When it comes to the English Cocker Spaniel vs the English Springer Spaniel, there's not much separating these two breeds. Both are high-energy working dogs who thrive on having a job to do and are never happier than when leading an active life.
English Cocker Spaniels require slightly less exercise than English Springer Spaniels, and because they're smaller, they're often a good choice for suburban living. Springers tend to be more curious than Cockers, and because of that, continued training is necessary to keep their minds stimulated.
Both make wonderful family dogs, but where they differ the most is in their ability to be left alone. When well exercised, the English Cocker Spaniel will likely be content to play independently with the best dog toys or sleep until you return, whereas the Springer doesn't tend to like being separated from their humans.
However, both breeds are incredibly sweet-natured and loving, so if you've fallen in love with them, we don't blame you! To help you decide which pup would be the best fit for your home and your life, we spoke to expert vet Dr MacMillan. Below, she reveals how easy these breeds are to train, their grooming requirements, and the health issues you'll want to be aware of.
Size: Cocker vs Springer
The English Cocker Spaniel is a compact dog measuring 15–17 inches in height and weighing 26–34 pounds. Males tend to be at the taller and heavier end of these spectrums, while females are usually slightly shorter and lighter.
English Springer Spaniels are bigger than Cockers, with most males and females measuring around 20 inches. Males are heavier than females, typically weighing around 50 pounds, while females tend to weigh around 40 pounds.
Appearance: Cocker vs Springer
Sturdy and well-balanced, the English Cocker Spaniel is a medium-sized sporting dog with a regal appearance. They have bright and happy eyes and ears that are set low and lie close to their head, with long, silky hair that may be wavy or straight, keeping them well covered.
In terms of their coat, the English Cocker Spaniel comes in a range of solid and parti-colors. You'll find these dogs in black, liver, and different shades of red, and some will have a white chest or tan points. This breed has wide nostrils (which is why they excel at picking up a scent) and a strong jaw that they use for carrying large birds when hunting.
The English Springer Spaniel is sweet-faced, strong and symmetrically built. Their almond-shaped eyes wear a permanently alert yet kind expression and they have long, pendulous ears that hang close to their cheeks and are long enough to reach the tip of their nose.
When it comes to their coat, this is medium and may be either flat or wavy. They tend to have moderate feathering on their ears, chest, legs and belly, and their coat comes in three different color combinations – black and white, liver and white or either of these combinations with the inclusion of tan markings.
Trainability: Cocker vs Springer
Whether you're keen to hire a professional trainer or are planning on training your dog on your own, one of the most important things to many prospective pet parents is how quickly and easily a dog will master new commands, skills, and expected behaviors.
And when it comes to the English Cocker Spaniel and the English Springer Spaniel, we have good news for you! According to Dr MacMillan, both were bred for similar purposes and are working gundogs, which means both are intelligent and easy to train.
"They are both eager to please and enjoy human companionship, which are good traits when it comes to training," she explains.
"Springers are more prone to separation anxiety than Cockers, but it is important to teach both dogs to be happy being left on their own for short periods. Making sure that these dogs are receiving enough exercise is key to helping them concentrate during training sessions, as they can sometimes be distractible."
Exercise: Cocker vs Springer
If you've ever been around these spaniels, then you likely don't need us to tell you that both of these dogs need a lot of exercise. Perfect for singles, couples, and families that live an active lifestyle, these dogs thrive when they have plenty of physical and mental stimulation each day.
"Both breeds are high-energy working dogs," Dr MacMillan confirms. "The English Cocker will need around 60–90 minutes per day, with working types being more athletic than show types.
“Springers will need a bit more than this at around 90–120 minutes per day, depending on age and health status."
While walking is always a great option, there are so many ways to workout with your pet that will help to keep those daily exercise sessions varied and interesting. From hiking and running to swimming and dancing, don't be afraid to mix things up a little. Both of these breeds love variety!
Grooming: Cocker vs Springer
Cockers and Springers have similar grooming requirements, so you'll want to have one of the best dog brushes at the ready if you plan on welcoming one of these pups into your home.
According to Dr MacMillan, both breeds need regular brushing, although the cocker's longer coat tends to be higher maintenance. With Springers, you'll want to brush their coat at least once a week, whereas Cockers will need their fur tended to every few days.
"More frequent sessions could be required for both dogs if they regularly exercise in the countryside," Dr MacMillan advises. "This is because they are prone to picking up grass seeds and burrs, especially in the feathery bits around their paws and legs. You should try and keep the fur around their paws trimmed to prevent tangling and make it easier to spot grass awns before they burrow their way into your pet’s skin.
“Many owners choose to have their spaniels regularly clipped by a groomer to keep things in order. This helps to make their coats generally easier to manage."
Health: Cocker vs Springer
We all want our pets to live a long and happy life, so how healthy a breed typically is will often factor into our adoption decisions. When it comes to these spaniels, here are a few things Dr MacMillan says it's worth being aware of.
"Like many other pedigree breeds, Cockers and Springers are prone to hereditary eye issues such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which can lead to loss of vision," she explains.
"Hip dysplasia and patella luxation are also frequently diagnosed in both breeds. Choosing a puppy from a reputable breeder who has carried out all the recommended health screenings is essential. This will greatly reduce the risk of your pup developing problems."
On top of these health problems, Dr MacMillan says another thing to keep an eye on is your dog's ears.
"Both breeds have characteristically floppy ears, which puts them at greater risk of ear infections, though I would say I see this problem more commonly in Cockers than Springers. Their large, pendulous ears trap moisture and heat, making their ear canal the perfect breeding ground for yeast and bacteria.
“Cancer is more prevalent in Cockers, too, including mammary tumors, anal gland carcinomas, and melanomas. Cockers also frequently suffer from lip fold infections, known as lip fold dermatitis, which can be tricky to manage."
Because of all of this, Dr MacMillan says she considers the English Springer Spaniel to be the healthier of the two breeds overall.
Owner suitability: Cocker vs Springer
Do you love being in nature? Are you passionate about living an active lifestyle? Then both these spaniels will be a great fit for you.
"Both breeds are very energetic and will need active owners to match their energy levels," Dr MacMillan confirms. "If you enjoy the great outdoors, long walks, or competing in agility, then either dog would work well. The Coker has slightly lower exercise requirements and is more compact than the Springer, however, making it more adaptable for suburban living.
Both breeds make good family dogs, provided they are receiving enough mental and physical stimulation. The Cocker again may be marginally better with younger children than the Springer."
However, while there are lots of reasons to adopt a dog, Dr MacMillan says that whichever breed you choose, it's important that you're realistic about their care and exercise needs. Both the English Cocker Spaniel and the English Springer Spaniel are high-energy breeds that need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.
Read next: Facts about Springer Spaniels and things to love about Cocker Spaniels
Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. Rebecca enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation).
She writes on various feline and canine topics, including behavior, nutrition, and health. Outside of work and writing she enjoys walking her own dog, spending time with her young family and baking!
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis De Leaver.
This feature was last updated in May 2025.
