Do you wish to adopt a Cockerdale (Patterdale x Cocker Spaniel) dog breed? If yes, this article is for you.
Designer dog breeds… we can’t get enough of them! There is always one added exciting feature to look out for.
If you consider introducing one of them to your home, you might be interested in this breed.
What could be better than a mix of cute, fluffy, bold, and loyal?
If you are interested in finding out more about the Cocker Spaniel cross Patterdale Terrier breed, this guide is just what you need. Keep reading!
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- What is a Cockerdale?
- Appearance Of Patterdale Terrier Cross Cockerdale
- Temperament Of Cockerdale
- Health Problems Of Patterdale X Cocker Spaniel
- Grooming Requirements Of Patterdale X Cocker Spaniel
- Dietary Requirements Of Patterdale Terrier Cross Cocker Spaniel
- Exercise Requirements Of Cocker Spaniel Cross Patterdale
- Determining If The Cockerdale Breed Is For You
- Final Takeout- Patterdale x Cocker Spaniel
What is a Cockerdale?
The Patterdale Terrier Cross Cocker Spaniel, often called Cockerdale, is a crossbreed of the Cocker Spaniel and the Patterdale Terrier.
The Cocker Spaniel and Patterdale Terrier are two distinct dogs with varying temperaments. Much unlike the Cocker Spaniel, which is soft and friendly, the Patterdale Terrier is feisty and unsociable – except in properly trained at puppy age, they can become sociable.
However, with crossbreeds, you can never tell which of the traits your dog will inherit. Even within the same litter of Cockerdale, you will find pups with different characteristics and temperaments.
To prick your imagination a little bit, you are likely to end up with a pet who is either soft and aggressive or loving and unsociable.
Provided you are comfortable with any of the characteristics of either the Cocker Spaniel or the Patterdale Terrier, this breed would be perfect for you.
Speaking of the characteristics of its parent’s breed, let’s talk a walk down memory lane on the ancestry of the Cockerdale.
Origin — Overview of the Patterdale Terrier
The origin of the Patterdale Terrier dates back to Northern England in the early 18th century. It was originally crossbred from the old black Terrier and the Northumberland Pit Terrier, which is now extinct.
Huntsman Joe Bowman made several other crosses using the best Red Fell Terriers and local hunting Terriers available at the time to further improve the breed. However, the breed didn’t gain prominence until Huntsman and Schoolmaster, Cyril Breay, came on the scene.
Cyril refined the breed even further using the best dogs of Northern England. All existing Patterdale Terriers are descended from dogs bred by Cyril. Following Cyril’s crosses, the Patterdale Terrier was commonly bred by poachers in the harsh, hilly areas of Northern England, where sheep farming was the order of the day.
However, the Red Fox was predatory to sheep. Thus, the poachers sought a way to protect their flock. The Patterdale Terrier was then used for hunting down the foxes. When using dogs to hunt down foxes became illegal in 2004, the breed then found its way to the United States, where it was also used for hunting activities in mines and entertainment in canine sports.
| Stats | The Patterdale Terrier |
| Weight | 9 to 13 pounds |
| Height | 10 to 15 inches tall |
| Temperament | Bold, intelligent, Energetic, and friendly |
| Lifespan | 11 to 14 years |
| Colour | Black, Chocolate, Blue & Tan |
Origin — Overview of the Cocker Spaniel
The Cocker Spaniel descended from the Spaniels — a large group of dogs, which origin dates far back to ancient times. The word ‘Spaniel’ means Spanish dogs, and the breed is believed to have originated in Spain. Another school believes that the Cocker Spaniels were originally bred as hunting dogs in the UK.
The detailed history of the breed, therefore, remains uncertain. In the 1800s, the breed was divided into toy dogs (primarily used for companionship) and large hunting dogs. The hunting dogs were further divided into land and Water Spaniels. It earned the name ‘Cocker’ for its precision in hunting down Woodcocks.
