Show Cocker Spaniel: Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

Cocker Spaniels are small, sporting dogs with thick curly hairs on their ears and silky coats on their bodies. Originating in England, UK, they’re on the list of most loving dog breeds you’ll ever see. Cocker Spaniels are pretty friendly, gentle, and playful.

Originally bred as a hunter dog, Cocker Spaniels has become a delightful family member who loves to play with kids. They come in a variety of colors and color combinations, including solid colors, parti-colored, and roan. Solid colors includes liver and tan, liver, red, black and tan, black, and golden.

They look so adorable when their silky fur cascades around them. Cocker Spaniels are smart and easily trainable—making them appealing companions. They shed moderately throughout the year, more during the spring and autumn seasons.

In this journey, I am gonna walk you through the things you must set in mind before you adopt one. And, yeah, If you already own a cocker but don’t know which type it is (the most debated topic!), check out my guide on Working vs Show Cocker Spaniel. Let’s get this show on the road!

Types of Spaniels

There are 15 different Cocker Spaniel breeds, each comes with its unique shape and characteristics. While the American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel are both popular, the English Cocker Spaniel is more popular outside of the United States.

Discussing all 15 breeds would be biting off more than I can chew, so I’ll focus on the most famous English Cocker Spaniel instead. Working and Show Cocker Spaniels are two types of English Cocker Spaniel. So, let’s put our heads in these types.

Show Cocker Spaniel

In the UK, people love having a Show Cocker Spaniel because of their kindness and charming looks. They are specifically known for being more laid-back and enjoying human affection. You’ll mostly see them at Crufts, a dog show—hence their name “Show” Cocker.

Show Cocker Spaniels have dome-looking heads, long floppy ears, and longer fur—requiring more grooming than Working Spaniels. Their longer fur is so feathering and hairs on their body grow on their hind quarters, ears, legs, and around the belly.

Both Show and Working have slightly different looks, levels of energy, and the way they prey. Sniffing—they love it! Make sure to play scent games with your Show Cocker so their mental stimulation remains good.

Working Cocker Spaniel

Working Cocker Spaniels are bred to be gundogs, capable of working all day in shooting fields, thanks to their muscular build! They are ideal for sportsmen who participate in driven shooting, duck and pigeon shooting, and more.

Physically strong, Working Cockers have shorter, tighter fur, shorter ears, and flatter heads. Their job is to flush game birds like woodcock (hence the name “Cocker”) out from cover and retrieve them.

Working Cockers require more high-quality exercise and brain stimulation each day to stay happy and excited. They are versatile dogs that can easily set themselves to different lifestyles. Love to travel? A Working Cocker might be your perfect companion since they’re small enough to tag along on adventures and friendly.

Temperament and Traits

Show Cockers are famous for being sweet and loving. They are calm, laid back, and content to lounge around the house and enjoy a relaxed walk with their owners. They’re not just friendly to people but to other pets too, building strong bonds with family members. Sometimes, they even give you a side eye glance when you interrupt their relaxation or get in the way of their curious sniffs—one of their quirks that owners love.

Show Cocker Spaniels are clever hence easy to train. Sometimes, they can be just a bit stubborn, requiring patience and positive reinforcement. They do have a relaxed nature, yet, are playful and enjoy scent games and require daily exercise of at least 1-1.5 hours to keep their tails wagging.

They are sensitive in both ways, emotionally and physically. This sensitivity can also lead to anxiety if left alone for too long. These dogs often bark at strange noises or potential danger to inform their owners—better safe than sorry, right?

Overall, the Show Cocker’s temperament is loving, gentle, and adaptable to different living situations—ideal pet for families or anyone looking for a loyal companion.

Grooming and Maintenance

Without grooming, your Show Cocker will become a walking mop with eyes, collecting dust, twigs, and probably some snacks they forgot about. So, grooming is a must-do, and the surprise is that Show Cocker Spaniels require a lot of grooming because of their long, dense, and silky fur that is prone to matting and tangles.

You’ll need to spare at least 30 minutes daily to brush (with a slicker or pin brush) and comb your Show Cocker so their silky coat stays in show condition. Brushing should be focused on areas where the fur is longer, like the ears, legs, and belly, to say bye to matting and tangling.

Along with brushing, owners must take their Show Cocker to a grooming salon every 6 to 7 weeks for trimming, clipping, stripping, and bathing to maintain their signature look. Since these dogs have floppy ears, ear infections can step in if not cleaned. So cleaning them often and looking for any signs of health issues are must-do.

