American Cocker Spaniel vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Side by side
American Cocker Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Adult weight
Males 11–14 kg (25–30 lb); females 9.1–11 kg (20–25 lb) (breed club figure)1
5.4–8 kg (12–18 lb)2
Fully grown
10 months, both sexes4
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Sheds through the year
Grooming
Brushing a few times a week
Daily brushing
Exercise
Plenty
A modest amount
Health
Class
Companion
Lap dog
Which suits you
Size
The American Cocker Spaniel is much larger: about 11 kg (25 lb) as an adult, against 6.7 kg (15 lb) for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the American Cocker Spaniel lives longer: a median of 13.3 years, against 11.8 for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Shedding
Their coats shed differently: the American Cocker Spaniel moults most as the seasons change, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel sheds through the year.
Grooming
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel needs more grooming, daily brushing, where the American Cocker Spaniel needs brushing a few times a week.
Exercise
Plan for plenty of exercise with the American Cocker Spaniel, and a modest amount with the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Temperament
They differ most on loyalty (American Cocker Spaniel: bonded to its family; Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: friendly with everyone) and on voice (American Cocker Spaniel: barks to alert, then settles; Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: quiet).
Alike
Both are rated the same on affection: a lap or leaning dog.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
What they're like
American Cocker Spaniel
Retrievers & water dogs · Small
In temperament the American Cocker is gentle, cheerful and affectionate, usually eager to please and quick to learn.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Companion & toy · Small
In temperament the Cavalier is affectionate, gentle and sociable, keen to stay close to its people and seldom shy or aggressive.
Breed traits
Day to day
American Cocker Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Activity
Differs
A good daily walk and play
Happy with modest walks
Intelligence
Learns readily, likes games
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Suits a first-time owner
Suits a first-time owner
With people
American Cocker Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Affection
A lap or leaning dog
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Differs
Bonded to its family
Friendly with everyone
Independence
Keen to work with you
Keen to work with you
Around the home
American Cocker Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Sensitivity
Needs a calm, predictable home
Needs a calm, predictable home
Voice
Differs
Barks to alert, then settles
Quiet
Prey drive
Usually fine with small pets
Usually fine with small pets
Puppy growth
Reference curves · both sexes
Summary
Detail
The American Cocker Spaniel grows to the heavier adult, about 11 kg against the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's 6.7 kg.
American Cocker Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
More comparisons
Compare the American Cocker Spaniel with
Sources
- 1American Kennel Club. American Cocker Spaniel breed page. ↑
- 2American Kennel Club. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed standard. ↑
- 3
- 4Hawthorne et al., 2004. Body-weight changes during growth in puppies of different breeds. Journal of Nutrition 134(8 Suppl): 2027S–2030S (WALTHAM). ↑
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- 10Morrill et al., 2022. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 376: eabk0639 (Darwin's Ark). ↑
- 11Dogs Trust. Finding a good, responsible breeder. ↑
- 12American Kennel Club. Screening puppy buyers: how top breeders find the best homes. ↑
- 13
Parts of this page were written by AI ·