Spanador (Cocker Spaniel & Lab Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts

If you want a lovable and fun pet for your family, the Spanador is a wonderful choice. A Spanador is a mix between the ever-popular Labrador Retriever and the Cocker Spaniel. The combination of these two friendly breeds has created a new breed that is an energetic but well-behaved animal.

There are some great things that you may not know about the Spanador, and a few you should be aware of before picking out your puppy. In this guide, we will give you all the information you need to decide if this dog is a good fit for your family.

Spanador Puppies

Spanador puppies will be about the same price as a Cocker Spaniel or a Labrador Retriever.

This is a higher price as far as puppies are concerned, but the Spanador is becoming increasingly popular, and these prices will probably continue to rise.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Spanador

1. They Love Water

Spanadors love everything and anything about water. It is not uncommon to see your Spanador attempt to swim in their water bowl. If you happen to have a pool or a beach that your Spanador can swim in, they will be thrilled. In addition to enjoying swimming, they will also burn off some of that endless energy.

2. They Have a Strong Need for Love

If you like personal space, you may have to try and explain that to your Spanador. These dogs want to be with you at all times. Many Spanador owners have learned to look down before taking a step. Chances are your Spanador will be sitting at your feet. Although this dog is a bit smaller than a purebred Labrador, it can still reach up to 50 pounds. The Spanador will fully believe they are a lap dog regardless of their size.

3. They Serve as Watchdogs

Although the Spanador is not a very large dog, you will find that they are protective. If you want a dog that will keep a close eye on your children and your property, the Spanador is an excellent choice.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Spanador🧠

This is the category where the Spanador will shine. When it comes to both character and intelligence, these dogs will sit at the top of any chart. Let’s first talk a bit about their personality.

The Spanador is a dog that has a lot of energy. If you are a person that wants a docile animal to sit at your feet all day, the Spanador may not be the best choice. Although they will eventually settle and love a great cuddle, they need their play first.

The great thing about the Spanador is that even with the amount of energy they have, they can be taught how to control that energy and behave in a way that makes them excellent indoor pets. They are people pleasers and want you to be happy. This is a loyal dog that thinks of itself as another member of the family.

The Spanador is a brilliant dog. Both the Cocker Spaniel and the Labrador are smart animals. None of that intelligence was lost when this breed was developed. Keep reading to find out more about how their intelligence affects training and family life.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?🏡 

The Spanador is a family dog. A family is a perfect setup for a Spanador. These dogs are going to be continually seeking love and attention, and a family will fill that need for them. In addition to the need for love, the Spanador will want people to play. If you have kids that can learn to throw a ball or teach the dog some extra tricks, the Spanador will be in its glory.

Of course, all dogs have their personalities, and you will always need to use caution with children around animals. However, the Spanador is a happy dog. You will see as they walk, run, and play that their head is up, and they are looking for smiles, friendly hellos, and a belly rub from anyone who may offer.

Since the Spanador is so loyal to the family, they will likely try and keep an eye on their companions as well. If a stranger comes to the door, they are very likely to bark and alert the family members to a potential problem. Remember when your dog barks it is not to be loud and annoying, they want to help you.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?🐶 😽 

The Spanador will get along with other pets as long as it is properly socialized. This is not an aggressive breed, they will not try and start a problem. You should, however, always keep your Spanador on a leash. They get excited quite quickly and may try and enter another dog’s personal space. Depending on the personality of the other dog, it could be a problem for your Spanador.

Spanadors love to play, and although they are medium-size dogs, you may want to watch them around tiny dogs. They may not understand that the smaller size dog cannot play and rough house in the same way.

Things to Know When Owning a Spanador:

Now that you have very likely fallen in love with this breed of dog, it is time to figure out what it will take to have one in your home. Luckily the Spanador is not a high-maintenance dog. However, this dog will shed, and it will need your attention. We will give you all the information you should consider before purchasing your Spanador puppy.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Spanadors love food. They love food so much that you will have to keep an eye on your Spanador and the amount of food they consume. If you put food out in a bowl, they will consume it at a very fast speed. This fast eating can lead to gastrointestinal issues. If your dog tends to eat quickly like this, you can give your Spanador a little bit at a time or get a bowl that helps release the food more slowly.

