fed him some of their own food too which would have been eggs, home-made bread, rice, fresh vegetables and meat.
He would have had a good quota of raw meat in his diet too and this would have ensured that his coat was shiny and glossy, free of rashes. Dogs such as the Bull and Terrier wouldn’t have eaten commercially produced kibble as that was only introduced in the 1930s.
The American Cocker Spaniel breed requires attention to detail and making sure your puppy gets enough and your adult doesn’t get too much. Feed the pups twice a day until they reach the age of 4 months and then cut them back to the adult dose of once a day at supper time. Feed from a cup to a cup and a half.
not previously mentioned include Ectropion and Entropion, Prolapse of the nicititans gland, gastric torsion and elbow dysplasia. Have your puppy tested for eye diseases and any issues with the knee and hip. These are social dogs and will not do well alone outside. They need to live inside.
The American Cockers love to play and need a lot of exercise. Nice long walks, games of fetch or even agility will keep your Cocker happy. have plenty of stamina and need regular exercise. They also enjoy a good hunt.