Where the English Cocker Spaniel comes from
The English Cocker Spaniel was recognised as a breed separate from the Field and Springer Spaniels shortly after the Kennel Club was founded in 1873.
Its name comes from the “cocking spaniel”, which flushed woodcock from cover. The FCI standard describes a merry dog with an ever-wagging tail, fearless in undergrowth, gentle and affectionate.
Height at the shoulder (FCI standard): 39–41 cm (15½–16 in) for males, 38–39 cm (15–15½ in) for females.
How to recognise me
- long, feathered ears
- silky coat, flat or slightly wavy
- tail always on the move
- compact, athletic body
- soft, expressive eyes
My colours
- Golden
- Black
- Blue roan
- Orange roan
What a English Cocker Spaniel needs day to day
“My tail speaks for me: I’m happy all the time! A walk through the bushes, and life is perfect.”
A Cocker needs plenty of daily exercise, ideally with time to search and sniff in safe places. Without it, its energy turns into restlessness at home.
At a glance
- Exercise
- 4 out of 5
- Grooming
- 4 out of 5
- Coping alone
- 2 out of 5
- Ease of training
- 4 out of 5
- Flat living
- 3 out of 5
every dog is unique, of course!
With me, we can go…
- searching through bushes
- fetching a ball
- long walks
- swimming
Living with a English Cocker Spaniel: who does what
Most of a dog’s care is repeated, shared and easy to forget. Here is the English Cocker Spaniel’s routine at a glance, and how a household can split it without a single “did anyone…?” message.
The routine at a glance
- every day
- two weighed meals; two or three walks, including one long, sniffy outing; a quick check of ears and paws after walks (grass seeds in summer); a play or fetch session.
- every week
- several brushing sessions, ears and feathering included; an ear clean if needed.
- every month
- a weigh-in; flea, tick and worming treatment on your vet’s schedule; trimming around the feet and ears, or a groom every couple of months.
- every year
- the vet check-up, an eye check and vaccine boosters.
Sharing it out
- Whoever does the walk does the post-walk check: ears, between the toes and armpits, especially from spring to autumn.
- Put a towel and a comb by the door, so drying and de-tangling is part of coming home rather than a separate chore.
- Children can help with brushing the feathering, with an adult finishing the ears.
Before it arrives, agree on…
- who does the post-walk ear and paw check
- the grooming budget and who books the groomer
- the daily ration — it is a glutton
- how off-lead walks work around small animals and roads
- who covers the middle of the day
How MyArk helps the household keep track
Dog walk log
See who walked it and when — and who should have checked for grass seeds.
See the featureRecurring pet care reminders
Recurring reminders for grooming, ear care and parasite treatment.
See the featurePet feeding tracker
Log meals so this glutton does not get two dinners.
See the featureFamily pet chores
Share walks, brushing and checks visibly between household members.
See the featureFeeding, grooming and health routine
Coat care is a real commitment: frequent, sometimes daily brushing, and grooming appointments to budget from the start.
What I eat
- a complete food suited to its age
- a weighed ration — it is a glutton
- fresh water at all times
My health routine
- a microchip registered with your details (a legal requirement in many countries, including the UK and France)
- core vaccinations, then boosters on the schedule your vet sets
- worming and flea and tick treatment on a regular schedule
- a weigh-in every month and a vet check-up every year
The stages of my life
- puppy
- Socialisation and gentle, reward-based training.
- adult
- Sport, games and long walks.
- senior
- From about 8 years old, a gentler pace.
What to keep an eye on
MyArk describes predispositions through visible body shape and simple checks rather than a list of diseases: it is what you can verify from the outside, and act on when choosing a breeder.
Drop ears
Ears that hang down let less air into the ear canal, which makes infections more likely. A weekly check, and drying the ears after every swim, makes a real difference.
Strong chase instinct
The urge to chase can kick in faster than the recall. Plan how it will meet the household’s small pets, and keep off-lead time to fenced areas until the recall is reliable.
Eyes
Have its eyes checked regularly by the vet, and see the vet if an eye is red, watery or held half-closed.
Grass seeds
In summer, check its ears and paws after every outing: grass seeds lodge there easily and must be removed promptly.
And, as for every dog:
- weight: extra kilos strain the joints, heart and breathing
- teeth, ears and nails, checked regularly
- parasite prevention and the vaccination schedule, with your vet
Is it the right dog for your household?
A dog is a social animal that copes badly with long days alone: the real question is less the breed than the time your household has. Before committing, consider rescues and rehoming charities too.
- Home
- Copes with a flat only if the walks and daily exercise genuinely happen.
- Young children
- Usually gentle and playful, with clear rules on both sides and supervision.
- Other pets
- Take care with small pets: the urge to chase can override the recall.
- First dog
- Not ideal as a very first dog: its energy and grooming need experience, time or support.
- Time alone
- Rated 2 out of 5: it is sociable and dislikes long absences.
English Cocker Spaniel: straight answers
Is an English Cocker Spaniel a good family dog?
It is cheerful, affectionate and usually good with children. It suits active households that can handle its exercise and coat care.
How do you care for a Cocker Spaniel’s ears?
Check them weekly and after every walk, dry them after swimming, and see the vet at any smell, redness or head-shaking. In summer, look for grass seeds.
How much grooming does a Cocker need?
Several brushing sessions a week, with regular trimming around the feet and ears, either at home or at a groomer.
How big does an English Cocker Spaniel get?
According to the FCI standard, 39 to 41 cm at the shoulder for males and 38 to 39 cm for females, for an adult weight of roughly 12 to 15 kg.
What colours does the English Cocker Spaniel come in?
The usual colours are golden, black, blue roan and orange roan.