Cocker Spaniel

Temperament and Personality

The Cocker Spaniel personality is fun-loving, energetic and happy. With a tail that seems to never stop wagging, this breed is always eager to please its owners, making them highly trainable and adaptable. 

Also called English Cocker Spaniels, they are lively dogs who love to work and keep active, stemming from their background as a gundog hunting woodcocks. This boundless energy means Cocker Spaniels love to explore the great outdoors, often with their noses pressed firmly to the ground. This super strong sense of smell combined with high intelligence also makes the Cocker Spaniel an amazing sniffer dog, and is often used in drug, bomb or cancer detection.

These dogs might work hard, but they love to play hard too. Cocker Spaniels are known as the ‘Merry Cocker’ thanks to their cheerful, affectionate and playful nature. They thrive off human companionship, and are equally happy playing with their owners at home as they are working in the field – as long as they’re busy, the Cocker Spaniel is content.

Gentle and sweet-tempered with an insatiable need to please their owners, it’s no wonder they’re one of the most beloved dog breeds on the planet. However, because they love their paw-rents so much and form such strong attachments, they can be prone to develop separation anxiety. This can lead to some destructive behavioural problems, like chewing on furniture, whining or toileting inside the house. 

As with all dogs though, early socialisation and consistent training is key to raising a confident and well-mannered pooch. So if you’re looking for true canine companionship, the English Cocker Spaniel could be the breed for you.

Cocker Spaniel paw-sonality traits

• Happy and friendly

• Sweet-tempered and gentle

• Loyal and eager to please owners

• Very people-oriented

• Thrives on human companionship

• Energetic and playful

• Always down for activities

• Keen and quick to learn

• Highly intelligent and trainable

• Amazing sense of smell

• Strong prey drive and hunting instincts

• Needs a lot of physical and mental exercise

Cocker Spaniel pros and cons

Are Cocker Spaniels good family dogs?

Absolutely. The Cocker Spaniel is a firm family favourite, and for good reason. They’re people pleasers down to the bone and thrive off constant human connection. Always wanting to do right by their owner, the Cocker Spaniel is a breed that rarely ends up in the doghouse! Their gentle disposition and friendly nature make them a wholesome family pet, but their high energy levels need to be met. Active households with time to dedicate to playing, training and exercising are better suited. 

Are Cocker Spaniels good with children?

Yes, Cocker Spaniels are known to be gentle and patient with children of all ages, making them a great buddy for teens and toddlers alike. They’re a lively, playful breed, so their high energy levels may be too demanding for a family with very young children. 

Are Cocker Spaniels good with other pets?

Yes, Cocker Spaniels are known to be pretty easy going when it comes to other dogs and animals, including cats. While they have strong hunting instincts, they’re a very social breed, so enjoy the company of other furry friends in the home. As with all dogs though, proper socialisation from a young age is crucial. 

Care Requirements

We all want our doggos to live long, happy, healthy lives, so it’s important you know how to look after a Cocker Spaniel properly. From tasty nutritious meals to exercise, training and grooming, we’ve got it covered. 

How much exercise does a Cocker Spaniel need?

When fully grown, these active guys and gals need a minimum of 1 to 1.5 hours of physical and mental exercise a day. Although they love to be in the great outdoors tracking the latest new scent, you can meet a Cocker Spaniel’s exercise needs through long games of fetch, interactive puzzle toys and regular daily walks. As long as they’re with their human, they’re happy hounds. 

All Spaniels are known for their love of water, which is something to bear in mind when you’re out and about. They could jump into a stream that isn’t safe, or get into trouble by walking on thin ice. Practising their recall is a key part to ensuring that walkies are always a wonderful experience. 

How do you train a Cocker Spaniel?

With a rich hunting heritage and desire to please their owners, English Cocker Spaniels are easy to train pups. They love to learn and make an ideal dog for first-time owners, but can sometimes show signs of stubbornness if the reward doesn’t seem worth it.

Unleash your Cocker Spaniel’s potential with some fun training tips. 

1. Be positive. Always use positive reinforcement by rewarding good behaviour with lots of praise and tasty treats. Cocker Spaniels are very sensitive to their owners and can easily detect disapproving tones, so a gentle but firm approach works best. 

