Filled with great enthusiasm and joy, Cocker Spaniels never fail to please their owners. Initially bred for hunting, the Cocker Spaniel has now managed to become one of the world’s best family dogs.
Fast Facts On Cocker Spaniel
Origin: England 
Weight: Male: 13 – 16 Kg
Female: 12 – 15 Kg
Height: Male: 38 – 43 cm
Female: 36 – 41 cm
Coat: Soft and Wavy
Skin Colour: Solid black, liver, red, black and tan, liver and tan, parti-coloured, ticked, roan
Life Span: 12 – 14 Years
Cocker Spaniel Characteristics
Energy Level – Medium
Exercise Needs – Medium
Playfulness – Very Playful
Affection Level – Very Affectionate
Friendliness With Other Dogs – Very Friendly
Friendliness Toward Strangers – Very Friendly
Tendency to Bark – High
Tendency to Drool – Moderate
Watchdog Ability – Low
Guarding Potential – Not Very Protective
Grooming Needs – Moderate Maintenance
Cold Tolerance – Medium Tolerance
Heat Tolerance – Medium Tolerance
Veterinarian Visit – Frequent
What Are The Best Foods For Cocker Spaniels?
Food For Newborn Cocker Spaniels (0 to 2 months)
Newborn Cocker Spaniels need their mother’s milk for the first two months. If it is not available, you can feed them a good-quality milk replacer or semi-moist foods. Some of the best foods for newborn Cocker Spaniels are given below:
Food For Puppy Cocker Spaniel (2 to 12 months)
Cocker pups grow quickly during their first few months and hence need a diet loaded with protein. They need to be fed in smaller amounts throughout the day so as not to burden their little tummies. The following are some of the best foods for puppy Cocker Spaniels:
Food for Adult Cocker Spaniel (Above 12 months)
Adult Cocker Spaniels need a balanced diet that fulfils all their nutritional demands. Organic fibres are also essential to keep a healthy digestion in them. Some of the best foods for adult Cocker Spaniels are listed below:
Food For Senior Cocker Spaniel (Above 9 Years)
Since senior Spaniels might have slowed down a little bit, they shall do well with low calorie foods. Omega fatty acids are suggested in their diet for maintaining the strength of bones and joints. Below are some of the best foods you can feed your ageing Cocker Spaniels:
Are Cocker Spaniels Friendly?
Naturally, Cocker Spaniels are friendly dogs who do great with fellow dogs and cats. Their gentle and affectionate nature also makes them great family pets. Due to their soft personality, Cocker Spaniels should not be subjected to harsh treatment. They can exhibit unhealthy behaviour when they are given tough commands.
Are Cocker Spaniels Good Watch Dogs?
They are too friendly with fellow humans and pets to be good watchdogs. Even though they bark at seeing suspicious things, there is a high chance they will not alert you while seeing an intruder. Cocker Spaniels are one of those breeds that just love people.
How Often Should I Bathe My Cocker Spaniels?
Cocker Spaniels are a breed having a wavy coat that gets dirty pretty quickly. Hence these dogs need to be bathed bi-weekly to keep them in good hygiene. During rainy seasons, you may have to bathe him weekly due to the risk of ticks and fleas. If you manage to see ticks and fleas on their skin, you can use some premium quality disinfectant shampoos that would get rid of these parasites quickly.
How Often Should I Groom Them?
Try to give a quick brush to your Cocker Spaniels every day, even if it is for 2-3 minutes. This tremendously helps to keep their hair neat and clean. A thorough combing is needed weekly to prevent the problem of tangling and matting of the hair. You can use a medium-sized slicker brush for cleansing all the dirt and dust from your Cocker’s body.
What are the Pros and Cons of a Cocker Spaniel?
Pros
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Cocker Spaniels love to please their owners each time, making them great companion dogs.
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They are a highly adaptive dog breed who can adjust to a wide range of climates.
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Cocker Spaniels show unconditional love for kids and toddlers.
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Due to their relatively high intelligence, Cocker Spaniels are easy to train.
Cons
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Cocker Spaniels can develop separation anxiety when left alone.
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These dogs need considerable amount of daily exercise.
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Cocker Spaniels are a little bit exposed to health issues like dermatitis and auto-immune disorders.
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Due to their long and dense hair, you may have to do a lot of grooming.
Some Interesting Facts About Cocker Spaniel
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There are two kinds of Cocker Spaniels, American and England.
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A Cocker Spaniel named Tangle, was the first Cancer-Detecting Dog.
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Cocker Spaniels are the smallest sporting dog breed.
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Former US President Richard Nixon owned a Cocker Spaniel.
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They are the most scientifically studied dogs in the world.
History of Cocker Spaniel
The Cocker Spaniels have a history that dates back to 500 years. The early spaniels in England were divided among land and water spaniels. The water spaniels tremendously helped the hunters to retrieve water fowls that were shot down by arrows. The land spaniels were of two types, setting spaniels and springing spaniels. Setting spaniels used to creep down and point their game which allowed the hunters to trap them with nets. Springing spaniels, on the other hand, used to sprang on partridges and pheasants for hunting alongside with the falcons. They also teamed up with the greyhounds to hunt rabbits. The modern Cocker Spaniels we see were bred from these springing spaniels.
