How Long Do Cocker Spaniels Live? [Answered]

Whether you’re thinking about getting a Cocker Spaniel or already have one, you’ll want to know how long they live at some time.

A Cocker Spaniel’s typical lifetime is determined by genetics, lifestyle, diet, health issues, and sometimes plain luck.

The lifespan of an English Cocker Spaniel differs from that of an American Cocker Spaniel.

The typical lifespan of a Cocker Spaniel is 12 to 14 years, but many Cockers live considerably longer.

The usual lifespan of an English Cocker Spaniel is 12 to 15 years, while that of an American Cocker Spaniel is 10 to 14 years.

Every rule has an exception, and the lifespan of a Cocker Spaniel is no exception.

Averages are exactly that: a collection of numbers based on a set of dogs.

Here’s the lowdown.

Related Articles:

How Long Do Springer Spaniels Live?

Can Cocker Spaniels Live Outside?

Is a cocker spaniel 13 years old?

The typical lifespan of a Cocker Spaniel is 12 to 14 years.

But many Cockers live considerably longer.

The usual lifespan of an English Cocker Spaniel is 12 to 15 years, while that of an American Cocker Spaniel is 10 to 14 years.

What Is The Average Life Expectancy Of A Cocker Spaniel?

A Cocker Spaniel’s lifespan is estimated to be between 10 and 15 years. Unexpected disease, accidents, heredity, and bad breeding are examples of exceptions.

According to the American Kennel Club, English Cocker Spaniels have a somewhat longer life expectancy than American Cocker Spaniels, which live 12-14 years on average (AKC).

What Medical Issues Do Cocker Spaniels Face?

There are a number of issues that plague the Cocker Spaniel, and if they are not addressed or managed, they can lead to a reduced lifespan.

Some of the issues are intrinsic to the breed, while others may arise as a result of poor breeding, bad diet, lack of activity, and failure to see the veterinarian on a regular basis or as needed.

The following is a list of the most frequent health issues that affect Cocker Spaniels.

• Cataracts, glaucoma, eyelid difficulties, and cherry eye
• Ear infections, canals that are too small
• Dermatitis of the mouth and lip folds, halitosis
• IMHA, IMT Immune
• Mitral valve dysfunction, dilated cardiomyopathy, and murmurs
• Allergies to skin and fur, lumps and pimples on the skin, seborrhea, and frequent grooming
• Nervous Epilepsy
• Irritable bowel illness, liver problems, and food sensitivities
• Arthritis, hip dysplasia, ACL (ligament) tears, patellar luxation, and IVDD
• Kidney stones and urogential bladder stones
• Thyroid endocrine problems, particularly hypothyroidism

When it comes to health issues, Cocker Spaniels are no exception.

The Cocker Spaniel is not a breed for first-time pet owners or those looking for a low-maintenance dog.

There isn’t much we haven’t dealt with health-wise in nearly 30 years of owning Cocker Charles Spaniel.

Cocker with cancer, immunological disease, allergies, lip fold dermatitis, mitral valve disease, skin growths, urinary tract infections, and other ailments have been brought to our attention.

We adore the breed, its jovial demeanor, affection, and loyalty, so we keep informed, dedicated, and educate people about the breed’s proclivity for specific health issues.

Staying current on veterinary visits, avoiding chemicals as much as possible.

Considering titer blood testing instead of regular vaccines at a certain age, feeding a good quality diet, and giving them plenty of mental and physical exercise without overdoing it are some of the things you can do to help a Cocker Spaniel live a longer life.

I’ll get to that in a minute.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel appear to have a greater than normal number of canines diagnosed with immune system illnesses such as IMHA (immune-mediated hemolytic anemia) and IMT (immune-mediated tuberculosis) (immune-mediated thrombocytopenia).

There are a variety of ideas as to why Cockers have a higher rate of immunological problems, and some believe they are simply predisposed.

Because Cocker Spaniels have a difficult immune system, it’s prudent to exercise caution while injecting, medicating, or utilizing anything chemical-related on or in your dog.

Proceed with caution because there is a thin line between prevention and the creation of new issues.

Does the color of a Cocker’s coat affect their lifespan?

According to the American Spaniel Club, there are three color variants of Cocker Spaniels:

• Black with tan points.
• Any solid color other than black (ASCOB) – pale cream to dark red, brown to brown with tan points, brown to brown with tan points.
• Parti-color: A combination of two or more solid, well-broken hues, at least one of which must be white. Black and white, red and white, brown and white, and roans are examples of this.

The merle Cocker Spaniel is the subject of much debate.

There are significant differences between merles and roans, which must be understood before introducing a Cocker Spaniel into your life.

A merle Cocker Spaniel’s entire health and well-being can also be affected.

Merle is a pattern or type of marking on the Cocker’s coat, not a color.

Other breed have a lot of merle in their coats.

“When two merles are bred, they have a 50% probability of generating a dog with these uncommon colors and a 25% possibility of creating a dog with the double merle gene,” Merle rescuer B. says. Maeder remarked.

As a result, Merle Cocker Spaniels can be born blind and deaf.

It’s unclear whether one color of Cocker Spaniel lives longer than another.

What Causes Cocker Spaniel Death?

Cocker Spaniels are no exception when it comes to cancer being a top cause of mortality in dogs.

It’s easy for Cocker Spaniels to gain weight as they get older and perhaps more inactive.

Obesity can cause cancers, heart disease and liver disease.

Keeping your Cocker Spaniel at a healthy weight is better for the dog’s joints generally, as Cockers are more prone to hip dysplasia and arthritis.

It’s important to be aware of the breed’s genetic illnesses, as indiscriminately bred Cockers may have a shorter lifetime.

Vaccine-related issues claim the lives of several Cocker Spaniels.

On this subject, we could write an entire book. We are not anti-vaccination, but we are opposed to over-vaccination.

Many Cocker Spaniels have long, full lives with some health difficulties, but they live longer than the average lifespan if they are nurtured by an owner who provides them with the time, attention, decent food, and healthcare they require.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)