Ah, the Cocker Spaniel – a dog that embodies joy, mischief, and fluff all in one delightful package. Whether you’ve just brought one of these soulful-eyed beauties into your life or are simply cocker-curious, this guide has you covered. From grooming tips to exercise needs, and even unravelling the mystery of the working cocker spaniel, we’ll help you get to grips with this wonderful breed.

Key Facts About the Cocker Spaniel

• Breed Group: Gundog
• Height: 36–43 cm (14–17 inches)
• Weight: 10–14 kg (22–31 lbs)
• Lifespan: 12–15 years
• Coat Type: Long, silky, and either straight or slightly wavy
• Exercise Needs: High – at least 1 hour daily
• Grooming: Regular brushing and ear cleaning are essential
• Personality: Affectionate, intelligent, and mischievous

A Brief History of the Cocker Spaniel

Did you know the Cocker Spaniel originally got its name from its cocking (woodcock hunting) skills? These birds didn’t stand a chance against the spaniel’s sharp nose and nimble paws. Fast forward to today, and you’ll find these dogs have traded in the woodlands for sofas, gardens, and the occasional muddy puddle.

There are two main types:

• The Show Cocker Spaniel: Known for their luscious, silky coats and a somewhat diva-esque personality.

• The Working Cocker Spaniel: A leaner, athletic type with endless energy. Think of them as the sporty sibling who always insists on a run, even on a rainy Sunday morning.

“We’re getting a dog” The four most exciting words to hear!!! To help you make this very important decision, we’ve teamed up with some breed experts and pet lovers to give you the low down on different breeds.

There are a lot of different types of Spaniels - Wikipedia lists 23 non-extinct types of spaniels, such as the Cavalier King Charles, Clumber, English Cocker, English Springer, Field, King Charles and Sussex Spaniels.

Megan, also known as Wilma and Woody’s mum, has offered an insight into Cocker spaniels. If you’ve not heard of the cotswold spaniels check out their blog and Instagram feed. 

What is a Working Cocker Spaniel? 

The working cocker is the action hero of the spaniel world. They’re bred for stamina, intelligence, and a serious knack for finding things (especially if it’s a smelly sock). Unlike their show counterparts, their coats are less high-maintenance but still adorable enough to warrant an Instagram account.

These dogs are ideal for active families or anyone who enjoys long walks and adventures. If your idea of a good time is watching telly all day, your working cocker might have other ideas. They’re happiest when they have a job to do – even if that “job” is carrying around their favourite toy.

How Much Exercise Does a Cocker Spaniel Need? 

Spoiler alert: It’s a lot. Cocker spaniels are not couch potatoes. They’re more like hyperactive toddlers with four legs and an in-built radar for mud.

• Puppies: Start slow with short, controlled walks – about 5 minutes for every month of age. Overdoing it can stress their growing joints.
• Adults: Aim for at least an hour of high-energy exercise a day. Working cockers might need closer to two hours to truly wear them out. Fetch, agility courses, or exploring local forests are great options.
• Older Cockers: As they age, their exercise needs will mellow, but they’ll still appreciate gentle strolls and sniffing adventures.

Pro tip: A tired spaniel is a well-behaved spaniel. Skip their daily walk, and you might come home to find your favourite shoes have been “redecorated.”

How to Groom a Cocker Spaniel

Let’s talk about that glorious coat – part angelic fluff, part Velcro for twigs, burrs, and bits of grass. Whether you have a show or working cocker, grooming is an essential part of the job.

Top grooming tips for Cocker Spaniels:

• Brushing: Daily brushing is ideal to prevent mats, especially for show cockers with their silky, longer coats. Use a slicker brush for best results.

• Baths: Aim for a bath every 6-8 weeks, or whenever your spaniel smells less like a dog and more like a swamp.

• Ears: Those iconic floppy ears are prone to trapping moisture, so regular cleaning is a must to avoid infections. Use a gentle ear cleaner and don’t go too deep.

• Trimming: Trim the fur around their paws and underbellies regularly.

Do Cocker Spaniels shed?

Like most dogs, cockers will moult but spaniels are a breed that drop their dead coat so you will find it on your floors and as double coated breeds their dead undercoat will need to be stripped out.

Cocker Spaniel Personality: A Cheeky Delight

Cocker spaniels are like the Labradors of the small-dog world – loving, loyal, and always up for a snack (or five). They thrive on human companionship and aren’t afraid to let you know it. Don’t be surprised if you find them following you around the house like a furry shadow. Privacy? Forget it. Your spaniel’s motto is “What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is also mine.”

They’re great with kids, fabulous with other pets, and always the first to wag their tails when someone new comes to the door. That said, early socialisation is key to keeping their excitable nature in check.

