English Cocker Spaniel: The Calm, Cool Companion

With a long-hair-don’t-care attitude, the English Cocker Spaniel is confident, elegant, merry, and oh-so bright. The English Cocker Spaniel is related to the standard Cocker Spaniel, but these English dogs are a tad taller with longer faces. This breed carries an identical bubbly personality, insatiable taste for play, and deep affection for family and friends—and the same cute floppy ears. 

The English Cocker Spaniel may look regal with their long, flowy mane and camera-ready smile, but they are just as curious and driven as other sporting breeds, consistently barrelling toward new adventures. Their small-to-medium stature makes them easy to bring along on hikes, walks, and road trips. Plus, their undying affection will carve a special place in any pet owner’s heart (just make room for those ears!). 

At Happy Paws, we’re dedicated to helping all dogs, from purebreds to certified mutts, live their happiest, healthiest lives. We’ve designed our dog supplements to target a range of trouble spots in your dog’s health, including common issues for an English Cocker Spaniel. 

In this article, we’ll explore the history of this regal spaniel, provide some information and advice on how to care for them, and help you decide which supplements are best for your pretty best friend, the English Cocker Spaniel.

Quick Facts

Origin: England

Size: Small to medium

Breed Group: Sporting 

Lifespan: 12–14 years

Coat: Long—weekly grooming recommended

Temperament: Affectionate, merry & even-tempered 

Exercise Needs: The English Cocker Spaniel is a fairly energetic breed that requires daily walks mixed with creative, mentally stimulating playtime. These dogs match well with active owners who take them on long nature strolls and hikes. They also gravitate toward smelling exercises that awaken their innate bird-hunting instincts. 

Training: Like most dogs, English Cocker Spaniels thrive under standard obedience training. These dogs are keen, so early training and socialization help them flaunt the big mind that’s nestled between their long-haired ears. Training helps the English Cocker Spaniel learn the rules of the road and achieve what they care about most: making you happy! If you stay consistent with training, your English Cocker Spaniel will grow up to become a lovable, little sidekick.

Dog Health: Like other small-to-medium-sized dogs, English Cocker Spaniels are prone to unique health challenges, such as joint issues, digestive woes, heart problems, and poor bladder health. We’ll discuss how to address each below.

Happy Paws for English Cocker Spaniels

Enrich your English Cocker Spaniel’s health with high-quality, tasty supplements like these!

In-Depth Look at These Popular Supplements 

They may look like they roll out of bed looking so graceful, but keeping an English Cocker Spaniel feeling (and looking) their best takes daily wellness support. Our dog supplements use an array of all-natural, organic ingredients to enrich your dog’s physical and mental health, while satisfying their taste buds. Here are a few dog supplements to help you care for your English Cocker Spaniel.

Skin & Coat Dog Chews: Our Skin & Coat Dog Chews help keep the glow in your English Cocker Spaniel’s sheen. These vegan, chicken-flavored soft chews use a blend of skin-supporting ingredients, like biotin and coconut oil, to restore dermal health and replenish your dog’s coat.

Bladder Health Dog Chews: Our Bladder Health Dog Chews use natural, renal-supporting ingredients to strengthen your pup’s kidneys and reinforce proper bladder health. 

Dental Dog Chews: All dogs can experience bad breath (yes, even the pretty ones). Our Dental Dog Chews combine the refreshing aroma of spearmint with an enzyme blend to neutralize dental bacteria and curb stinky breath. 

10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews: Our 10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews use multiple essential nutrients to strengthen your dog’s daily health and give them a well-rounded supplement. One vegan, lamb-flavored dog treat introduces ten critical nutrients to keep your dog healthy, happy, and active. 

Hip & Joint Dog Chews: Soothe the symptoms of joint dysplasia with our Hip & Joint Dog Chews! Packed with a blend of joint-friendly ingredients, this dog supplement helps reduce inflammation and support joint health, thanks to compounds like glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid.

Probiotic Dog Chews: Made with powerful antioxidants, probiotics, and superfoods, our Probiotic Dog Chews help strengthen your dog’s digestive system, while supporting their gut and bowel health. 

Common Health Concerns for English Cocker Spaniels

Compared to other breeds, English Cocker Spaniels are susceptible to unique health conditions like these:

Patellar Luxation: Patellar luxation occurs when a dog’s kneecap slips out of the joint. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight can help manage the condition, while joint-friendly supplements can help, too. If you believe your dog has patellar luxation, it’s best to speak with your veterinarian about first steps.

Elbow & Hip Dysplasia: According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), many medium-sized to extra-large dog breeds are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia. This issue arises from birth when the bone in a joint is misshapen, causing an awkward fit in your dog’s joints. This defect can often lead to joint pain, osteoarthritis, limping, and trouble standing up. 

Kidney Disease: Some English Cocker Spaniels are genetically predisposed to kidney disease, which can lead to inflammation in their kidneys and urinary tract. 

