English Cocker Spaniel: Dog Breed Characteristics & Care

The English cocker spaniel is a medium-sized sporting dog from England with floppy ears, a sturdy body, and soft, silky fur that feathers on its ears, legs, and torso. This breed makes a devoted companion that's equally content with hard work and family life. All spaniels were originally bred from the same lines, but the English cocker spaniel stands out today for its well-proportioned appearance and friendly disposition. With plenty of energy but a calm demeanor, the English cocker spaniel is a great family pet.

Characteristics of the English Cocker Spaniel

Known for their loving, affectionate personalities, English cocker spaniels are a great breed choice for homes with children. They do well with other dogs, and they also have a friendly temperament with cats when raised together (though it does have a prey drive for smaller animals). These sporting dogs have plenty of energy and need owners who are able to fulfill their exercise needs, whether it be on a hike, bike ride, run, or simply taking walks together. Your English cocker spaniel should learn basic obedience and even fun tricks with ease, as this breed's eagerness to please its owners and intelligence make it a pleasure to train.

History of the English Cocker Spaniel

The English cocker spaniel descends from a larger group of hunting dogs bred in Britain and beyond to be reliable and loyal field companions. Spaniels, whose early origins may date back as far as the 16th century, were particularly prized for their ability to assist with hunting game birds and waterfowl. Any given litter could produce both cocker spaniels—smaller dogs adept at hunting woodcock birds—and springer spaniels, prized for their ability to jump and "spring" birds from their hiding places. Initially, the only differentiation between the two classifications was based on the size of the dog.

In the 1890s, however, the spaniel family was split in two, with recognition for both the cocker spaniel and springer spaniel. The breeds were independently developed and bred. Within the cocker spaniel breed, further differentiation in type became evident. In the United States, a smaller, slightly blockier, and furrier version of the spaniel came into popularity. Termed the American cocker spaniel, these dogs stand in contrast to the slightly larger English spaniel bred with longer legs, a shorter back, and less fur.

In 1935, the split was made official when the AKC granted official recognition to the English cocker spaniel as an independent breed. Today, this devoted pet remains a popular dog on both sides of the pond. Even England’s royal family appreciates the nobility of this breed: Prince William and Kate Middleton own an English cocker spaniel named Lupo, who was bred from a dog owned by her parents. 

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English Cocker Spaniel Care

English cocker spaniels aren't high-maintenance dogs, but they do require some special consideration to be happy, healthy pets. While they're easy to train, they need plenty of exercise to stay well-mannered at home, and their silky coats require consistent grooming.

Exercise

As part of the sporting group, these dogs have seemingly tireless energy and need an outlet for it. Plan to give your English cocker spaniel about an hour and a half of exercise each day in the form of lengthy walks, running, and playing outside. Without adequate exercise, these dogs can become anxious or destructive. While your English cocker spaniel can keep up with you for hours on end, this breed will also be happy to rest and relax inside the home after being active.

Grooming

Aside from daily exercise, regular grooming is likely the biggest investment of time you’ll make in your English cocker spaniel. The medium-length silky hair that gives these dogs such a beautiful coat can easily become matted. It also is subject to shedding.

The more you can brush and maintain the coat, the easier it is to control excessive shedding. To keep the coat looking its best, most owners of English cocker spaniels take their dog to a groomer on a recurring basis. The hair around the legs and torso often needs to be trimmed to avoid becoming unruly.

You’ll also need to brush your spaniel's teeth, trim their nails, and regularly check their ears for strange odors or excessive wax buildup. Dirt and bacteria can become trapped inside the ear canal, and these dogs are sometimes prone to ear infections as a result.

Training

English cocker spaniels are eager to please their owners, so training is usually not too difficult with this breed. Basic obedience lessons can begin when puppies are about eight weeks old. However, they have a sensitive nature and need plenty of positive reinforcement. Harsh training methods can cause fear and anxiety, and may contribute to undesirable behaviors like submissive urination or separation anxiety. If you’re a hunter, these sporting dogs seem to be naturals at their job and understand their role with relative ease.

Common Health Problems

Like other purebred dogs, English cocker spaniels can be prone to inherited health problems. Responsible breeders test prospective parent dogs for genetic issues before breeding. The following conditions are associated with this breed:

• Allergies: Many breeds experience allergies to foods and environmental allergens. Your veterinarian can test for specific allergies.
• Benign tumors: Abnormal growths or cysts can develop on your dog's skin, and tests should be performed to rule out cancer and other diseases.
• Cataracts: Like humans, dogs can develop cataracts, or cloudy spots on the eyes that can impair their vision.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy: This eye condition affecting the dog's retina eventually leads to blindness.
• Ear infections: Many dogs with floppy ears are prone to ear infections. Owners should check and clean the ears regularly to prevent problems.
• Hearing loss: Particolored English cocker spaniels can be at risk of hearing loss and deafness due to abnormal genes.
• Luxating Patella: This condition causes your dog's knee to pop in and out of place, and may require surgery in severe cases.
• Hypothyroidism: Also called underactive thyroid, hypothyroidism impairs the body's ability to produce important hormones.

To minimize the probability of adopting a dog with any of these health problems, research breeders that provide tests on each parent dog for the hips and knees from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and tests from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation. There also is a test for hearing available from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals that measures brainstem audiotry evoked response (BAER) and may be important if you’re considering a particolored English cocker spaniel.

Diet and Nutrition

Feed your English cocker spaniel a well-balanced and nutritionally complete dog food twice per day. Whether you choose a conventional kibble diet, incorporate wet food, or opt for a raw diet, look for indications of an allergic reaction, which is common for some spaniels. If your dog has food allergies or sensitivities, you might opt for a limited-ingredient diet.

Keep a close eye on the weight of your English cocker spaniel. The breed can be prone to obesity if overfed and under-exercised. Ask your veterinarian to help you determine a healthy meal plan based on your dog's age, weight, and activity level.

Where to Adopt or Buy an English Cocker Spaniel

When searching for an English cocker spaniel, first consider contacting rescue groups in your area. A surprising number of purebred dogs end up in shelters and rescues because of owner circumstances. Your local shelter may also have similar spaniels in need of forever homes.

If you do opt to purchase a puppy from a breeder, be wary of backyard breeders. Instead, look for breeders that can provide health clearances for the parents of a litter and extensive information on your prospective puppy. These puppies can cost anywhere from $800 to $2,000, but prices can be higher depending on pedigree and availability.

These resources for breed-specific rescues, the national breed club, and the AKC can help you start your search:

• English Cocker Spaniel Club of America Health & Rescue Organization
• English Cocker Spaniel Club of America Breeders
• AKC English Cocker Spaniel Breeders

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More Dog Breeds and Further Research

If you love the English cocker spaniel, you might also like these similar breeds:

• American cocker spaniel
• Brittany
• Cavalier King Charles spaniel

There are plenty of different dog breeds that can join your family. With a little research, you can find the perfect match to bring home!