The 6 secret missions of a Cocker Spaniel

Beki Ward

If you’ve ever lived with a Cocker Spaniel, you’ll know it’s impossible not to fall in love with these floppy-eared, fun-loving friends. However, you’ll also have noticed that they have some peculiar – but equally adorable – habits. Habits that make us think they’re up to something…

Here’s what we suspect to be the secret (or maybe not-so-secret!) missions of a Cocker Spaniel.

Mission #1: ‘If I clean the house for them, maybe I’ll get some extra cuddles later?’

Ah yes, the famous feather duster tail. When it’s nearly time for their next groom, a Cocker Spaniel’s adorable wagging tail will sweep and polish wherever they go. Perhaps by helping with the household chores, they’re trying to earn some extra cuddle time with their favourite human...

Mission #2: ‘If I follow them literally everywhere they go, I won’t miss the next chance for playtime.’

On the toilet, cooking dinner, hanging up the washing – Cocker Spaniels stick to their humans like glue, making them such loyal and loving four-legged friends. Conveniently for them, it also means that when the next opportunity for playtime appears, they’re sure not to miss it!

Black and white spaniel dog trotting on beach

Mission #3: ‘If I can keep them playing fetch for long enough…maybe they’ll forget they have a life outside of playing fetch with me?’

When you live with a Cocker Spaniel, you can expect to play fetch again, and again, and again, and again…and again! These excitable pups love nothing more than burning off some energy in the local park. We think they’ll do anything they can to play fetch for as long as possible.

Mission #4: ‘If I go for a dip in that pond, river, or muddy puddle, they’ll have to brush me later on which means…even more cuddles!’

Originally bred as gundogs who worked to retrieve game for a gamekeeper, Cocker Spaniels are naturally attracted to bodies of water and are strong swimmers. So, if you’re walking by a pond, river or a muddy puddle, don’t be surprised if they want to take a dip! Inevitably, this means their human will need to brush and wash their floppy ears and coat afterwards…perhaps a secret Spaniel plot for extra attention!

Mission #5: ‘If I show them my puppy dog eyes long enough…maybe they’ll forgive me for that last sock I hid under the sofa?’

We all know it – that mesmerising puppy dog look that says ‘I can do no wrong’…and let’s be honest, it works a charm every time! Even when your Cocker Spaniel has been up to some sweet mischief, such as hiding a sock or the TV remote, they know that one look with their enchanting eyes will have them back in their human’s good books.

Mission #6: ‘If I wiggle my bum enough, maybe my humans will truly know how much I love them!’

We’ve saved the best until last…nothing beats being greeted by the Cocker Spaniel bum wiggle! This is a wiggle so extraordinary that it shimmies the entire back half of their body - aww! This is just one of many ways that these wonderful dogs show us that they love us. In fact, this ‘secret mission’ really is no secret!

We’ve been training hearing dogs since 1982.

Through our years of experience, we’ve discovered that Cocker Spaniels, Labradors, Miniature Poodles, and Cockapoos are the best breeds to be in this highly-skilled role supporting deaf adults and children.

Learn more about how we use our reward-based training to create happy and confident hearing dogs.

About the author

Hi everyone, I'm Matt and I look after the charity's social media, blog and e-newsletter.

I spend a lot of my day talking about our hearing dog superstars - it's a hard life!

Registered charity in England and Wales no. 293358 and in Scotland no. SC040486. Royal Patron HRH The Princess Royal.