You will have to watch that there are not too many people in the family giving your Spanador treats. With how much these dogs love the food, they may beg or look for ways to get food from you. Since the Spanador is so sweet and loving, it is hard not to give in to those puppy dog eyes.

• We reviewed the best low-calorie dog treats – see our top picks here!

Exercise 🐕 

If you have been looking for an exercise partner, you may have just found one with a Spanador. Your dog is going to need a lot of exercise. If you live in an apartment with no outside space for a dog to run, the Spanador may not thrive.

Having a yard for the Spanador to run and play is very important. You will also need to take your dog on walks so that they get the correct amount of exercise every day. If you like to walk or run with your dog, the Spanador is quite capable of keeping up with you. Since they are so easy to train (see next heading), you will easily be able to leash-train them.

If both your kids and your dog need exercise, that would be even better. Letting your Spanador run in the yard and play with the kids is a great way to help them manage their high levels of energy. If you can help them burn off some of this steam early in the day, by the time evening comes around, they will be ready to snuggle and enjoy your company.

Lastly, it is important to get your Spanador some swim time if you can. Spanadors love to swim. They enjoy spending time in the water with the ones they love, so if you can find a way to get your Spanador to the beach, the pool, or the lake—go for it!

Training 🦮

The Spanador is an easy dog to train. Although dog training will take time and patience, regardless of the breed, you will have very little trouble with the Spanador. These dogs want to make you happy. If sitting seems to make you happy, or when they come that makes you happy, your Spanador will want to repeat that behavior.

Since they are dogs that want to please, you should use positive reinforcement for them. This is a dog that picks up on human behaviors and feelings. Even by changing the pitch of your voice, your dog will know that you are pleased with their response. With a high level of intelligence and the desire to ensure that you are their best friend, the Spanador is an enjoyable dog to train.

You can start training a Spanador from the time they are a young puppy. Starting at this age and exposing them to other animals for socialization will make your life easier as they age. Keep in mind that the Spanador will have lots of energy for many years. You will not be able to control the energy your dog has. You will have to help them exercise and then help them learn to behave even with high energy levels.

Grooming ✂️

When you buy your Spanador puppy, it would be nice if the breeder would also supply a vacuum for their hair! The Spanador is going to shed, and you will be vacuuming a lot. The amount your dog sheds will change depending on the season, but there will always be a good amount.

One way to avoid having the house destroyed by hair is to brush your dog at least weekly. The brushing will remove much of the loose hair and help save your carpets just a little bit. Since this is a mixed breed between two dogs that have varying hair lengths, the amount of hair your Spanador has can vary.

Sometimes a Spanador will have longer hair around the ears just like a Cocker Spaniel. If that is the case, you can trim that hair lightly just to keep things neat. If your dog does have long hair spots, make sure that they are brushed often to avoid knots.

Spanadors do not need frequent baths. Once a month or every other month is more than fine. Indeed, if they get into a mess, they should be bathed more often. Make sure that you use a dog shampoo. Using any shampoo for the dog could result in their skin drying out. Spanadors tend to get dry skin, and you don’t want to escalate the situation by using the wrong soap.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Overall the Spanador is a healthy animal. You will mostly need to watch out for the weight gain. As we mentioned earlier, this breed of dog loves its food. If you have any concerns or questions about your dog’s diet, you should contact your vet and get their advice.

Male vs. Female

As with most breeds, the male Spanador is going to be a bit larger than the female Spanador. When it comes down to personality, temperament, and energy, the male and the female are going to be quite similar. The male puppies tend to have even more energy than the females. However, this should in no way make you think that the female puppies are calm. You will have to put some time in with this dog when they are young.

Conclusion

When you take one of the friendliest and happiest dog breeds around and mix it with a smaller-sized affectionate breed, the result is pretty incredible. The Spanador seems to inherit all the wonderful things about the Labrador when it comes to affection and the ability to please. It then gets its perfect size and sweet nature from the Cocker Spaniel. Even though both the Labrador and Cocker Spaniel are high-energy breeds, the ability to train makes that extra energy a bit less of a concern.

If you and your family have been looking to add a new member to the clan, the Spanador is a choice that you will very likely be happy with.

• See Also: Faux Frenchbo Bulldog / Frenchton (Boston Terrier & French Bulldog Mix)

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Featured Image by: Spanador Alies 10th week, LotteSedeyn, Wikimedia Commons CC SA 3.0 Unported