The main difference between these two breeds is their size and the shape of their heads. The Cocker Spaniel grows a few centimetres taller than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. In addition, the Cocker Spaniel has a nicely shaped long muzzle, while the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s nose is a little shorte Nevertheless, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not to be confused with the King Charles Spaniel: The King Charles Spaniel’s muzzle is significantly shorter than that of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!
Cocker Spaniels also grow on average about 2-3 years older than Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.In character, the Cavalier is the calmer representative, lively but less keen to hunt. On the other hand, the Cocker wants and needs much more activity.
Are you looking for help deciding whether you should get a Cavalier or a Cocker?Then you’ve come to the right place. Here you will find breed characteristics as well as tips on care and training.
We have the most important differences for you and show you which dog breed could be a good match for you.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – a companion and social dog
Small and sweet – but a big dog at heart. The Cavalier is a popular companion dog for many people.
Typical breed characteristics
- Character – adaptable, undemanding, lively
- Size 30 to 33 cm
- Weight 5.5 to 8.2 kg
- Colours: black, blenheim, ruby, tricolour, black and tan
- Life expectancy 9 to 13 years
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a breed from Great Britain recognised by the FCI.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes in different colour varieties. Solid colours in black, ruby or blenheim as well as black and tan up to tricolours.
Both females and males reach a body height of 30 – 33 cm. This pleasant size in combination with their light weight make the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel an ideal companion.
In temperament, these dogs are very sociable, adaptable and affectionate. They are social and companion dogs and like to be close to people.
A hunting instinct is – if at all – usually only quite weakly pronounced and easily manageable. The hunting instinct can be curbed by consistent training.
One of the typical diseases of this breed is the EFS syndrome, i.e. the ‘Episodic Falling Syndrome’, which causes neurological cramps after increased exertion and stress.
Care and upbringing
The friendly, affectionate and even-tempered nature of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel makes it relatively easy for his people to train him. This breed is therefore also ideally suited for dog beginners.
Despite its relatively small size, the four-legged dog still wants to be kept busy and exercised – both mentally and physically.
Extensive walks with plenty to explore are a daily must for a well-balanced and contented dog.
The rather long coat of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel should be groomed daily with the help of a brush. Otherwise matted areas can quickly form.
Brushing should be particularly thorough behind the ears and under the armpits, as this is where knots and tangles tend to form.
Who is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel suitable for?
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a pleasant and friendly companion with a moderate temperament. For this reason, this breed is also suitable for dog beginners or as a family dog. Long walks and spending time with the family are very important to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
So if you are looking for a loyal companion that is easy to train, has little hunting instinct, is friendly to people and animals, and is not afraid of daily walks and grooming, then you will find the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel the ideal dog.
His drooping ears and distinctive nose – you can’t miss a Cocker.
The Cocker Spaniel: Everything you need to know about these dogs!
The Cocker Spaniel: everything you need to know about these dogs!
With its typical appearance and loyal look, the Cocker softens every heart.
Typical breed characteristics
- Character – affectionate, loyal, friendly, agile
- Size 36 to 42 cm
- Weight 12 to 14 kg
- Colour one to three-coloured from black, brown, white and tan
- Life expectancy 12 to 15 years
The Cocker Spaniel comes in two different varieties: One is the English Cocker Spaniel and the other is the American Cocker Spaniel. These two dogs differ in stature, size and origin.
Originally, the American Cocker Spaniel was bred as a show dog and the English Cocker Spaniel has remained a jadhound.
While the English Cocker Spaniel has a narrow muzzle, a narrow chest and an instep height of 36 – 42 cm, the American representative of the Cocker Spaniel is a little broader, but also shorter built and measures 34 – 37 cm.
The variety of colours is abundant. The Cocker is available in solid black or brown with tan, as well as in bicolour black and white, brown and white, or in tricolour white with tan and brown.
The Cocker Spaniel is a friendly, affectionate dog with a calm temperament.
He is not a yapper, comparatively easy to train and wants to please. His cheerful nature immediately conjures up joy, for he wants to be occupied and offers a joyful disposition in return.
He is a very attentive dog if he is given plenty of variety to keep him occupied.
Particularly common diseases of the Cocker Spaniel are hip dysplasia (HD), kidney disease and dilated cardiomyopathy (DKM).
Care and training
The Cocker Spaniel’s long coat requires daily grooming. For this reason, you should brush your Cocker Spaniel extensively at least once a day and trim out matting as well as tangles from the coat.
The best place to learn how much to trim is at a groomer. Your Cocker Spaniel needs to be groomed because he is very agile and likes to roll around in the grass, for example.
As the Cocker Spaniel has hardly any hunting instinct and is very affectionate by nature, training is very easy. Of course, the Cocker Spaniel also requires loving consistency, but the Cocker Spaniel is not a breed that questions every command.
He likes to adapt and if you have a good bond together, consistent training is easier.
With the right amount of exercise, the Cocker Spaniel is a pleasant, contented and even-tempered companion.
Who is the Cocker Spaniel suitable for?
Do you like to be out in nature and are you looking for a companion to accompany you on your walks? Then the Cocker Spaniel is probably the right dog for you.
Because a lot of exercise keeps the Cocker Spaniel optimally occupied.
Due to its friendly and playful nature, the Cocker Spaniel is also an excellent family dog. He loves to be entertained.
If you have little or no experience with dogs, the Cocker Spaniel is an ideal breed for beginners. However, do not underestimate the hunting instinct, it depends on the Cocker how much he likes to hunt.
Cavalier or Cocker – these are the differences
The main difference between these two breeds is their size and the shape of their heads. The Cocker Spaniel grows a few centimetres taller than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. In addition, the Cocker Spaniel has a nicely shaped long muzzle, while the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel’s nose is a little shorter.
Nevertheless, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not to be confused with the King Charles Spaniel: The King Charles Spaniel’s muzzle is significantly shorter than that of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!
Cocker Spaniels also grow on average about 2-3 years older than Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
In character, the Cavalier is the calmer representative, lively but less keen to hunt. On the other hand, the Cocker wants and needs much more activity.
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Conclusion on two spaniels
Whether small or medium – if you have to choose between a Cocker Spaniel and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, you will find clear differences.
While the Cocker is more for people who like to move around, enjoy learning with the dog and want to teach him new things, the Cavalier is adaptable and appreciates being close to people.
Both dog breeds have their advantages and disadvantages. Make your personal list and weigh up whether you can imagine a life with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Cocker Spaniel.
