Meet: The Cocker Spaniel

If there was ever a dog that deserved the name “sweetheart”, it’s surely the Cocker Spaniel. One of the most brilliant breeds for pets, this dog started life as a hunting dog, but it’s caught our hearts and is now one of the most well-regarded pets in the UK. Let’s learn a little more about them.

Origins

The Cocker Spaniel is a very long lived breed and arrived in the UK in the 15th Century from Spain. They take their name from their renowned prowess at hunting woodcock; a trait that made them very popular when the nobility were very enthusiastic about eating woodcock. And of course they belong to the Spaniel family, bred to flush game (including woodcock) from dense brush.

Appearance

There are several sub-breeds of Cocker Spaniel out there but essentially they come down to the American and English breeds. American Cocker Spaniels tend to have much longer hair and longer ears, while the English Cocker Spaniel has a much larger muzzle and head. Both breeds grow to around 40cm tall (give or take) and typically they weigh under 15kg. This makes them very small for spaniels but they’re not quite the smallest breed (the King Charles Spaniel, appropriately, retains that crown). And because of their long, curly coats, this breed requires a fair bit of grooming to keep them looking sharp and feeling comfortable and clean. 

Temperament

As we said at the start, these dogs, if cared for well, are absolute sweethearts. From their love of getting involved in family activities to their fondness for a good cuddle, they’re just lovely. They don’t tend to be too yappy, but they’ve got a good bark on them and they’re not afraid to use it, and though this is one of their ways of showing their excitement, it can also be a sign of boredom so you need to keep them entertained. They also have a tail that goes like the absolute clappers so it’s not too uncommon to see dogs of this breed with a docked tail.

Exercise

As well as being a bundle of joy, the Cocker Spaniel is also a bundle of energy. It may be small, but you’ll still need to give this dog at the very least an hour’s exercise each day to keep them fit and healthy. They can be lightning fast too, so you’ll need to work hard to keep up with this dog. 

The Cocker Spaniel makes a wonderful dog to bring into your home, and should they deserve a treat, we have some wonderful dog treats for them to enjoy.