
A high energy, fun-loving friend for the whole family
Vital stats
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Size: | Medium |
Coat: | Long haired, requires daily grooming |
Exercise | 1 hour a day |
Life span: | 11+ years |
Breed group: | Gundog |
Temperament: | Playful, affectionate, intelligent |
Cocker Spaniel temperament & personality

- Known to be lively, adaptable and friendly, they can live very happily in all types of households.
- Kind and gentle, Cocker Spaniels can make excellent dogs for first-time owners.
- They’re a sociable breed that quickly form strong bonds, and enjoy being around other people and pets.
Cocker Spaniel training & exercise

Training tips
- To make sure your pet is kept safe while off the lead, consider starting recall training from a young age, along with other puppy training that will help encourage good behaviour.
- Cocker Spaniels are always eager to please and will respond well to positive reinforcement.
Keeping them happy
- They can be sensitive to loud noises and heavy handling, but good socialisation from early on will help to ensure they are used to unexpected events, such as busy environments and attention from young children.
- Cocker Spaniels are energertic, intelligent and inquisitive dogs and will need plenty of playtime and mental stimulation to keep them out of mischief. A bored Cocker Spaniel may resort to unwanted or destructive behaviours, such as whining, scratching and chewing, as a way to release pent up energy.
Exercise
- For the first six months, Cocker Spaniel puppies should be exercised gently but after this period you can add longer, more exciting walks to your daily routine. Start off slowly, introducing extra activity in small, manageable steps.
- Vets recommend that adult Cocker Spaniels exercise for up to an hour a day.
Game ideas
- Clever and inquisitive, the best activities for this breed involve mental stimulation. They love interactive games like fetch, as well as walks with lots of smells to explore, and they appreciate time to roam free; just make sure you are in a secure area to keep your dog safe.
Common Cocker Spaniel health conditions

Cocker Spaniel grooming

A Cocker Spaniel’s coat is flat, silky and comes in a variety of colours, including chocolate, tan, black, and white. As they are a longhaired breed, regular grooming is part of life with a Cocker Spaniel.
- Gentle daily brushing can help your dog form positive associations when being groomed, help keep their coat clean and shiny, prevent matting and ensure they’re happy being handled by professional groomers.
- Cocker Spaniels are prone to ear infections, as their long, heavy ears can prevent air from properly circulating the ear canal. Use your grooming sessions to check your dog’s ears for signs of infection, such a strange smell or black or brown wax, as well as checking their body for any lumps or signs of parasites.
- As gundogs, Cocker Spaniels are naturally drawn to water – and with water comes mud! Bath your dog as often as necessary, making sure to use an appropriate dog shampoo to help limit skin allergies.
- It’s also important to regularly brush your dog’s teeth, as this can help to prevent plaque and tartar from building up and will keep their gums healthy.
Find out more dog health tips to help your pet stay in the best condition.
Cocker Spaniel nutrition

With a real love for food, and a tendency to form a close bond with the person who feeds them, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on a Cocker Spaniel’s weight. Vets recommend a nutritious, high-quality pet food diet.
- Stick to the food packaging guidelines when weighing out your dog’s food but bear in mind your dog’s age, size and activity level when determining portion sizes.
- If your Cocker Spaniel is a working dog, ask your vet about an appropriate high-protein diet to ensure they’re getting the extra energy they need.
Cocker Spaniel frequently asked questions
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Cocker Spaniel insurance considerations
We always offer these things as standard:
Physiotherapy & pet therapies
Along with physiotherapy, which is covered within the Vet Bills benefit, we also cover Pet Therapies like herbal medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture. You can also claim for hydrotherapy, up to £500 per illness/injury in dogs and cats (no additional limit for rabbits).
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