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Cocker Spaniel Dog Breed Description

The Cocker Spaniel dog breed is known for its sweet, intelligent, and expressive eyes and feathered black, red, liver, or combination colored coat. Field breeds have shorter coats, while show breeds tend to have the longer, thicker coat.

Dogs are solid, medium-sized and compactly built. They have long ears, black or brown noses, a deep chest, and round, cat-like feet.

Cocker Spaniel Dog

Temperament

Cocker Spaniels are energetic, merry, sweet, and lovable animals that tend to be very energetic and affectionate.
Dogs love children and are playful and gentle. They are friendly with strangers and both respectful and obedient.
Moderate barkers, most are outgoing and cooperative, although some females tend to be more willful and require dominant owners.
Excellent companion dogs, Cocker Spaniels should be trained firmly and gently from a young age.

Height and Weight

Adult males tend to be 15-17 inches tall and weigh around 28-34 pounds.
Adult females are generally 14-16 inches tall and weigh about 26-32 pounds.

Living Conditions and Exercise

The Cocker Spaniel dog breed does well in an apartment setting as long as they receive sufficient exercise.
This breed has a good deal of energy to spare, and will enjoy as much exercise as possible. They require daily walks, and need plenty of time to play outdoors.

Life Expectancy

Well-cared for dogs can be expected to live 12-15 years.

Grooming

The coat requires regular combing and brushing. Some Cocker Spaniels have coats that are prone to matting, while others tend to lay flat, so some trimming may be necessary, particularly around the pads of the feet.
Dry shampoo or bathe as necessary, and check ears carefully for wax and foreign material, particularly after outdoor play.
They are average shedders.

History

The Cocker Spaniel dog breed is part of the larger Spaniel line. In the 1800s this group was divided into several breeds: the Clumber, the Welsh Springer, the Field, the Sussex, the Irish Water Spaniel, the Field, and the Cocker. In 1892 the Cocker and Springer Spaniels were divided into separate breeds, and in the 1940s, the English and American Cocker Spaniels were divided again.
Cocker Spaniels were bred to be excellent hunting dogs, with a particular talent for bird hunting. They have soft mouths and make excellent retrievers, and they also do well in challenging terrain.
Thanks to their happy disposition, Cocker Spaniels are primarily used as companion dogs in the United States.