The Docker, also known as the Doxie Spaniel or Spaniel Doxie, is a mix between a Dachshund and a Cocker Spaniel. These little dogs are eager to go on adventures, chase squirrels and birds and most of all be with their owners.
The Docker's parents were originally bred as dog hunters and they have an instinctive drive to run, jump or achieve goals. The Docker breed is a wonderful, gentle pet that will do anything to please its owner but can sometimes be stubborn. Therefore, when training a Spaniel Doxie, you will need to be perseverant and supportive.
They are good with other pets and children as long as they are socialised early. The Docker is intelligent, fun, loyal and will make a great addition to your family.
Our detailed guide will help you fall in love with the Docker. Ready to meet this crossbreed?
The Docker: Meet the parents the Dachshund and the Cocker Spaniel
Dockers are known as “designer dogs”, this means that it is a mixed breed. As we mentioned above, the Docker is a mix of a Dachshund and an English Cocker Spaniel. Let’s find out more about the parental breeds to understand the characteristics, health and temperament of the Docker.
The Dachshund
The Dachshund is a small dog with a distinctive silhouette. Its robust, muscular body and slender head make it an eye-catcher. Originally bred for hunting, the Dachshund is now an excellent pet, cuddly and affectionate but with a strong character.
The Dachshund was appreciated for its hunting abilities thanks to its excellent sense of smell and its small size, which enabled it to catch small game easily. More recently, at the end of the 19th century, Dachshund breeding was developed in Germany. The Dachshund is also very common in England where it is bred as a hunting dog or as a pet.
The Dachshund is a stubborn and dominant dog, but it is also very affectionate with its family, sometimes even "clingy". This dog breed is a very intelligent dog, and is best suited to owners who can train him firmly. Otherwise, he is a lively and playful dog.
More indulgent with children than with his owners, this small dog enjoys their company if they respect him as a pet. They can also live with other dogs and even cats, which they love. On the other hand, the Dachshund does not like to be alone and could suffer from separation anxiety. It is also a good watchdog.
The Cocker Spaniel
The English Cocker Spaniel, a medium-sized dog, is first and foremost a very active dog, with a high level of energy and a vital need to exercise. Originally a hunting dog, it has become a pet appreciated for its cheerfulness, intelligence and affection.
The Cocker Spaniel is a very old breed of dog that descends from the Spaniels. It can be traced back to Spain in the 16th century, but its country of origin is Great Britain. The English Cocker Spaniel was used as a hunting dog in the 18th century.
This medium-sized dog has a vital need to exercise to channel his boundless energy. Not giving him the necessary opportunities for physical exercise can make him stressed and aggressive. Because of its high prey drive, it is on the hunt that the Cocker Spaniel is most effective and feels most at home.
As a game-hunting dog, he shows great intelligence to achieve his goals. It is a dog with a strong personality, but it is also gentle, cheerful, playful and enjoys the presence of children. If an owner decides to get a Cocker Spaniel as a companion dog, he will require outdoor living or a family that can respect its vital need for physical exercise.
The Docker’s size and colour
The Docker breed’s size ranges from small to medium, weighing an average of 24 pounds and standing about 12 inches tall. They usually have a long body, short legs, deep chest, floppy ears, long tail and big feet. You’ll notice that the Docker has at the same time an alert and friendly expression with a smile often found on its face.
Their coat can be short or medium, smooth to stiff, depending on whether the Dachshund is a short-haired, long-haired or wire-haired variety. Indeed, the coat of your Doxie Spaniel varies according to the variety of Dachshund used in the breeding. There is the short-haired variety, a long-haired variety and a wire-haired variety. The colour of the Docker can also vary considerably depending on the parents' breed, with colours ranging from tan to black, brown, white, cream and gold.
It’s important to keep in mind that when crossing breeds, it’s not easy to know exactly what the dog will look like or even what temperament he will have because it all depends on which parent breed will be more present.
How to groom a Cocker Spaniel mix Dachshund?
The amount of maintenance your Docker needs depends on the parent breeds and the coat they end up with. It’s important to find out from the breeder which Dachshund variety the Docker is mixed with. There will be a difference whether the Dachshund is short haired, long haired and wire haired, the grooming won’t be the same.
For example, if the parent breed was a longhaired Dachshund, this, combined with the fine coat of the Cocker Spaniel, can create a coat that is easily matted and that will demande daily care.
You should clean the Spaniel Doxie’s ears regularly and also watch out for mites, rashes, wax build-up around the ears, just like the Cocker Spaniel their ears are very sensitive. Don’t forget to trim their nails when needed and brush their teeth several times a week.
Do Docker dogs shed?
Here again the shedding of a Docker will depend on which Dachshund variety he’s inherited its coat from. Usually, Dachshunds don’t shed much and wire-haired Dachshunds shed the least of all the varieties. Short-haired Dachshunds lose fur throughout the year, wire-haired and long-haired dachshunds shed twice a year.
