Smiling Cocker Spaniel in the sun

Cocker Spaniel Insurance, Care and Health Advice

Life is just better with a Cocker Spaniel on board. They’re always happy, playful, inquisitive, adventurous and totally devoted to you: what more could you want in a best buddy? Those big curly ears and fluffy coat make Cockers great spooning partners. But looking that good doesn’t happen by itself: regular grooming sessions are needed to prevent a major bad hair day.

This is a pooch who’s eager to please: they’ll fit in fine with the rest of the family - and any other 4-legged friends. But be prepared to be put through your paces, Cockers are perky and playful and it takes a lot of walking to wear them out...

Cocker Spaniel Facts

Dog breed type icon
Type
Gundog
Dog breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
12 - 15 years
Dog breed size icon
Size
Medium
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Weight
12 - 15 kg
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Height
38 - 41 cm
Dog breed temperament icon
Temperament
Friendly, intelligent, active
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Exercise
60 mins per day
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Grooming
High maintenance

Is a Cocker Spaniel Right for Me?

Great for families, big or small. That said, Cockers can be a bit sensitive and don’t always enjoy rough and tumble - even if it’s meant to be playful. This is why it’s important to keep an eye on small kids around them (and other dogs) to make sure they don’t get snappy.

Thankfully, it’s pretty rare, but 'Cocker Rage' is a real thing: also known as Sudden Onset Aggression Syndrome. It’s a condition where your buddy quickly gets very aggressive, confused and ignores any attempts to calm him down. Good breeders should be experienced in bringing out favourable behavioural traits in a breeding programme - something you should definitely look for and ask about when getting your Cocker.

Cocker Spaniel having fun in long grass

What Are Cocker Spaniel Puppies Like?

Cocker Spaniel puppies are active and excitable. Their tail will be continuously wagging especially when they are around other dogs or people. They love attention and company and may bark or howl when left alone.

They’re very intelligent and food driven, so start training them young and you’ll have the basic commands mastered in no time. Toilet training will be a doddle. They also love to play so give them lots of toys to keep them busy.

Brown and white Cocker Spaniel lying down

Life with a Cocker Spaniel

Separation anxiety can be a real problem if your Cocker is left alone for too long. Signs that your Cocker is feeling lonely include barking and pacing, destructive behaviour (like chewing the curtains and sofa) - and lots of digging in the garden!

How to deal with it? Cockers are smart and most will quickly learn that going to work doesn’t mean leaving forever. So ease your buddy into the situation by leaving and returning; increasing the length of time, bit by bit. When you’re gone, make sure he’s got loads of stuff to keep him occupied: frozen chew treats and toys can work wonders.

Caring for Your Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels love their food and can easily put on extra weight. You will need to weigh your dog’s food to keep them in tiptop condition. Feeding guidelines are available on dog food packaging but if you’re unsure, you can ask your vet for advice.

Feed your dog twice a day to keep their hunger at bay and to prevent any stomach issues. It is also best to avoid exercise soon after feeding them. Don’t leave any food unattended, as your Cocker Spaniel won’t hesitate to eat it.

When it comes to how to groom a Cocker Spaniel, you may have your work cut out. Grooming keeps your Cocker looking gorgeous - but bedraggled, matted hair usually means sore skin. So grooming is your chance to get rid of all that caked mud and grass seeds that can work their way into the skin, causing infection.

For most Cockers, a good brushing is needed about every three days. If it’s matted, start at the ends and then work your way to the body - and talking to your buddy while you’re doing it should help keep them happy.

Those big fluffy ears need special attention; they’re so close to the ground when sniffing around that they collect loads of mystery muck. Clean and brush the hair every three days. Look inside each ear: a small amount of wax is normal, and the skin should be pink. If the insides are red or weepy, it’s a sign of infection - so time to call the vet.

Cocker pups are usually a breeze to train. They want to learn new things from 8 weeks old - so mix the “serious stuff” (like toilet training) with fun stuff and games. Fetching, hide and seek, sit, stay, lie down: keep it fresh and they’ll love it.

