A popular family pet that is eager to please, Cocker Spaniels can make great companions, but how healthy are they really? If you are thinking of adding a Cocker Spaniel to your family or keen to know a bit more about the breed then read on.
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Cocker Spaniels were originally bred as gun dogs that work with their owners to find and retrieve game; these dogs are intelligent and have an instinct to work. They are typically very loyal and are keen to please their owners. For these reasons, they can make great family pets. But there are some things you should know before buying or rehoming a Cocker Spaniel.
Temperament
In general, Cocker Spaniels are energetic, friendly and adaptable dogs that can live happily in a variety of households with the right amount of exercise. They can also be a great choice for first-time dog owners as they tend to be sociable and often get on well with other animals. However, their friendly nature means they don’t always make great guard dogs! Cocker Spaniels can find it hard to be left alone for long periods of time. So it’s vital to consider how they will fit into your lifestyle and whether they would need to be alone for more than a few hours at a time.
The breed is clever and willing to learn which means training a Cocker Spaniel can be enjoyable and very rewarding for their owners. Like most dogs, they can learn well with positive reinforcement; where they get treats or toys in reward for good behaviour, and can excel in obedience training.
Exercise and training
As we mentioned, Cocker Spaniels are an active breed and need plenty of exercise to keep them fit and healthy. As adults, these dogs are usually happy with around one hour of exercise per day; being able to regularly enjoy longer hikes and naturally enjoy swimming too. They will thrive with an active and adventurous owner.
Mental stimulation is an important part of dog health and is particularly crucial with a working breed like the Cocker. Owners can provide their dog with good simulation using games like fetch, interactive games, hide and seek or even obstacle courses. They can be very inquisitive and if left without enrichment may resort to destructive behaviours like chewing or scratching. These dogs can be known to scavenge food and objects. So distracting them with other fun things like games and toys can prevent them from eating things they shouldn’t!
Grooming
One thing you should consider about Cocker Spaniels is that they need a fair bit of grooming. They have long coats that can be prone to matts and getting dirty from all that exercise they love to do. Overall, their grooming needs are high. And it’s likely they will need to be groomed professionally every few months; as well as regular brushing and bathing at home to keep their coat smooth and matt-free. It’s also important to clean their ears regularly as they tend to be long and heavy with hair that can trap dirt and lead to ear infections if left unclean.
Common health problems in the Cocker Spaniel
Generally, the Cocker Spaniel breed is considered to be healthy overall. But certain attributes such as their long ears and loose skin does mean they have a higher risk of certain health conditions. Being aware of the more common problems means you can watch out for early warning signs and get veterinary advice promptly. There are also preventative measures you can put in place to reduce the likelihood of some issues occurring.
New research from the Royal Veterinary College found the most common conditions in English Cocker Spaniels include dental disease, ear infections, obesity and aggression. Let’s explore these in a bit more detail:
Dental disease
Dental disease is unfortunately common in all dogs. It is the result of poor dental hygiene that leads to bacteria on the teeth building up and solidifying, forming tartar. This gives teeth a hard, brown coating which causes bad breath. And it can lead to periodontal disease where the tissue around the tooth becomes inflamed and sore. Periodontal disease can be irreversible if left for a long time. And it often results in teeth needing to be removed to treat it.
Dental procedures require general anaesthetic and can be expensive, so prevention is always better than cure. It’s really important to get your dog used to having their teeth brushed daily from a young age. A good oral hygiene routine can prevent dental disease and reduce the chance that they will need to have their teeth removed later in life.
Ear infections
Due to their long ears and often hairy ear canals, Cocker Spaniels are at increased risk of developing ear infections. The ear canal can become overly waxy and inflamed as a result of bacterial or yeast overgrowth. You might notice your dog scratching the area, shaking their head or a bad smell coming from the ear. It’s important to seek veterinary advice if you think your dog has an ear infection; there may be an underlying cause or allergy that needs treating, as well as treating the infection itself with the correct ear drops. You can help prevent ear infections in your dog with regular ear cleaning and drying their ears well if they get them wet or after swimming.
Obesity
Another common disease seen in all dogs by vets in the UK. Obesity occurs when an animal has an excess of body fat, that can ultimately lead to disease. Obesity can put your pet at increased risk of other health problems such as arthritis, cancer and heat stroke and overall reduces their life expectancy. The most common reason for dogs to be obese is that they are being fed excess food, or food that doesn’t correctly meet their body requirements, such as food that is too rich or fatty.
Cocker Spaniels should be fed a good quality dog food in the correct amount to ensure they don’t become overweight or obese. Occasional treats are great for training and rewards. But feeding your dog too many of these or giving them scraps of human food can lead to obesity. Most dog food packaging will have a guide on how much to feed your dog. Again, plenty of exercise will also help keep a Cocker Spaniel in good shape but should be in conjunction with a healthy diet too.
Aggression
The Royal Veterinary College recently found that aggression is relatively common in Cocker Spaniels compared to other dogs, particularly in golden-coloured dogs. Consistent training from a young age with plenty of positive reinforcement will help your dog become emotionally mature. As they were bred to be worked, Cocker Spaniels do need a good amount of mental stimulation and physical exercise as well as plenty of socialisation. This is important to avoid undesirable traits such as aggression. Behavioural disorders can be managed with the right training and modifications. You can discuss any concerns about behaviour with your vet who may recommend further investigations or medications
Breed specific health conditions
Inherited conditions are those that are genetically transmitted from a dog’s parents down to them. As with any breed, there are a number to be aware of that can be found in Cocker Spaniels.
Eye problems
Cocker Spaniels can be more likely to suffer from ‘dry eye’ where there isn’t enough tear production, causing inflammation in the structures at the front of the eye. Treatment often involves eye drops and will likely be lifelong to keep the eye moist and comfortable.
Blood disorders
Cocker Spaniels are susceptible to some diseases of the immune system which occur when the body attacks its own blood cells. One of these conditions is called immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia and it is not always known why this happens. Treatment can involve medication, hospital visits or even blood transfusions if necessary.
Lumps and bumps
Cocker Spaniels are prone to developing lumps in various parts of their bodies. These can be lumps in the skin, the underlying fat or muscle beneath it. Lumps can be a huge variety of things from cysts and fatty masses to tumours. Your vet will be happy to examine any lumps and may recommend sampling them or further investigations for diagnosis.
Life expectancy
The average lifespan of English Cocker Spaniels is around 11.5 years which is similar to the average 11.2 year lifespan of other dogs in the UK. Females have been found to live around a year longer than males. Ensuring you provide a good diet, exercise and regular vet care will help ensure your Cocker Spaniel has a long and healthy life.
Are Cocker Spaniels a healthy breed?
Cocker Spaniels don’t appear to suffer from many breed-specific conditions and the most common problems they have are also common in all other dogs. A lot of these conditions are preventable, so we can consider Cocker Spaniels to be a generally healthy breed. If you are thinking about buying a Cocker Spaniel you should ensure you are buying from a responsible breeder and can ask whether the puppy’s parents have received any relevant health checks before breeding.
Rehoming centres may also have medical history which will highlight any previous health issues detected earlier in the dog’s life. If you are unsure of anything you can contact your veterinary practice who will be able to guide you and answer any questions. Your vet will also be able to give your new dog or puppy a full health check to confirm they are healthy and inform you of the best way to care for them.
Cocker Spaniels possess plenty of great qualities that make them excellent family pets and companions. If you can provide regular exercise, stimulation and attention to this lively breed you’ll have a loyal friend for life.
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