Life Expectancy Of Cocker Spaniels [Quick Facts]

Your dog is unique! No dog, however, is flawless!

Is everything worth it? Yes, of course!

The English Cocker Spaniel is a smaller land spaniel that was bred for woodcock hunting.

The American Kennel Club recognized the English Cocker Spaniel on 1946 as a distinct breed from the American Cocker Spaniel.

In England, the breed is more popular than in the United States.

Her inherent hunting instincts necessitate regular exercise and an active lifestyle.

The typical lifespan of an English Cocker Spaniel is 12-15 years.

Related Articles:

How Long Do Cocker Spaniels Live? [Answered]

King Cavalier Cocker Spaniels [Quick Facts]

Is 12 old for a cocker spaniel?

The life expectancy also depends if the dog is an English Cocker Spaniel or an American Cocker Spaniel.

Cocker Spaniels live anywhere between 12 and 14 years on average.

With many Cockers living much longer lives.

The Health of Your English Cocker Spaniel

We understand that you want to take good care of your dog because you love her so much.

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the health issues we’ll be discussing with you during your Cocker Spaniel’s life.

We can create a preventative health plan to look for and possibly prevent some predictable risks by learning about health concerns specific to English Cocker Spaniels.

The diseases we’ve mentioned herein have a considerable rate of prevalence and/or influence in this breed, according to canine genetic experts and veterinary practitioners.

We’ll go over the most prevalent problems with English Cocker Spaniels so you know what to expect in the future.

For your English Cocker Spaniel, here are some general health tips.

Dental Illness

Your English Cocker Spaniel, regrettably, is more likely than other dogs to suffer dental issues.

In fact, the lifespan of your English Cocker Spaniel could be reduced by one to three years!

Brush your dog’s teeth regularly.

Infections

English Cocker Spaniels are susceptible to bacterial and viral illnesses, such as parvo, rabies, and distemper, that affect all dogs.

Many of these infections can be avoided by getting vaccinated, which we will advise based on the diseases we find in our area, her age, and other considerations.

Obesity

Obesity in English Cocker Spaniels can be a serious health issue.

It is a dangerous condition that can lead to heart disease.

When she looks at you with those soulful eyes, it’s tempting to offer her food, but you can “love her to death” with leftover people food and doggie goodies.

Instead, hug her, clean her hair or teeth, play a game with her, or go on a stroll with her.

She’ll feel better, and you’ll feel better, too!

Parasites

Worms and pests of all kinds can infest your Cocker Spaniel’s body, both inside and out.

Some of these parasites can be passed from one person to another, posing a major threat to everyone.

Neuter vs. Spay

Spaying your Cocker Spaniel is one of the best things you can do for her (neutered for males).

In females, this entails surgical removal of the ovaries and, in most cases, the uterus, whereas in males, it entails surgical removal of the testicles.

Spaying or neutering your pet reduces the risk of certain cancers and prevents your pet from becoming pregnant or fathering unwanted babies.

This would be a good time to get your pet’s hip X-rays or a puppy tooth extracted, for example.

English Cocker Spaniel Genetic Predispositions

Problems with the eyes

Few things have such a significant impact on your dog’s quality of life as adequate eye function.

At each examination, we will search for any indicators of worry in his eyes.

Glaucoma, a severe eye illness that affects both English Cocker Spaniels and humans, is a disease that can quickly lead to blindness if left untreated.

Squinting, watery eyes, bluing of the cornea (the transparent front section of the eye), and redness in the whites of the eyes are all symptoms of this condition.

Pet owners are rarely aware of pain, despite the fact that it is common and can be severe.

Glaucoma is a life-threatening condition. If you notice symptoms, don’t wait to contact us; instead, go to an emergency room!

In senior Cocker Spaniel, cataracts are a common cause of blindness.

When we examine him, we’ll look for the lenses of his eyes to grow more opaque—that is, hazy rather than clear.

Many dogs adapt well to losing their vision and live happily ever after.

In English Cocker Spaniels, dry eye, commonly known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca or KCS, is common.

Tear glands produce insufficient tears to keep the eye moist, resulting in painful, itchy eyes and infections.

Ouch! A heavy discharge, squinting, pawing at the eye, or a dull, dry appearance of the eye are all symptoms.

This is one of the most common genetic disorders in dogs, and your Cocker Spaniel has a higher risk of developing it than other dogs.

This illness is known as the cherry eye.

It affects pups and young Cocker Spaniels the most.

