Cocker Spaniel Breed Characteristics
Height
38 to 43 cm at the shoulder
Weight
11 to 16 kg (26 to 35 pounds)
Life Expectancy
12 to 15 years
Coat Colours
Red, black, liver, blue roan, tan, golden
Cocker Spaniel
Cheerful, playful and sweet
About the Cocker Spaniel
Dog aficionados all over the world fall in love with the Cocker Spaniel. They’ve appeared in some of the most popular films and television shows, like Disney’s Lady and the Tramp, and their beautiful coats and gentle temperaments made them perfect for the starring role.
Cocker Spaniels have a joyful, happy temperament that makes them social with both humans and other animals. They are the quintessential spoiled household pet, which means their ability to show love to humans comes naturally, making them easy charmers.
As sporting dogs, they also enjoy going outside with their owners. They need active owners who can spend a lot of time with them, but they also enjoy relaxing. They do well in small homes and apartments.
Here are some of the qualities you can expect from the Cocker Spaniel, rated from one to five stars. However, all dogs are individuals, and your dog may not display exactly the same characteristics.
Family Life
Rated 5 out of 5
Friendly with Kids
Rated 4 out of 5
Friendly with Dogs
Rated 4 out of 5
Ease of Grooming
Rated 1 out of 5
Exercise Needs
Rated 3 out of 5
Prey Drive
Rated 5 out of 5
Tendency to Bark or Howl
Rated 3 out of 5
Good for Novice Owners
Rated 4 out of 5
Apartment Living
Rated 5 out of 5
Cocker Spaniel Breed History
There are two breeds of Cocker Spaniel today: English and American. Both dogs were originally bred to accompany bird hunters.
Despite the ‘spaniel’ part of the name, which denotes a connection with Spain, the Cocker Spaniel is an English dog.
The Cocker Spaniel is closely related to the English Springer Spaniel, with both being the same breed at one time. The springers were the larger dogs in the litters and the cockers were the smaller, given their size as they grew up, different roles in the hunt.
By the late 1800s, The Cocker Spaniel was formally recognised as a breed in England. Shortly thereafter, they were bred to be a different type in America and this is how the two types we know today came to be.
Today, Cocker Spaniels are not commonly used as hunting dogs, but instead, family pets.
Caring For a Cocker Spaniel
- Temperament: Cocker Spaniels have a loveable exuberance and are highly intelligent. They are always looking for a pat on the head and a kind word. They love getting a lot of affection. They are loving, good-natured around children, and even tolerate cats with an occasional sniff, but never a bite.
- Grooming: Cocker Spaniels shed their fur frequently and freely. If you want to keep your Cocker Spaniel looking clean and your house tidy, you’ll need to set aside regular time with brushes, combs, and trimming scissors.
- Exercise: On average, Cocker Spaniels aren't too energetic. They hit the sweet spot of energy and calm. Thirty minutes to forty-five minutes of walking, playing fetch or exploring the yard will suffice to keep them healthy and happy.
- Nutrition: An adult Cocker Spaniel typically consumes about 1.5-2 cups of kibble per day, preferably high quality. Their infant-sized puppies consume about 0.5 cups of high-quality kibble per day.
- Training: These dogs are quick to learn. With consistent reinforcement, patience, kindness and treats, even a first-time dog owner can have a well-behaved Cocker Spaniel.
How to Choose a Responsible Cocker Spaniel Breeder
When it comes to Cocker Spaniel breeders, the choice between good and bad is the difference between raising a healthy, well-adjusted companion and navigating a future of heartbreak. It’s not just their faces by which your new puppy will grow; it’s their hearts, health, and happiness that will dictate every day thereafter.
A responsible breeder will not allow this to be up to chance. A breeder with which you should feel comfortable with will have health tests for inherited diseases (which would otherwise go unnoticed from parent to offspring) and documents to support these claims.
Be prepared to ask questions and expect a good breeder to have a lot of questions for you as well. What health checks have been done? What results came back? Trust the breeder who can rattle off clear, confident answers without reaching for excuses.
Arrange a meeting with the dam and stud — the mother and father of your future puppy. Watch how they move, how they meet your gaze, how they carry themselves when strangers walk into their space. These will offer you a future look into what your puppy could potentially grow up to be. While temperament isn’t always genetic, a confident, sociable parent is more likely to produce confident, sociable offspring.
Cocker Spaniel breeders are not just about business; they’re about joy and happiness. A quality breeder takes pride in the lives they bring to this world – even if they’re never personally raising them themselves – so never settle for less. After puppy pickup day is long gone, genetics and environmental experiences will either make you wonderfully happy or regrettably sad.
Looking for a Cocker Spaniel stud? Find one here: https://responsiblepetbreeders.com.au/english-cocker-spaniel-stud/
Cocker Spaniel FAQ
Can Cocker Spaniels be left alone throughout the day?
No, They tend to be ‘velcro’ dogs who desire to be with their owners constantly. They thrive on human companionship and do not appreciate being left alone.
Do Cocker Spaniels make good guard dogs?
No. They may bark to alert their owner when someone comes near, but they are not good guard dogs. They aren’t aggressive, and will not protect your property.
Dog Breeds Similar to the Cocker Spaniel
The information is for general use only. For any specific advice or queries, please consult with your veterinarian.