Cardiovascular Disease: Unfortunately, some English Cocker Spaniels can also experience cardiovascular problems. So, feeding them a vitamin-rich, nutrient-packed diet is essential to help fortify their heart health.

About the English Cocker Spaniel

Bred from classic hunting spaniels, the English Cocker Spaniel has a history of showing bigger dogs who’s boss; they are, in fact, one of the smallest breeds in the sporting category. These small but mighty dogs used to be quite formidable bird hunters. They would tag along with other English hunting dogs, claiming the smaller nooks and burrows to flush game out into the open. (That’s where this dog’s fearless confidence comes from.) After a long day’s hunt, these dogs would wander inside, curl up next to their owners, and rest, preparing to do it all again the next day. 

But now, these once-muddy dogs are living the good life as one of the most popular dog breeds for families. They’ve traded in their hours of hunting for hours of walks, cuddles, and pets. They flaunt their long mane unconsciously, looking regal with every step. But don’t be fooled—those little energetic hunting dogs are still in there, masked by cute long ears and a luscious coat.

English Cocker Spaniel Temperament

These dogs are among the most beloved dog breeds for many reasons, but specifically for their calm, cool temperament. These dogs seem to do everything with an unforced elegance. A well-trained English Cocker Spaniel is polite around strangers, tender with children, and affectionate to all. These dogs don’t really have a wild side. They gravitate toward energetic playtime but know when to settle down and relax. Because of their smaller sizes, they make great companions for just about any plan, whether that’s a trip to the park, a day out on the town, or a night spent relaxing on the couch. As long as they’re near you, your English Cocker Spaniel is happy. 

How to Care for an English Cocker Spaniel

Compared to other breeds, English Cocker Spaniels are relatively easy to train, especially for new-time dog owners. They learn fast and are eager to please. Here are a few extra tips to help keep your pet happy, healthy, and lively, from their puppy years and well into their golden years.

Early Socialization

For the most part, English Cocker Spaniels get along well with other dogs and household pets. They just need to be socialized early during puppyhood. Socialization is a process where you gradually introduce new situations to your pup. These situations can be new places, new people, new animals, and new experiences. Socialization helps your English Cocker Spaniel distinguish friend from foe and build their trust and confidence. 

Ample Exercise

Compared to American Cocker Spaniels, the English Cocker Spaniel has a tad more energy. This dog was once an adept gun dog, diving into the brush and flushing out prizeworthy birds. And yet, even with a more domesticated role, this dog breed still carries those same energy levels. So, daily exercise and play are vital to maintaining order in your home. Exercise lets your dog run out their crazies, stretch out their body, and fill their mind with new scents and sensations. The English Cocker Spaniel is a big sniffer. So, let them sniff around when you take them on walks. This helps exercise their mind and scratches their instinctual hunting itch. 

Obedience Training

Though they come out of the litter looking prim ’n’ proper, the English Cocker Spaniel needs early obedience training to learn the rules of the road. This dog breed is very smart, so they’ll latch onto training fairly quickly.

Happy Paws: High-Quality Dog Supplements 

Keeping your dog happy, healthy, and active shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. At Happy Paws, we’ve designed our dog treats with the best ingredients and flavors possible (our dogs definitely approve!). We’ve made sure these treats are certified organic, non-GMO, and third-party tested for purity, letting you spoil your dog easily with healthy, tasty dog treats. 

FAQ

What’s the difference between a Cocker Spaniel and an English Cocker Spaniel?

There’s a lot of confusion on the internet about the difference between a Cocker Spaniel and an English Cocker Spaniel. What’s known as the “Cocker Spaniel” in the United States is called the “American Cocker Spaniel” in the rest of the world. The American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel both share a similar history as revered hunting dogs. They have similar ears with flowy coats, but the main difference is their size and face structure. The English Cocker Spaniel is taller with a longer snout, while the American Cocker Spaniel has a rounder face with a smaller build. 

Is an English Cocker Spaniel a good house dog?

This dog can be an excellent house or apartment dog, with the right training, of course. These dogs are affectionate and loyal. They love playing your sidekick on errands or day trips and especially love curling up on the couch to binge-watch your favorite show; they’re very easygoing. 

Are English Cocker Spaniels high maintenance?

Because of their long coats and special grooming requirements, English Cocker Spaniels may be considered high-maintenance. But it’s not easy looking this pretty! This dog breed makes a perfect companion for owners who love a prim ’n’ proper pup.

Do English Cocker Spaniels shed a lot of hair?

This dog breed sheds hair year-round. You’ll most definitely find their long, fine hair in their favorite little hiding places.

Are English Cocker Spaniels cuddly?

This dog breed is quite affectionate and can never turn down cuddles. 

How do you give an English Cocker Spaniel health supplements?

You can give your dog a Happy Paws health supplement in several ways. First, we’ve designed these supplements as dog treats, so you can give them to your pupper as a reward for good behavior. Or, you can add it to your dog’s kibble; they make a pretty tasty topper, too.