Cocker Spaniel

Origin & history

The Cocker Spaniel was developed in England from the old family of land spaniels, taking its name from its skill at flushing woodcock from dense cover. For much of the 1800s spaniels were sorted by size from a single working stock, and the smaller flushing dogs were eventually recognised as the Cocker, separate from the larger Springer, by the end of the century. The breed's gentle nature and handy size soon made it as popular in the home as in the field. In the United States a lighter, more profusely coated type was bred for the show ring and became the separate American Cocker Spaniel, while the original remained the English Cocker. In Australia the Cocker has long been one of the more popular spaniels, valued both as a shooting companion and as a family pet.

Temperament

The Cocker Spaniel is sociable, gentle and genuinely fond of company, one of the reasons it has stayed so popular as a family dog. It is typically very good with children and happy living alongside other dogs and pets, especially when raised with them. Most Cockers are friendly rather than wary with strangers, so while they may bark a greeting they make better companions than guard dogs. They are intelligent and eager to please, which makes them quick to train with positive, reward-based methods, though they can be sensitive and do not respond well to heavy-handedness. Some lines are quite soft and a few can be prone to submissive wetting when excited. The main behavioural needs are daily exercise, mental stimulation and plenty of inclusion, as a Cocker left bored and alone may bark or find its own entertainment.

Appearance

Cocker Spaniels stand roughly 38 to 41 cm at the shoulder and usually weigh about 12 to 16 kg, making them a sturdy small to medium dog. The build is compact and well balanced, giving the impression of a dog packed with energy. The head is refined with a soft, intelligent expression, and the long, low-set ears are covered in fine, silky hair. The coat is flat or slightly wavy, never curly, with feathering on the ears, chest, legs and belly. Colours are wide-ranging and include solid black, golden, red, liver, and various parti-colours and roans, often with tan markings.

Suitability

Cocker Spaniels adapt well to most homes, from houses with yards to apartments, provided they get a proper daily walk and time with their people. Their friendly, trainable nature makes them a good choice for first-time owners and active families. They are sociable dogs that prefer not to be left alone for long stretches and can fret if regularly isolated. The medium coat copes reasonably with the Australian climate but needs regular grooming to prevent matting, and on hot days walks are best kept to the cooler hours with shade and water available. Ear care deserves special mention here, as the warm, humid conditions in much of Australia make those long ears especially prone to infection.

Health

Cocker Spaniels generally live around 12 to 14 years. The breed's long, hairy ears trap moisture and make ear infections very common, so routine cleaning is part of ownership. Inherited eye conditions are a real concern, including progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts, both of which can be screened, and the breed can also carry hip dysplasia. Some solid-coloured English Cockers have shown a rare temperament problem sometimes called rage syndrome, involving sudden unprovoked aggression, though it is uncommon and good breeders avoid affected lines. Buy from a breeder who eye-tests, hip scores and DNA-tests for PRA, and who is candid about temperament in their dogs. Keep the ears clean and dry and stay on top of dental care.