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English Cocker Spaniel

energetic / merry / responsive
Sporting Group >>

Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height

16-17 inches (male)

15-16 inches (female)

Weight

28-34 pounds (male)

26-32 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy

12-14 years

Breed Traits & Characteristics

Affectionate With Family
  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    100% 100%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    100% 100%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    60% 60%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    60% 60%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    40% 40%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    80% 80%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    60% 60%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    60% 60%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    80% 80%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    60% 60%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    60% 60%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    100% 100%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    100% 100%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    60% 60%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    60% 60%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    40% 40%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    80% 80%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    60% 60%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    60% 60%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    80% 80%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    60% 60%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    60% 60%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

English Cocker Spaniel admirers frequently refer to their breed as “merry.” This small, silky-coated bird dog is well-liked for his charming nature and enticing good looks. He is cheerful in the field and relaxed at home.
The English Cocker Spaniel is a small-framed sporting dog with a shoulder height of 15 to 17 inches. The luscious, close-lying ears frame the delicately sculpted head, which has dark, melting eyes that communicate a vigilant and dignified look. The medium-length coat is velvety to the touch and comes in a variety of eye-catching hues and designs. The word “balance” is crucial to comprehending the breed because the EC is well-balanced in terms of movement, construction, and disposition. The persistent, eager-to-please hunter’s assistant who is renowned across the world for his capacity to flush and retrieve gamebirds beats beneath the EC’s outward beauty. There is no more lovely and acceptable household friend for individuals who like more domestic activities.
What To Expect When Caring For a English Cocker Spaniel

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

The English Cocker is generally a healthy breed, however there are reported instances where certain genetic health issues manifest. These include adult-onset neuropathy, hip dysplasia, hereditary nephropathy, and progressive retinal atrophy. Breeding stock belonging to a responsible breeder will undergo testing for ailments that can harm the breed. The teeth should be washed frequently using a toothpaste made for dogs, and the English Cocker's ears should be constantly examined for indications of infection.
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
  • Patella Evaluation
  • Hip Evaluation
  • PRA Optigen DNA Test

Grooming

The majority of English Cockers have a pretty thick coat that needs regular maintenance, including a thorough brushing and combing at least once a week to keep the dog looking his best and to avoid mats and tangles. Additionally, the dog's hair is typically cut in a few places, such as around the paws, on the face, under the neck, on the inside of the ears, and under the tail, approximately once a month. To do an overall trim and maintain the English Cocker's tidy appearance, the owner can learn how to use clippers, thinning shears, or a stripping tool. The nails should be cut at least once a month, and the ears should be examined weekly for wax buildup and debris.

Exercise

The majority of English Cockers have a pretty thick coat that needs regular maintenance, including a thorough brushing and combing at least once a week to keep the dog looking his best and to avoid mats and tangles. Additionally, the dog's hair is typically cut in a few places, such as around the paws, on the face, under the neck, on the inside of the ears, and under the tail, approximately once a month. To do an overall trim and maintain the English Cocker's tidy appearance, the owner can learn how to use clippers, thinning shears, or a stripping tool. The nails should be cut at least once a month, and the ears should be examined weekly for wax buildup and debris.

Training

With a merry, devoted disposition, the English Cocker was developed to follow instructions in the field, and the breed is still very eager to please. He is easy to train and enjoys working with his person so long as only positive methods are used. The EC will react poorly to a harsh or negative training approach; he must love and respect his person, never fear them. Early socialization is recommended to ensure a well-adjusted companion who is adaptable to a variety of situations.

Nutrition

The English Cocker should be fed premium dog food that is suitable for its age (puppy, adult, or senior) and degree of activity. Watch your dog's caloric intake and weight since some English Cockers are prone to obesity. Treats can be a valuable training tool, but offering them in excess might lead to obesity. Give table scraps infrequently, if at all, and steer clear of cooked bones and items with a lot of fat. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't. If you have any worries about your dog's weight or diet, consult your veterinarian.

History

These “sporting dogs” are broken down by function, or how they hunt. They are also known as gundogs or bird dogs. They are European utilitarian breeds like spaniels, pointers, setters, and retrievers. The oldest of these are typically thought to be Spaniels.
The spaniel breeds of England originated from dogs with Spanish ancestry (the word “spaniel” derives from “Spanish”) centuries ago. The use of dogs in conjunction with nets, bows, and occasionally falcons by bird hunters occurred long before the development of dependable hunting rifles.
Early authorities classified spaniels into two types: water spaniels and land spaniels. The vastness of the land Spaniels eventually led to division. The smaller kind, known as a “cocking spaniel,” was used to flush woodcock. The larger breeds were called “springing spaniels” and “field spaniels.”
As dog exhibitions became more popular and Victorian England became obsessed with classification, many spaniel breeds were recognized as official breeds in the 19th century. Thus, the English Springer Spaniel, Field Spaniel, English Cocker Spaniel, and all other British spaniel breeds are still in existence today.
Early 20th-century dog enthusiasts in America created the companion-bred Cocker. In comparison to its English relative, it was smaller, had a more voluminous coat, a shorter head, and a more domed skull. In 1935, supporters of the traditional English hunting dog established the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America.