12 Cocker Spaniels Pros & Cons (Vet-Reviewed): What to Know Before You Get One

In this article

Cocker Spaniels have that classic puppy face that is hard to resist. The big, dreamy eyes, long, silky ears, and charming personality make them stand out. However, it is important to look beyond appearance before deciding to add one to your family.

When considering adopting any dog, it is important to understand the pros and cons and what ownership involves. While challenges vary depending on the individual dog, it is up to you to decide if they are manageable for your lifestyle. We’ll discuss the advantages and disadvantages of owning a Cocker Spaniel below.

The 12 Pros and Cons of Having a Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniel Pros

1. They Are an Adaptable Breed

A Cocker Spaniel's adaptability is just one trait that makes them a popular pet. They can often adapt to different surroundings and personalities without changing their overall demeanor. An adaptable dog is easy to handle, eager to please, cooperative, gentle, and affectionate, and that is a Cocker Spaniel in a nutshell.

This can make them suitable for some families living in apartments, and they can usually be introduced to other pets, children, and seniors with proper socialisation. The more socialisation and training you give your Cocker Spaniel, the easier it will be for them to adapt to new environments, schedules, and people.

2. Highly Intelligent

Cocker Spaniels are considered quite intelligent. In The Intelligence of Dogs by Stanley Coren, they are placed within the above-average range for working and obedience intelligence. According to Coren’s framework, they are typically able to learn new commands in around 5 to 15 repetitions and respond to known commands with a high level of consistency, although individual dogs may vary.

Cocker Spaniels often make eager playmates for children and are happy to please their owners. They can be easily trained for canine sports and provide companionship. The Cocker Spaniel enjoys the challenge of performance activities, so you should have fun figuring out your dog's favorite ones and sticking with those when training.

3. Great Family Pets

Cocker Spaniels are often considered a great family companion. They are gentle, loving, and eager to please, and can fit well into many family dynamics when properly socialised and trained. They are generally known for being good with children and can also be gentle around seniors when well raised.

They are active enough to be playful and are intelligent, which can make training rewarding, although consistency is still important. Cocker Spaniels are typically very people-oriented and enjoy being involved in daily activities with their owners.

4. Eager to Please

Cocker Spaniels are generally eager to please their owners. They are also food-motivated, so the combination with positive reinforcement makes them great for training. You can quickly train your Cocker Spaniel to follow a set of commands.

An eager-to-please breed like a Cocker Spaniel will need positive reinforcement training and won't respond well to being scorned or punished. They are sensitive and will hate knowing they haven’t pleased their owner. They will seek out and repeat pleasurable experiences and avoid negative ones.

5. Friendly

In general, Cocker Spaniels are very receptive to meeting new people. They tend to be more sociable around other dogs and strangers when properly socialised and introduced. However, this doesn't mean you can immediately introduce a dog to your Cocker Spaniel when it is not leashed. The dog still needs socialization and training in the early days and perhaps puppy obedience classes to ensure your Cocker Spaniel will live up to its friendly name.

See Also: How Good Is a Cocker Spaniel With Cats?

6. Cocker Spaniels Are Generally a Long-Lived Breed

Cocker Spaniels are generally a relatively long-lived breed, although they can be prone to certain health conditions seen in the breed. Their average lifespan is around 12–15 years, which can make them long-term companions for families with children.

It is essential to look after your Cocker Spaniel so that it can live a long and healthy life. They require a balanced diet, regular exercise, mental stimulation, and regular veterinary checkups. The most common health problems include ear infections and eye issues, which may require ongoing management and can sometimes be reduced through regular grooming and hygiene practices.

If you are concerned about the health of your Cocker Spaniel, seek veterinary advice for the best course of action.

7. Cocker Spaniels Come in a Handful of Different Coat Color Options

Cocker Spaniels are known for their wide range of coat colors and patterns. They come in many recognized color variations, with gold (buff) being one of the most popular. Some individuals have solid coats, while others display markings or multi-color patterns depending on their genetics and breeding.

Some well-known Cocker Spaniel coat colors include black, gold (buff), black and tan, black and white, liver and white, blue roan, and sable.

Cocker Spaniel Cons

8. High Maintenance

Cocker Spaniels are loved for their long, luscious coats, but those coats require regular brushing, almost daily, to ensure their coat doesn’t get tangled or matted. When combing your Spaniel's ears, take care around the delicate skin on the edges.

Your Cocker Spaniel may need occasional baths with dog-friendly shampoo, and you will also need to learn how to correctly check and clean your Spaniel's ear canals, as they are prone to infection. Speaking to your vet about grooming techniques or using a professional groomer who often works on Cocker Spaniels may be helpful.

9. Cocker Spaniels Require a Significant Amount of Exercise

The Cocker Spaniel requires regular exercise to ensure both physical health and mental stimulation. They typically need around 40 minutes of daily activity, which can be split into sessions, such as one walk in the morning and another in the evening, depending on the individual dog’s needs.

Your Cocker Spaniel will be happiest when its owner is involved, so exercise can include a walk or run, playing fetch, or playing around with the kids.

A dog that is exercised is a well-behaved dog, but if your dog doesn't receive adequate exercise, it may result in boredom, leading to destructive behavior.

Image Credit: rebeccaashworth, Shutterstock

10. Prone to Ear Infections

The droopy and silky ears of a Cocker Spaniel are so adorable, but what makes them adorable also makes them prone to ear infections. There are three types of ear infections: otitis externa, media, and interna. The most common is otitis externa, where the outer ear canal becomes inflamed.

Otitis media and interna affect the middle and inner ear structures and may sometimes develop if an outer ear infection is left untreated. Otitis media and interna can be serious and cause vestibular signs, facial paralysis, and deafness. That is why it is important to regularly check your dog’s ears and act fast when there may be an issue.

Learn from your vet the right ways to regularly clean your Spaniel's ear canals, particularly after a bath, to prevent infections.

11. Food Aggression

Some Cocker Spaniels have been known to show food aggression or resource guarding behaviours. This can range from mild to more serious and occurs when the dog is eating and has the need to guard its food. A Cocker Spaniel may eat more quickly, growl if approached, or, in rare cases, snap if it feels threatened. Some dogs simply protect toys or chew bones, while others guard stolen food items. Most dogs, however, are protective of their food.

Resource guarding can occur in any breed, so it is helpful to understand the signs and prevention strategies if you are considering bringing a Cocker Spaniel into your home. This can help you build healthy habits and reduce the likelihood of the behaviour developing or escalating.

Image Credit: Switlana Sonyashna, Shutterstock

12. They May Bark a Lot

Frequent and loud barking is sometimes observed in Cocker Spaniels, but it is not a defining trait of the breed. A Cocker Spaniel may bark excessively if bored or not properly trained, which can be challenging for people with close neighbors, newborn babies, or low tolerance for barking. They were bred as hunting dogs, and as gundogs used for flushing game, some vocalization can occur, though persistent barking is not a required or universal trait.

Some Cocker Spaniels may experience separation anxiety when left alone often, which can lead to increased barking.

Final Thoughts

All dogs have their pros and cons, including the Cocker Spaniel. The pros very often outweigh the cons, but it is important for any owner looking to adopt a new dog to know and understand potential drawbacks that may need to be managed. Sometimes just one con can be a deal breaker in certain circumstances. It is also important to learn how to properly socialize, train, and care for the Cocker Spaniel, as this can solve most of the issues you may experience.