English Cocker Spaniel vs American Cocker Spaniel
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| English Cocker Spaniel | American Cocker Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Medium | Medium |
| Adult weight | 11.8 to 15.4 kg | 9.1 to 13.6 kg |
| In pounds | 26 to 34 lb | 20 to 30 lb |
| Adult height | 38 to 43 cm | 34 to 39 cm |
| Energy | Moderate | High |
| Grooming | High | High |
| Coat | Medium to long double | Long silky and double |
| Shedding | Moderate | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 12 to 14 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Good with children | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Country of origin | Great Britain | United States |
The main differences
- The English Cocker Spaniel is the bigger dog: 11.8 to 15.4 kg against 9.1 to 13.6 kg for the American Cocker Spaniel.
- The American Cocker Spaniel needs more exercise: high energy against moderate for the English Cocker Spaniel.
- Grooming is high for both.
- The English Cocker Spaniel usually lives longer: 12 to 14 years against 10 to 14 years.
Temperament
English Cocker Spaniel: Gentle and affectionate, yet full of life and exuberance, with a merry nature and ever-wagging tail.
American Cocker Spaniel: A small, merry American gundog with a long silky coat and heavy feathering, affectionate, eager to please and sensitive to how they are handled.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
English Cocker Spaniel
- Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Familial nephropathy (FN), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Adult-onset neuropathy (AON), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be hip scored by x-ray before mating
American Cocker Spaniel
- Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Cataracts and other inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
- Glaucoma, which can be flagged by gonioscopy and measured with tonometry
- Chronic ear infections caused by long, heavy, low set ears, found on a vet ear exam and reduced by routine cleaning and drying
- Hip dysplasia, screened by hip evaluation of breeding stock
- Patellar luxation, a slipping kneecap, found on a patella evaluation
- Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia and hypothyroidism, diagnosed on blood work and a thyroid evaluation
Common questions
Which is bigger, the English Cocker Spaniel or the American Cocker Spaniel?
The English Cocker Spaniel. Adults weigh 11.8 to 15.4 kg, against 9.1 to 13.6 kg for the American Cocker Spaniel, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the English Cocker Spaniel or the American Cocker Spaniel?
The published life expectancy is 12 to 14 years for the English Cocker Spaniel and 10 to 14 years for the American Cocker Spaniel. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the English Cocker Spaniel or the American Cocker Spaniel better with children?
They score the same: reliably good with children. Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- royalkennelclub.com for the Royal Kennel Club exercise or grooming band, used where it asks for more than the AKC score
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin