It’s not long before puppy owners want to know when their cocker spaniel will finally stop growing.
In the case of cocker spaniels, it’s not obvious as to how big they will get and when they’ll get there, so in this article we’ll cover exactly that.
Cocker spaniels stop growing between 10-15 months old. Most will reach their full height by 10-12 months and their full weight by 15 months. Female spaniels typically mature and stop growing before the males.
When Do Cocker Spaniels Stop Growing?
As explained above, cocker spaniels always reach their full height before their full weight. This is actually the same for all breeds!
On top of that, the females will reach their full weight before males do. This is down to males being able to put on slightly more muscle mass which takes further time to develop.
Key Point:
- Both male and female cocker spaniels reach their full height by 10-12 months, but females usually reach their full weight by 12-18 months, males may take up to 24 months to finally stop adding muscle mass.
How Big Do Cocker Spaniels Get?
At full size, cocker spaniels end up being between 15-17 Inches in height and 26-35 pounds in weight.
Compared to other breeds, there isn’t a huge difference between the two genders. Still, males do tend to be a little taller and heavier than the females.
Interestingly, although many people consider the cocker spaniel to be a small dog, most kennel clubs around the world recognize the breed as medium-sized. They are, however, smaller than the English springer spaniel and are the smallest sporting breed dog.
➡️ Female cocker spaniels:
Height: 15-16 inches
Weight: 26-32 pounds
➡️ Male cocker spaniels:
Height: 16-17 inches
Weight: 28-35 pounds
Are Cocker Spaniels Small or Medium Sized Dogs?
Although many people think cocker spaniels are small dogs, they are technically considered a medium-sized breed. Most kennel clubs around the world recognize cocker spaniels as medium-sized dogs.
That’s the technical answer. But of course, there is some level of subjectivity to this question. What you consider a small dog may be something different for someone else… I would say, however, compared to other spaniels and many working-class dogs, cocker spaniels are certainly smaller.
Cocker Spaniel Puppy Growth Chart
How big should your cocker spaniel be by what age? Many owners have specific questions, so this chart should answer those. We haven’t included height in this chart, as weight is the more significant metric.
| Cocker spaniel age | Weight (kg) | Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 months | 2.8 – 3.2 kg | 6.1 – 7.05 lbs |
| 3 months | 6.3 – 6.7 kg | 13.8 – 14.7 lbs |
| 4 months | 7.8 – 8.2 kg | 17.1 – 18.07 lbs |
| 5 months | 9.8 – 10.2 kg | 21.6 – 22.4 lbs |
| 6 months | 11.3 – 11.7 kg | 24.9 – 25.7 lbs |
| 7 months | 12.2 – 12.5 kg | 26.8 – 27.55 lbs |
| 8 months | 13-13.3 kg | 28.6 – 29.3 lbs |
| 9 months | 13.3-13.7 kg | 29.3 – 30.2 lbs |
| 10 months | 13.6-13.9 kg | 29.9 – 30.6 lbs |
| 11 months | 13.8-14 kg | 30.4 – 30.8 lbs |
| 12 months | 13.9-14.1kg | 30.6 – 31.08 lbs |
| 12-15 months | 14.1-15.2 kg | 30.6 – 33.5 lbs |
It’s important to keep in mind that these ranges are averages only. If your cocker spaniel doesn’t fit exactly within this ideal range it doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong. All grow at slightly different paces.
However, if the weight is drastically different, for example 2 or 3 kgs difference, then this could indicate a weight issue in either direction.
In this case, it might be worth reaching out to your veterinarian just to double check everything is okay, and to reassess your spaniel’s growth & diet plan.
How Fast Do Cocker Spaniels Grow?
Cocker spaniels grow fairly quickly compared to other breeds. This is not only down to the fact they are a medium-sized breed, but also because they are a working breed.
Cocker spaniels go through their quickest growth spurt between 2-7 months and after this height and weight gain starts to slow down considerably.
Popular read: How to help an overweight cocker spaniel lose weight
Are Cocker Spaniels Smaller Than English Springer Spaniels?
Yes, cocker spaniels are always smaller than English springer spaniels in both height and weight. When you compare the numbers it comes as a surprise to most owners just how much difference there is.
Cocker spaniels range from 15-17 inches in height compared to English springer spaniels at 18-22 inches in height.
When it comes to weight, cocker spaniels range from 26-34 lbs, compared to English springers spaniels at 45-55 lbs.
4 Tips To Ensure Proper Growth & Development
Although we can’t alter genetics, there’s still a handful of crucial things we do have control over that could impact your cocker spaniel’s overall growth. Let’s run through them below.
1. Encourage resting and naps
Puppies sleep upwards of 16-18 hours a day for a reason, growing is tiring! The more our puppies sleep the better their bodies can grow and develop, so it’s crucial to keep the home peaceful and quiet whenever they’re napping or sleeping.
This may sound obvious, but for those with kids, it can be a little more challenging. It’s important we explain to the kids the best we can that whenever our pups are resting, we mustn’t wake them up, no matter how much they want to play!
2. Avoid over-exercising
This one is super important, not just to ensure proper growth, but so we don’t injure our pups! Growing cocker spaniels will have plenty of energy, but we have to control how much they sprint, jump, and stress their bodies.
While exercise is still important, their bones, joints, muscles, and tendons are still developing. Too much exercise can cause short or long-term injuries and could have a negative impact on their growth. Check out this article for exercising cocker spaniels puppies.
3. Ensure high quality diet that works well for them
Opt for a premium kibble (or other alternatives) that prioritize fresh and whole ingredients. Try providing your pup a formula (made specifically for puppies) that keeps carbs to a minimum and focuses on protein and fat. This kind of macronutrient breakdown is the most similar to a wild diet, which dogs digest the best.
Choosing the right kibble is one thing, but making sure their bodies digest it well is something else. Your pup should be eager and excited to eat their meals with no signs of food refusal. If this is happening it could suggest the kibble isn’t working well for them. If they aren’t eating their meals or properly absorbing the nutrients, this could definitely take away from optimal growth and development.
4. Schedule vet check ups!
I know how it is, once we get our pup and finish their course of jabs, we tend to avoid going back to the vets for as long as possible, or until something goes wrong!
This isn’t always advised during the puppy stage though. It’s worth scheduling 2 or 3 vet checkups throughout the first year just to monitor your puppy’s height and weight, as well as their overall health.
It sounds like overkill, but if you’re really invested in making sure they are growing to their full potential, it absolutely helps to have a professional opinion every few months or so.
Back to more Cocker Spaniel articles.
Additional resources:
- https://www.rover.com/blog/cocker-spaniel-vs-springer-spaniel-whats-the-difference/
- https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/cocker-spaniel/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Springer_Spaniel/