Breed Overview
The English Cocker Spaniel is part of the Sporting Group. In short, this dog has plenty of stamina and energy. Their job is to flush and retrieve birds out from heavy cover. Other talents they exhibited are retrieving, agility, tracking, and watchdog.
Affectionate, polite and playful yet trainable, the "Merry Cocker" has a cheerful nature making them a great family pet. However, their sensitive Spaniel temperament will need a gentle hand when training.With this in mind, they will not respond well to harsh discipline, but to a firm and consistent pack leader. Separation anxiety may be an issue for these people oriented dogs.
For more on the breed check out the
American Kennel Club.
Life Expectancy
This breed will typically have a life expectancy of between 12-14 years.
Size & Activity Level
The English Cocker Spaniel will typically weigh between 25-35 pounds. This dog was bred to hunt all day and has the energy to burn. This spaniel will enjoy all the exercise he can get. The Cocker Spaniel is known to do well in agility competitions and loves to swim.
The English Cocker Spaniel will often bond a great deal with one individual within the family. In addition, he is very smart and independent, making them more difficult to train. As a matter of fact, this breed is not for everyone, since a more timid owner will be overrun by this dogs willfulness.
Care & Grooming
Because their coat sheds moderately, but regular brushing will keep loose hair from floating onto you and your home. An occasional bath every 6 weeks will help control loose hair and provide a fresh smelling dog to you. Coupled with that, causes many owners to opt for grooming professionally.
Long, heavy ears are prone to infection. Most important, keep the ears clean and dry to prevent bacterial or yeast infections from driving your dog into a state of itchy madness. On the positive side, all the rest is basic care, nail trimming and teeth cleaning.
