Spanador

The Spanador is a mix between two different purebred dogs: a Cocker Spaniel (particularly the American Cocker Spaniel) and a Labrador Retriever. When you combine two different purebred dogs, you get what’s commonly referred to as a “designer dog.” These hybrids combine different aspects of their two parent breeds. The Cocker Spaniel is a small hunting dog (specialized for hunting the woodcock, hence the name) that probably originated somewhere in Europe during the Late Medieval period. The Labrador Retriever is a mid-sized hunting dog that originated in Newfoundland, Canada, in the early 19th century. It was specifically bred to retrieve the game from water. Today, it excels as a therapy, search and rescue, and service dog.

Depending on which traits it inherits from either parent, the Spanador will likely have an athletic build, strong paws, a pointed muzzle, and long, floppy ears, sometimes fringed with hair. The medium to long straight coat will have some combination of black, white, cream, fawn, or red colors or markings. There are many different variations to choose from.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning a Spanador

Size and Weight

The Spanador is a small to medium-sized dog with an athletic frame. Males are ever so slightly larger than females.

Origins

Spanadors are considered ‘designer dogs’, i.e., breeds created by the intentional crossing of others.

In this case, this breed is a cross between the cocker spaniel and the Labrador. As such, its members have origins from Spain and Britain, by way of their cocker spaniel forebears, which were engaged in hunting woodcock. Their Labrador parentage also has Canadian and British origins, as well as a lengthy history of hunting wildfowl.

Spanadors come with excellent swimming capabilities thanks to their Labrador parents, who used to dive into cold waters to retrieve waterfowl. They also take after them in terms of their ability to tuck away impressive quantities of food. They are also especially energetic thanks to the athleticism of both their parent breeds.

Common Health Issues

The Spanador is generally a healthy dog, but like its two parent breeds, it may be prone to several health conditions. These include obesity, allergies, cataracts, cancer, ear infections, dry skin, progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia (resulting in temporary dislocations), and Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus, also known as bloating (a very serious condition that can cause the stomach to expand and even rupture).

It is impossible to predict exactly what it will inherit ahead of time, so if you’re buying a new puppy, you must make sure it comes from a healthy stock with few genetic disorders and an excellent medical history. A healthy dog that avoids many serious issues should have an excellent lifespan of some 12 to 15 years.

Temperament

The Spanador is a very gentle and affectionate dog that forms a close and deep bond with its owner as both a companion and a playmate. It wants nothing more than to be an eager participant in its owner’s life. The Spanador is not very well-suited for apartment living, since it needs plenty of space in which to live and play. Potential owners should be aware that this dog does need quite a lot of attention. If left alone for too long, it could become easily bored and create trouble around the home. This dog can also become very excitable and start to jump on furniture and people, but it can be trained to avoid this behavior, and it does tend to become calmer later in life.

How to Take Care of the Spanador

The Spanador is not an easy dog to care for, especially in single-person homes. It does require quite a bit of attention and maintenance in terms of its diet, grooming, and exercise habits. If you decide that the Spanador is right for you, then the first step is to find a trustworthy place that sells this hybrid. A high-quality breeder or a rescue group is your best bet.

While there may not be many Spanador rescue groups around, you might be able to find one in a Cocker Spaniel or Labrador Retriever-specific group that takes in mixes. Once you bring your dog home, it will need to receive regular veterinary checks, even if it appears otherwise healthy. They can catch health problems as they arise. If you have any other questions about the dog’s routine, then you should consult with the vet.

The Best Dog Food

Depending on its age, weight, and activity level, the Spanador may need around 2 cups of food specifically designed for highly athletic dogs. This should preferably be divided into a few meals per day to prevent bloating. This dog also has the tendency to gain weight quickly. Its calorie intake needs to be carefully monitored and controlled as necessary if it starts to show signs of weight gain.

To accommodate dogs like Spanadors with a propensity for allergies, there is a wide range of allergy-alleviating limited ingredient dog foods.

Maintenance and Grooming

As part of its regular grooming routine, the Spanador needs to be brushed several times a week throughout the year, preferably with a simple pin brush and comb, to prevent matting and maintain a healthy coat. During its heavy shedding months in the summer, the frequency of the brushes needs to be increased to almost every single day. This needs to be complemented with daily tooth brushing to prevent gum disease and semi-regular ear checks to remove debris and obstructions. The Spanador only requires baths whenever it becomes dirty; it is recommended that you use a special shampoo designed for dry skin.

Training

The Spanador should be an easy dog to train. It is generally eager to please and quick to grasp commands, although there may be moments when it becomes distracted and ignores its owner. During these moments, it is never a good idea to act negatively toward it. This dog responds best to positive reinforcement methods, so you should shower it with praise, treats, and other rewards for a job well done. The Spanador excels at all types of training, from basic commands to more advanced tricks.

Exercise

The Spanador is a highly energetic dog that needs more than an hour of exercise every single day. As a physically versatile mix, it loves to fetch, swim, perform tricks, play with toys, and accompany its owner on long walks or jogs. It is a good idea to have a large backyard or any other enclosed area nearby. When going for walks or runs, you should keep your dog on a leash, because it has the tendency to wander around and may stop responding to your commands.

Puppies

While they can be a little fragile and thus require special handling, Puppies are bundles of affection and energy. They are eager to explore their surroundings and play with people. However, this dog does need time to grow and develop before it can really start engaging in strenuous physical activity. To avoid serious health problems, you should do your research about the best places to obtain a puppy. Try to avoid low-quality breeders or puppy mills that do not screen for health issues.

Children

The Spanador seems to have a natural affinity for children. Its approachable size and fun, engaging personality make it an ideal companion for the entire family. The only downside is that its excitable behavior could be a problem around smaller children, so it is probably not a good idea to leave them alone together.

Dogs Similar to the Spanadors

The Spanador obviously shares much in common with its two parent breeds, the Cocker Spaniel and the Labrador Retriever. You might also want to consider the following types of dogs as well:

• Cockapoo: This mix of a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle is a small, lovable, lively, and intelligent companion that desires nothing more than to participate in all family/owner activities. It usually comes in a medium-length wavy coat with a large number of different colors and patterns.
• Beagador: A cross between a Beagle and a Labrador Retriever, the Beagador is an intelligent, athletic dog that desires fun and adventure. This dog is great for highly engaged owners, with whom the Beagador will form an intimate bond and fierce loyalty. The short and dense double coat of fur can come in a mixture of brown, tan, black, fawn, yellow, or red colors.
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: Originally bred as a sort of companion to British nobility, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is an affectionate, gentle, attentive companion that blends athleticism and good manners. Coat colors include ruby, black, and tan, and either black or chestnut markings on white fur.