Originally developed to hunt woodcock (hence the name), the Cocker Spaniel is one of the world’s best-loved dog breeds.
One of the smallest spaniels, they have a sturdy body, rounded head, broad square muzzle, big, dark, dreamy eyes and long feathered ears. Their coat is long and silky and comes in a variety of colours. There are two breeds of cocker spaniels, the English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel, with the major difference being that the American is smaller with a shorter back, a more domed head and a shorter muzzle, whereas the English variety is taller with a narrower head and chest. The appealing appearance of both breeds is complemented by a loving and merry nature and an ever-wagging tail making this a wonderful and highly popular companion dog. Cockers are eager to please, loving nothing more than being around their human companions. They remain athletic little dogs, who love playtime and brisk walks but also love time cuddled up with their family. Their easy-going nature makes them excellent companions for children and they get on well with other dogs and household pets.
History
The name cocker comes from the word woodcock, a game bird which these spaniels were developed to flush out for hunters, dating back to 16th century England. American dog fanciers developed a smaller cocker, with a shorter body, more domed head and more profuse coat than its English cousin. These are now considered two different breeds, the English Cocker Spaniel and the American Cocker Spaniel.
