Cocker Spaniel Facts

AKA:  American Cocker Spaniel

Ease of training:  High

Shedding:  Medium

Energy level:  Medium

Good with children:  Yes, especially when raised with them

Temperament

A charming and gentle mannered creature, the Cocker Spaniel is a dog that enjoys playing but also has a calm and dignified manner. This is a dog that gets along well with children, especially when raised with them, and gets on well with other animals and with strangers. The Cocker Spaniel is a sociable and amiable dog with a cheerful outlook on life and a responsive attitude. A highly intelligent making the Cocker Spaniel a stand-out at obedience training. The Cocker Spaniel is a dog that will usually be pretty easy to train, and will be fine for the more inexperienced dog owner as well as more experienced owners.

The Cocker Spaniel is a willing, enthusiastic, and keen dog, and is eager to please, active, and very friendly. Owners may find that these dogs are difficult to housebreak, and often barking can be a problem. These dogs are  affectionate, which is great news for those looking for a devoted pet, but the Cocker Spaniel can sometimes get a little over dedicated and clingy, which makes him something of a demanding pet, and certainly not ideal for those that cannot dedicate the time to look after a pet and pay it plenty of attention.

Appearance

The Cocker Spaniel is a pretty, dignified, and elegant looking dog, with a silky, medium length coat and a shorter, undercoat. The coloring can be black, buff, or chocolate, and may have tan trims. The ears of the Cocker Spaniel are long, silky, and hang to the side, adding to its sweet and innocent expression.

Grooming

The coat of the Cocker Spaniel should be brushed every couple of days in order to keep it in good condition, and clipped every couple months. Also, during grooming sessions you should check the ear canals to ensure that they are clean and dry.

Health Problems and Life Expectancy

The life expectancy of the Cocker Spaniel is around 10-14 years, and there are a number of health problems that are linked to this breed. This includes PRS. HD, cataracts, autoimmune problems, skin conditions, and epilepsy. You should ensure that the parents of the Cocker Spaniel have OFA and CERF certificates.

Adapted from:  http://www.justdogbreeds.com/cocker-spaniel.html