Those glorious long ears trap moisture and wax against the skull, so recurring ear infections are close to a lifetime feature of owning a Cocker Spaniel, not an occasional bad-luck vet visit.
13.3years, median
0.8 years above the all-dog median of 12.5.
Measured, not estimated: the middle age at death across 584,734 UK dogs, 284,734 of them deceased. Based on 950 dogs of this breed (listed in the study as "American Cocker Spaniel"). 95% confidence interval 13 to 13.7 years. Half lived longer than this, half did not. UK dogs, so treat it as the best available figure rather than a promise about yours.
In the same study, small breeds as a group had a median of 12.7 years and medium-muzzled breeds 12.8. This breed is small and medium-muzzled.
McMillan et al. 2024, Scientific Reports 14:531 — open access · CC BY 4.070.66% of Cocker Spaniels had at least one disorder recorded in 2016.
From the clinical records of 2,318 Cocker Spaniels under veterinary care in the UK that year, read by the Royal Veterinary College’s VetCompass programme.
Most often recorded, 2016
| Disorder | Share of Cocker Spaniels | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Gum disease (periodontal disease) | 20.97% | 19.31–22.62 |
| Ear infection (otitis externa) | 10.09% | 8.87–11.32 |
| Obesity | 9.88% | 8.66–11.09 |
| Anal sac impaction | 8.07% | 6.96–9.18 |
| Diarrhea | 4.87% | 4.00–5.75 |
| Aggression | 4.01% | 3.21–4.81 |
| Skin mass | 3.15% | 2.44–3.86 |
| Lameness | 2.93% | 2.25–3.62 |
| Conjunctivitis | 2.8% | 2.13–3.48 |
| Wound problem after surgery | 2.8% | 2.13–3.48 |
Compared with other dogs, 2016
2,510 Cocker Spaniels against 7,813 other dogs. The odds of having at least one disorder that year were 1.12 times those of other dogs (95% CI 1.02 to 1.25). Of 43 disorders tested, 21 were more common in the breed and 11 less common.
More likely in Cocker Spaniels — times the odds
- Ear discharge1.95% vs 0.13%15×
- Dry eye (KCS)1.59% vs 0.2%7.6×
- Muscle or joint pain1.2% vs 0.17%7.1×
- Lump under the skin1.47% vs 0.31%4.9×
- Ear disorder1.79% vs 0.51%3.6×
- Coat disorder1.67% vs 0.58%2.9×
- Complication after surgery2.31% vs 0.84%2.6×
- Mammary lump1.39% vs 0.56%2.6×
- Swallowed object (foreign body)2.55% vs 0.93%2.6×
- Gum disease (periodontal disease)20.12% vs 11.7%1.9×
- Anal sac impaction7.77% vs 4.24%1.8×
Less likely
- Atopic dermatitis0.2% vs 1.32%0.14×
- Allergy0.28% vs 1.87%0.14×
- Hair loss (alopecia)0.36% vs 0.97%0.35×
- Inflamed paws (pododermatitis)0.56% vs 1.46%0.35×
- Retained baby teeth0.36% vs 0.99%0.35×
- Osteoarthritis0.76% vs 1.88%0.37×
- Overgrown nails2.43% vs 6.08%0.38×
- Gastroenteritis0.56% vs 1.28%0.40×
- Slipping kneecap (patellar luxation)0.56% vs 1.05%0.48×
- Skin cyst0.6% vs 1.01%0.55×
Age at death in this sample
Median 11.44 years (middle half 9.46 to 13.47), 2016 data. Of the 108 deaths with a recorded cause: Cancer (neoplasia) 9.26%, Lump (mass) 8.33%, Collapse 7.41%, Brain disorder 6.48%, Heart disorder 6.48%, Poor quality of life 6.48%. Different sample and year from the measured lifespan above, which is why the two numbers differ.
These papers cover the English Cocker Spaniel, the dog called simply "Cocker Spaniel" in the UK. The American Cocker Spaniel is a separate breed. In the 2016 sample, aggression was recorded in 4.95% of males against 2.87% of females, and in 7.00% of solid-colored dogs against 3.66% of bi-colored.
“The results highlight ear and eye problems as key health issues for English Cocker Spaniels that owners and veterinarians should be especially vigilant about.”— the authors, Engdahl et al. 2024, Canine Medicine and Genetics 11:1
Health tests to ask the breeder for
American Spaniel Club sets the tests a Cocker Spaniel needs for a CHIC number in the OFA's open database. A CHIC number means the tests were done and the results are public. It does not mean the dog passed them: ask for the results for both parents, or look them up yourself on ofa.org.
- Hip Dysplasia (OFA Evaluation)
- Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist (OFA CAER)
When to spay or neuter a Cocker Spaniel: the UC Davis study of 35 breeds has a suggested guideline for the breed. For males it is 6 months or later. For females, 2 years or later. The spay and neuter page has the numbers behind it and what the guidelines say for a dog this size.
- Annual eye examinations
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA) DNA test
- Elbow Dysplasia (OFA Evaluation)
- Cardiac Evaluation
Test names as the club lists them; checked September 2026. OFA CHIC breed page. How to use this at the breeder: check a breeder.
Adopt a Cocker Spaniel near you
Shelters and rescues list Cocker Spaniels and Cocker Spaniel mixes on Petfinder. Enter a ZIP code to see who is waiting within 100 miles.
Listings come from Petfinder and open there. Petipedia does not take part in adoptions and earns nothing from them.
Living with a Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniels are sweet, people-oriented dogs that do well with moderate daily exercise, but budget for real, ongoing grooming, regular brushing, professional trims, and ear cleaning as a routine chore rather than an occasional task, and expect ear infections to recur over the dog's life even with good care.
Health you should know about
- Chronic ear infections (otitis externa) — the low-set, heavily furred, floppy ear restricts airflow into the canal; UK primary-care data found spaniel-type breeds carry meaningfully higher odds of otitis than non-spaniel breeds, and Cocker Spaniels are consistently one of the most frequently affected breeds seen by vets for this problem.
- Inherited eye disease, including progressive retinal atrophy — well enough documented in the breed that eye certification before breeding is standard advice from breed clubs.
- Hip dysplasia — a hereditary joint condition that can affect mobility long-term.
- Secondary skin infections and allergies — often follow from chronic ear disease or coat matting when grooming is neglected.
Read the full Dog Care Guide first — costs, daily time, and everything a dog needs before you choose a breed.
Sources — 3 references
Last reviewed October 2026. 3 sources listed below. Written and maintained by Petdeals.io. General care information, not veterinary advice — for a sick animal, call a vet.