- Dog breeds
- Medium breed
- Sporting group
- Origin: Great Britain
English Cocker Spaniels are compact, athletic gundogs. The AKC breed standard sets males at 16–17 in and 28–34 lb and females at 15–16 in and 26–32 lb. Most English Cockers reach adult weight at around 12–14 months. This page includes an English Cocker Spaniel growth chart by age, a size calculator preset for the breed, and sourced guidance on lifespan, health, grooming and feeding.
How big do English Cocker Spaniels get?
According to the AKC breed standard, adult male English Cocker Spaniels weigh 28–34 lb (12.7–15.4 kg) and stand 16–17 in (41–43 cm) at the shoulder. Females are a little smaller at 26–32 lb (11.8–14.5 kg) and 15–16 in (38–41 cm). That makes the English Cocker Spaniel a Medium breed on our size scale.| English Cocker Spaniel | Weight | Height |
|---|
Many healthy pets fall outside the show standard, especially from working or pet lines. Use body condition, not the scale alone, to judge a healthy weight.
English Cocker Spaniel growth chart: weight by age
| Age | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 7.4 lb3.4 kg | 7 lb3.2 kg |
| 3 months | 13 lb5.7 kg | 12 lb5.3 kg |
| 4 months | 16 lb7.4 kg | 15 lb6.9 kg |
| 6 months | 21 lb9.4 kg | 19 lb8.8 kg |
| 9 months | 26 lb11.9 kg | 25 lb11.1 kg |
| 12 months | 30 lb13.7 kg | 28 lb12.8 kg |
| Adult (12–14 months) | 31 lb14.1 kg | 29 lb13.2 kg |
When is an English Cocker Spaniel full grown?
Medium breeds like the English Cocker Spaniel reach their adult weight at about 12–14 months. Most of the growth happens early: by 6 months a typical male is around 21 lb and a female around 19 lb, after which weight gain slows down as the dog fills out.How we calculate this: each figure is the midpoint of the breed’s adult weight range multiplied by the share of adult weight a medium-size puppy typically reaches at that age (WALTHAM growth standards, Salt et al., 2017). It is the same model used by our Dog Size Calculator.
English Cocker Spaniel puppy size calculator
Enter your puppy’s current age and weight to estimate how big your English Cocker Spaniel will be as an adult. The calculator is preset for the breed.Dog Size Calculator
Predict how big your puppy will get — estimated adult weight from its current age and weight.
Best from ~8 weeks on; very young pups are less predictable.
Weigh on a flat scale, ideally before a meal.
Not sure? Use the size of the parents, or the larger parent for a mixed breed.
Males often finish a little heavier than females.
| Age milestone | Projected weight |
|---|
Dog breed weight chart (lb & kg) by size
| Size | Adult weight | Full-grown | Example breeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toy | 2–12 lb / 1–5.5 kg | ~8–10 mo | Chihuahua, Maltese, Toy Poodle, Pomeranian, Yorkie |
| Small | 12–25 lb / 5.5–11 kg | ~10–12 mo | Shih Tzu, French Bulldog, Mini Schnauzer, Mini Aussiedoodle |
| Medium | 25–50 lb / 11–23 kg | ~12–14 mo | Beagle, Border Collie, Cocker Spaniel, Std. Aussiedoodle* |
| Large | 50–100 lb / 23–45 kg | ~15–18 mo | Labrador, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Boxer |
| Giant | 100 lb+ / 45 kg+ | ~18–24 mo | Great Dane, Mastiff, St Bernard, Newfoundland |
*Standard Aussiedoodles span medium–large (≈40–70 lb / 18–32 kg); Mini Aussiedoodles are small (≈15–35 lb / 7–16 kg).
How it works: puppies of a given size reach a predictable share of their adult weight at each age. The tool divides your puppy's current weight by that share to estimate the adult figure, shown as a range.