Don’t forget about teeth! Parents must brush their Show Cocker’s teeth every other day to ward off tartar buildup and promote good oral health. Plus, If their nails aren’t clipped, they can scratch you, so be sure to do so.

Freshness is vital and nothing can make them fresh but bathing. Aim to bathe your dog every 2-3 weeks, or as needed, using a shampoo and conditioner that is specified for their coat type. With all this care, your Show Cocker Spaniel will stay fit, happy, and eye-catching.

Exercise

We humans aren’t the only ones who need exercise to stay healthy, it’s crucial for dogs too. Show Cockers need exercises regularly, but just a bit like 1-1.5 hours is more than enough for physical and mental well-being. Show Cocker Spaniels are smaller though, they have a moderate energy level—requiring consistent physical activity.

It’s best to split these hours into two walks of 30 minutes and play mental games like hide-and-seek, muffin tin game, and scatter feeding. They also enjoy fetch games, gentle agility training, and swimming once they’re used to it. Plus, puzzle toys and scent games can help keep their minds engaged.

Take them to open places to provide them with opportunities to stretch their legs and get some fresh air. Letting them have a short walk or a play session in the backyard can significantly impact their overall well-being.

Common Health Issues

Just like any dog breed, Show Cocker Spaniels can face some health issues that can diminish their friendly and excited nature. Knowing what health problems your dog might face is part of being a good owner.

Before we step in, please know that not every little sniffle or sneeze warrants a trip to the vet. It’s also key to understand when it’s time to visit the vet. Now, let’s discuss the two of the most common health issues in Show Cockers.

Ear Problems:

Although, Show Cockers have adorable long, floppy ears that give them their characteristic look are also perfect breeding grounds for bacteria and yeast. They can collect dirt and stay damp, which may cause infections. So, how would you identify if your Cocker’s got an ear infection?

When they frequently shake their head, scratch at ears, smell a foul odor, or if there’s any visible redness or swallow, it means something has gone wrong with their ears. Don’t wait, consult with a vet for a proper diagnosis.

One way I can help you save both time and money on vet bills is to clean your Cocker Spaniel’s ears regularly and dry them thoroughly after baths or swims.

Luxating patella:

Luxating patella is when the patella slips out of its normal position aka dislocation of the kneecap. If it happens to your dog, it will occasionally skip a step or run on three legs for a few strides before returning to normal.

A vet can catch this condition early during check-ups and determine the best course of action, so ensure regular check-ups. While sometimes the patella can slip back into place on its own (phew!), a grade 4 luxating patella means it’s permanently out of position. That’s when things get serious.

Now, if you’re saying “I don’t want my dog to get into this problem,” please know there’s no guarantee your dog’s patella won’t slip, yet—a vet can guide you even better. Non-worthy exercises usually cause this problem and giving surgery would be beneficial for a fix for the case with grade 4.

Diet—What do they Eat?

It’s your right to feed your Show Cocker a proper diet, which is the main thing for your dog to stay healthy and prevent health issues. Show Cockers devour their kibble in one gulp (such food-greedy dogs!), and might even try to swipe a snack right out of your hand and munch on it! 😂

For a balanced diet, I’d recommend high-quality dry kibble, wet food, or a raw diet. Plus, choose food rich in good protein, fats, nutrients, and plant-based fiber to keep them lively with shiny coats.

Some folks go for grain-free stuff while others choose branded food items for sensitive stomachs. Not every Cocker Spaniel can have the same diet, it can vary based on the dog’s age, weight, and activity level, and consulting with a vet is always a good idea.

Keep their water bottle always brimming, especially when it’s hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk. Make sure you don’t overfeed your puppy; they often weigh between 24 to 32 lbs. Consult with the vet to determine the ideal weight for your dog.

Pros and Cons of Show Cocker Spaniel

Everything has its pluses and minuses; you take the good with the bad, right? Likewise, Show Cockers are no exception. They also come with some pros and cons, which I have listed in the boxes below to help you decide if this adorable breed is the right fit for your lifestyle.

Before bringing a Show Cocker Spaniel home, you’ll want to think hard about these pros and cons. Knowing what’s great and what’s not about these dogs helps you decide if they fit your home life.

Wrapping Things Up

To sum it up, Show Cocker Spaniels are delightful and loving companions that bring happiness to households. They are perfect for families, including those with children, because of their calm nature, medium energy, and attractive beauty.

Though they need substantial grooming and might suffer from health issues, they are intelligent, adaptable, and affectionate—making them highly favored.

If you are thinking about becoming a Show Cocker owner, it’s a must to have certain knowledge about the needs they might have like exercising consistently and keeping them clean always without forgetting other possible ailments.

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