As pet parents, we all know how amazing owning a loving animal can be. From training them to watching them grow from puppies to full-grown adults, it’s an unforgettable process. However, if you’ve recently adopted a Cocker Spaniel, you might wonder how big your puppy will get. You certainly want your pet to grow up healthy and happy, and a lot of that depends on the dog’s size. American Cocker Spaniels are around 15.5 inches tall and 26 to 30 pounds after they are fully grown, while English Cocker Spaniels are usually slightly bigger. We’ll give you a growth chart and tips on keeping your Cocker Spaniel happy as it grows and becomes an adult.

Cocker Spaniel Breed Overview

If you’re searching for a dog breed that’s loving, gentle, and protective of children, then the Cocker Spaniel just might be the best pet for you. This is an eager-to-please breed, so you shouldn’t have much trouble training one.

Cocker Spaniels were initially bred to be hunting dogs, but today, they are often companion pets instead of hunters. Some of the best things about a Cocker Spaniel are that they can learn new tricks quickly, make you happy with their antics, and provide years of companionship.

One thing to point out is that their friendliness towards strangers means they aren’t great guard dogs, so don’t expect your Cocker to guard the old homestead. While their shedding and drooling are minimal, you’ll want to groom your Cocker Spaniel often to keep the tangles and mats out of their fur.

Cocker Spaniel Size and Growth Chart

There are two types of Cocker Spaniels to choose from when deciding which to give a forever home, the American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel. Both dogs have big hearts, friendly temperaments, and gorgeous coats.

Socializing either breed at a young age will give you a loyal, loving, affectionate pet in return. You can expect your English Cocker Spaniel to reach between 15 and 17 inches tall and top out at between 26 and 34 pounds. The American Cocker Spaniel grows 13.5 to 15.5 inches tall and weighs 20 to 30 pounds when fully grown.

American Cocker Spaniel

English Cocker Spaniel

 

When Does a Cocker Spaniel Stop Growing?

Cocker Spaniels are sporting dogs, but they are the smallest dog in the sporting group. As with any breed, the Cocker is going to grow at its own pace, and how fast they grow depends on a few factors.

You can expect your Cocker to stop growing between 9 to 12 months of age. They usually reach their maximum weight by 24 months. They’ll be able to maintain that ideal weight throughout the rest of their lives if they exercise and are fed properly.

Factors Affecting the Size of a Cocker Spaniel

There are a few factors that can affect the size of your Cocker Spaniel as a puppy and as an adult. You can expect your male Cocker to be taller and heavier than your female, which is true for most breeds.

Genetics also play a key role in the size of your pet. For example, if the parents of your Cocker were big, it stands to reason that your Cocker would be as well. Of course, nutrition is going to be a significant factor in your pet’s growth. It’s best to feed a dog high-quality, protein-filled dog food, especially in the first 6 to 12 months of the dog’s life. Physical activity and how much exercise your Cocker Spaniel is getting will determine their size as well.

Ideal Diet for Maintaining a Healthy Weight

As we’ve already stated above, wet or dry premium dog food is the ideal choice for the Cocker Spaniel. Cockers maintain their healthy weight easier on a diet of meat proteins, moderate carbs, minerals, omega fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, which you can get in a good-quality dog food.

Since a Cocker Spaniel is an energetic pup, they need the right mix of food to be healthy, happy, and to meet their energetic needs. It’s best to avoid foods that are full of cheap fillers, as these will have no benefit to your pet at all. Brands such as Purina, Royal Canin, and Hill’s Pet are perfect for Cocker Spaniels and come in formulations that are specific to this active breed’s needs. However, your veterinarian can provide advice on your food selection and how much to feed your pet.

How to Measure Your Cocker Spaniel

Measuring your Cocker Spaniel isn’t as hard as you might think. All you need is a fabric measuring tape and the ability to measure your dog from its rear end (not including the tail) to the withers. If you’re unsure of how to measure your Cocker Spaniel, or it won’t sit still for you to measure it, you can take the dog to the vet and have it measured.

Summary

Cocker Spaniels are gorgeous, floppy-eared dogs that are friendly, energetic, active, and great to have around children. They are medium-sized sporting dogs but are still considered to be the smallest breed in the sporting dog group.

If you’re considering adopting either an American or an English Cocker Spaniel, there’s not much difference between the two. The American Cocker needs more extensive grooming and frequent trips to a professional groomer if you don’t trim them at home. You can expect a lot of love and loyalty in return if you adopt an English or American Cocker Spaniel.

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Featured Image Credit: Lenkadan, Shutterstock