The Cocker Spaniel Handbook (Barron's Pet Handbooks) (Paperback)

by D. Caroline Coile Ph.D. (Author)
Key Phrases: field spaniels, puppy stake, tan points, Cocker Spaniels, American Spaniel Club, Most Cockers (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Perhaps the most popular variety of spaniel among pet owners, the Cocker is adaptable to most human lifestyles and, when carefully acclimated, makes a wonderful companion for children. This new addition to Barron’s Pet Handbooks is typical of the series, filled with detailed advice on feeding, grooming, health care, and training, as well as extensive information on traits of the breed. It’s filled with color photos and line art.

From the Inside Flap
(back cover)
The Information You Need to Raise a Happy and Healthy Cocker Spaniel

Facts, advice, and fascinating insights tell you all you need to know about

Purchase

Training

Grooming and Feeding

Exercise

Health

Behavior

Filled with color photos and instructive line illustrations

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764134590
• ISBN-13: 978-0764134593
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 6.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #315,990 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This item is part of The Barron's Pets Handbooks Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enthusiastically recommended especially for first-time Cocker Spaniel owners., May 7, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Written by D. Caroline Coile, Ph.D.: The Cocker Spaniel Handbook is a well-rounded guide packed with everything the reader needs to know about raising a happy and healthy cocker spaniel. From acquiring a dog or puppy, to the many types of Cocker Spaniels, to training, grooming and feeding, requisite exercise, common medical problems and diseases, and much more, The Cocker Spaniel Handbook is a solidly accessible primer, illustrated with color photographs on virtually every page. Enthusiastically recommended especially for first-time Cocker Spaniel owners.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guide for current and prospective cocker owners , February 19, 2009

By	Carol C. "ccjello" (Kansas City, MO USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This little book was surprisingly good. I'm a relatively new dog owner and admittedly don't know much about breeds, training, health issues, behavior issues -- this book covers it all, in easy-to-read text, with plenty of adorable photographs throughout. Unlike some of the other cocker spaniel books I looked at, which seemed to be generic dog books with "cocker spaniel" thrown in a few places ("Your [INSERT BREED] needs plenty of exercise. Your [INSERT BREED] puppy needs puppy shots."), this book is truly about cocker spaniels and I'd hazard a guess that the author, Caroline Coile, is a bit of a cocker fan herself.

The book provides interesting information on the history of the breed, its rise and decline in popularity, champion cocker spaniels, cockers featured in films and advertising. There are specific tips on housebreaking, training, nutrition, health, and very detailed instructions on grooming if you dare to take on that task yurself. There are also sections on conformation standards and showing a cocker.

This is a great book for someone thinking about a cocker puppy - it is best read BEFORE you decide to bring a new puppy home, as it explains all of the things one should think about before making a commitment to a new pup. But for those of us who are suckered in before we've done our homework, it's still full of useful information. The information on breed history and showing and breeding is interesting even if you have no intention of showing or breeding your dog. The author makes a very strong case for spaying and neutering unless you really know what you're doing as a breeder. Most important, the book is full of specific steps you can take to help make your cocker a welcome, well-behaved member of your family. And the photographs are adorable and in and of themselves teach you quite a bit about the breed.

4.0 out of 5 stars Helpful, June 29, 2009

By	Gail P. Rogers - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Bought it the day before purchasing a 7 week old cocker spaniel. Very helpful.