Create Your Working Cocker Spaniel's Shop
Working Cocker Spaniel Breed Summary
Loving, Intelligent, Energetic, Agile
In addition to this, they have the capacity to be trained as assistance dogs, which help offer life-changing care for people with disabilities. Thus, being able to offer these people a greater level of independence. Working Cocker Spaniels are true heroes!
Combined with these outstanding attributes, Working Cocker Spaniels have an incredibly kind heart and are a truly loving breed. They are devoted to their families and owners; they aren't afraid of showing you this through their affectionate pawsonality. They really do offer the full package.
Now it's not easy work, having this much responsibility on your shoulders, therefore it's no wonder these dogs enjoy both regular mental and physical stimulation. They require much more exercise than your regular Cocker Spaniel, anything between 1-2 hours a day should suffice. Therefore, if you already have an active lifestyle this breed could be the pawfect match!
With the correct level training, these dogs have an endless capacity to succeed in most working dog roles.
| Kennel Club Group | Gundog |
| Lifespan | 12 - 15 Years |
| Height (at the withers) | Males and Females 46cm – 56cm |
| Weight | Males and Females 12kg – 16kg |
| Coat | Straight, Silky |
| Colour | Chocolate, Tan, Black and White |
| Eye colour | Blue, Brown, Black |
| Common health issues | Hip Dysplasia, Atopy, Ear Problems, Eye Problems |
Training them is so rewarding, as they are assertive, they will soon learn to remember everything you teach them. They will have the upmost respect for you and always follow your direction.
These dogs will certainly not enjoy sitting around all day, too much of this could lead them to become easily bored and potentially destructive. Implementing some form of regular exercise routine is a must for both their physical and mental health, however this doesn't just have to be in the form of a walk as they also enjoy swimming and chasing balls or playing with their friends.
Although they have less fur than the Show Cocker Spaniel, Working Cocker Spaniels still make the ideal snuggle buddy, with their loving temperament. However, they are very head strong, and do enjoy having their own independence.
With their strong likeability and charm, it's no wonder they are such a pawpular companion, as well as working breed.
Prior to the 1600s, all breeds of Spaniel were grouped under the same name, although they were bred for different working purposes depending on their size.
Smaller versions of Spaniels were bred to flush out woodcock, to support hunters in catching birds. Whereas bigger built Spaniels were more commonly used as spring game, as they had greater strength to carry prey.
There are traces of Spaniels that date back to the 14th century, however it wasn't until much later in the 1800s that the American Kennel Club finally recognised the Cocker Spaniel.
Although there are now many clear physical differences between the Show Cocker Spaniel and a Working Cocker Spaniel, it is believed that they do still share some of the same temperament when it comes to their working abilities. However, it can be very clear to see that Show Cockers generally take the more laid-back approach.
During the 1930s the Cocker Spaniel was voted as the most pawpular breed of dog across the whole of Britain and managed to keep this top status for years. Nowadays they rank at around 6th place.