Merry yet gentle, it is no wonder that the Cocker Spaniel is the pleasure of many pet owners. Remember the movie Lady And The Tramp? The lead female dog is a Cocker Spaniel! As seen in movies and its beauty in show rings, its affectionate nature greatly paved the way for the breed’s acceptability in the early 1900s.
Despite being the smallest member of the American Kennel Sporting Group, the Cocker Spaniel was the number one registered breed from the late 1930s to the 1950s. Its demand slowed down significantly for almost 30 years, but then it shot its way back up the ranks in the 1980s.
It wasn’t until 1992 that the Golden Retrievers took its number one spot. That notwithstanding, the Cocker Spaniel still retains its status within the top 15 registered dog breeds.
| Stats | American Cocker Spaniel |
| Height |
Male: 37-39 cm Female: 34-37 cm |
| Weight |
Male: 7-14 kg Female: 7-14 kg |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
| Temperament | Joyful/Merry/Even Tempered/Sociable |
| Colour | Black, White & Buff, Brown, Tan, Tri-color. |
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Appearance Of Patterdale Terrier Cross Cockerdale
Most crossbred dogs usually have varying characteristics. You could find pups in the same litter who look nothing like each other. It all depends on which side of their ancestry has more dominant genes. Unlike a handful of mixed designer dogs like this, the Cockerdale has a more definite appearance.
The dog breed tends to take on the shape of the Patterdale Terrier. That is, having short legs and a slim build. However, they take on the face, ears, and coat color of the Cocker Spaniel. So you can expect a relatively small pet with long floppy ears and a very hairy tail.
Coat and Colour Of Cocker Spaniel Cross Patterdale
Cocker Spaniels are typically hairy dogs with long coats, particularly their chest, ears, and tails. As a result of their long fur, they usually require extra effort in grooming. You wouldn’t have to bother about your Cockerdale having this feature, as they do not inherit the texture of their coats from Cocker Spaniels.
They take on the fur type of the Patterdale Terrier, which is a low-maintenance breed. Your Cockerdale is likely to have a seemingly rough-looking fur that is oddly smooth to touch. The coat color could vary from black to brown, cream, or red. Some could even have two tones ranging from white and black, white and brown, or white and cream.
Size Cocker Spaniel and Patterdale Terrier Cross
Compared to Patterdale Terriers that are relatively small in size, Cocker Spaniels are large dogs. Some could even weigh as much as 31 pounds. Many often think that a cross between the two breeds would dampen the size of the Cocker Spaniel to a large extent, but that isn’t always the case with the Cockerdale. You can expect a medium-sized dog standing at about 12-17 inches and weighing between 18-22 pounds.
Temperament Of Cockerdale
Patterdale Terriers are bold, confident, and intelligent dogs bred to be tough with a lot of stamina. They could be aggressive and stubborn at times. Due to their hunting and predatory history, they are quite unsociable dogs as they do not get along well with children and other smaller pets they aren’t familiar with.
Cocker Spaniels, on the other hand, are very friendly dogs. They are affectionate and always eager to please. They require and enjoy lots of attention, and they love to snuggle up! They are friendly to children and are less wary of strangers.
Your Cockerdale pup could be anywhere within this mix. Whichever traits it tends to inherit, these are all great temperaments. Early training and socialization would be necessary to lean more to the Patterdale Terrier. More so, you can be sure that some traits from the Cocker Spaniel would likewise be present, even if the Terrier’s genes seem more dominant.
Health Problems Of Patterdale X Cocker Spaniel
Cockerdales are relatively healthy dogs with an 11-14 years life expectancy. However, it could also inherit some genetic illnesses from its parents, as often seen with crossbreeds. Some of the common health problems the Cocker Spaniel and Patterdale Terrier breeds face include:
- Conjunctivitis
- Hypothyroidism
- Obesity
- Cataracts
- Allergies
- Joint dysplasia and;
- Patellar luxation.
