- Weight: 20-35 pounds (9.07-15.88 kg)
- Height: 12-16 inches (30.48-40.64 cm)
The appearance of a cocker spaniel
Known for their silky coats and long ears, Cocker Spaniels have small, sturdy, well-balanced bodies. Their neatly cut heads have wide snouts, angular jaws, and upper lips that hang over their lower jaws. Their ears are long and feathered, their eyes are dark and almond-shaped, and their noses are black or brown depending on their fur. They have long necks, deep chests, short backs, and (mostly) docked tails that are carried in line with their backs.
Their fur is silky, wavy, and easy to comb. They are available in black, black with brown spots, light cream, dark red and other combinations. Overall, Cocker Spaniels have balanced, attentive postures.
Photograph by Kayla Bertagnolli, taken at the 2018 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Trains
- Happy and lovable
- Eager to please
- Hard workers
- Excitable
- Intelligent
Ideal human companion
- singles
- Seniors
- Familys
- Residents
- Active, sporty types
Cocker Spaniels come in different colors. Photograph by Kayla Bertagnolli, taken at the 2018 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
How they live
Although Cocker Spaniels were largely bred as companions, they still retain the genes of their hunting ancestors, making them both sporty and cuddly. With a Cocker Spaniel in the house, you have a dog that possesses the tenacity and ingenuity of a hunting dog and the sensitivity and friendliness of a pet.
As an active dog, he will be busy around the house, playing with toys and objects and family members. They love being around people, crave attention, but also have the self-sufficiency of a working dog. Cocker Spaniels are quick to learn, easy to obey, and sweet and trusting natures. They are generally good around strangers, but make excellent watch dogs when they feel the home is threatened.
Cocker Spaniels are amazingly adaptable. If you are an active hiker, these dogs will keep up with you all day. If you are a couch potato, your cocker spaniel will be happy to come to you on the sofa. They will be perfectly happy in an apartment or house as long as they are given adequate levels of exercise and attention.
Things you should know
Because they have been popular pets for several decades, Cocker Spaniels suffer from overbreeding, which has caused a number of health and personality problems such as aggressiveness, shyness, and roaming that are not typical of the breed. Be sure to socialize and train your Cocker Spaniel puppy to be comfortable with children and other animals.
Cocker Spaniels require daily grooming – washing and brushing – to keep their beautiful fur in shape. Clean your ears regularly to avoid infection.
A healthy Cocker Spaniel can live up to 15 years. Common health problems include glaucoma, cataracts, spine problems, and skin problems.
History of the Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels are the smallest of the “sporty group” of spaniels and were originally bred for hunting in the English countryside. They were especially good at hunting woodcock, hence the name “cocker”.
In the mid-19th century, American breeders developed a smaller cocker spaniel that became a popular pet across the country. American Cocker Spaniels are so different from the English variety that they are now considered a breed in their own right.
Read more about the Cocker Spaniel on Dogster.com:
Meet the Cocker Spaniel: America’s Treasure
