Best Dog Diet

What’s the ideal diet for your dog?

Discover more about the history of your dog’s breed, its temperament, appearance and diet

Border Terrier Diet

Bull Terrier Diet

Bulldog Diet

Boxer Diet

Cavalier Spaniel Diet

Cocker Spaniel Diet

German Shepherd Diet

Golden Retriever Diet

Labrador Retriever Diet

Lhasa Apso Diet

Miniature Schnauzer Diet

Pug Diet

Shih Tzu Diet

Springer Spaniel Diet

Staffie Diet

Westie Diet

Whippet Diet

YorkshireTerrier Diet

Copyright 2010 Best Dog Diet

Cocker Spaniel Diet

Cocker spaniels are gun dogs with a huge appetite for life. Bred to flush game such as partridge, quail and pheasant they are natural working dogs with plenty of energy. The spaniel is thought to have originated from Spain and been developed in England for specific hunting activities. The cocker and springer spaniel are very closely related. Until the beginning of the 20th Century a cocker and a springer could come from the same litter (the smaller dog would be a cocker, the larger a springer).

The amount and type of food will depend on the individual dog. A complete and balanced diet is recommended to include poultry and natural meat and bone.  If not allowed sufficient exercise a cocker spaniel can easily put on weight.

Cocker Spaniel Temperament

Cocker spaniels are working dogs with a natural will to flush game from woodland. Cockers make very good family pets as they are generally very affectionate and not prone to be aggressive, although Rage Syndrome has been associated with the Show Cocker Spaniel breed.

Cocker spaniels are highly intelligent and can be trained to a high level and number of commands. They love the freedom of the country and are a willing partner for any games. They are extremely loyal and affectionate, but do not like being left alone.  

Cocker spaniel Appearance

The Cocker spaniel is a compact and sturdy dog. The UK Kennel Club standards ideal height is 39-41 cms for a male and 38-39 cms for a female. Weight from 11-15 kgs.

There are two lines of Cocker spaniels the ‘Field’ or ‘Working’ cocker spaniel and the ‘Show’ cocker spaniel. Both are closely related to the Field Spaniel and the Springer Spaniel. Working cockers tend to have flatter skulls and shorter ears compared to the show type.

The Cocker Spaniel can appear in a wide variety of colours and can be solid-coloured, parti-coloured or have roan type markings.

A cocker’s coat is flat and silky in texture. Its tail is well-feathered and proportionate to body size. Historically the tail was docked to aid the working cocker. The docked tail would always be long enough to ensure a certain merry action.

Cocker spaniels are hardy, sporty animals with well-developed chests and toned muscular legs. A square jaw, lobular ears, strong sleek shoulders and full eyes depict an alert dog.

Cocker Spaniel Facts

Cocker Spaniel History

Cocker spaniels evolved from the Springer Spaniel which came from the Land Spaniel and ultimately the Spaniel. The spaniel is thought to have originated from Spain by definition.

The cocker spaniel appears in English literature in works by Chaucer and Shakespeare amongst others and is thought to have arrived in England as early as 54-55 BC. The breed has always been used for hunting purposes, originally driving game into nets.

Cocker spaniels are now commonly used by the police, military and rescue services for their excellent sense of smell and all round agility and robustness.

Cocker Spaniel Known Disorders

Cocker spaniels are prone to suffer from eye disorders, heart problems and kidney disorders.