Concerning the English Cocker Spaniel, of course, like most dogs, they shed but they are not heavy shedders. As long as they are groomed regularly, it is very much manageable.
So, the Docker has both parents who do shed moderately, therefore it will be the same for the Spaniel Doxie.
Temperament of the Docker breed
Many Docker owners described this breed as an excellent pet who is loyal and friendly. But owners may need to be patient when training a Doxie Spaniel and will definitely have to socialise the dog early in order for him to get along with other animals and children. As Dockers have the high prey drive of the Cocker Spaniel and the liveliness of the Dachshund, they should always be supervised when they are in company of young children and small pets.
Although Dockers like to get a lot of attention, they also have an independent streak that makes them want to do things their own way. This means that it can be a little difficult to train them. We would advise you to use puppy pads or practice crate training until they are able to make up their mind. Otherwise, they are a very intelligent and friendly breed that learn quickly.
Do Dockers bark?
The Docker’s parent breeds are both hunting dogs and therefore known for barking especially when out hunting to alert their owners or other dogs. Therefore, the Dachshund cross Cocker Spaniel could potentially bark a lot and will need to be taught when to bark and when not too.
How to train Docker puppies?
Both parental breeds are highly intelligent and love to please their owners, and the Docker has definitely inherited these traits. Therefore, they should be fairly easy to train. Now, with that being said, if your Docker has inherited the stubbornness of both parent breeds, then it might be a little more challenging to train him and you will need to be patient.
When training a Docker, you’ll of course need to be consistent and use positive reinforcement. Indeed, relying on praises and treats will only motivate your pet and will enable you to build a strong bond with your Doxie Spaniel.
Because the Docker is alert and loyal, they will definitely let you know when there is a “potential” threat or stranger in the garden. This excellent watchdog will have to be teached a few commands to understand when he can bark. Commands like ‘stop’ or ‘quiet’ are great.
Last but not least, make sure you socialise your Docker early, they will become an even friendlier dog and will get along with other dogs, cats and children.
How much exercise does a Dachshund Cocker Spaniel cross need?
Because of the parents breed’s origins, the Docker has a high prey drive and loves to hunt. There is a high possibility that you’ll see your dog enjoying chasing rabbits and squirrels around the yard or park, yes.. This will probably be a part of their daily exercise routine.
Because Dockers are energetic dogs, it’s very important to stimulate their physical needs otherwise they can develop behavioural problems or become destructive because they are bored or anxious. They will need at least 45 to 60 minutes of vigorous activity a day. They enjoy playing fetch, going for walks, going to the dog park and even hiking. They are also very good at agility training if you like that sort of thing.
So if you are looking for an energetic dog to bring with you on your adventures, the Docker is your perfect match.
The Doxie Spaniel's health
If the Dachshund parent is more dominant in the mixed breed dog, then he will be prone to intervertebral disk disease, diabetes, epilepsy, and urinary tract issues. Now, on the other hand, if it’s the Cocker Spaniel parent which is more dominant, then the Docker could have health issues such as to allergies, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, autoimmune hemolytic anaemia, ears and eye problems.
Dockers are also at a greater risk of obesity and tooth problems, so you will have to make sure that your pet’s diet is good and that you brush your dog’s teeth.
How long do Docker dogs live for?
On average, Dockers live to be 12 to 15 years, though some can live much longer if properly cared for throughout their life.
How much is a Docker dog?
Whether you want to buy a mixed breed dog or even a purebred, you’ll have to do proper research and choose a responsible breeder. Ask as many questions as you want, don’t hesitate to see the puppy a few times before bringing him home and make sure you trust the breeder.
Now, if you’ve fallen in love with the Docker and are wondering how much this dog costs, the price will vary between £900 and £1200.
List of popular cross breeds:
- The American Bulldog cross Staffy
- The Border Terrier cross Jack Russell
- The Cavachon: Cavalier King Charles cross Bichon Frise
- The Cavapoo
- The Chihuahua cross Pug
- The Chi-poo
- The Cockapoo
- The French Bulldog cross Pug
- The French Bulldog cross Staffy
- The Goberian
- The Goldador
- The Goldendoodle
- Golden retriever x German shepherd
- The Husky cross Collie
- The Husky cross Staffy
- The Horgi
- The Jack a Bee
- The Jackshund
- The Jack Russell cross Chihuahua
- The Jack Russell cross Pug
- The Jack Tzu
- The Labrador Collie crossbreed
- The Labrottie
- The Labsky
- The Lhasapoo dog
- The Patterjack
- The Pom a Pu
- The Pomchi
- The Pomsky
- The Pugapoo
- The Puggle
- The Pug-zu
- The Shichi
- The Shichon
- The Staffador
- The Staffy cross Jack Russell
- The Rottsky
