Dog breed

English Cocker Spaniel

The English Cocker Spaniel is a medium-sized gundog from Britain, bred to flush woodcock and other game birds. It is famous for its ever-wagging tail, gentle nature and long, wavy ears. It is one of the most popular spaniels in Poland and a favorite with families with children.

FCI Group VIII · Retrievers and spaniels · standard no. 5

Weight: 13–14.5 kg
Height: 38–41 cm
Lifespan: 12–14 years
Origin: United Kingdom

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Photo: nieznany autor, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Temperament

English breeders call it the "merry cocker", and it is hard to find a better description. The cocker is affectionate with its family, usually friendly toward guests and other dogs, and curious and keen on outings together. It has a soft temperament: a raised voice makes it shut down, while praise and a treat work on it instantly. Under that gentle surface, though, is a hunter. On a walk it can vanish into the bushes after the scent of a pheasant, so recall needs practice from puppyhood. Dogs from working lines, known as working cockers, are much livelier than show cockers and need more to do. Some cockers guard resources such as their bowl or toys, so teach trading and calm behavior around food from the start. Left alone for long, a cocker can get whiny.

Energy: calmvery energetic
Affection: independentvelcro pet
With children: not idealgreat
With other pets: difficultgreat
Trainability: stubborneager to learn
For first-time owners: for experienced ownersyes
With strangers: waryoutgoing
Playfulness: dignifiedeternal puppy
Shedding: minimalheavy
Grooming: easydemanding
Being left alone: strugglescopes well
Apartment living: needs a house and yardgreat in a flat
Barking: quietvocal
With other dogs: difficultgreat
Protectiveness: lowhigh
Drooling: hardly anya lot
Cold tolerance: feels the coldexcellent
Heat tolerance: strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the English Cocker Spaniel for?

The English Cocker Spaniel suits families with children, older people who enjoy daily walks, and first-time owners who want a gentle, affectionate medium-sized dog. It does well in an apartment. You do have to accept regular coat and ear care, though. If you want a dog that will calmly stay home alone all day, or you lack the patience to teach a recall, consider another breed. Working lines are best left to active people.

Pros

gentle and very devoted
usually great with children and other dogs
apartment-friendly size
eager to learn

Challenges

coat and ears need regular grooming
strong urge to sniff and hunt on walks
prone to weight gain
copes poorly with being alone

Size and looks

Size and looks: English Cocker Spaniel
Height at the withers	males 39–41 cm, females 38–39 cm
Weight	males 13–14.5 kg, females 13–14.5 kg
Lifespan	12–14 years
Coat	medium
Colors	black, red, golden, liver (chocolate), black and tan, black and white, orange and white, liver and white, lemon and white, tricolor, roan (blue, orange, lemon, liver)
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Classification	Group VIII: Retrievers, Flushing dogs, Water dogs
Also known as	Cocker Spaniel, Cocker, Working Cocker

Care and exercise

45–90minof exercise a day

3/5grooming needs

3/5shedding

A cocker is usually fine with about an hour of exercise a day, but it will happily take more, especially in woods or meadows where it can sniff around. Dogs from working lines need noticeably longer walks and tasks such as retrieving, toy searches or dummy training. The long, silky coat needs brushing several times a week, and the hair on the ears, feet and belly even daily, because it mats easily and collects burrs. A trip to the groomer every 6–8 weeks helps to tidy the coat and trim around the feet. The ears need special attention: heavy, hairy ear flaps get little air, so dry them after baths and walks in wet grass and check them regularly. Cockers are food lovers and gain weight easily, so count training treats as part of the daily ration.

How much should the English Cocker Spaniel eat?The calculator starts from this breed’s typical weight: calories and grams a day.

Health and breed-related conditions

The English Cocker Spaniel lives relatively long: in a large British study of more than 26,000 dogs, the median was 13.3 years. The breed does have several inherited diseases that can be controlled with testing. The most important are familial nephropathy, a kidney disease that shows up in young dogs; progressive retinal atrophy, which leads to blindness; and adult-onset neuropathy. The Kennel Club also recommends an eye exam with gonioscopy, which assesses the risk of primary glaucoma. The US breed club additionally lists hip dysplasia and luxating patellas. Ear infections are also common in cockers because of the shape of the ear. A good breeder will show you both parents' DNA test results.

familial nephropathy (FN)An inherited kidney disease that appears in young dogs; a DNA test detects carriers.
progressive retinal atrophy (PRA-prcd)Gradual loss of vision, starting with poorer sight in dim light.
primary glaucoma (pectinate ligament dysplasia)Detected by gonioscopy; it can lead to a painful rise in pressure inside the eye.
adult-onset neuropathy (AON)An inherited disorder of the peripheral nerves in adult dogs; a DNA test is available.
hip dysplasia and luxating patellaOrthopedic problems listed by the breed club; both parents should have their joints evaluated.

Health tests to ask the breeder about

FN DNA test
PRA-prcd DNA test
AON DNA test
eye exam with gonioscopy (ECVO)
hip X-rays (HD)
patella check

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

The cocker descends from the old land spaniels, which in Britain were bred together and divided only by size and color. Its name comes from the woodcock it was used to hunt. The UK Kennel Club recognized the cocker as a separate variety in 1893; before that, a spaniel just had to weigh under 25 pounds. Black dogs dominated the early shows, and Welsh Springer blood was used to produce the parti-colors. The breed was at the height of its popularity in the early 20th century. Today there are two distinct types: the heavier show cocker and the lighter, more energetic working cocker used by hunters.

Fun facts

The name "cocker" comes from the woodcock, the bird the breed was used to hunt.
Until the end of the 19th century, whether a spaniel counted as a cocker depended mainly on weighing under 25 pounds.
The FCI standard lists 18 permitted colors: solid, bicolor, tricolor and roan.
In solid colors, the standard tolerates only a small white spot on the chest.

Frequently asked questions

Do English Cocker Spaniels shed?

Yes, cockers shed moderately year-round. The long hair on the ears, chest and legs mats easily, so brushing several times a week and a trip to the groomer every 6–8 weeks are needed regardless of shedding.

How long do English Cocker Spaniels live?

Usually 12–14 years, and many dogs live even longer. In a British study of more than 26,000 cockers, the median lifespan was 13.3 years, which is better than average.

What is the difference between an English and an American Cocker Spaniel?

The American Cocker is smaller, with a shorter muzzle, a more domed skull and a much more profuse coat. The English Cocker is taller, has a longer head and is closer to a hunting dog. The FCI recognizes them as two separate breeds.

Is a Cocker Spaniel a good apartment dog?

Yes, with about an hour of exercise a day it is comfortable in an apartment. Walks should give it a chance to sniff, and at home it should have games for its nose. A cocker from working lines, however, needs much more activity.

How much does a English Cocker Spaniel weigh?

Adult dogs of this breed usually weigh: males 13–14.5 kg, females 13–14.5 kg. Height at the withers: 38–41 cm. That range is for healthy adults in good condition.