What is a Cocker Spaniel?

The charming, cheerful Cocker Spaniel is a very energetic, playful breed. They make great family dogs, being everyone’s buddy – including kids and other pets. With all the energy comes a need for plenty of exercise and training, so they’re often best for owners and families who can match their energy.

A guide to owning a Cocker Spaniel

Look lively… The Cocker Spaniel is charming, affectionate and full of beans! There are two main types: the English Cocker Spaniel, which is much more common in the UK, and the American Cocker Spaniel. They were originally bred as gun dogs for flushing out and retrieving game. Nowadays they’re loving family pets, although they’re still very active and playful.

As with all breeds, it’s best to do some research before committing, as they do need a lot of exercise and training. Here we look at what you need to know, such as their common health issues, temperament, exercise and grooming needs.

Are Cocker Spaniels good family dogs?

Cocker Spaniels are gentle, friendly and affectionate, making terrific family dogs. They can be a bit jumpy around loud noises and heavy handling. Early socialisation should help them to get used to the type of attention they might get from young children, for example. But generally, as a happy breed, they get on well with other members of the household, including other pets.

Cocker Spaniel size and appearance

The Cocker Spaniel is a medium-sized dog with a sturdy, compact build. They’re recognisable by their long, floppy ears and silky coat, which often features feathering on the legs, chest and belly.

They’re typically about 38-43cm tall at the shoulder, weighing between 12-15kg. Their luxurious coat comes in a range of patterns and colours, including:

• Solid colours, including black, golden, liver and red (ginger)
• Particoloured (ie two-tone) including black & white, liver & white, orange & white and lemon & white
• Roan, where a base coat – in a colour such as black, red or brown – is made lighter with white hairs 
• Tan markings, which can appear over the eyes, on the muzzle, on the legs or chest, and under the tail in combination with any other colouring
• Sable, where a base coat – in a colour such as white, tan or red – has black tips

What were Cocker Spaniels bred for?

They were originally bred as gun dogs for flushing out and retrieving game. Nowadays they’re loving family pets, although they’re still very active and playful.

What is the Cocker Spaniel’s temperament?

The Cocker Spaniel’s personality is:

• Affectionate: Cocker Spaniels are very close and loving with their family.
• Gentle and merry: A cheerful breed, they’re typically kind and sociable with people and other pets.
• Playful and energetic: Cocker Spaniels love to play and stay active.
• Sensitive souls: They respond best to gentle handling and positive reinforcement.
• Eager to please: Their desire to make their owners happy makes them highly trainable.

Can Cocker Spaniels be left alone?

Cocker Spaniels are social and affectionate, so they’re not really built for long periods on their own. Leaving them alone for long spells can trigger separation anxiety, and lead to unwanted behaviours. You may be able to train them to settle on their own for a couple of hours, but generally you should avoid too much alone time.

It’s also worth mentioning that no dog should be left alone for longer than four hours. If you do need to leave your Cocker Spaniel alone for a length of time, make sure they have access to fresh water, and calming familiar items such as their favourite blanket and toy.

How much exercise does a Cocker Spaniel need?

As mentioned, Cocker Spaniels are energetic and playful. As such they need plenty of daily exercise to keep them healthy and happy. You should give them at least one daily walk, plenty of play and interactive games like fetch or tug-of-war. Their sporting heritage means they’ll pick up and enjoy all sorts of games. They also enjoy a good swim.

Plus they’re very smart, needing a lot of mental stimulation too. Without this, they can easily become bored, developing unwanted behaviours like barking and chewing.

Can Cocker Spaniels swim?

Yes! Generally speaking, Cocker Spaniels love the water. Certain characteristics such as their webbed feet also contribute to them being strong swimmers. But their preference is usually playing around in the shallows.

All dogs are individual though, so some might not share the love of the water. When you first introduce them to water, start slowly in shallow water, making sure they’re under constant supervision.

Our expert says…

Cocker Spaniels are popular pets, and with good reason! Like most pedigree breeds, the Cocker Spaniel is prone to a few health concerns, which are worth being aware of.

