Cock-A-Mo
Hybrid Breed Description
The Cock-A-Mo is a cross between the American Eskimo and the Cocker Spaniel. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing a Cock-A-Mo. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
American Eskimo
The American Eskimo Dog presents a striking Nordic appearance characterized by its pure white or cream-colored double coat, compact proportions, and alert expression. The breed exists in three distinct size varieties to accommodate different living situations and preferences. Toy American Eskimos stand nine to twelve inches tall and weigh six to ten pounds, miniature varieties measure twelve to fifteen inches with weights ranging from ten to twenty pounds, while standard-sized dogs reach fifteen to nineteen inches in height and weigh twenty-five to thirty-five pounds. Despite these size variations, all American Eskimos maintain the same distinctive spitz-type characteristics and elegant proportions. The breed's most remarkable physical feature is its spectacular double coat, consisting of a thick, plush undercoat covered by a longer, harsher outer coat that stands away from the body creating a fluffy appearance. The coat forms a pronounced lion-like ruff around the neck and chest, particularly impressive in males, and displays significant feathering on the legs and tail. The heavily plumed tail curves gracefully over the back in typical spitz fashion. While pure white is most common, the breed standard accepts white with biscuit cream markings. The coat requires substantial grooming commitment but provides excellent protection against cold weather, reflecting the breed's northern heritage. The American Eskimo's head presents a wedge-shaped profile with erect, triangular ears that stand alert and attentive. The breed displays keen, intelligent dark eyes that contrast beautifully with the white coat, along with distinctive black points on the nose, lips, and eye rims that create striking facial definition. The muzzle and skull maintain roughly equal length, contributing to balanced proportions. The body appears slightly longer than tall with good bone structure and well-developed musculature that enables smooth, effortless movement. Overall, the American Eskimo projects an image of beauty, agility, and Nordic elegance combined with a perpetually cheerful, smiling expression.
Key Characteristics
The American Eskimo Dog possesses an active, intelligent temperament that combines remarkable trainability with a strong desire for human companionship and mental stimulation. These dogs demonstrate exceptional learning ability and eagerness to please, traits that made them successful circus performers in the early twentieth century and continue to make them excel in modern dog sports including agility, obedience, and trick training. They quickly master both basic commands and complex behaviors, often learning simply by observing other dogs or their owners. However, this intelligence means they require consistent mental challenges to prevent boredom and the development of undesirable behaviors. Social and affectionate by nature, American Eskimos form powerful bonds with their families and thrive on being actively involved in household activities. They display considerable loyalty and devotion, preferring to remain close to their favorite people throughout the day. While generally friendly, they maintain some natural wariness toward strangers, making them effective watchdogs who will alert their families to approaching visitors or unusual occurrences. Once properly introduced, however, they typically warm quickly to newcomers. Their alert, vocal nature means they can be prone to excessive barking if not trained appropriately, and they benefit greatly from early socialization to develop confidence and appropriate responses to various situations. The breed exhibits high energy levels, particularly in youth, requiring substantial daily exercise and activity to maintain physical fitness and prevent behavioral problems. Regular walks, play sessions, and opportunities for free running in secure areas help satisfy their exercise needs. As they mature, many American Eskimos become somewhat more sedate but continue to appreciate activity and engagement. These dogs struggle significantly with isolation and may develop separation anxiety, destructive behaviors, or compulsive barking when left alone for extended periods. They flourish in active households where family members can provide regular interaction, training opportunities, and inclusion in daily routines, making them less suitable for people with demanding schedules that necessitate long absences from home.
American Eskimo Dogs generally enjoy good health with an average lifespan of thirteen to fifteen years, though like all purebred dogs, they demonstrate predisposition to certain hereditary conditions that warrant awareness and monitoring. Progressive retinal atrophy represents one of the most serious inherited concerns, causing gradual deterioration of the photoreceptor cells in the retina and ultimately resulting in complete blindness. This condition has no cure, though affected dogs can adapt well to vision loss with appropriate support and environmental management. Responsible breeders conduct genetic testing to identify carriers and avoid producing affected puppies. Orthopedic issues affect some members of the breed despite their relatively small to medium size. Hip dysplasia, characterized by improper development of the hip joint leading to looseness and eventual arthritis, occurs occasionally in American Eskimos. The condition can be managed through weight control, joint supplements, appropriate exercise modification, and in severe cases, surgical intervention. Luxating patella, where the kneecap slips out of proper position, represents another common orthopedic concern that may require surgical correction depending on severity. Maintaining lean body condition throughout life significantly reduces stress on joints and minimizes the risk of developing debilitating arthritis. The breed also shows increased susceptibility to epilepsy compared to many other breeds, with seizures potentially beginning in young adulthood. While concerning for owners, epilepsy can often be managed effectively with anticonvulsant medication once other potential causes have been ruled out through comprehensive veterinary evaluation. Dental disease requires vigilant attention, as with most smaller breeds, necessitating regular tooth brushing and professional cleanings to prevent periodontal problems. Some individuals develop allergies affecting skin or digestion. The breed's thick double coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and skin problems, with particular attention needed during heavy shedding periods. Regular veterinary examinations, appropriate preventive care, quality nutrition, and adequate exercise contribute significantly to maximizing both longevity and quality of life for these intelligent, devoted companions.
