Cocker Spaniel

Taking good care of this breed’s long fur is a nonnegotiable. Begin a grooming routine with your Cocker Spaniel puppy early in life, if possible, so they get used to regular baths and brushing.  

• Bathing: If you bathe your pup at home, use a high-quality dog shampoo and rinse it out completely to avoid skin irritation. Bathing too often could also lead to skin irritation; once every few weeks is usually best unless your dog decides to take a romp in the mud.  
  • Pro Tip: Take special care when drying your dog’s ears, as trapped moisture can create an infection (and ear infections are common with this breed).  
• Brushing: Be gentle when brushing your Cocker Spaniel. A metal dog comb, like this Frisco comb, will help you dislodge any mats. As double-coated dogs (long guard hairs on top of a soft undercoat), Cocker Spaniels shed a lot. A pin brush or slicker brush will help with that.  
• Dental care: Teeth should be brushed daily. You can ask your vet if they recommend dental chews as well.  
• Nail care: Nails should be trimmed once every three to four weeks; specific timing depends on whether your pup engages in activities that might naturally wear their nails down, like spending lots of time outdoors. 

Both Cocker Spaniel puppies and fully grown adults tend to be easy to train. These smart dogs are also natural people-pleasers, so they catch on quickly and respond well to positive reinforcement—think treats and praise as rewards.  

You can teach your Cocker Spaniel cues like sit, stay, and roll over, but also include activities like agility training or scent work. These will engage your dog’s physical as well as mental needs.  

Choose a complete and balanced diet that’s AAFCO-approved for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior). You can even find food made just for Cocker Spaniels. 

Some pups develop sensitivities to specific ingredients; if that happens, your vet can help you figure out if you need to adjust their diet. Your vet can also help you decide how much and how often to feed your pup, including treats.  

Treats should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories.  

Cocker Spaniels aren’t as energetic as the famously active Australian Shepherd, but they do need to have their energy needs met. They’ll enjoy a good snuggle on the couch, but Cockers also need to engage in daily games of fetch and other fun activities.  

Plan for at least two walks a day (about an hour total) and make room for other types of play. Dog sports like agility or nose work are excellent ways to see your Cocker Spaniel in action.  

Their speed can be surprising for their size, so agility or flyball, a team sport that involves jumping hurdles and catching a ball at the end, can be fabulous outlets.  

Mental exercise is a must for your Cocker Spaniel, too. Food puzzles are an easy way to provide that mental stimulation and reward your pup with a little treat. Or, you can also play hide-and-seek by putting food in different boxes and letting them sniff it out.  

Cocker Spaniels are adaptable and can make themselves at home in an apartment in the center of town or in the middle of the countryside. But they don’t necessarily need a yard to roam; what’s most important is that you spend time playing and exercising with them.  

They do tend to bark, but you can work with a positive-reinforcement trainer to help curb that, if necessary.  

Cocker Spaniels won’t greet strangers as openly as the exceptionally friendly Labrador Retriever, but they are kind, gentle, and happy pups—they might take just a moment to warm up to new people. Cockers usually do well with kids, other dogs, and cats once proper introductions have been made.  

These pups are good for a first-time pet parent, if you’re willing to spend the time grooming and training them.