The name Cocker Spaniel is believed to derive from these spaniels’ skill at flushing and retrieving woodcocks. Males should stand 15 inches at the shoulder, and females should stand 14 inches at the shoulder. Their coats come in all solid colors, any solid color with white, and black with tan points. Cocker Spaniels are usually happy and spirited dogs. However, and it is generally attributed to poor breeding, cocker spaniels can be aggressive and snippy with both other people and animals.

To learn how to rescue a Cocker Spaniel in need of a home or for breeder referrals from The American Spaniel Club click here.

Potential Health Problems* 

• Alopecia
• Anal Sac Adenocarcinoma
• Atopy
• Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
• Basal Cell Tumors
• Black Hair Follicular Dysplasia
• Blocked Tear Ducts
• Cataracts
• Cutaneous Histiocytomas
• Coccidiomycosis
• Colobomas
• Congenital Deafness
• Copper Storage Disease (liver disorder)
• Corneal Dystrophy
• Corneal Ulcers
• Cranial Cruciate Ligament Ruptures
• Cryptorchidism
• Cutaneous Papillomas
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy
• Distichiasis
• Ear Infections
• Ectropion
• Endocardiosis (heart disease)
• Entropion
• Epilepsy
• Familial Renal Disease
• Fibrosarcoma
• Glaucoma
• Hemophilia B
• Hernias
• Hip Dysplasia
• Hypothyroidism
• Intervertebral Disk Disease
• Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca
• Krabbe Disease (degenerative disorder of the nervous system)
• Lens Luxation
• Lipomas
• Luxating Patella
• Lymphosarcomas
• Lysosomal Storage Diseases
• Malassezia Dermatitis
• Melanomas
• Panosteitis
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus
• Perianal Gland Adenomas
• Persisitent Pupillary Membranes
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Pulmonic Stenosis
• Retinal Dysplasia
• Sebaceous Gland Tumors
• Seborrhea
• Thrombocytopenia
• Trichoepithelioma (tumors originating from the hair follicles)
• Urolithiasis
• Von Willebrand Disease

*Just because a condition is associated with a specific breed does not mean that all dogs of this breed will be affected. Likewise, a dog may be impacted by diseases and conditions not listed under his or her breed.