Breed comparison
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Cocker Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or Cocker Spaniel? Both are silky-eared, sweet-natured spaniels that love a lap, so people often put them side by side. The short answer: the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the smaller, more people-clingy toy, while the Cocker Spaniel is a sturdier sporting dog with a much bigger grooming bill. Neither is low-maintenance on health. Cavaliers carry a serious heart-disease risk, and Cockers are prone to ear and skin trouble. This page covers the American Cocker Spaniel, which is a separate breed from the English Cocker.
Photo: Andreweatock · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Kulala · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Cocker Spaniel | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | Small |
| Height | 12–13 in (30–33 cm) | 13.5–15.5 in (34–39 cm) |
| Weight | 13–18 lb (6–8 kg) | 20–30 lb (9–14 kg) |
| Life span | 12–15 years | 10–14 years |
| Group | Toy | Sporting |
| Coat | Silky, medium-length coat with feathering on ears, chest, legs and tail | Silky, medium-length coat with feathering |
| Lower-allergen coat | No | No |
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly to strangers | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| Tolerates being alone | ||
| Good for first-time owners | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Barking | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Trait scale 1–5. Shedding, grooming, barking and drooling: 5 = more. Highlighted rows are where the two breeds differ.
The key differences
Size
The Cavalier is the smaller dog, at 12 to 13 in (30 to 33 cm) and 13 to 18 lb (6 to 8 kg). The Cocker stands 13.5 to 15.5 in (34 to 39 cm) and weighs 20 to 30 lb (9 to 14 kg). That makes the Cocker a bit more robust for rough play and longer outings. Both fit comfortably in apartments, and both score 5 out of 5 for apartment living.
Energy and exercise
Both rate 3 out of 5 for energy and for exercise, so neither needs athlete-level workouts. PetMD suggests two walks of 20 to 30 minutes a day for a Cavalier, plus mental stimulation, and says a Cocker enjoys fetch and a few walks a day without needing high levels of exercise. With a Cavalier, avoid pushing to exhaustion because of the breed's heart concerns.
Coat and grooming
Here the two split widely. The Cavalier's silky coat with feathering scores 3 out of 5 for grooming, and brushing a few times a week keeps it tidy. The Cocker scores 5 out of 5 because its long silky coat mats easily, and PetMD says it benefits from regular professional grooming. Both shed at a moderate level (3 out of 5), and both need routine ear checks.
Temperament and training
Both are eager to please and sensitive to scolding, so reward-based training works best. Cavaliers are the more extreme people-lovers: they score 5 out of 5 with strangers, kids and other dogs, and only 1 out of 5 for tolerating time alone. Cockers are friendly too but a touch more varied (4 out of 5 on the same traits) and bark a bit more (3 versus 2). Neither makes a watchdog.
Health and life span
Cavaliers typically live 12 to 15 years and Cockers 10 to 14, but both score 2 out of 5 for health. PetMD calls mitral valve heart disease the leading reported cause of death in Cavaliers, and also lists syringomyelia, eye problems and patellar luxation. For Cockers it lists ear infections, skin infections, hip dysplasia and von Willebrand disease, and notes a tendency to gain weight. Choose a breeder who screens parents for the breed's conditions.
Cost and care
The Cocker usually costs more to keep looking its best because of professional grooming. The Cavalier can cost more in vet attention, since regular heart checks matter and heart disease may need long-term treatment. Both dogs are happiest with company, so budget for a walker or daycare if you work long days. Pet insurance is worth pricing early for either breed.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel if you want a small, gentle lap dog that is wonderful with kids, strangers and other dogs, and someone is home most of the day. Be ready for regular heart checks and a breeder who screens carefully. Choose the Cocker Spaniel if you want a slightly sturdier dog with a bit more bounce and retrieving fun, and you are prepared for a grooming schedule that never really stops, plus frequent ear care. Both suit first-time owners who like training with treats and praise, and neither enjoys being left alone for long hours.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel profile Cocker Spaniel profile
Frequently asked questions
Is a Cavalier or a Cocker Spaniel better for a first-time owner?
Both are good choices. Cavaliers score 5 out of 5 for first-time owners and Cockers 4. The Cocker's grooming workload is the bigger adjustment.
Which sheds less, a Cavalier or a Cocker?
They tie on our shedding meter at 3 out of 5. The bigger difference is grooming: the Cocker's coat tangles more and needs far more work.
Which is smaller, a Cavalier or a Cocker Spaniel?
The Cavalier. It weighs 13 to 18 lb (6 to 8 kg), while the Cocker weighs 20 to 30 lb (9 to 14 kg).