Recently, an 8-year-old cockapoo was referred to me - the latest of many presenting with suspected 'cocker rage'.
'Cocker rage' is a term usually used to describe aggression in cocker spaniels and spaniel mixes. Typically, the aggression is said to be sudden and unprovoked, and often these incidents of aggression lead to bites. However, it is difficult to find scientific evidence to suggest that “cocker rage” is a valid diagnosis.
In my career as a behaviourist I have seen plenty of cocker spaniels and cocker mixes presenting with complex behaviour problems – the animal at the beginning of the article in fact had a very typical fear of veterinary handling. In fact, 9 times out of 10, these patients have identifiable diagnoses. This article has not been written to suggest that this highly intelligent breed group does not encounter its’ fair share of problems, but rather to say that a dog given the label of 'cocker rage' deserves informed behavioural investigation and treatment alongside a referring veterinarian willing to look deeper.
Sadly, it is not uncommon for 'cocker rage' to be used as a 'one-size-fits-all' explanation for complex and nuanced behaviour problems, and anybody who looks at discussions surrounding spaniels on public forums will see the public panic this label generates. Imagine being told that your dog has a genetic, incurable disease that may lead to lifelong aggression, when in fact there is a perfectly treatable explanation hiding underneath.
Such panic has severe consequences. Not only is there a rehoming crisis in the UK, but a 2021 study suggested that “behavioural problems account for 2–39% of canine euthanasia in veterinary practices and 50–70% in animal shelters” (Pegram et al., 2021)
Just a few years ago I was made aware that a young cocker spaniel puppy - a previous client - had been euthanised for a completely preventable behavioural incident. Though of course there are many valid reasons for behavioural euthanasia, this incident - caused by caregiver negligence with a strong helping of ‘cocker rage’ worry - had deprived the dog of seeing her first birthday.
Some research suggests that 'cocker rage' or 'rage syndrome' is in fact a manifestation of (or at least very similar to) idiopathic epilepsy (Dodman et al., 1992), and that such behaviour can be effectively treated medically by a veterinary professional. Indeed, humans living with epilepsy are observed to be more anxious, and in certain circumstances dogs diagnosed with epilepsy demonstrate similar traits (Levitin et al., 2019). Anxiety-related behaviours may be shown prior to or following an epileptic incident, or alternatively may cause an overall nervous disposition in the individual: hardly surprising when living with a highly unpredictable condition that they are unable to explain!
Some studies have shown English Cocker Spaniels have a “strong predisposition to aural and ocular disorders” (Engdahl et al., 2024). Combined with the musculoskeletal and gastrointestinal issues that any dog breed can experience, it’s always important to establish whether the 'cocker rage' that is suspected requires some more in-depth medical investigation. There is a well-documented link between pain and problem behaviour (Mills et al., 2020), and so irritable behaviour can often be explained by uncomfortable dogs asking for space. Behaviours caused by pain are not always identifiable in the way that we would expect, and the dog often continues to play, eat, and go for walks without hesitation. This highlights the vital need for a veterinary consultation and consideration of a pain relief trial even if the only observation is a sudden change or regression in behaviour.
If a veterinary surgeon cannot find something right away in a routine examination, it can be helpful for a client to keep a log of all incidents (and any other concerning observations) to help with further diagnostics, alongside referral to a qualified behaviourist.
The research does suggest that aggression is “relatively common” in cocker spaniels (Engdahl et al., 2023) though prevalence in comparison with other breeds has not been measured. Unfortunately, there is not yet sufficient data to measure these characteristics in cocker-mix breeds, but knowing how genetic information is passed down through family lines it is reasonable to assume that the same extends to the wider cocker family (such as cockapoos).
Interestingly, 'cocker rage' is also commonly referred to as 'red cocker rage', and multiple studies have found a higher prevalence of aggression in golden and red cocker spaniels (Engdahl et al., 2023; Podberscek & Serpell, 1996; Amat et al., 2009). While there are many red and golden spaniels with unproblematic temperaments, the caregiver tendency to choose their potential pet based on appearance alone should be actively discouraged. Instead, it is important to select for temperament and health above all else.
In my experience, aggression in cocker spaniels (and mixes) can usually be explained by a few common factors:
While the treatment generally takes time, cases can reliably improve with:
Given the often unpredictable nature of these cases, it is important to prioritise human safety at all times. While the veterinary professional and Clinical Animal Behaviourist get to work on diagnosing the underlying issue, caregivers can start to implement the following guidelines:
While it is not uncommon for cocker spaniels and their relatives to demonstrate aggression-related behaviour problems, there is little evidence that they experience a breed-specific condition such as 'cocker rage'. There are however two key takeaways from this article: