Bred to hunt woodcock and other birds, the Cocker Spaniel is capable of considerable speed and endurance.
The intelligent and cheerful Cocker Spaniel has a unique ability to connect with humans and makes an excellent companion. His gentle, affectionate and playful nature makes him especially good with kids.
He needs daily exercise in the form of a brisk walk or playtime with his favorite people. He’s a people pleaser, so he’s relatively easy to train.
Cocker Spaniels are the smallest of the sporting breeds. Their small bodies are sturdy, and they move with ease. They have large eyes and a long, silky coat.
10 to 14 years
Cocker Spaniel coat colors include a wide variety, ranging from solid black to red and white and many other color combinations.
The Cocker Spaniel is a low-shedding breed, but he requires daily brushing to prevent tangles and mats. Trimming the coat every few months will keep him looking his best.
Overeating and lack of exercise can lead to weight gain and obesity in Cocker Spaniels. The breed is also at risk for hip, knee and eye problems. Responsible breeders screen for these conditions to help produce the healthiest breed possible. Their long ears require regular cleaning to reduce the risk of infection.
Like other small breeds, Cocker Spaniels may benefit from a small breed dog food. For Cockers who need help losing weight, consider a healthy weight formula.
Cocker Spaniel puppies should eat puppy food for their first year of life to aid in their growth and development.
The Cocker Spaniel’s origins trace back to Spain, where the breed got its start as bird hunters. For hundreds of years, the only difference in the categorization of the many breeds of spaniels was whether they hunted on land or in water.
In the 19th century, however, this changed. The Cocker Spaniel was designated as its own breed, named for the woodcock it hunted and its Spanish origins. In the United States, the Cocker was developed into two distinct varieties: American and English.
In the 1940s, the breeds were registered as two distinct breeds by the Canadian, English and American Kennel Clubs. The AKC refers to the U.S. breed simply as the Cocker Spaniel and the British breed as English Cocker Spaniel.