Cocker Spaniel

Spaniels of various types were used for hunting in Britain for centuries, but the Cocker was distinguished as a smaller, quicker type around the mid-19th century, specialised for working close cover and flushing woodcock, from which its name derives. The English Kennel Club formally separated the Cocker Spaniel from the larger Field and Springer Spaniels in 1892, and the breed diverged further in America into the American Cocker Spaniel, a separate breed with a more heavily coated, refined show type.

Living with a Cocker Spaniel means living with a genuinely enthusiastic, affectionate dog that thrives on activity and attention. It has real stamina for its size and does best with a proper daily walk plus some off-lead time to use its nose. Its long, silky ears and feathered coat need regular grooming and ear checks, since floppy ears trap moisture and are prone to infection. Working-line Cockers tend to be higher-drive and more intense than show-line dogs, so it is worth being clear with a breeder about which type a puppy comes from.

The breed's cheerful, food-motivated nature makes it generally easy to train, though some individuals, particularly certain golden and red-coloured lines, have historically been associated with "cocker rage", a controversial and much-debated aggression syndrome; reputable breeders and temperament testing have reduced its prevalence considerably.

Today the Cocker Spaniel is kept both as an active working gundog on shoots and, far more commonly, as a family companion, valued for its size, adaptability and famously affectionate, wagging-tail disposition.