They can sometimes be a bit shy at first, so it’s important to socialise your pup early on and well past their first Birthday to teach them to be a happy, confident dog without behavioural issues.

As far as exercise goes, a Cocker puppy is happy with at least a couple of good play sessions in the garden or park each day. At six months, their bone structure is developed, which means they’re ready for proper walks. 30 minutes each morning and evening should do it - and if you’re jogging around the park, your Cocker Spaniel will definitely be up for being your training buddy.

Pet Insurance for Cocker Spaniels

When it comes to looking after your Cocker’s paws, it’s a good idea to think about dog insurance. Everypaw’s Dog Insurance policies can cover your Spaniel from 8 weeks old up to their 8th birthday and beyond – as long as you renew every year without a break. Plus, all our policies include a range of extra features to keep your Cocker on the top of their game. 24/7 vet advice, we have that covered with Petcall.

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Common Cocker Spaniel Health Problems by Vetstream

Cocker Spaniels are prone to several health issues that require treatment or are lifelong conditions that need to be managed. Our vet experts at Vetstream have put together a list of common conditions that affect Cocker Spaniels.

This inherited disorder affects the nervous system and is often seen in puppies aged between 3 and 5 months. AMS causes a loss of the pain sensation, which leads to self-mutilation. Affected puppies will over groom by licking and chewing their feet, causing themselves harm without being aware of it.

There is no treatment for this condition and most dogs, unfortunately, have to be put to sleep. To prevent the condition being passed down to offspring, there is a DNA test available to avoid breeding from carriers of this condition.

Retinal Dysplasia is a condition of the eye where there is abnormal development and growth of the retina. This causes retinal folds, rosettes, and sometimes retinal detachment within the first 6 months, which leads to blindness. Inherited forms of this condition are detected at 6 weeks of age. Other cases will have lesions present at birth or within 12 weeks.

With mild forms, there are no obvious signs of the condition, but in severe cases, sudden blindness is likely.

There is no treatment for retinal dysplasia, but most dogs are born with it and adjust well to life with this condition.

This inherited condition can affect one or both eyes, causing vision loss or blindness. It can be present from birth, or more commonly, develops as the dog ages. Cataracts cause the usually clear lens of the eye to turn opaque or white, which prevents light from reaching the retina.

A specialist can remove the cataract from the lens. To do this, the lens is removed, and the cataract is broken up using a process called phacoemulsification (ultrasound waves). Prognosis is good following surgery and with the correct aftercare - daily eye drops for several months and regular check-ups with the vet.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is the term used to describe a group of inherited eye diseases, which slowly leads to progressive blindness within months-years. This condition has been reported in 100 different dog breeds, but it most commonly seen in Cocker Spaniels.

Early signs of the condition include poor vision at night and nervousness when going outside at dusk. Eye shine and dilated pupils are also possible signs.

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for PRA and affected dogs will eventually go blind. But most dogs adapt well to their vision loss and lead a happy life.

Quick Cocker Spaniel Q&A

The life expectancy of a Cocker Spaniel is 12-15 years, but they are prone to health conditions and should have regular health checks. The right diet and exercise are also important for a healthy dog.

Cocker spaniels are heavy shedders and need to be groomed regularly to prevent their coat from matting, particularly around their ears. This will prevent them from getting sore skin around those areas.

Cocker Spaniels are part of the gundog breed group, bred to find live game and/or retrieve game. They’re sturdy and athletic but small enough to get into tight hiding places to flush out prey. They’re also obedient and eager to please their owner, making them a perfect gundog.

Cocker Spaniels are not a hypoallergenic breed. They are heavy shedders, and their dander and saliva are likely to cause a reaction in allergy sufferers.

That’s All You Need to Know About Cocker Spaniels

This breed is playful, inquisitive and loves nothing more than going on an adventure. They’ll be your best buddy and will always want to tag along wherever you go. They just want to please! They also love cuddling up on the sofa after a busy day of exploring and meeting new friends. This breed can be prone to several health issues that may need lifelong management, but most dogs adapt and go on to live long and happy lives.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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