What Kind of Dog Is Lady?
If you have watched the Disney animated classic Lady and the Tramp, you must have fallen in love with the duo that played Lady and Tramp. Lady was a sassy and sweet, curly and furry dog that Darling’s husband gifted her. Tramp was a smart and adventurous stray dog that stayed around Lady, showing her the reality outside fences.
The adorable Lady has big round eyes with hush ears and a smart, pointed nose. She has a curly fur coat and a short build - just the dog that kids would like to own. She’s the ideal image of a dog as a pet because of her stuffed toy looks. Her cuddly fur is all you need to wrap your hands around on a busy day. So what kind of dog is Lady, and what should you know about this breed?
What Kind of Dog Is Lady?
In the movie, Lady was a pet gifted by Jim to his wife Darling. Lady belonged to a middle-class family. She makes an excellent family dog with such prettiness and sophisticated charm. Don’t be fooled by the fancy coat. In reality, Lady’s kind is not only a great family dog; she’s also a hunting and sporting dog.
Her breed has a sturdy and compact body which makes it great for training and playing. Her body is not too short but just tall enough to make quick movements like jumping and running. She’s the type of dog that kids would love to play with in the backyard.
So What Dog Breed Is Lady?
Lady is an American Cocker Spaniel. This breed was already popular, but it was during Lady and the Tramp’s release in 1955 when American Cocker Spaniels became even more popular. However, don’t get it confused with the English Cocker Spaniel. An English Cocker Spaniel is a different breed and is native to England.
Although the ancestors of the American Cocker came from the Cocker Spaniels of England, the American Kennel Club identified American Cocker Spaniels as a separate breed.
Lady Dog Is an American Cocker Spaniel
Our favorite posh dog Lady is an American Cocker Spaniel in the 2019 live-action remake of Lady and the Tramp. Off camera, Lady’s name is Rose, a purebred American Cocker Spaniel found to be looking for a new home. The team of Lady and the Tramp were looking for rescue dogs. They found her as a hunting dog somewhere in Texas.
Yes, they found Lady as a training dog, just like what a Cocker Spaniel should be. And she was not the sophisticated family dog we know. She was an active dog and loved to play and train. She’s alpha on the inside and would do anything for treats. And even for an image of a sassy family dog, Lady is just like any ordinary Cocker Spaniel.
What More to Know About This Breed?
American Cocker Spaniels rank 30th on the AKC list in terms of popularity. They belong to the sporting breeds group and are the smallest of this kind. They have an average weight of 20 to 30 pounds and a lifespan of 14 years.
Appearance
Just like Lady, Cocker Spaniels have big, round, pleading eyes with a sweet, frowny expression on their face. They have wavy coats, pointed noses, and long, wide, lush ears. However, their facial hair is fine. The curly and silky fur gathers on the ears, belly, chest, and legs. Their color plays around the shades of black, brown, white, and red.
The Cockers carry some of the prettiest dog faces of all breeds. But they’re not just pretty faces. They also have the compact build ready to compete. They’re small enough for easy transport but big enough to do some tricks. You can say they’re short for big dogs but a bit big for small ones. And all the muscles are hidden behind their coat.
Behavior
The Cockers are one of the friendliest dog breeds. They’re jolly and lively, which makes them good companions for kids. This breed is great for training as athletes because they’re naturally sporty. They like doing tricks and getting rewards. They have hunting instincts, so it’s better to train them to let it out.
The Cockers have a high level of affection, so it’s best not to leave them alone for a long time. They can be extremely sad if they are alone. This separation anxiety goes with their instincts of being always on the go. They can have tendencies to bark, so clicker training may do the trick. Just like Lady, the Cockers would love to do tricks and just anything for the treats.
Grooming
Looking at a Cocker’s coat makes it seem like grooming would be a lot of work. But if you’re eager not to have traces of mud in the house, bathe them once or twice a week. Keep their fur short, or learn to do the shaving if you can’t go to the groomer from time to time. You may do fewer brushings when their fur is short.
You want to have good hands-on cleaning for those fluffy ears because they tend to get infected and dirty.
Food
Lively dogs need a fair amount of food to keep up with their energy. They need adequate protein, fiber, fats, and carbs. Your Cocker Spaniel needs about 1 ½-2 ½ cups daily, depending on their age, activity level, and weight. Be mindful not to feed too much because a Cocker Spaniel is always ready to get some treats. So if they’re eating too much, make sure they’re getting regular exercise.
Health Issues
Just like other dog breeds, Cockers can have genetic health problems. The American Spaniel Club recommends all Cockers to have tests for eye health and hip dysplasia.
Interesting facts about “Lady dog”
- It was around the 1930s- 1950s when the Cockers, Lady’s kind of dog, became popular.
- All this popularity grew even more because of the 1955 animated movie Lady and the Tramp.
- The peak of this breed’s popularity was around the 1980s when more people started registering this purebred “Lady dog.”
- Rose, who played the role of Lady on the remake of Lady and the Tramp in 2019, is a shelter dog.
- Lady takes bacon as treats.
- The real-life Lady, Rose, was an alpha—not a posh dog—when together with Monte, the real-life Tramp.
Final Thoughts
I’m sure you want to get your hands on a “Lady” kind of dog - a pet like a furry toy that can cuddle with the kids and play fetch in the yard. But before doing so, have a quick self-evaluation to see if you and your family can take responsibility for a dog’s life. Can your home accommodate a new family member? Can you train and give a good you-and-Lady time? Are the kids disciplined enough to take care of a dog?
There are so many considerations before taking care of a Cocker Spaniel. Make sure your heart, home, and finances are ready. Good luck!