Cocker Spaniel
A merry, soft-eyed sporting dog.
The Cocker Spaniel is a small to medium sporting dog with a silky coat, long ears and a sweet, merry temperament. Affectionate and biddable, it is a popular family companion and gundog.
Great points
- Gentle and merry with family
- Trainable and eager to please
- Good size for many homes
- Loves play and the outdoors
Things to consider
- Coat and long ears need real upkeep
- Prone to ear infections
- Can be sensitive if unsocialised
- Moderate to high exercise needs
The story
Bred in Britain to flush and retrieve woodcock, which gave the breed its name, the Cocker Spaniel became one of the most popular family dogs of the 20th century thanks to its gentle, joyful nature.
Training
Cockers are soft, willing and quick to learn with gentle, positive methods, and early socialisation builds confidence in this sensitive breed.
Grooming
The silky coat needs brushing several times a week and regular trimming, and the long ears need frequent cleaning to prevent infections.
Food & diet
About 1 to 1.5 cups of quality food a day, split into two meals, with weight kept in check.
Exercise
Moderate to high. Daily walks plus play and retrieving games keep a Cocker happy.
Health to watch
Prone to ear infections, eye conditions and some inherited issues. Routine ear care prevents many problems.
Fun fact. The Cocker Spaniel starred as Lady in the film Lady and the Tramp, which boosted the breed's popularity.