2. Engage in scent work. Use their hunting and retrieving instincts to your advantage by incorporating scent work, flyball, agility training, hide-and-seek, and fetch into their training routine. This will give both their brains and bodies a good workout!

3. Work on recall. One whiff of a scent or a glimpse of a squirrel and the Cocker Spaniel is off, so recall needs to be a priority. Along with clear vocal commands, use high value treats such as this Baltic Beef Jerky, or a toy covered in a strong scent to lead them back to you. 

4. Be consistent. Cocker Spaniels are an intelligent breed and learn quickly, so they’ll pick up bad habits just as fast as they can learn good ones. They can also be a little stubborn, so consistent, ongoing training from a young age is essential.

5. Socialise from the start. Socialisation is still a must, even for the super friendly Cocker Spaniel. Expose them to new people, children, dogs, animals, smells, and situations from an early age to help them become calm and confident canines.

6. Be patient with their separation anxiety. While they should never be left alone for hours on end, you can help Cocker Spaniels be more comfortable with their own company by gradually increasing the amount of time you're away from home. Start with small increments (e.g., 5-10 minutes) and make sure they have a toy or puzzle to keep them busy.

How much grooming do Cocker Spaniels need?

The English Cocker Spaniel has a gorgeous, flat, silky coat that comes in a variety of stunning colours. But beauty has a price… a high maintenance grooming routine. They shed moderately throughout the year and need regular brushing to keep their coat healthy. Here are some tips to help you learn how to groom a Cocker Spaniel.

• Use a metal dog comb followed by a slicker brush daily to keep their coats shiny and tangle-free. 

• Their legs, chest and belly have feathering, which protects them from scratches when running through fields. Make sure to brush these areas after a walk to remove any debris and prevent matting.

• Cocker Spaniels are attracted to bodies of water, so bathe regularly using a dog-friendly shampoo. Don’t overdo it as too many baths can disrupt the Ph balance of their skin and cause irritation or allergies to flare up.

• Check their ears for signs of infection and clean regularly; use a soft cotton pad to gently wipe around the inner areas but don’t stick anything down their ear canal.

• Trim their nails every month if they don’t wear them down naturally. It’s important you know what you’re doing when it comes to nail trimming, so learn from a professional or let the groomers take care of it.

• They should be professionally groomed every 2-3 months so they can be handstripped. This groom will also include a nail trim and the opportunity for a groomer to spot anything that might need your vet’s attention.

• Don’t forget their teeth and gums. Use a dog friendly toothbrush and toothpaste to maintain good oral hygiene and prevent stinky breath.

• Give them a healthy dental stick once a day to keep the doggo dentist at bay!

Health and Wellness

Properly looked after, loved and cared for, the Cocker Spaniel life span is between 11 and 15 years. However, like many beautiful purebreds, there are some specific health issues for Cocker Spaniels.

Common Cocker Spaniel health issues

• Hip Dysplasia. Due to their active nature, Cocker Spaniels may suffer with chronic joint pain, arthritis and hip dysplasia in their senior years. Sadly, this can really impact their quality of life. Those looking to bring a Cocker puppy home should aim to buy from reputable breeders who disclose the hip scores of the parents. Diseases of the joints can usually be managed with a combination of pain relief, anti-inflammatories, joint supportive diets, and joint supplements.

• Ear Problems. Cocker Spaniels are prone to ear infections. This is due to the poor ventilation of the ears and the fact that the ear canals tend to become moist and humid – the ideal environment for yeast and bacteria to grow. 

• Atopy. Canine atopic dermatitis (allergic dermatitis, canine atopy) is a hereditary condition affecting the skin. Much like allergies in humans, dogs can be allergic to otherwise harmless substances. Allergies can be triggered by food or environmental factors like pollen, grass, household chemicals, dust mites or flea bites. Allergies cause itchy skin and digestive issues. If your dog is excessively scratching, rubbing their face, licking their paws, vomiting or having bouts of diarrhoea, they may be suffering from an allergy. Skin allergies in dogs tend to make themselves known between the ages of 1 and 3.

