Generally a healthy breed, the Cocker has no major problems. However, as with any breed of dog, some hereditary conditions occur.  The Kennel Club, The Cocker Spaniel Club and, indeed, breeders themselves conduct an on-going programme of Health testing to ensure these conditions are controlled.   You should expect breeders to be conscious of and pro-active in maintaining the health and wellbeing of their breeding stock. 

Detailed information may be obtained from The Cocker Spaniel Club website HERE and The Breed Council site HERE. 

EYE CONDITIONS, for which annual testing is carried out by specialist eye panellists under the Kennel Club/British Veterinary Association schemes, include Glaucoma (tested three yearly), Generalised PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) and Centralised PRA (tested annually).

KIDNEYS Familial Nephropathy (FN) or shrunken kidney is an inherited condition that may lead to kidney failure at an early age. 

HIPS Hip Dysplasia (abnormal development of the hip joint) is generally associated with larger breeds and Cockers are not considered to be greatly affected.    However, the condition can be found in any breed.    Hip Dysplasia can cause from slight to severe lameness or indeed no noticeable symptoms at all. 
The Hip Score is carried out by x-ray of both hip joints, each of which are given a score between 0 and 106 (53 for each hip).   Relatively small numbers of cockers in the UK are currently hip-scored.     

Adult Onset Neuropathy (AON) A progressive weakness due to a neuropathy has been recognized as an autosomal recessive, hereditary disorder in English Cocker Spaniels by the research team at the University of Missouri Animal Molecular Genetic Lab.   Clinical signs typically begin between 7.5 and 9 years of age and consist first of an uncoordinated gait or wobbling in the hind limbs.    The stance in the hind limbs is wide-base and the hocks will drop lower to the ground.   The weakness eventually progresses to also involve the front limbs.   When dogs become non-ambulatory in all limbs, difficulty in swallowing also becomes apparent.   The neurologic signs seem to progress slowly and gradually over 3 to 4 years.

Acral Mutilation Syndrome (AMS) This distressing condition is seen in puppies of Working Cockers (to date) resulting in lesions on distal extremities caused by self-mutilation, featuring loss of sensivity to pain on distal limbs, tendency to lick or bite their own pads, resulting in auto-amputation of claws, digits and footpads in severe cases.    

DNA testing for hereditary conditions is available through the Kennel Club Health Testing services, as well as other on-line sites.   

Ongoing research is carried out by the Cambridge University, in conjunction with the Kennel Club, in the field of Auto-immune Disease, Oncology and other health conditions presented to the veterinary profession.

To assist in monitoring the general health of the Breed, owners are encouraged to report health conditions. This may be done in the strictest confidence by completing a Questionnaire which is available on www.cockerspaniel-info.org.uk/health.htm