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Best of Delaware Award Best Trainer Emblem

Best of Delaware Dog Training

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A Cocker Spaniel Shih Tzu puppy laying on a couch during training

Dottie is a Shih Tzu and Cocker Spaniel mix from Delaware, Ohio and a graduate of the Homestead Dogs 2-Week Overnight Basic Puppy Obedience Training Camp. Dynamite, Dottie!

Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu (pronounced “sheed-zoo”, BTW) existed for centuries pampered by Chinese emperors, family and staff. Virtually unknown to the outside world, Shih Tzus didn’t emerge from these palace walls until the 1930’s.

Shih Tzus make great family dogs. They’re playful and outgoing and are particularly affectionate with children. Bred to be cute and to warm royal laps, the Shih Tzu requires little exercise and is just as happy competing for your attention…because you weren’t really watching that anyway.

Shih Tzus are generally healthy critters, but with their heavy coats, they do not handle heat very well. They are not very good swimmers, either.

Trainability Grade: C+

Like many breeds, Shih Tzus prefer positive reinforcement training methods. Don’t throw too many things at them, new behaviors and training should be worked in slowly. Maybe, more importantly, be firm. It’s not uncommon for Shih Tzu owners to transition from trainer to trainee.

Learn more about the Shih Tzu at the American Kennel Club and the American Shih Tzu Club.

Cocker Spaniel

Spaniels have been around for quite some time. They are believed to have originated in Spain and, along with the Mastiff, were one of two dogs that came over on the Mayflower. Standards for pure-bred dogs didn’t become a thing in Europe until the early 19th century so, before then, Spaniels were catagorized simply as either land or water Spaniels.

The early standard for Spaniels was if they weighed more than 28 pounds, they were catagorized as a Field, or Springer, Spaniel. Anything under that weight became officially known as a Cocker Spaniel. The term “Cocker” came from their skill hunting the Woodcock bird.

In the United States in 1940’s, Cocker Spaniels were split into two more breeds. Those with a longer head and taller became English Cocker Spaniels while the smaller ones became known as Cocker Spaniels. In 1946, the American Kennel Club officially listed the Cocker Spaniel.

Trainability: C
The Cocker Spaniel is catagorized as a sporting dog and as such is pretty high-energy. They need quite a bit of exercise but are very driven by becoming a great pack member. Cocker Spaniels are very receptive to training and respond well to verbal queues from their handlers. As with most dogs, early training and socialization are the most effective.

Learn more about Cocker Spaniels at the American Kennel Club and the American Spaniel Club

Some of the information used for the dog breed descriptions was gathered from the American Kennel Club at www.akc.org.

Dottie

Cocker Spaniel • Shih Tzu

Homestead Dogs University Camp Graduate
Date of Birth October 7, 2004
City
School
Graduate
October 15, 2021
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