How long do English Cocker Spaniels live?

The median lifespan of the English Cocker Spaniel is 13.3 years, based on the 2024 McMillan et al. study of 584,734 UK dogs.

Is the English Cocker Spaniel a healthy breed?

On the Breed Health Score the English Cocker Spaniel scores 80 out of 100 (grade A), compared with an average of 71 across 155 breeds.

80/ 100

English Cocker Spaniel Grade A

Q: What health problems do English Cocker Spaniels have?

Commonly reported conditions in the English Cocker Spaniel include Progressive retinal atrophy, Otitis externa, Hip dysplasia, Familial nephropathy, Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia.

Median lifespani 13.3 yr · medium · 12-16 kg

⇆ Compare English Cocker Spaniel

The English Cocker Spaniel is a medium breed with a median lifespan of 13.3 years, which places it among the longest-lived third of the 155 breeds we rank for longevity. Commonly reported health conditions include Progressive retinal atrophy, Otitis externa, Hip dysplasia, Familial nephropathy. Its overall Breed Health Score is 80/100 (grade A), against an average of 71/100 across all breeds.

Score breakdown

Longevityi 65%

Conformationi 20%

100

Hereditary burdeni 15%

Higher is healthier. See methodology.

Common & hereditary conditions

Progressive retinal atrophy Otitis externa Hip dysplasia Familial nephropathy Immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia

Red marks a life-threatening or major-welfare condition. Click a condition to see which breeds it affects. This list reflects commonly reported conditions, so better-studied breeds may show more; hereditary burden is the lightest-weighted part of the score. Source: RVC VetCompass / AKC / PDSA (indicative).

Thinking of a English Cocker Spaniel? A breed's health profile affects insurance cost. Comparing pet insurance early, before any conditions become pre-existing, usually gets the best cover.

Compare with similar-size breeds

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<div style="font:12px -apple-system,Segoe UI,Roboto,sans-serif;margin-top:4px"><a href="https://breedhealthscore.com/breed/english-cocker-spaniel/">English Cocker Spaniel health score on Breed Health Score</a></div>

Data & citation. Median lifespan: McMillan, K.M. et al. (2024) "Longevity of companion dog breeds", Scientific Reports (584,734 UK dogs). Data CC-BY 4.0. Source. Machine-readable: developer API. These are independent estimates for comparing breeds, not veterinary advice. Photo: SlimMars 13 via Pexels.