Dog breed - Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels are bundles of energy with hearts of gold. They make a perfect match for those with an active lifestyle.
Cocker Spaniels at a glance
Easy to train, athletic, obedient
1+ hours of exercise a day
Life expectancy of over 10 years
Medium, between 13kg and 15kg
The personality and temperament of Cocker Spaniels
Originally bred for hunting, Cocker Spaniels are an agile working breed with a loving heart.
Their intelligence makes them loyal, obedient and easy to train, making them a great dog for active, first-time owners.
They're also very sociable and friendly, so they tend to enjoy being around people and other pets in the household.
How to train and exercise your Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels are energetic, intelligent and curious dogs. They need plenty of playtime and stimulation to keep them out of trouble.
As with any dog, if they're bored, they might bark, whine or even start destroying and chewing things.
It's important you're prepared to give them all the mental and physical stimulation they need to keep them happy and healthy.
This means ideally taking them on two walks a day and giving them lots of activities to do like search and find games, puzzles or lick mats.
Their intelligence does also mean they're super adaptable, willing to learn and easy to train compared to some other breeds!
Start training them as soon as you can, from basic commands to just getting them used to new places, people and experiences.
Common health conditions in Cocker Spaniels
Some common health problems Cocker Spaniels have include:
- atopy - this is a type of allergic skin condition that causes itchy, oily or flaky skin
- hip dysplasia - this is a condition where the ball and socket hip joints don’t develop properly, which can be uncomfortable for them and cause them to limp
- eye problems - this can include things like dry eye, which can make their eyes red and irritated
- ear infections - because of their floppy ears, less air can get to their ears leading to issues like infections or hematomas
- blood disorders - symptoms can include weakness and lethargy
These conditions can be treated with medicines and possibly surgery if necessary. If your pet starts to show any symptoms of being ill or injured, speak to your vet right away.
Feeding and nutrition
As Cocker Spaniels are bundles of energy, they need good food to keep them going.
They should be fed two meals a day of nutritious, high-quality dog food. Cocker Spaniels are real fiends for food, so keep an eye on their weight to make sure you're not overfeeding them.
Remember to factor their treats into their daily food intake and try not to fill them up with those high-value, high-calorie treats.
Some Cocker Spaniels are still working dogs, which means they have even more energy to burn. If yours is, chat to your vet to make sure they're on the right high-protein diet.
We don't cover dogs for commercial breeding purposes, guarding, security work, track racing, coursing, or dogs used in connection with any business, trade, profession or occupation.
Grooming your Cocker Spaniel
It's worth brushing your Cocker Spaniel daily to help keep their coat shiny and clean. If you can, start when they're a puppy as it'll get them used to the sensations.
They're also prone to ear infections, as their long ears can stop air getting to their ear canals. Whenever you're grooming your dog, check their ears for any dark-coloured wax or a bad smell.
You can clean their ears by using damp cotton wool to gently clear the outer ear and if your vet recommends it, use some ear cleaner drops.
As Cocker Spaniels are gundogs, they're naturally drawn to water, which means mud, mud and more mud!
Bathe your dog as and when they need, using a good dog-friendly shampoo to make sure you don't irritate their skin.
Things to know before you buy or rehome a Cocker Spaniel
Getting a new dog, whether you buy or adopt a Cocker Spaniel, is a huge commitment and there's lots of preparation you need to do to be ready. Some things to consider are:
- Prepare your home, including hiding anything they shouldn't be able to eat or chew!
- Figure out what to feed them, and get the right food and treats.
- Buy the essentials, such as a lead, collar, bed and ID tag.
- Prepare your family, especially any young children.
- Secure your garden to make sure they can't escape.
- Understand grooming routines and buy a good brush or hound glove.
- Know how much exercise they'll need and plan some mental stimulation and playtime.
- Consider pet insurance.
Did you know?
Insuring your Cocker Spaniel
Find out more about protecting your Cocker Spaniel.