Breed guide
Cocker Spaniel Breeding Guide: Litter Size, Whelping, Puppy Weights and Health Testing
Updated September 6, 2026 · 6 min read · By the BreedBloom team
The Cocker Spaniel (American, with the English Cocker treated separately by most registries) is a moderate-sized sporting breed with a substantial eye-disease burden. Annual ophthalmology exams and the PRA DNA test are the core of a responsible program.
Cocker Spaniel at a glance
Typical litter size
4–7 puppies (average around 5)
Birth weight
7–10 oz (200–280 g)
Adult weight
20–30 lb (9–14 kg)
Gestation
About 63 days from ovulation (57–72 from breeding)
Whelping
Usually free-whelping. Heavy coat around the rear and belly should be clipped before the due date.
Breeding and whelping notes
Ear care starts at the breeder: teach families the cleaning routine because chronic otitis is the breed's most common vet visit.
Familial nephropathy is a lethal kidney disease with a DNA test; both parents must be tested or one clear.
Temperament matters as much as structure; select for stable, soft dogs and socialise puppies to handling of ears, feet and mouth.
Grooming is lifelong and expensive; put it in the go-home packet.
Health testing before breeding
•
Hips: OFA or PennHIP
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Eyes: annual CAER exam (cataracts, PRA, glaucoma are breed concerns)
•
DNA: prcd-PRA, FN (familial nephropathy), AMS (acral mutilation syndrome), DM in some programs
•
Cardiac exam
•
Patellas: OFA
Keep the paperwork attached
Test results are only useful when they travel with the dog. Keep certificate numbers and dates on each dog's record and include copies in every go-home packet.
Tracking a Cocker Spaniel litter
Enter the ovulation or tie date and BreedBloom builds the Cocker Spaniel litter timeline: ultrasound window, X-ray count reminder, temperature checks, the day 3–16 ENS/ESI schedule, deworming and vaccination tasks, and per-puppy weight curves you can compare against the whole litter. Families follow along in the BloomPetz portal, and the go-home packet is assembled from the same records.
About these figures
Figures on this page are typical ranges drawn from breed club and veterinary references; individual lines vary. Confirm health-testing requirements with your breed's parent club, and whelping plans with your reproductive veterinarian.
Frequently asked questions
How many puppies do Cocker Spaniels have?
Typically 4–7, average around 5.
What health tests do Cocker Spaniel breeders do?
Hips, annual eye exams, DNA tests for prcd-PRA and familial nephropathy, plus cardiac and patella exams.
Run your program on BreedBloom
Dogs, litters, puppy weights, ENS/ESI tasks, waitlists, contracts and go-home packets in one connected record, with a family portal built in. Free for up to 3 dogs.
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