Longevity
Life expectancy
Its life expectancy is generally between 13 and 15 years. Regular daily activity, a controlled diet and attentive veterinary monitoring help preserve its longevity.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
The English Cocker Spaniel is considered a rather robust breed. Well cared for, properly exercised and monitored medically, it often maintains a good quality of life for many years.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Vigilance must mainly focus on weight control, the condition of the drooping ears and screening for hereditary disorders reported in the breed. Regular monitoring helps to detect early ocular, joint, cardiac or renal disorders.
Progressive retinal atrophy: Hereditary eye condition that can lead to a progressive deterioration of vision.
Dilated cardiomyopathy: Heart disease that can impair the heart's pumping function and require veterinary monitoring.
Cataract: Clouding of the lens that may hinder vision and progress over time.
Hip dysplasia: Joint abnormality that can cause pain, lameness, and locomotor discomfort.
Elbow dysplasia: Joint development disorder that can limit movement and promote osteoarthritis.
Obesity: The breed gains weight easily if the diet is not controlled and exercise is insufficient.
Otitis: Long, drooping ears promote moisture, foreign bodies, and infections of the ear canal.
Familial nephropathy: Hereditary kidney condition described in the breed and warranting serious selection of breeding stock.
Hypothyroidism: Hormonal disorder sometimes encountered in the breed, which can notably influence weight and vitality.
Deafness: Hearing disorder cited among the major concerns in this breed.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
The English Cocker Spaniel tolerates the cold fairly well and tolerates heat moderately. In hot weather, it is advisable to limit exertion to the coolest hours, to provide water at all times and to avoid any overexertion.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
The breed has a clear tendency to gain weight if the ration is not well controlled or if physical activity decreases. Monitoring the body shape, measured meals and regular outings are important to avoid overweight.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Clean the ears every week to limit ear infections.
- Monitor weight and adjust the ration at the first signs of overweight.
- Maintain sufficient daily physical activity.
- Have the eyes, hips and knees checked regularly.
- Brush the teeth and trim the nails if necessary.
Vaccination
English Cocker Spaniel vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a English Cocker Spaniel need? Like all dogs, English Cocker Spaniels should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial English Cocker Spaniel vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult English Cocker Spaniel booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your English Cocker Spaniel need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy English Cocker Spaniel
The recommended screening examinations concern in particular the knee, the hip and the eyes. When purchasing from a breeder, it is particularly prudent to ask for the results of the tests carried out on the breeding dogs.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