• Adult On-Set Neuropathy. This is an inherited neurological disorder that causes weakness in the limbs, usually showing up in senior dogs aged 7-9 years old. Both parents of the dog must be carriers of the genetic defect.

• Renal Dysplasia (Familial Nephropathy). This affects the kidneys ability to filter properly, allowing blood proteins to pass through into urine. The genetic defect can also cause other more progressive kidney damage, which is sadly fatal. Signs in English Cocker Spaniel puppies include increased water consumption, increasing urination, weight loss, vomiting, lack of appetite and a slow growth rate.

Food and Nutrition

Feeding your Cocker Spaniel a well balanced diet that’s tailored to their size and medical needs is an essential part of being a responsible dog owner. From helping their coat stay shiny to maintaining healthy joints, the food you give them is so im-paw-tant! 

How much should a Cocker Spaniel eat in a day?

The amount you feed your Cocker Spaniel will depend on a number of factors, such as whether they’re a puppy or an adult, if you’re using dry food, wet food or a mix, their activity levels, and whether they’ve been neutered or spayed.

A good rule of thumb is to feed these active pooches twice a day – in the morning and evening – to fuel them for all their activities. However, if they don’t receive the exercise they need, English Cocker Spaniels can put on weight, adding pressure on their joints and internal organs.

You'll find a handy feeding calculator at the bottom of every product page here at Pooch & Mutt, helping you identify how much of our health-led recipes are right for the age, size and weight of your dog. Take our quick quiz to find your pooch’s perfect food!

Keep your hound healthy with these preventative tips:

Feed a balanced diet

Choose a high-quality, vet recommended dog food that meets your Cocker Spaniel’s nutritional needs. Try food designed specifically with allergies in mind, or consider adding natural supplements to their diet such as Salmon Oil to boost their physical and mental health.

Protect their joints

To help keep the hip dysplasia at bay, consider feeding Cocker Spaniels a Joint Care Dry Food, or add Joint Tablets to their diet as an extra preventative measure. Also, puppies should never be over exercised while they’re still developing.

Monitor weight

A healthy Cocker Spaniel weight is anywhere between 13kg and 14.5kg. Make sure table scraps don’t become a fixture in their diet though, as extra weight on a pooch can reduce their quality of life.

Protect their skin & coat

For dogs suffering from Atopy, you might want to consider a daily care supplement like Pooch & Mutt’s Bionic Biotic. Frequent grooming will also prevent matting and tangling which often exacerbates skin irritability.

Care for their ears

Cocker Spaniels have long, luscious ears that are prone to infection, so make sure to dry their ears thoroughly after swims or baths, and clean their ears regularly.

Take them to the vet

It might not be their favourite place in the world but regular check-ups with a vet can help identify potential health issues early on.

Living Conditions

Take a look at the Cocker Spaniel’s dream home.

Cost of Ownership

The unconditional love of a Cocker Spaniel is priceless, but there are costs to consider if you plan to own one. 

How much is a Cocker Spaniel puppy?

The price of a Cocker Spaniel can cost anywhere between £600 and £1,500. The price you pay will depend on the breeder or private seller, and the pedigree of the dog. The average monthly total cost for owning a Cocker Spaniel is around £80.

Set up costs

Primary vaccines in the UK cost between £40-£70 on average, but this depends where you live and the vets you choose. You’ll also need equipment such as a lead, collar, harness, dog tag (this is a legal requirement), bedding, food bowls, toys, and a crate if you’re crate training. If you decide to neuter your pup, the cost of the operation ranges from £110 to £300, and is usually done between six and 12 months old. Spaying costs can be higher and you should always talk to your vet about the best time to have this procedure done.

Ongoing costs

When it comes to food, these pooches need a high quality dog food packed with vitamins and natural ingredients. On average in the UK, it costs between £30 - £100 per month to feed a Cocker Spaniel. On top of this, you’ll also have booster vaccinations, flea and worm treatments and regular accessories like poop bags to buy.

