Dog Breed
Cocker Spaniel
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- Full Name
- Cocker Spaniel
- Alternate Names
- Cocker
- Your PupScore
- Take the best dog breed quiz to get your Pup Scores!
- Life Span
- 12 - 15 years
- Weight
- 20 - 30 pounds
- Description
Cocker Spaniels make excellent playmates for children and are easy to teach as both friends and athletes. They're big enough to be sporty, but not too huge to be bulky. A full-coated Cocker compensates extra grooming time by becoming the most beautiful dog on the street. Playtime and quick walks are two of these lively sporting canines' favorite pastimes.
Satisfying you and making you happy is that makes them feel the happiest. They're as at peace snuggling on the couch with their favorite people as they are romping in the yard with the kids. The Cocker is a highly trainable and very adaptable, whether you live in an apartment or a large home with a back yard.
Cocker Spaniel coats occur in a variety of colors, including black, liver, red, and golden in solids. Also, black and tan, and sometimes liver and tan are known, as well as a variety of color mixtures of those solid colors including roans, roan and tans, tricolors, and those solid colors with additional white markings.- Origin
- Spain
- Bred For
- Bird flushing, retrieving
- Family Considerations
- Overall Ease of Breed
- Personality
- Home and Environment Considerations
- Physical Characteristics
Child Friendly
5/5
Is the Cocker Spaniel good with children?
Yes! The Cocker Spaniel is naturally friendly with children. As always, socialization is always important, but the Cocker Spaniel is an excellent dog for anyone with small children.
Stranger Friendly
4/5
Is the Cocker Spaniel friendly with strangers?
Yes, the Cocker Spaniel is very friendly with strangers. We still recommend early socialization while the Cocker Spaniel is a puppy to introduce them to various new people, but in general they are friendly with everyone.
Dog Friendly
4/5
Is the Cocker Spaniel friendly with other dogs?
Yes, the Cocker Spaniel is very friendly with other dogs. We still recommend early socialization while the Cocker Spaniel is a puppy to introduce them to various new dogs, but in general they are friendly with dogs as soon as they meet them.
Likes to Cuddle
5/5
Does the Cocker Spaniel like to cuddle?
The Cocker Spaniel loves physical affection and cuddles. If you're looking for a cuddle partner you may have found the one!
Playfulness
5/5
Does the Cocker Spaniel like to play?
The Cocker Spaniel is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
Service Dog Ability
3/5
Does the Cocker Spaniel make a good service dog?
The Cocker Spaniel is not typically used as a service dog. There are always exceptions to the rule, but a service dog has to have many natural traits in addition to the proper training- smart, patient, and obsessed with pleasing their owner.
Ease for Novice
5/5
Is the Cocker Spaniel good for first-time owners?
The Cocker Spaniel is an excellent breed for first-time owners. They love pleasing their owner, and rarely are aggressive or over-dominant.
Training Potential
3/5
How well can the Cocker Spaniel be trained?
The Cocker Spaniel is about average when it comes to training potential. The Cocker Spaniel can be seen in competitions and can have advanced training, but it would require much dedication and oftentimes professional training.
Amount of Shedding
3/5
Does the Cocker Spaniel shed a lot?
The Cocker Spaniel is an average shedder. Cocker Spaniel owners will probably still tell you it's a lot of shedding, but certain breeds shed even more.
Ease of Grooming
3/5
Is the Cocker Spaniel easy to groom?
The Cocker Spaniel requires an average amount of grooming. Taking your Cocker Spaniel to the pet salon will make your life easier, but its possible to groom a Cocker Spaniel on your own as well.
Exercise Need
4/5
Does the Cocker Spaniel need a lot of exercise?
The Cocker Spaniel has a lot of energy and getting daily exercise is very important, both for their well-being and for their focus, which is important when you train them.
Intelligence
3/5
How smart is the Cocker Spaniel?
The Cocker Spaniel has average intelligence. They are smart and witty, but do not need to be constantly challenged mentally, as some other breeds.
Amount of Barking
3/5
How much does the Cocker Spaniel bark? Does the Cocker Spaniel bark too much?
The Cocker Spaniel barks an average amount. It can vary widely between Cocker Spaniels - some may be much more expressive than others.
Guard Dog Ability
3/5
Is the Cocker Spaniel a good guard dog?