Cocker Spaniel
The Cocker Spaniel presents a balanced, compact build that exemplifies both elegance and athleticism, making it the smallest member of the sporting group recognized by major kennel clubs. Males typically stand fifteen inches tall at the shoulder while females measure approximately fourteen inches, with both sexes weighing between twenty and thirty pounds. This moderate size contributes to the breed's versatility as both a capable sporting dog and an adaptable family companion. The body appears slightly longer than tall, creating harmonious proportions that facilitate the breed's characteristic smooth, effortless gait. The breed's most distinctive physical feature is undoubtedly its luxurious coat, consisting of a silky, medium-length outer layer that flows gracefully over a softer undercoat. The coat displays pronounced feathering on the ears, chest, legs, and abdomen, creating an elegant silhouette that requires substantial maintenance. Cocker Spaniels exhibit remarkable color variety, appearing in solid colors including black, red, golden, and various shades of brown, as well as parti-color and tri-color combinations. The American Kennel Club recognizes fifteen different standard coat colors, categorizing them into three varieties for show purposes: black, any solid color other than black, and parti-color. The Cocker Spaniel's head presents a refined, graceful appearance characterized by a rounded skull and a broad, square muzzle. The breed's large, expressive dark eyes convey intelligence and gentleness, often described as having a soft, pleading quality that endears them to owners. Their signature long, low-set ears are heavily feathered and frame the face beautifully, though their length and coverage make them prone to health issues. The back slopes gently toward the tail, which is typically docked in countries where the practice remains legal, contributing to the breed's regal bearing. The overall impression is one of beauty combined with athleticism, reflecting the breed's dual heritage as both hunter and companion.
Key Characteristics
The Cocker Spaniel possesses a remarkably sweet and gentle temperament that has secured its position as one of America's most beloved companion breeds. These dogs exhibit an affectionate, playful nature combined with remarkable devotion to their families, thriving on human interaction and companionship. Their friendly disposition typically extends to everyone they encounter, including strangers, children, and other animals, making them poor candidates as guard dogs but excellent family pets. This eagerness to please and sociable nature contributes significantly to their popularity as therapy dogs and emotional support animals. Demonstrating considerable intelligence and trainability, Cocker Spaniels respond enthusiastically to positive reinforcement training methods. They excel in obedience work and adapt readily to various activities including agility, rally, and other canine sports. However, their sensitive nature means they do not respond well to harsh corrections or punishment, which can trigger fear-based behaviors or defensive reactions. Some individuals may display submissive urination when excited or anxious, a trait that typically improves with maturity and gentle handling. Early socialization proves essential in developing a well-adjusted adult dog, as inadequate exposure to various environments and experiences can result in shyness or fearfulness. The breed's activity level falls into the moderate-to-high range, reflecting their sporting dog heritage. While they adapt well to various living situations including apartments, Cocker Spaniels require regular exercise to maintain physical health and mental well-being. Daily walks combined with play sessions typically satisfy their exercise needs, though they enthusiastically participate in more vigorous activities when given the opportunity. These dogs form exceptionally strong bonds with their families and prefer constant companionship, often following their owners from room to room. This attachment means they may struggle with separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods. Some bloodlines, particularly those from show breeding programs during periods of extreme popularity, have developed issues with inappropriate aggression or nervousness, making careful breeder selection critically important.
Cocker Spaniels have an average lifespan of twelve to fifteen years, though the breed faces predisposition to numerous health conditions that prospective owners should carefully consider. Among the most prevalent concerns are chronic ear infections, a consequence of the breed's long, heavily feathered ears that trap moisture and restrict air circulation to the ear canal. These infections can become severe and recurrent without diligent preventive care including regular cleaning and thorough drying after swimming or bathing. In extreme cases, chronic ear disease may necessitate surgical intervention through total ear canal ablation. Ophthalmologic issues represent another significant health concern for the breed, with Cocker Spaniels showing increased susceptibility to numerous eye conditions. Progressive retinal atrophy leads to gradual vision loss and eventual blindness, while cataracts can develop even in young dogs and may require surgical removal to preserve sight. Glaucoma, characterized by painful elevation of intraocular pressure, demands emergency treatment to prevent permanent blindness. Additional eye problems include corneal ulcers, dry eye syndrome, and cherry eye, the latter requiring surgical correction. Regular ophthalmologic examinations enable early detection and intervention for these conditions. The breed also demonstrates vulnerability to various systemic health issues affecting multiple body systems. Hip dysplasia, though more common in larger breeds, occurs in Cocker Spaniels and can necessitate medical management or surgical correction. Intervertebral disc disease poses risk of sudden paralysis requiring immediate veterinary attention. Autoimmune disorders including hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia can develop, requiring aggressive immunosuppressive therapy. The breed shows predisposition to allergies affecting skin and ears, hypothyroidism requiring lifelong medication, and liver disease including portosystemic shunts. Maintaining optimal body weight, providing high-quality nutrition, ensuring regular veterinary care, and selecting puppies from health-tested parents significantly improve the likelihood of a long, healthy life for these devoted companions.
Important to Remember
Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your Cock-A-Mo may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the American Eskimo and Cocker Spaniel to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.