Insurance costs

As this breed is prone to a few hereditary health problems, it’s highly recommended to purchase pet insurance for your Cocker Spaniel should anything happen. The exact cost of insurance is based on your location, your dog’s age, breed, medical history and the type of cover you choose. Pet insurance prices vary wildly so always compare to get the right protection. (The average annual cost to insure a pedigree dog without any pre-existing conditions is around £403. This might sound a lot but you can’t put a price on peace of mind.)

Fun Facts and Trivia

Get to know the Cocker Spaniel even more with these tidbits and tales about one of the most beloved family dogs!

• There are two different Cocker Spaniel types – the working vs show Cocker Spaniel. The working variety is lighter with less feathering, while the show type has a heavier, sturdier build with more feathering.

• The English Cocker Spaniel is not to be confused with the American Cocker Spaniel. The English Cocker is bigger than its American cousin, and has a longer snout. American Cockers have a round, dome shaped head with more pronounced eyebrows. They both have similar characteristics in temperament, however the English Cocker Spaniel is more energetic with a stronger prey drive.

• The earliest Spaniels were thought to have originated in Spain, hence the very fitting name. The word ‘Cocker’ comes from this breed’s background in hunting a bird called the woodcock. 

• They have an incredible nose, making them paw-fect for some truly heroic work, including drug, explosive and cancer detection. The first confirmed cancer detecting dog was a Cocker Spaniel named Tangle, who had a success rate of 80%. 

• A Cocker Spaniel’s paw pad inspired the design of the iconic boat shoe. In 1935, Paul Sperry noticed how his Cocker Spaniel could run on ice without slipping, so he copied the grooves on the paw pad to create a shoe that’d prevent boating accidents. 

History and Origin

Records of Spaniels can be traced back as early as the 14th century, but their ancestry is likely a lot older. There are even some pieces of art and literature from 250 B.C that depict Spaniel type dogs! Their name suggests they came from Spain, but like with many old breeds, their origin story isn’t entirely clear. Apparently there was a Spaniel aboard the Mayflower that landed in America in 1620, but we don’t know how these adorable doggos found themselves on British shores. However they got here though, we’re glad they did.

Prior to the 1800s in the United Kingdom, Spaniels were categorised into two types – Land and Water Spaniels. These Land Spaniels eventually evolved to have different jobs based on their size, and in 1893, the Cocker and Springer were recognised as separate breeds.

Cocker Spaniels were smaller, faster and more agile than the Springer, and were bred to hunt and flush out the woodcock bird from dense bushland – which is how they got their name. These gundogs worked tirelessly on rough, harsh terrain, showing their stamina and athleticism. 

While still famous for their hunting skills and chasing instincts, breeders since the 19th century have focused more on their affectionate, gentle nature, allowing Cocker Spaniels to steal the hearts of many all over the world.  

Choosing a Puppy or Dog

Before you bring a new furry friend into your life, you need to know you’re getting it from a reputable source. To help you navigate this decision, here are some essential tips for buying or adopting a Cocker Spaniel. 

1. Research the breed. Cocker Spaniels are gentle and loving but they’re high energy, so you need to make sure your lifestyle is suited. 

2. Ask potential breeders for references from previous customers, veterinarians, or other breeders. This will help you get an idea of their reputation and the health of their dogs.

3. Beware of scammers. A genuine seller will never ask for money upfront before seeing the dogs, and will always offer for you to see them in person before making a commitment. Also be wary if the price is significantly cheaper than other listings. 

4. Always visit the breeder in person to see the mother with her Cocker Spaniel puppies and to check the environment. A responsible breeder or seller will never release the pups before they’re eight weeks’ old. 

5. Watch out for people who breed multiple breeds at once. This is a sign they might not have the expertise on Cocker Spaniels and don’t prioritise their dogs’ health.

6. A reputable breeder will provide a health guarantee for your puppy, including paperwork about their lineage, vaccinations and microchipping.

When adopting a Cocker Spaniel, research the shelter to ensure they’re a reputable rescue organisation, and meet with their adoption specialist to discuss your lifestyle, needs and dog ownership experience. Cocker Spaniels in shelters may have complex medical conditions or be quite senior, so you’ll need to ensure you have the time, love and dedication to give them a happy fur-ever home.