Cocker Spaniel
The Cocker Spaniel is full of life and energy, making them a perfect match for those with an active lifestyle.



At a glance
1+ hours of exercise a day
Life expectancy of over 10 years
Medium, between 13kg and 15kg
Easy to train, athletic, obedient
1+ hours of exercise a day
Life expectancy of over 10 years
Medium, between 13kg and 15kg
Easy to train, athletic, obedient
The Cocker Spaniel – bundles of energy and hearts of gold
Originally bred for hunting, Cocker Spaniels are a super-agile working breed with a loving heart. Their intelligence makes them loyal and obedient. They’re sociable and friendly meaning they tend to enjoy being around people and other pets in the household. It’s easy to see why Cocker Spaniels are such a popular breed.
Buying or rehoming a Cocker Spaniel
Getting a new dog, whether you buy or adopt, is a huge commitment and there’s lots of preparation you need to do to be ready. Some things to consider are:
- Prepping your home
- Figuring out what to feed them, and buying the food
- Buying the essentials, such as leads and collars
- Prepping your family, especially any young children
- Securing your garden
- Understanding grooming routines and techniques
- Knowing how much exercise they’ll need
- Considering pet insurance
Fun fact
The name Cocker Spaniel originates from the type of bird they were bred to hunt – the woodcock.
What's it like to own a Cocker Spaniel?
Video duration: 0:35
Top 5 health conditions in Cocker Spaniels
We’ve put together the most common claimed for conditions, based on MORE THAN pet insurance customer claims.
Condition | Number of claims | Average paid out |
---|---|---|
369 | £1,204 | |
335 | £1,017 | |
329 | £79 | |
316 | £487 | |
255 | £1,066 |
Common health issues and problems in Cocker Spaniels
Cocker Spaniels are overall considered a healthy breed, with a usual lifespan of over 10 years.
Some health conditions in Cocker Spaniels can be down to their genetic history, and commonalities within the breed.
Click on the hotspots to find out more about the most common health issues affecting Cocker Spaniels, as provided by our in-house vet team (October 2022).

Are you looking for insurance for your Cocker Spaniel?








Cocker Spaniel temperament and family friendliness
Cocker Spaniels are known to be great family pets due to their obedient and loyal nature. They suit those with an active lifestyle.
Make sure that kids are aware of how to safely interact with dogs, and it’ll help to nurture their ever-growing relationship and keep both them and your dog safe and happy.