Spanador Dog Breed

Below are details and specs for the Spanador dog breed.

Spanadors are medium-sized dogs. There is very little difference between adult males and females once mature: the males tend to be approximately 15 inches tall whereas females are slightly shorter, and they each may weigh anywhere from 20 to 50 pounds.

They will get along with children (provided the kids are taught to be aware of the Spanador's sensitive nature), and they should be fine with other pets too. As they are good watchdogs, they will be alert to and bark at strangers, but they shouldn't react aggressively.

When it comes to maintenance, the Spanador will require a moderate amount of grooming and exercise but a bit more than that in the attention department. You should also expect to do a fair amount of cleaning, as they shed a moderate amount.

The Spanador is a very new hybrid, and as such there is very little history available. It is possible they may have first been crossbred a few decades ago. Fortunately, the two parent breeds — the Cocker Spaniel and the Labrador Retriever — have detailed and long histories.

Although the Cocker Spaniel's heritage was first noted in the 14th century, when it was recorded as the "Spanyell," it is believed to have existed for far longer. Although the dog is thought to have originated in Spain, it quickly became very popular in Britain, and by the late 19th century had been exported to the United States. By 1878, the American Kennel Club (AKC) had officially recognized the Cocker Spaniel, and in 1881, the first club was formed under the name American Spaniel Club.

Although the Labrador Retriever's history only goes back a few centuries, the breed has long been known for hunting, retrieval and myriad other tasks. It should be noted that Labs — as they are affectionately known — came from Newfoundland and not from the breed's namesake adjacent region in the same province. In the early 19th century, they were exported to England but were called St. John's dogs. Within a few decades, the English nobility were referring to the breed as "Labradors," and the name stuck sometime in the 1870s. In the early 20th century they finally made it to the U.S. By then, the United Kennel Club had already recognized the breed (in 1903), and they were officially recognized by the AKC in 1917. It took a few more decades before the Labrador was popular nationwide, in the 1960s.

Being crossbred from a Cocker Spaniel and Labrador Retriever, your Spanador will inherit traits from both parent breeds, but not all pups will inherit the same traits; some may get more Cocker Spaniel, others may get more Labrador Retriever. The Spanador's body will most likely be small to medium in size and a bit athletic legs shorter than you might anticipate. Expect the soft and shiny coat to be medium to long in hair length; it may also be curly. The ears may be long, and the eyes will usually be either blue or brown. If there is more Spaniel in the genetics, the muzzle will probably be shorter and the head more dome-shaped.

Your Spanador may come from hunting stock via both parents, but he's a remarkably sensitive dog when it comes to training: a lot of patience and gentle handling is required, and he may not respond well to crate training as he can quickly develop separation anxiety. He will appreciate as much attention as he can get. Your Spanador will be extremely friendly, intelligent, playful and adorable — but must be trained with patience and a gentle touch as they have a very sensitive personality and react badly to harsh methods and rough play. As such, Spanadors make great family pets and are good watchdogs too as they will bark at odd noises, approaching strangers and unusual movement.

Eye problems, hypothyroidism, skin problems, allergies (food, contact and inhalant allergies), epilepsy and joint problems are the most common health concerns that Spanadors may develop, save for one other: Auto Immune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA) is, according to vets, relatively common in Cocker Spaniels — and by proxy, Spanadors — and that when it strikes, it acts quickly, moves silently and is nearly always fatal. (It is also called IMHA: Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia.) Otherwise, expect your Spanador to live about 12 to 15 years.