The English Cocker Spaniel Beagle mix is an interesting and rare combination. Also known as Bocker, this wonderful mixed breed dog is compact in size and lively, energetic, and friendly in personality. Bockers are also highly trainable.
In today’s article, we will cover the physical characteristics and temperament of the English Cocker Spaniel Beagle mix as well as other frequently asked questions.
Quick Summary of English Cocker Spaniel Beagle Mix
| Height | 10-15 kg or 22-33 lb |
| Weight | 20-30 cm or 8-12 inches |
| Coat Type | Short or medium double coat |
| Coat Colors | Tri color, white, brown, merle, black, and a combination of these colors. |
| Shedding | Moderate to Heavy |
| Grooming Needs | High |
| Temperament | Friendly, loyal, curious, alert, stubborn |
| Trainability | Easy to train but needs a patient and experienced dog owner and obedience training from a young age. |
| Good for Apartments | Yes |
| Good for First Time Dog Owner | No |
| Good with Kids | Yes, but needs early socialization |
| Good with Other Dogs | Yes, but needs early socialization |
| Energy Level | High |
| Exercise Requirement | High |
Origin of the Bocker- What is an English Cocker Spaniel Beagle Mix?
The origin of the Bocker is murky- no one can tell exactly when or where the first Bocker was bred.
Beagle mixes have existed since the dawn of time. However, ethical dog breeders only recently started seriously breeding such hybrid dogs after thoroughly studying complex canine genetics.
To understand the English Cocker Spaniel-Beagle mix, let us consider a few facts about the parent dog breeds:
Beagle
The Beagle is an English dog breed that was first created in the 1830s. They were primarily bred for hunting small game animals. Today, though, they are mostly companion dogs or house pets.
Beagles are known for their powerful sense of smell. In the past, this sense helped them on their hunts. Today, they are used extensively as sniffer dogs to sniff out drugs at airports!
While they are mostly smart and easy to train, Beagle owners also have to be extremely patient and consistent while training their dogs.
Beagles come in two size categories. The smaller Beagle weighs around 8 kilos (18 lb.), while the large Beagle is about 9 kg (20 lb.).
English Cocker Spaniel
Like the Beagle, the English Cocker was also bred for hunting.
These medium-sized dogs weigh around 7-8 kg or about 26-32 lb. English Cockers are lively, energetic, and also highly trainable. However, they do need firm and experienced handling and early training to mold them into the affectionate and lovable companions that we expect them to be.
Cocker Spaniels are also prone to separation anxiety and hate being alone for prolonged periods. Like Beagles, Cockers need plenty of physical and mental stimulation to keep them out of trouble.
Physical Characteristics of English Cocker Spaniel Beagle Mix
The English Cocker Spaniel Beagle mix is not recognized by any international kennel club. Therefore, there are no standard height and weight recommendations laid down for the breed.
In general, you can expect a Bocker to weigh between 10-15 kg or 22-33 lb. Most Bockers measure between 20-30 cm at the withers ( 8-12 inches).
The coat colors seen in the mixed-breed dog include tri colors, white, brown, merle, black, and a combination of these colors. Their fur could also have yellow or red on it. Sometimes, they even develop unique coat patterns.
The English Cocker Spaniel Beagle mix dog could inherit the short and rough coat of the Beagle parent or the medium, silky, double coat of the Cocker parent. In either case, you’d have to groom your dog regularly to prevent matting and also to keep your pet’s coat in top condition.
Most Bockers develop long floppy ears, which you need to clean from time to time to prevent ear infections.
Temperament of the English Cocker Spaniel Beagle Mix
Like both the parent breeds, your English Cocker Spaniel Beagle mix will follow the scent! These dogs have an incredible sense of smell which they would follow to the end of the earth!
That’s why you need to secure your home and yard to prevent your Bocker from escaping in the pursuit of a scent. You must also spay/neuter your Bocker (as soon as your vet recommends it) so your pet won’t escape searching for a mate!
Bockers are playful, cheerful, fun-loving dogs. They love spending time with their families and wish to participate in all family activities. Most Bockers hate being left alone – especially for prolonged periods. They tend to get anxious and might even whine, howl, or bark incessantly.
Training Needs of the Bocker
Your English Cocker Spaniel Beagle mix will need plenty of early enrichment. This includes socialization with kids, other dogs, and even cats. Socialization should include play dates with other dogs, exposure to loud noises (doorbells, thunder, fireworks), and also trips to the mall, beach, etc.
You must also train your dog from an early age in basic obedience commands like ‘sit,’ ‘heel,’ ‘come,’ etc. Use tasty training treats and positive reinforcement while training.
Avoid using harsh training methods like punishment, hitting, and scolding. Bockers are sensitive dogs, and they do not respond well to such negative training methods.
Exercise Requirements of an English Cocker Spaniel Beagle Mix
Your energetic Bocker needs at least 30-45 minutes of physical activity daily. This can include activities like swimming, walking, hiking, playing a game of fetch, or agility. Without exercise, these smart dogs tend to get incredibly bored or even depressed.
What to Feed a Bocker?
Your Bocker needs healthy dog food that is free from preservatives, fillers, dyes, etc. Go in for dog food that meets or exceeds AAFCO guidelines.
Your vet/breeder can guide you in selecting the best food for your English Cocker Spaniel Beagle mix.
In general, choose dog food with the first ingredient as meat. Most Bockers do well with chicken, fish, lamb, or beef. Some tend to have food allergies or sensitivity, in which case, they may need hypoallergenic dog food.
How Much Does an English Cocker Spaniel Beagle Mix Cost?
The price of an English Cocker Spaniel Beagle mix will vary from breeder to breeder. Most breeders in the USA charge between $300-$800 for these pups. These are relatively rare dogs, so there are very few breeders keeping them.
You could find English Cocker Spaniel Beagle mixes in animal shelters- although that will be rare too. You need to pay a small adoption fee (about $200-$400) to re-home a rescued English Cocker Spaniel Beagle mix.
Health Issues in English Cocker Spaniel Beagle Mix
Some common health issues seen in Bockers are hip/elbow dysplasia, skin infections, and eye problems like Progressive Retinal Atrophy and cataracts. Like Beagles and Cocker Spaniels, Bockers could be at risk of developing cherry eye.
Good breeders only breed healthy English Cocker Spaniels and Beagles. They also test their dogs for various genetic issues and the complete DNA panel test. They only breed dogs that are cleared for these health issues. This ensures healthy Bocker pups.
Final Thoughts
The English Cocker Spaniel Beagle mix is a relatively new breed. Not much is known about it, and some research is needed to know exactly how Bocker’s personality and health are.
I hope this guide has given you an insight into this mixed-breed dog. If you have any photos of the Bocker, do share them with me and my audience!