Cocker Spaniel — breed guide
The smallest sporting breed: soft-eyed, affectionate and happiest with moderate walks and lots of company.
At a glance
- Group
- sporting
- Size
- Small
- Weight
- 9–14 kg (20–31 lb)
- Life span
- 10–14 years
- Coat
- Silky coat with abundant feathering
Living with a Cocker Spaniel
- Moderate energy — a proper walk every day.
- Daily grooming — this coat is a commitment.
- Moderate shedding.
- Quick to learn.
- Vocal when there is a reason.
- Good with children.
- Gets along with other dogs.
- Typically lives happily with a cat.
- Suits apartment living, given its daily walks.
- A reasonable choice for a first-time owner.
- Average heat tolerance.
- Average cold tolerance.
Temperament
Gentle · Merry · Eager · Soft-tempered
Health to watch
- Ear infections
- Cataracts
- Hip dysplasia
- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
Owner-logged information shared via Leash Life is not veterinary advice; ask your vet about screening for these.
Did you know
Named for the woodcock they flushed, Cockers inspired Disney’s Lady — and topped US popularity charts in the 1950s.
Questions people ask
Is a Cocker Spaniel good with kids?
Generally yes. Cocker Spaniels are usually good with children when raised with them and given their own quiet space.
Is a Cocker Spaniel good with cats?
Usually yes. Cocker Spaniels typically settle well with a resident cat — introduce them slowly and give the cat a high perch and a way out of the room.
How much exercise does a Cocker Spaniel need?
A real walk every day, around 30–60 minutes.
Can a Cocker Spaniel handle hot weather?
About average — use normal hot-day sense.
Leash Life keeps a Cocker Spaniel's day — walks, meals, meds, weight — in one shared feed for the whole household, and warns on the walk weather this breed can't take. Free to start.