Disclaimer: estimates for planning only — not veterinary advice. Growth varies with genetics, sex, nutrition and neuter status, especially for mixed and giant breeds. Keep records and consult your vet.
Sources: Salt et al., PLOS ONE 2017 (WALTHAM growth standards) · AKC — when puppies finish growing
English Cocker Spaniel temperament and personality
English Cockers are merry, affectionate and eager to please, with a busy, tail-wagging energy. They are devoted family dogs that usually get along with children and other pets, and they are quick to learn with positive training. Working lines in particular need plenty of exercise and something to do, such as retrieving, scent games or field work. They dislike being left alone for long periods.-
Energy level4/5
-
Trainability5/5
-
Good with children4/5
-
Shedding3/5
-
Barking3/5
Ratings are BarnCalc’s own 1–5 scale, based on the breed standard and the sources cited below. Individual dogs vary.
History and origin
For centuries, small and large land spaniels were born in the same litters in Britain. The smaller dogs, used to flush woodcock, became known as cocking spaniels or Cockers. The Kennel Club in England recognized the Cocker Spaniel in 1892. In the US, the American Cocker developed into a different type, so fanciers of the original British type formed their own club in 1935, and the AKC recognized the English Cocker Spaniel as a separate breed in 1946.English Cocker Spaniel lifespan and health
Most English Cocker Spaniels live 12–14 years. Want to know how old that is in human terms? Try our dog years calculator, or estimate an individual dog’s outlook with the dog life expectancy calculator.Health conditions documented in the breed
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
- Hip dysplasia
- Patellar luxation
- Ear infections
Health tests to ask a breeder for
The breed’s parent club recommends these screenings for breeding dogs (ask to see the results for both parents):- Patella evaluation
- Hip evaluation
- PRA-prcd DNA test
This is general information, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own dog.
Exercise and grooming
| Exercise | 1 hour of exercise a day, ideally with off-leash running |
| Grooming | Brush 2–3 times a week; trim or strip every few months; check ears weekly |
| Coat | Silky, flat or slightly wavy coat of medium length with feathering |
| Low shedding | No – moderate shedder |
| Apartment living | Possible with daily exercise |
How much should an English Cocker Spaniel eat?
A healthy, neutered adult English Cocker Spaniel weighing 26–34 lb needs roughly 710–870 kcal a day. With a typical dry food of about 375 kcal per cup, that is about 1.9–2.3 cups a day, split into two meals. Active or intact dogs need more, while older or less active dogs need less. Always check the feeding guide on your food’s label.Breeding and pregnancy
Like all dogs, a pregnant English Cocker Spaniel carries her puppies for about 63 days from ovulation. Most females come into heat about every 6 months.Is an English Cocker Spaniel right for you?
A great fit for
Active families, people interested in hunting or dog sports, and owners who enjoy a sociable, trainable dog.Think twice if
Sedentary owners, people away all day, or anyone unwilling to keep up with coat and ear care.English Cocker Spaniel FAQ
When is an English Cocker Spaniel full grown?
How big will my English Cocker Spaniel puppy get?
How much should a 6-month-old English Cocker Spaniel weigh?
How long do English Cocker Spaniels live?
Are English Cocker Spaniels good family dogs?
How do I keep my English Cocker’s ears healthy?
More dog calculators
- Dog size calculatorHow big will my puppy get?
- Dog years calculatorDog age in human years
- Life expectancyLifespan by breed and size
- Gestation calculatorDue date and whelping window
- Heat cycle calculatorNext heat and fertile days
- Raw dog food calculatorDaily portions by weight
Sources
- AKC official breed standard
- FCI breed standard
- Hill's Pet Nutrition breed profile
- AKC: breed club recommended health tests
- Salt C. et al. (2017), growth standard charts for monitoring bodyweight in dogs of different sizes, PLOS ONE
Main photo: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Reviewed by grupo barncalc.com on November 7, 2026. Estimates are for planning only and are not veterinary advice.