Purina

Other names/Nicknames:

• None

Country/Date of origin:

• United States
• 1800’s

Height:

• 14 to 15 inches

Weight:

• 24 to 28 pounds

Personality:

• Generally even-tempered.
• Affectionate and gentle.
• Not particularly intelligent but a willingness to please makes up for it.
• Can be a problem barker.

History:

This breed was bred from the English Cocker Spaniels that were brought to the United States in the 17th century.  It was recognized as a separate breed in 1946.  Used by hunters to flush out game, it specialized in retrieving quail instead of the woodcock so prevalent in England.  Today, it has become more of a pet and show dog, with an exaggerated coat that would not be suitable in the field.  It reached a peak in popularity between 1940-1956 when it set an American Kennel Club (AKC) record for the number of dogs registered.  It has remained a popular family pet and show dog.

Body Type:

• Smallest of the sporting dogs.
• It is known for its distinctive, domed head and large, round, expressive eyes.
• The docked tail is carried on a line with the topline of the back.
• The long, hanging, low-set ears are never altered.

Coat:

• The lavish, medium-length coat is silky in texture.  It can be flat or slightly wavy.
• There are three acceptable color classifications: black; any other solid color other than black (called ASCOB by show people); and parti-color, which consists of two or more definite colors appearing in clearly defined markings.
• Needs a moderate amount of grooming, with occasional professional trimming.
• Hair tends to mat.
• Seasonal shedding.

Health and Wellness:

• Autoimmune thyroid disease.
• Factor X deficiency.
• Phosphofructokinase deficiency.
• Hereditary nephritis.
• Congenital deafness.
• Platelet dysfunction (storage pool deficiency).
• Urolithiasis (struvite).
• Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA).
• Immune mediated thrombocytopenia (IMT).
• Glaucoma.
• Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
• Atopy.
• Food allergy.
• Primary seborrhea.
• Otitis externa.
• Chronic hepatitis.
• Cardiomyopathy (taurine responsive).
• Progressive retinal atrophy.
• Cushing’s syndrome (PDH and AT).
• Skin tumors.
• Keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
• Oral cavity neoplasia.
• Circumanal neoplasia.
• Sebaceous adenomas.
• Hyperplasia.

What you should know:

• Easily obtained at reasonable prices.
• Because of past problems with health and temperament, buy only from a reputable breeder.
• Tends to become overweight if not kept active.
• May be difficult to housebreak.