Feeding Your Cocker Spaniel

Spaniels are foodies through and through, but don’t let those pleading eyes fool you – they can pack on weight faster than you can say “treat!” Look for high-quality dog food rich in protein and healthy fats to keep their coats shiny and their energy levels up.

Watch their portion sizes and go easy on the human food. As tempting as it is to share your bacon sandwich, it’s best to stick to dog-friendly treats. (But we all know the occasional cheeky bit of toast is inevitable, right?)

Training: How to Outsmart a Spaniel

Cocker spaniels are bright, eager to please, and food-motivated – the holy trinity of trainable traits. Start early with basic commands like sit, stay, and recall. Be consistent, patient, and armed with plenty of tasty rewards.

Top training tips:

1. Make it fun: Bored spaniels will lose interest faster than you can say “heel.”

2. Mix it up: Try scent work or agility training to keep their clever minds engaged.

3. Socialisation: Expose them to different environments, people, and other dogs to help them grow into well-rounded companions. 

Common Health Issues in Cocker Spaniels

While they’re generally healthy, cocker spaniels can be prone to a few breed-specific issues:

• Ear Infections: Thanks to their floppy ears, regular cleaning is essential.
• Eye Conditions: Watch out for cataracts and glaucoma, especially in older dogs.
• Hip Dysplasia: Keep an eye on their joints, particularly in working cockers.
• Obesity: Keep those treats in check, or you’ll have a chunky cocker on your hands.

Regular vet check-ups and a healthy diet will go a long way in keeping your spaniel in tip-top shape.

Is a Cocker Spaniel Right for You?

Cocker spaniels are a perfect fit for active families, dog lovers who enjoy the great outdoors, and anyone who doesn’t mind a bit of mud on the carpet. They’re loyal, intelligent, and endlessly entertaining – though be prepared to lose at least one sock to their mischief!

Breed Basics over, do you know your show cocker from your working cocker? Megan, Woody and Wilma are here to fill us in. 

What do you love about Cocker Spaniels?

Spaniels, they are the perfect package of beauty, companionship and energy...with batteries that never run out.

Although there are so many different varieties of Spaniels, Working Cocker Spaniels are my absolute favourite. Their brain is always on, meaning they need a job to do; but if that’s not going down the working route of being a Gundog there’s still so much to do with a pet just like Woody. Agility, Flyball & Obedience, all things that make them use their brains and it is great fun for both human and hound to take part in.

Tell us a bit about Woody & Wilma

Woody is a 7-year-old Working Cocker Spaniel and Wilma a 2-year-old Cockapoo, both which I have had since 8 weeks old. I have also fostered Working Cockers and Springers over the years from various spaniel rescues. Woody is absolutely tennis ball and water mad, a common trait in most spaniels!

As Wilma is a Cockapoo and she is only 50% Spaniel (Don’t tell her as she believes she's true spaniel deep down), she is actually a Show Cocker Spaniel compared to Woody as a Working Cocker. Most people assume they’re the same breed, but there’s actually a huge difference between the Show and Working type in temperament and energy levels. One of the differences is show Cockers are usually more laid back and love human affection, whereas Working Cockers have such drive and could happily be out all day, and in my experience despite them being the perfect family pet, Working cockers prefer to stretch out by themselves rather than snuggle up on your lap. Although each dog’s personality is completely different, so depending on how they’re brought up they won’t necessarily fit a certain label or trait.

Woody was from gun dog stock & was bred on a lovely country farm. They had a lovely bunch of Cockers, Springers and Flat coats that lived outside in kennels but were also allowed in the house. Wilma was from a larger breeder but brought up ready to be a pet dog. She absolutely loved children and humans but hated being left alone; whereas Woody was happy to be crated as he was brought up well to be left alone. When buying a puppy, you should always meet the parents, and the breeders should be happy for you to ask lots of questions and visit beforehand. I visited Woody’s litter every week for 1 month. Wilma was a bit further away up in Cheshire, so I visited once before I then went up again to collect her.

They are both very intelligent and with positive reinforcements like toys or treats they are very easy to train. You’ll find them in a variety of working rolls as well. Working Cockers are often used as sniffer dogs for the police or army. And you’ll find both Working and Show Cockers in medical assistance roles such as diabetes alert dogs, or hearing dogs; all absolutely amazing dogs changing people’s lives. 

They are both absolutely gorgeous breeds and I hope I always have at least one spaniel in my life.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re drawn to their soft, pleading eyes, their boundless enthusiasm, or their knack for finding every puddle in the park, cocker spaniels are nothing short of delightful. Treat them with love, give them plenty of exercise, and maybe invest in a good hoover – because life with a cocker is wonderfully messy in the best way possible.

Now, off you pop – your spaniel’s probably waiting for their next adventure (or snack).

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