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English Cocker Spaniel
Complete Breed Guide

"I’m pretty sure there’s some birds in those bushes!"

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Reviewed by
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Breed experts since 2003
Last updated: May 2026
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English Cocker Spaniel breed photo

Quick Facts About English Cocker Spaniels

sporting
Breed Group:
Sporting
Weight
Adult Weight:
26–34 lbs
Height
Adult Height:
15–17"
Hypoallergenic
Hypoallergenic:
No
English Cocker Spaniel Average Price
$1,068

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Overview

English Cocker Spaniels make great dogs for bird hunters, as they love chasing and tracking anything that flies. They are slightly larger and have less hair than their close relative, the Cocker Spaniel, but have all of the same endearing personality traits. These funny dogs love people and get along well with children and almost any kind of animal that doesn’t have feathers.

The English Cocker Spaniel is slightly taller, and has a little less hair than their close relative, the Cocker Spaniel. English Cocker Spaniels are often used for bird hunting and will gladly rush into the bush to flush and retrieve birds. They love exercise, especially swimming or chasing birds, and they require a minimum of about 30 minutes of exercise every day. English Cocker Spaniels are very people oriented and need to live indoors with their human counterparts. They are extremely affectionate, get along well with children and other animals they’ve been raised with, and have a habit of being silly enough to make their owners laugh out loud at every turn.

Temperament and Behavior

There’s not enough space here to capture the amount of personality an English Cocker Spaniel has. They are affectionate, curious, and constantly silly. You will never be at a loss for laughs with an English Cocker Spaniel in your life. They do love to chase birds and will eagerly follow any scent they pick up, so they need to be kept on a leash in areas where cars are present.

Coat & Grooming

English Cocker Spaniels have a medium-length coat that produces a moderate amount of shedding. Brushing their coat two or three times each week will help prevent hair from piling up around your house and remove any tangles in their fur. Their beautiful coats can be either black, brown, red and occasionally have reddish brown patches.

Lifestyle & Living Conditions

English Cocker Spaniels fit best in families that don’t mind sharing their house with a dog. They are people oriented, so spending long periods of time away from their owners is not an ideal situation for an English Cocker Spaniel.

Exercise & Activity

English Cocker Spaniels need to get about 30 minutes of exercise a day. They love hunting for birds, but will also be satisfied with a long walk or a swim at the beach. This breed is known to excel in agility competitions.

Characteristics at-a-glance

Ratings are on a scale of 1–10, based on breed standards and typical temperament.

Affection
Playfulness
Trainability
Intelligence
Exercise Needs
Grooming
Good w/ Kids
Good w/ Dogs
Good w/ Cats
Watchdog
Barking Level
Space Needs
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English Cocker Spaniel FAQs

Common questions about the English Cocker Spaniel breed, answered by our editorial team.

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