Most people start looking up Cocker Spaniels when they’re weighing up a breed that can live closely with the family—then reality sets in: daily ear checks, regular grooming, and an active mind that needs something to do.
Cocker Spaniels can be steady, affectionate companions, but they’re not a “set and forget” dog. Size, coat care, exercise needs and common health risks vary, so it helps to know what’s typical for the breed—and what to ask a breeder or vet before you commit.
Quick facts: Cocker Spaniel (English type)
- Breed type: Gundog (spaniel)
- Country of origin: United Kingdom (England)
- Size: Medium
- Also known as: English Cocker Spaniel, “Cocker”
- Height: Dogs approx. 39–41 cm; bitches approx. 38–39 cm1
- Weight: Approx. 13–14.5 kg (typical breed standard range)1
- Exercise requirements: Medium to high (often up to around an hour a day for many adults)2
- Grooming: High (coat and ears need routine attention)2
- Lifespan: Often 12+ years; many live into their early teens with good care3
- Best suited as: Companion dog for households that can provide daily exercise, training and grooming
History and origin
The Cocker Spaniel developed in Britain as a small, athletic gundog, bred to work through thick cover and flush game birds—particularly woodcock, which is where “cocker” comes from.2
In the UK, the breed became formally recognised as its own variety in the late 19th century, after spaniels were increasingly classified by size and work type rather than grouped together.2
Today, most people meet Cockers as family dogs rather than working gundogs, but the original design is still there: a nose that stays busy, a body that wants to move, and a mind that learns quickly when training is clear and kind.
Physical characteristics and appearance
English Cocker Spaniels are compact, slightly longer than tall, and built to trot for hours. Their coat is medium length with feathering, and it can be solid or parti-coloured (including roan patterns), with colours defined in the Australian breed standard.1
Their long, pendulous ears are part of the classic look, but they’re also a practical consideration: less airflow and more trapped moisture can make the ear canal a friendlier place for inflammation and infection if routine care slips.6
Working line vs show line
You’ll sometimes hear people talk about “working” and “show” Cockers. Both are the same breed, but they can differ in coat, drive and daily exercise needs. A dog bred for field work may be lighter, faster, and more intense about scent and movement.
Personality and temperament
Cocker Spaniels are widely known as sociable, biddable dogs that enjoy being close to their people. Many are gentle with children when raised with steady handling and taught calm manners early.3
They can also be busy. A bored Cocker often finds its own work—shadow-chasing, scavenging, barking at movement, or inventing games that don’t suit the household. This isn’t “naughtiness” so much as a dog doing what it was built to do: notice, search, and respond.
Training and exercise needs
Most adult Cockers do best with daily exercise that lets them sniff, trot and explore, not just a lap around the block. As a general guide, many will cope well with up to about an hour a day, adjusted for age, weather and fitness.2
Training tends to go smoothly when it’s reward-based and consistent. Keep sessions short, use food or play as payment, and practise calm skills (settle, wait, loose-lead walking) as often as energetic ones. Early socialisation matters too—gentle exposure to people, dogs, surfaces, sounds and handling while the dog is still young.
Simple daily enrichment that suits the breed
- Scatter feeding in grass or a snuffle mat to let them forage
- Short scent trails in the yard or on walks
- Two-minute training “micro-sessions” throughout the day
- Retrieving games that end before the dog winds up too far
Health concerns to be aware of
All breeds have patterns of risk. With Cocker Spaniels, ears and eyes deserve calm, routine attention, and skin can flare if allergies or moisture get a foothold.
Ears: otitis externa (outer ear infections)
Pendulous ears and moisture (including from swimming) can predispose dogs to otitis externa. Regular checks, drying after water play, and prompt vet attention for redness, odour, head-shaking or pain can prevent minor irritation becoming a chronic problem.6
Eyes
Some Cocker Spaniels are prone to eye disease. If you notice cloudiness, redness, discharge, squinting, or your dog hesitating on stairs, treat it as a vet issue rather than a “wait and see”. Regular veterinary checks help pick up problems earlier.
Skin
Feathered coats can hold moisture and debris close to the skin, especially in warm or wet weather. If itching, redness or recurrent ear trouble becomes a pattern, ask your vet about allergies and underlying causes rather than repeatedly treating the symptoms.
Grooming and coat maintenance
A Cocker coat is beautiful, but it needs maintenance. Expect to brush several times a week (often daily in high-friction areas like ears, chest, belly and feathering) to prevent mats, which can pull the skin and hide irritation.2
Many owners use a professional groomer every 6–10 weeks, then do short, regular upkeep at home. Keep nails trimmed, teeth brushed, and hair around the feet and sanitary areas neat so the dog stays comfortable.
Ear care basics
- Check ears weekly (more often if your dog swims).
- Look for redness, odour, discharge, or frequent scratching/head-shaking.
- Only use ear cleaners recommended by your vet, especially if the ear looks inflamed.
Breeding and puppy care
If you’re buying a puppy, choose a breeder who health-tests, raises pups in a home environment, and can talk plainly about temperament in their lines. Ask what they do to expose puppies to handling, household noise, different surfaces, and gentle separation (so the pup learns to settle).
Vaccinations in Australia (typical guidance)
Vaccination schedules vary with risk and your veterinarian’s advice, but Australian guidance commonly starts core vaccines at 6–8 weeks, with boosters every 2–4 weeks until at least 16 weeks of age. Adult boosters then continue on a schedule advised by your vet.5
Until your puppy has completed the primary course, be cautious with high-dog-traffic areas (like busy parks). Ask your vet when it’s safe to start visiting public places.7
Cocker Spaniels in pop culture
Disney’s Lady and the Tramp (1955) features Lady as a cocker spaniel, and the character is commonly described as an American Cocker Spaniel in modern references and cast descriptions.9
“Wishbone”, from the 1990s PBS series, is often misremembered as a spaniel cross, but the TV dog is a Jack Russell Terrier.10
Final thoughts
A Cocker Spaniel suits people who enjoy a dog that’s close by, observant, and ready to move—then content to settle when the day has been properly spent. They reward routine: a daily walk with time to sniff, short training sessions, clean ears, and a coat kept free of knots. Do those things, and the breed’s famous softness and sparkle tend to show up on their own.
References
- Dogs Australia (ANKC) – Cocker Spaniel breed standard (size, weight, colours)
- The Kennel Club (UK) – Spaniel (Cocker) breed information
- Hill’s Pet Australia – English Cocker Spaniel breed profile
- RSPCA Knowledgebase – What vaccinations should my dog receive?
- Merck Veterinary Manual – Otitis externa in animals (predisposing factors including pendulous ears and moisture)
- RSPCA Australia – What you need to know about pet vaccinations
- Lady and the Tramp (1955) – film article (character description and cast notes)
- Wishbone (TV series) – series article (Wishbone is a Jack Russell Terrier)
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom