Travelling with a Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels are born travellers - energetic, adaptable, and endlessly enthusiastic about new adventures. Their moderate size makes them practical companions, while their love of exercise and water opens up diverse holiday experiences. This guide covers how to make the most of travelling with your Cocker Spaniel.

Understanding Cocker Spaniel Travel Needs

Breed Characteristics

What Makes Them Great Travellers:

• Moderate size (practical for accommodation and transport)
• Adaptable temperament
• Love of exercise and exploration
• Generally sociable
• Happy disposition
• Water lovers (most)
• Eager to please

Considerations:

• High energy needs exercise
• Coat needs maintenance
• Ears prone to issues (especially after swimming)
• Can be "busy" - always doing something
• Separation anxiety possible in some

English vs American Cocker

English Cocker:

• Working dog heritage strong
• High energy, especially working lines
• Often more driven
• Typically more exercise needs

American Cocker:

• More companion-bred
• Slightly lower energy typically
• Heavier coat
• Same water enthusiasm

Both travel well. Adjust activities to your individual dog.

Best Destinations

Perfect Cocker Spaniel Destinations

Coastal Areas: Water-loving Cockers thrive at beaches.

• Cornwall - beaches, coastal paths
• Norfolk - year-round beaches
• Northumberland - empty sands

Countryside: Working dog heritage means they love rural exploring.

• Lake District - walking and swimming
• Yorkshire - varied terrain
• Scottish Highlands - adventure territory

Woodland: Spaniels love sniffing through forests.

• New Forest
• Forest of Dean

Water Destinations

Cockers and Water: Most Cocker Spaniels love water. Lakes and rivers are magnets.

Excellent Options:

• Lake District (multiple swimming lakes)
• Scottish lochs
• Norfolk Broads
• Rivers throughout UK

See our Water Activities guide.

Exercise Needs

Daily Requirements

Typical Needs:

• 1-2 hours exercise daily
• Mental stimulation important
• Enjoys working for food
• Loves scent work

On Holiday:

• Multiple walks usually needed
• Beach running and swimming tire them well
• Mental stimulation between walks
• Working line Cockers may need more

Activity Ideas

Perfect Cocker Activities:

Beaches: Running, swimming, fetch. Excellent exercise.

Long Walks: Built for endurance. Can handle good distances.

Water Activities: Swimming, paddling, water retrieves.

Sniff Walks: Let them follow their nose. Mentally tiring.

Training Games: Recalls, retrieves, scent work.

Coat Care on Holiday

The Cocker Coat

Characteristics:

• Medium length, wavy/flat
• Feathering on legs, chest, ears
• Attracts debris
• Needs regular grooming

Holiday Grooming

Daily Needs:

• Check ears (especially after swimming)
• Remove debris from feathers
• Brush tangles
• Check paws

After Swimming:

• Dry ears thoroughly
• Rinse salt water
• Check ears inside

After Walks:

• Check for seeds/burrs in feathers
• Grass seeds in ears (check carefully)
• Tangles in leg feathers

Ear Care

Critical for Cockers: Long, floppy ears trap moisture and debris.

After Water:

• Dry ears thoroughly
• Check inside
• Ear cleaner if needed
• Watch for head shaking/scratching

Prevention:

• Regular ear checks
• Keep ears dry
• Prompt attention to any issues

Accommodation

What Works

Ideal Features:

• Enclosed garden (for busy Cockers)
• Space to dry wet dogs
• Not too precious about interiors
• Good walking access

Considerations:

• Cockers can be muddy
• They track water and debris
• Need drying space
• May need grooming area

Cottage Holidays

Self-catering cottages work well for Cocker Spaniels. More space, gardens, flexibility.

See our Cottages guide.

Travel

Car Travel

Most Cockers Travel Well:

• Comfortable in crates
• Enjoy car journeys
• Excited about destinations
• Good travellers generally

Tips:

• Secure in crate or harness
• Regular stops for energy release
• Water available
• Ventilation important

Train Travel

Cockers on Trains: Moderate size makes them manageable. Can be excitable but trainable to settle.

See our Train Travel guide.

Seasonal Considerations

Summer

Benefits:

• Long days for exercise
• Swimming weather
• Beach season

Considerations:

• Heat management (dark coats absorb heat)
• Plenty of water access
• Not too much exercise in hot periods
• Cool swimming opportunities excellent

Winter

Benefits:

• Coat provides good protection
• Enjoy all weathers
• Happy in rain

Considerations:

• Wet coat takes time to dry
• Check paws after cold walks
• May need coat drying equipment

Autumn

Watch For: Grass seeds - particularly dangerous for spaniel ears. Check after every walk.

Health Considerations

On Holiday

Common Concerns:

Ear Infections: Higher risk after swimming. Dry ears thoroughly. Watch for signs.

Grass Seed Injuries: Seeds in ears, paws, eyes. Check after every walk. Particularly autumn.

Overexertion: Enthusiastic dogs may push themselves. Monitor and enforce rest.

Prevention

Ear Care:

• Dry after swimming
• Regular checks
• Ear cleaner as needed

Seed Check:

• Daily ear checks
• Paw checks
• Between toes

Mental Stimulation

Keeping Busy Minds Occupied

Cockers Need Mental Exercise:

• Puzzle feeders
• Kongs
• Scent games
• Training exercises
• Hide and seek with treats

On Rainy Days:

• Indoor games
• Training sessions
• Puzzle toys
• Snuffle mats

Sniff Walks

Let Them Use Their Nose:

• Don't rush walks
• Allow sniffing
• Scent walks are tiring
• Natural behaviour

Social Aspects

Meeting Other Dogs

Generally Sociable: Most Cockers are friendly with other dogs.

On Holiday:

• Good for busy beaches
• Enjoy dog company
• Usually good at pub stops
• Social walks enjoyable

Meeting People

Friendly Nature: Cockers typically enjoy meeting people.

Considerations:

• Can be enthusiastic
• May jump up
• Training helps
• Generally welcome everywhere

Frequently Asked Questions

How much exercise does a Cocker Spaniel need on holiday?

1-2 hours daily minimum. Multiple walks often better. Swimming and beach running particularly good.

Are Cocker Spaniels good travellers?

Generally excellent. Adaptable, moderate size, enthusiastic. Most love car journeys.

What about their ears after swimming?

Critical - dry thoroughly after every swim. Long ears trap moisture, leading to infections.

Can Cocker Spaniels handle long walks?

Yes, most fit Cockers handle substantial distances. Working lines especially have good stamina.

Best type of holiday for a Cocker Spaniel?

Coastal holidays with beach access and swimming. Countryside with varied walking. Anywhere with water!

Do I need to groom daily on holiday?

Check and brush daily. More intensive grooming after swimming or muddy walks. Ear checks essential.

Adventures Await Your Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels are natural adventurers - enthusiastic, adaptable, and happy to explore anywhere. Their water love, exercise needs, and cheerful temperament make them ideal holiday companions. Pack extra towels for that wet spaniel, check those ears, and enjoy the adventure together.

Luke has learned that Cocker Spaniels bring joy and enthusiasm to every adventure. Their happiness is infectious, and their love of water makes beach and lake holidays particularly rewarding.