The Cocker Spaniel is a relatively small, compact dog, with a height of approximately: dogs: 39-41 cms (15 ½ -16 ins) for dogs; and for bitches: 38-39 cms (15-15 ½ ins). Weight is approximately: dogs 14.5kg's and bitches 12.7kg's (28 - 32 lbs). A Weight Chart for cockers from birth to adulthood can be seen here.

The Cocker is classed as a medium sized dog. The average life span of a well cared for and healthy Cocker is approximately 10 - 12 years although there are many dogs who live to fifteen plus.

The Cocker was originally developed from its larger cousin the Field Spaniel. Cockers were bred to flush out birds from under bushes and hedgerows etc.

There are a wide variety of colours (the base colours are black, red and liver in solids and in parti-colours there are blue, orange and liver [chocolate]). In the parti-colours, each of the base colours can be roan (mottled) or open marks (clear areas of white).

In addition to the base colours, both the solid and parti-colours can have tan points. However, tan points are not easily discernable on solid red or orange roan/orange and white dogs. Lemon roan/white does not occur very frequently in show bred cockers but does occur in the working bred cocker.

The Cocker Spaniel is a gundog, and he will enjoy (given the opportunity!) many happy hours investigating interesting smells and looking for the opportunity to flush out wildlife from the surrounding countryside. Equally, a Cocker is at home on his owner's lap or in front of the fire. Most Cockers (although not all) like water and relish the occasional swim. Cockers are adaptable dogs and can be easily trained to retrieve as well as flush.

For full details of the Breed Standard please go the UK Kennel Club site via this link.

Cocker Spaniels are a popular breed; however, this popularity can create problems. Unfortunately, far too many cockers are being bred simply for profit, so it is wise to seek out a responsible breeder with a genuine commitment to Cockers, whether it is a show or working type.

They are a breed that are very much “in your face” and would not suit owners who want placid dogs who are content to sit and be calm and quiet all day whilst owners are busy. They really do thrive on love and attention and can be quite lively, bouncy and exuberant due to their zest for life.

Cockers are breed which can be manipulative due to their intelligence and the fact that they are in tune with their owners and need firm (clear rules and boundaries) but kind and gentle handling. Their soulful eyes and sweet demeanour can mean that they look sad and owners may be tempted to excuse any unacceptable behaviour that occasionally arises which can result in an unruly and disobedient dog.

Cockers are not a breed for owners who are very house-proud, due to their long coats, big paws and love of rooting about in the undergrowth they can bring a lot of dirt, moisture and debris into the home. They also shed significantly if left in full coat.

Cockers are generally very tolerant of children and owners should ensure that children behave appropriately towards them as a well socialised and trained cocker is very unlikely to retaliate should he get hurt or frightened.

Cockers are generally very friendly towards other animals including other dogs, cats and small pets. Early socialisation around other animals is important though as like many dogs they will chase other animals (to play with them as opposed to hurt them) if not trained appropriately from a young age.

Cocker Spaniels are known for their fun, lively and kind natures. They are happy little dogs with ever wagging tails whose aim in life is to please.

They are also friendly and busy little dogs who thrive on human company and really prefer to be around people most of the time. A Cocker likes to be with the family and if allowed will follow you from room to room. They are merry and happy dogs, they are happy to work, happy to play and above all, they are happy to be cuddled and fussed!

They are a very expressive and smart breed, seem to absorb what you are telling them, and react accordingly (most of the time!) Cockers have very gentle and soft personalities and do not like to feel as if they have displeased their owners, their feelings can be easily wounded and they respond badly to overly strict handling by becoming withdrawn and miserable.

They are generally quite intelligent and can be lively and often looking for mischief! They are a breed which is kind and sweet natured, however due to their intelligence they can be manipulative and will attempt to steer situations to their advantage if not kept in check, they can also be quite strong willed and determined.

Cocker Spaniels make brilliant family pets due to their wonderful temperament. The Cocker's reputation goes before him as a friendly, happy and well-mannered dog. They are easy to train (with patience and consistency), eager to please and make devoted companions.

The Cocker Spaniel has a long and silky coat. The Cocker coat, if not clipped will require regular and thorough grooming in order to prevent matting and to keep the dog comfortable. Heavily coated cockers can get very woolly quite quickly and this is uncomfortable for the dog and adds to the time taken to keep the dog mat and tangle free.

A well-trimmed Cocker is a pleasure to behold, however it does take time (lots of time!) and practice to keep a cocker in full coat without the dog looking like a sheep in need of shearing!

New owners should take time to familiarise themselves with the coat care of a Cocker (your breeder should be a good source of information, they will perhaps be willing to advise you or in some cases they will trim dogs for a living).

There are two "styles" of trimming a cocker, the first (used by show breeders) is to "hand strip.” Hand stripping is the removal of surplus hair coat by gentle plucking until the dog is neat and tidy. Only the old and dead hair is removed and when done correctly this method of trimming does not hurt the dog. Delicate areas, the feet and the ends of the feathering are finished using scissors. Hand stripping leaves the coat soft and natural looking. It is however, a technique that needs to be learned and it is also time consuming and can be quite arduous! The aim of trimming a cocker is to trim the coat so the natural shape (construction) of the dog is visible but in such a way as to appear as if the coat grew naturally!

The other method of trimming a cocker is to use electric clippers. Skilful use of the clippers can produce a dog that looks to be in "show trim" but without the hours of work hand stripping involves. It is important to note that if a dog is to be shown its coat must be hand trimmed, the use of clippers is not acceptable.

To see photos of a dog being hand stripped visit our "hand stripping" page.

If you wish to have your Cocker professionally trimmed, find a grooming parlour who knows about Cocker Spaniels. Most grooming parlours will clip cockers in a short "gundog" clip i.e. all hair and feathering taken off to within 2 - 3 millimetres! Some will clip and leave feathers on but owners should be aware that most grooming parlours do not know where to leave feathering and where to take it away which often results in a rather "misshapen" appearance compared to the look of a show trimmed cocker.

Due to the time consuming nature of hand stripping most if not all grooming parlours will not hand strip a cockers coat. Occasionally a grooming parlour will be willing to strip the coat, however this is usually done with tools (i.e. a terrier stripping knife) as opposed to removing surplus coat by hand (plucking). Once a dog has had its coat trimmed by tools, it can be difficult to revert to hand stripping due to the "damage" done to the coat.

The average Cocker will require clipping on a six to eight week basis or if hand stripped, the coat will need attention more frequently.

The history of the cocker spaniel and the other spaniel breeds in the Gundog Group. For more information please click see our history of the breed page.