English Cocker Spaniel care: sniffing, grooming and care after walks

For an English Cocker Spaniel, a walk full of scents can be more appealing than a brisk walk with no stops.

Updated on 28 September 2026

Breed at a glance

Our editors rate each trait from 1 (low) to 5 (high). These are general breed characteristics, not reviews, and every pet is different.

Background: Gundog
Coat: Silky with longer feathering

Exercise needs

The breed information describes plenty of energy and curiosity; provide suitable exercise and sniffing time.

Grooming

Longer hair needs regular checks and the familiar combing routine.

Playfulness

Familiar scent games suit the breed’s hunting background; adapt them to your own dog.

Feeding & daily routine

Provide complete food for the appropriate life stage and keep familiar portions. Include treats and training food in the daily amount. Pass on an existing diet unchanged and ask your vet if unsure.

This breed on Petbnb

Petbnb bookings and sitters in the Netherlands.

Paid bookings: 1,063
Sitters with breed experience: 283

Last updated 18 October 2026

The booking total includes paid bookings, as well as completed and reviewed stays or visits. It doesn’t mean every stay or visit has already taken place. Sitter counts and city rankings are based on the breeds sitters list on their profiles, rather than their booking history. This experience is self-reported; check availability for your dates.

Find a sitter who knows the breed

See which cities have the most sitters who list this breed on their profile. Arrange a meet and greet to talk about their experience and your pet’s needs.

View all English Cocker Spaniel sitters in the Netherlands

For an English Cocker Spaniel, a walk full of scents can be more appealing than a brisk walk with no stops. Combine familiar exercise with time to explore and rest at home. Explain your dog’s routine to the sitter; a breed description is not a fixed daily schedule.

Did you know? ‘Cocker’ probably refers to a bird

According to the Raad van Beheer, the Cocker Spaniel probably takes its name from hunting woodcock. That hunting background provides a useful starting point for a simple searching game. It does not mean the sitter should let your dog off lead to follow birds.

Demonstrate one familiar game during the meet and greet: hide a known toy somewhere easy to reach and use your usual search cue. Agree the stop cue too. This lets the sitter offer something familiar without starting complicated training.

Agree walking routes and rules for using the lead

The Raad van Beheer describes the English Cocker as curious and energetic. Discuss where your dog enjoys sniffing and how you respond when they want to follow a scent. Give clear rules about going off lead and avoid practising unfamiliar situations during care.

A quiet backup walk helps on days when the normal programme is unsuitable. Write down where you can pause and which route is less busy. Adapt exertion to age and health.

Keep to a familiar routine after walks

The silky coat has longer hair around areas including the ears and legs. Show how you notice mud, twigs and early tangles after a walk. For example: check paws and belly first, dry calmly, then settle in the usual resting place.

Provide the familiar comb or brush and let the sitter try a small area under your guidance. Agree that pulling at tangles or giving a new haircut is not part of ordinary sitting. Book specialist grooming with the groomer.

Include ears and meals in daily checks

Explain how you normally check the outside of the ears and the care you have agreed on. Pass on any prescribed instructions exactly. A sitter does not need to try products or treatments independently.

Choose complete food for the appropriate life stage and keep familiar portions. Include food used in searching games and treats. Record when a meal has been given so an enthusiastic dog does not accidentally receive a second portion.

Three questions for the sitter

Can you offer walks with sniffing time while following our rules for using the lead?
Would you try our short coat check after going outside together?
How will you keep track of meals and treats already given?

Use the sitter checklist for keys, contact details and other care. Browse dog sitters and discuss your Cocker’s daily routine.

Sources

Raad van Beheer: English Cocker Spaniel — probable name from woodcock hunting, curiosity, energy and silky coat with feathering.
LICG: feeding — general guidance — complete food, life stage and individual nutritional needs.
LICG: holidays when your pet stays at home — introductions and handing over care arrangements.