The Cocker Spaniel is not typically used as a guard dog, although they can be alert and oftentimes notify you if there is a stranger at the door or otherwise something to be concerned over.
Tolerates Being Alone
1/5
Is the Cocker Spaniel good at staying alone? Is the Cocker Spaniel independent?
The Cocker Spaniel considers their owner part of the "pack" and hates being left behind. This can be a good thing for someone looking for an emotional support dog who is loyal and always by their side, but bad if the dog will need to be left at home alone for extended periods.
Good for Apartment Living
2/5
Is the Cocker Spaniel a good apartment dog?
The Cocker Spaniel is not a good dog for apartment living for several reasons. It is still possible to make it work if the owner is dedicated to plenty of training and daily exercise, but it may be challenging.
Size
3/5
How big is the Cocker Spaniel?
The Cocker Spaniel is a medium sized dog breed. They can range in size depending on genetics, and males are larger on average than females.
Tolerates Heat
3/5
How much does the Cocker Spaniel tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Cocker Spaniel?
The Cocker Spaniel can tolerate some heat, but should not be over-exposed to hot weather. In general, they can live in hot weather climates, but would do best with air conditioning or at least a fan in their home, especially where they sleep.
Tolerates Cold
4/5
How much does the Cocker Spaniel tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Cocker Spaniel?
The Cocker Spaniel can tolerate cold weather well. Play time in the snow or on particularly cold evenings may need to be limited, but overall they can do well in cold climates.
Potential to Run Away
4/5
Does the Cocker Spaniel try to run away?
It is natural for the Cocker Spaniel to run away. They are easily distracted and excited, so the urge to run away should be expected and prepared for- a fenced yard is important.
General Health
3/5
Is the Cocker Spaniel a healthy dog? The health of a Cocker Spaniel should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.
The Cocker Spaniel is healthy, but has an average number of health risks that should be taken into consideration.
Energy Level
4/5
How energetic is the Cocker Spaniel?
The Cocker Spaniel has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the Cocker Spaniel into your home. Can you give your Cocker Spaniel enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
Amount of Drooling
2/5
How much does the Cocker Spaniel drool?
The Cocker Spaniel drools very little, typically to where it's never a concern.
Prey Drive
4/5
Does the Cocker Spaniel have a large prey drive? Does the Cocker Spaniel like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?
The Cocker Spaniel has a high prey drive and has a natural tendency to chase after any small animal. Every case is unique, but the Cocker Spaniel may not be the best dog for living with other cats or small animals.
Athleticism
3/5
Is the Cocker Spaniel atheltic?
The Cocker Spaniel is athletic and has average levels of endurance. They need a lot of exercise, and can be an exercise partner as long as it's nothing too extreme.
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Breed Variations
Tricolor
Black
Liver and White Ticked
Liver
Golden
Red
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Dog- Sporting
- Spaniel
- Cocker Spaniel
The Cocker Spaniel is a purebred dog that belongs to the Spaniel sub group, which falls under the larger Sporting dog breed group.
Sporting group: Sporting dogs are the natural athletes of the dog world. They have high energy, and always look to be stimulated with some activity or challenge.
These dogs thrive in the outdoors- particularly the woods and the water. Sporting dogs include the best swimming dogs, retrieving dogs, and other field activities. They have traditionally been bred to assist hunters find and retrieve birds and other smaller hunting game.
Sporting dogs are not known as guard dogs, but because of their alertness and loyalty to their family, with proper training they can be good home protectors as well.
Over the years they have become extremely well-rounded, so with plenty of exercise can make excellent home companions. They are willing to please their owners, so if you put the time into training and exercise you will be rewarded with an amazing dog.
Spaniel sub-group: One of the sub-groups with the greatest amount of dog breeds is the Spaniel, there are 15 spaniel breeds recognized by the AKC! Spaniels are "flushing" dogs that not only can retrieve game, but can swim, dig, and find the game in all types of habitat. The breeds of spaniel have been bred more specifically for one type of hunting vs. another, but over the years they have also become excellent home companions.
Spaniels all have a distinct "spaniel" look with floppy ears and beautiful curly hair, but each has its own variety both in size and color. Spaniels always seem to be happy and can brighten every day. They are an excellent choice for a first time dog owner.
Cocker Spaniels for adoption
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