Their long, droopy ears make their ear canals a moist, warm environment. This puts them at greater risk of ear infections. Classic symptoms include head shaking, ear scratching and an increased odour.

They’re also susceptible to mitral valve disease, a condition that affects the mitral valve in the heart. This initially causes a heart murmur but can progress to congestive heart failure. Symptoms of heart failure include coughing, exercise intolerance, breathing difficulties and collapse.

Sadly, this breed is at risk from certain types of cancer, including anal sac (anal gland) tumours. I once diagnosed a Cocker Spaniel with an anal sac adenocarcinoma, after her owner initially brought her in for constipation. This dog was straining when passing a motion and her stools were coming out looking thin and squashed. Sadly, the tumour had spread to her local lymph nodes which were massively enlarged. After managing her constipation with laxatives for a short while and keeping her comfortable, we sadly had to put her to sleep. 

Early detection with any tumour type is crucial to improving long-term outcomes. If your Cocker Spaniel is acting out of character, or if you spot a new lump, then make sure you get them checked over by your vet as soon as possible.

Dr Rebecca MacMillan BVetMed BSAVA PGCertSAM MRCVS

Meet our pet experts

How long do Cocker Spaniels live?

The average lifespan of a Cocker Spaniel is around 12-15 years.

What are the common health issues for a Cocker Spaniel?

Cocker Spaniels typically live for between 12 to 15 years, so as a breed they have longevity. But there are health issues which often crop up. These include mitral valve disease, which can initially cause a heart murmur, but could ultimately lead to heart failure.

Less serious but still worth being aware of is that they’re prone to ear infections. Because they have big floppy ears, there’s limited air circulation inside the ear. It’s important to make sure you clean them regularly – especially after swimming – as moisture and debris can be a rich breeding ground for bacteria.

Top 3 pet insurance claims for Cocker Spaniels

These are the three conditions most commonly claimed for, according to Petgevity data:

• Ingested foreign body
• Poisoning
• Foreign body (grass seed)

Based on Petgevity pet insurance claims, 1 Jan to 31 Dec 2024.

Cocker Spaniel grooming and hygiene

As you might expect, those lovely silky coats need attention to stop them getting matted and tangling. You’ll need to brush them a number of times per week, and trim their coat regularly to keep it under control. You might also need to give them the occasional bath. It’s not a bad idea to take them to a professional groomer every few months.

In addition, you’ll need to check their paws and nails regularly, and establish a dental care routine.

Do Cocker Spaniels shed?

Cocker Spaniels are considered to be moderate shedders. They will shed all year round, but it’ll be heavier during the change of seasons in spring and autumn.

Are Cocker Spaniels hypoallergenic?

No. While Cocker Spaniels do have less dander (dead skin) compared with many other dogs, they do still shed regularly. This isn’t good news for those who are sensitive to allergies.

If you or a family member has allergies, a responsible breeder should be receptive if you ask to visit a puppy a few times. This way, you can see if any allergic reactions are triggered before you commit to buy.

How to train a Cocker Spaniel

As they’re intelligent and eager to please, Cocker Spaniels are generally receptive to training.

Here are a few pointers for training your Cocker Spaniel:

• Positive reinforcement is essential with a Cocker Spaniel. Reward progress and good behaviour with praise, treats and play.
• You should begin training and socialisation early in puppyhood, helping them to become confident, well-adjusted adults.
• It’s best to be consistent in your training and commands. Also patience is required.
• Because they need mental stimulation, try to incorporate games and tasks into their training.

What insurance do I need for my Cocker Spaniel?

The level of dog insurance you choose for your Cocker Spaniel will come down to your budget and circumstances, generally speaking. So you know exactly what you get for your money, check out our guide to whether pet insurance is worth it.

We think that all dogs deserve the most comprehensive level of cover as possible, which is why we only sell different types of lifetime cover. We could also cover your Cocker Spaniel for any pre-existing conditions they may have with our Lifetime Plus policy, subject to acceptance*.