A health problem that has posed a major concern for this breed is obesity, which is because of the large size of the Cocker Spaniel breed.
You should closely monitor your pet’s diet as you wouldn’t want it to become obese, eventually leading to joint dysplasia.
Also, ensure to request health clearances from your pup’s parents to ensure that your new canine friend is coming from a background free from illnesses.
Grooming Requirements Of Patterdale X Cocker Spaniel
Patterdale Terrier is a low-maintenance dog breed, unlike Cocker Spaniels that require more grooming attention. This is because of their long coats. Unlike most dogs you will have to brush in your home, Cocker Spaniels often require trimming at least once every two months by a groomer.
Cockerdales do not inherit the fur texture of the Cocker Spaniel. Instead, they take on the coat type of the Patterdale. Thus, you wouldn’t have to worry about the extra costs that come with grooming the Cocker Spaniel. Be sure to brush your dog 2-3 times weekly, and you ought to bathe it at least twice a month, except when it particularly gets dirty.
Cockerdales have the long floppy ears of the Cocker Spaniel, and it would require extra attention in that area. Be sure to clean its ears once every week to avoid accumulating dirt that could lead to an infection. Ideally, you want to be trimming its nails weekly to avoid any form of discomfort.
Dietary Requirements Of Patterdale Terrier Cross Cocker Spaniel
Every dog would stay healthy as long as it is fed a good diet, and as a responsible dog parent, you owe that duty to your pet. If you want your dog to get the right amount of vitamins and nutrients, I’d recommend you opt for commercially manufactured dog food. To vary your dog’s diet slightly, you can feed it with homemade food like boiled chicken and pasta.
This breed is prone to obesity, so I’d also suggest that you avoid foods that are high in carbohydrates. Rather, feed your dog with a protein-rich diet which would help to reduce bloating and over-eating. Include some veggies like carrots and spinach once in a while, and always have clean water available.
Exercise Requirements Of Cocker Spaniel Cross Patterdale
Both the Cocker Spaniel and Patterdale Terrier are highly energetic dogs; as such, they would require lots of exercises. Don’t restrict them to the house all day. Take them on daily walks for about 1-2 hours, jogs, and off-leash visits to nearby parks.
This would be particularly helpful if your dog doesn’t turn out to be sociable, as it would help it interact with other dogs and children as well. Lack of exercise could lead to your dog becoming restless and picking up destructive behaviors.
Training Requirements Of Cocker Spaniel Cross Patterdale
Unlike Cocker Spaniels that are easily malleable, Patterdales often require a more intensive training routine. Be sure to teach the basic dog commands, and socialize them with other pets and children early. Remember, training should never be forceful. You only need to lay down rules and set boundaries that you would softly but firmly urge your dog to follow.
Determining If The Cockerdale Breed Is For You
Cockerdales are friendly and intelligent dogs that make great family companions. They would get along with children and other pets pretty well, particularly if raised together. They often want to have a sense of belonging, hence the need to be in an active family.
Your new furry companion would love just that if you have a large family with children friendly to pets.
Also, both parent breeds of Cockerdale are dogs with high energy levels, and the same applies to Cockerdale. They could be playful at times and would require lots of exercises. You have to be an outdoor person to keep up with the energetic lifestyle. A large backyard would be an added advantage.
How Much Is The Cost Of Cockerdale Puppy?
Cockerdale puppies are beautiful and strong. A Patterdale X Cocker Spaniel puppy can cost anywhere between £400 to £800,
However, factors like the puppy’s age, quality, availability, breeder, and residential location can affect the price.
Final Takeout- Patterdale x Cocker Spaniel
Combining the bold, intelligent nature of the Patterdale Terrier and the adorable, affectionate nature of the Cocker Spaniel, Cockerdales are excellent choices for both new and experienced pet owners. This breed would surely be a pleasure to own with a great temperament and minimal grooming requirements.
