Sex Type and Differences

PHYSIQUE AND TEMPERAMENT: THE SEXES COMPARED
Male Cockers are only marginally larger than females and share their gentle looks. There are virtually no differences between the sexes in ease of housebreaking, nervousness, destructiveness, whining for attention, excitability, or need for activity.

GENTLE, RESPONSIVE FEMALE
There is no difference in the trainability of female and male Americans, but female English Cockers are considered easier to obedience train. Females of both breeds are less likely to disobey their owners than males. A female English Cocker, however, will demand more petting than a male and is more likely to bark anxiously; she will also be more aggressive to other dogs.

GENTLE, ASSURED MALE
Males tend to be slightly more assertive, with male English Cockers more likely to bark protectively in their homes. Both males, especially the English, are more wary of strangers. American males can sometimes be a little unreliable with unknown children. Males are more likely to be aggressive toward strange dogs.

GENDER-SPECIFIC MEDICAL PROBLEMS
A variety of diseases are caused or influenced by sex hormones. Unless spayed early in life, females of all breeds may suffer from breast cancer and pyrometra, or womb infection. Neutering early in life eliminates the risk of these problems. Males sometimes get tumors around the anus, testicular cancer, or prostate inflammation or cancer, with associated pain or bleeding when attempting to urinate. Again, neutering is the best treatment, but the Cocker's tendency to gain weight means that diet must be controlled after neutering.

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