Cocker Spaniel: Temperament, Training, Grooming, Nutrition

Q: Do Cocker Spaniels shed?

Cocker Spaniels are a moderate shedding breed. They will drop hair all year round but they tend to have a heavier shed in the transitions between winter and spring and summer and autumn. There’s nothing you can do to stop shedding, but brushing your dog regularly will help to remove some of that loose hair and keep your Cocker Spaniel’s coat in tip top condition!

Q: Are Cocker Spaniels aggressive?

Due to their kind and gentle nature, Cocker Spaniels are consistently ranked as one of the UK’s most popular dog breeds. Friendly, loyal and intelligent, the Cocker Spaniel makes for a great family pet that will live very happily in a busy household alongside other pets. However, their intelligence and energetic nature means they need plenty of mental stimulation and physical exercise as well as adequate socialisation from an early age to keep unwanted behaviours, such as aggression, at bay.

Q: Are Cocker Spaniels good family dogs?

Sociable and adaptable, Cocker Spaniels love to be around people and live happily in busy family environments. Whilst they are very friendly with children and other pets, their high energy means they have a tendency to be boisterous and may be better suited to households with older children. As with all breeds, playtime between your Cocker Spaniel and children should be supervised to make sure everyone stays safe and happy.

Q: When do Cocker Spaniels calm down?

Cocker Spaniels are extremely intelligent and energetic dogs and usually continue to act like a puppies well into their adult years and don’t ever truly slow down. Cocker Spaniels need plenty of mental stimulation and physical exercise throughout their life to keep excessive energy and behavioural problems at bay.

Q: Are Cocker Spaniels easy to train?

As a working breed, Cocker Spaniels are intelligent and eager to please, making them easy to train. Cocker Spaniels are quick learners who respond well to positive reinforcement methods. It’s worth remembering, however, that this is an extremely active breed and Cocker Spaniels can get over-excited and distracted easily so keep training sessions short and fun. It’s also important to start basic training early, with plenty of socialisation from puppyhood.

Q: How much exercise do Cocker Spaniels need?

Active and energetic, Cocker Spaniels need a minimum of one hour’s exercise every day, but most dogs of this breed can keep going for as long as you let them! Make sure you mix up walks often to keep things interesting, and allow plenty of time for sniffing, playing games and lots of off-lead running time in a safe and secure area.

A high energy, fun-loving friend for the whole family

Cocker Spaniels are very happy dogs, always keen to learn and please their owners, which makes them easy to train. Their flat, silky coats come in a variety of colours: black, white, tan or brown, or a mix of any of these. They are very active dogs and love to swim.

Vital Stats

Size:	Medium
Coat:	Long haired, requires daily grooming
Exercise:	1 hour a day
Life span:	12+ years
Breed group:	Gundog
Temperament:	Playful, affectionate, intelligent

Size Medium Coat Long
coat Exercise 1hr Life span 12+years

Cocker Spaniel Temperament & Personality

Originally bred as gundogs, Cocker Spaniels’ natural instincts to ‘work’ mean they’re intelligent, loyal and willing to please.

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

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Cocker Spaniel Training & Exercise

Cocker Spaniel training is highly enjoyable, as the breed is intelligent and very willing to learn. They respond well to obedience training and positive reinforcement.

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.

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Find out more about the conditions that we see most in Cocker Spaniels throughout their lifetime.

More Health Information

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.

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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.

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FAQs

Do Cocker Spaniels shed?

Are Cocker Spaniels aggressive?

Are Cocker Spaniels good family dogs?

When do Cocker Spaniels calm down?

Are Cocker Spaniels easy to train?

How much exercise do Cocker Spaniels need?

Help & Support page

FAQs

Do Cocker Spaniels shed?

Are Cocker Spaniels aggressive?

Are Cocker Spaniels good family dogs?

When do Cocker Spaniels calm down?

Are Cocker Spaniels easy to train?

How much exercise do Cocker Spaniels need?

Help & Support page

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Cocker Spaniel insurance considerations

Choosing the right insurance for your Cocker Spaniel can help keep them happy and healthy should they develop any problems. As some conditions can be lifelong, it’s important to consider the length of time policies cover different conditions when choosing dog insurance. Petplan’s Covered For Life® policies allows you to claim for the same condition year after year, so long as you renew your policy, allowing your pet to receive the best care for ongoing conditions.

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