Disorders of Bleeding

Their severity ranges from very light to quite severe.

Many times, a pet appears fine until he or she sustains a catastrophic injury or undergoes surgery, at which point substantial bleeding might develop.

English Cocker Spaniels are particularly susceptible to a number of very uncommon blood disorders.

When the immune system goes wild and starts targeting the pet’s own red blood cells or platelets, Hemolytic Anemia and Thrombocytopenia develop.

Your dog will become anemic, sluggish, and lethargic if the immune system attacks red blood cells.

Instead of the vibrant pink tone, his gums will appear pale or yellow.

His blood won’t clot properly if his immune system destroys platelets, resulting in bruising or abnormal bleeding.

Before doing any procedures, we’ll conduct blood clotting diagnostic tests to rule out these issues.

Steroids and other immune-suppressive medicines will be prescribed to slow or halt the immune system from destroying cells.

An emergency transfusion of red blood cells or platelets is sometimes required.

Cocker Spaniel are prone to Von Willebrand’s disease, a blood clotting ailment.

Problems with the Back

In Cocker Spaniels, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a common problem.

When the jelly-like cushion between one or more vertebrae slips or ruptures, the disc presses on the spinal cord, producing the condition.

He may even drag his back legs or become paralyzed, unable to stand or move his back legs.

Don’t delay if you notice symptoms.

Rest and medication may be enough to alleviate the condition in less severe cases.

Weight control, like so many other disorders, aids in the prevention of this condition.

From the moment your dog is a puppy, you should utilize ramps or stairs so that he doesn’t spend his life jumping up and off of furniture, stressing his back.

Knee Complications

The patella (kneecap) of your Cocker Spaniel may move out of place from time to time (called patellar luxation).

You may observe that when he runs, he suddenly pulls up one of his back legs and skips or hops for a few strides.

Then he kicks his leg out sideways to reposition the kneecap, and he’s good to go.

If the disease is minor and only affects one leg, your friend might not need anything more than arthritis medicine.

Heart Problems

English Cocker Spaniels are susceptible to a variety of heart diseases, which can strike at any age.

Early detection of heart disease allows us to treat your pet with medication, which can extend his or her life for many years.

Prevent heart disease as early as you can.

Heart failure is the major cause of mortality in English Cocker Spaniels over the age of ten.

The weakening of a valve is the most common cause of heart disease in dogs.

Heart disease can be prevented with veterinary dental care and fatty acid supplementation, and symptoms can be reduced with weight control.

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a life-threatening heart ailment in which the heart gets so big, thin, and weak that it can no longer adequately pump blood to the body.

English Cocker Spaniels are especially prone to DCM.

He may become weak or fatigued, faint or collapse, breathe laboriously, or cough as the condition worsens.

Epilepsy

Reactive, secondary, and primary seizures are the three forms of seizures in dogs.

The brain’s reaction to a metabolic condition, such as low blood sugar, organ failure, or a toxin, causes reactive seizures.

A brain tumor, stroke, or trauma can cause secondary seizures.

Allergies

Pollen, mold, or dust allergies cause people to sneeze and scratch their eyes.

Allergies cause itchy skin in dogs rather than sneezing.

This type of skin allergy is known as “atopy,” and it is common in Cocker Spaniels.

The feet, abdomen, skin folds, and ears are the most commonly affected areas.

Symptoms usually appear between the ages of one and three, and they can get worse with each passing year.

The most common symptoms are licking the paws, stroking the face, and frequent ear infections.

The good news is that this illness has a wide range of therapy choices.

Skin Illness

Seborrhea is a common skin condition that causes dry, flaky skin as well as greasy, oily skin.

Seborrhea sicca is the dry form, whereas seborrhea oleosa is the oily version.

Both types can make your pet itchy and uncomfortable, and they increase the chances of a skin infection.

They’re one of the most vexing ailments for Cocker Spaniel owners since they make their dogs dirty and ugly.

Seborrhea can be caused by hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels), allergies, Cushing’s illness, and other conditions.

Cancer

In senior dogs, cancer is a leading cause of death.

Because your Cocker is expected to live longer than many other breeds, he is more likely to develop cancer in his latter years.

Many cancers can be healed by removing them surgically, and certain types can be treated with chemotherapy but cancer an greatly affect the cocker spaniel lifespan.

Deafness

Some Cocker dog breed or bloodlines have been linked to heritable deafness, so if his ears are fine but he’s still ignoring you, a more complete hearing examination, including brainwave analysis, may be required.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)