The merry and frolicsome Cocker Spaniel, with his big, dreamy eyes and impish personality, is one of the world’s best-loved breeds. They were developed as hunting dogs, but Cockers gained their wide popularity as all-around companions.

English Cocker Spaniel lovers often use the word “merry” to describe their breed. Upbeat in the field and mellow at home, this compact, silky-coated bird dog is widely admired for his delightful personality and irresistible good looks.

The sweet and sensitive Field Spaniel is famously docile, but vigorous and game for anything when at play or in the field. These close cousins to Cocker Spaniels and Springer Spaniels may be small in number, but their charm is enormous.

(Originally edited and written by A. Hamilton Rowan, Jr.; updated by M. Sue Richey from material submitted by Evelyn Monte Van Horn and Lisa Brown as cited in the Poughkeepsie Journal.) American sportsmen used Spaniels for hunting game birds and waterfowl long before there were Spaniel field trials. The Cocker Spaniel, recognized by The Kennel [...]

Airedale Terrier American Water Spaniel Boykin Spaniel Chesapeake Bay Retriever Clumber Spaniel Cocker Spaniel Curly-Coated Retriever English Cocker Spaniel English Springer Spaniel Field Spaniel Flat-Coated Retriever Golden Retriever Irish Water Spaniel Labrador Retriever Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Poodle Sussex Spaniel Welsh Springer Spaniel

All dogs six months of age or older from the following breeds are eligible to participate in Spaniel Field Trials: AKC Recognized Breeds Cocker Spaniels English Cocker Spaniels English Springer Spaniels Dogs of these breeds recorded with the Purebred Alternative Listing Program/Indefinite Listing Privilege (PAL/ILP) are not eligible to participate. Dogs of these [...]

All dogs six months of age or older from the following breeds are eligible to participate in Spaniel Hunting Tests: AKC Recognized Breeds Airedale Terriers American Water Spaniels Boykin Spaniels Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Clumber Spaniels Cocker Spaniels Curly-Coated Retrievers English Cocker Spaniels English Springer Spaniels Field Spaniels Flat-Coated Retrievers Golden Retrievers Irish Water Spaniels Labrador [...]

English Cocker Spaniel Club of America English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association National English Springer Spaniel Field Trial Association  

Spaniels by nature are flushing dogs that are well adapted to find, flush and retrieve a variety of upland game in all types of habitat. The American sportsman has been using Spaniels for upland game hunting long before there were Hunting tests and Field trials. There are currently ten different recognized Spaniel breeds that are [...]

Friday’s Judging Panels View Friday’s judging panels for the all-breed show and specialty judging by breed. All-Breed Panel Specialty PanelsAmerican Cocker SpanielStaffordshire TerrierBeagleBulldogSiberian Husky

The AKC Agility League recently concluded its eighth season of competition and honored its top teams and competitors. Team champions were named in each of the 10 divisions, including the League’s new division of Elementary for beginner dogs. The AKC Agility League is sponsored by Purina Pro Plan, YuMove and AKC Pet Insurance. The League [...]

The 9th AKC National Tracking Invitational was held at the gorgeous Branched Oak Recreation Area in Raymond, Nebraska. The American Kennel Club sincerely appreciates the hard work, and dedication to the sport of Tracking the Nebraska Kennel Club and Cornhusker Kennel Club of Lincoln, Nebraska members showed by hosting this National Tracking Invitational. Results Saturday [...]

Spaniels are undeniably cute, with a happy and gentle personality. But did you know they are also hardy and skillful hunting companions retrieving water fowl and flushing game birds in all conditions. Spaniels competing in trials will be judged on game-finding ability, steadiness and retrieving. A spaniel’s work in the field is a compilation [...]

2021 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin Orange County Convention Center Orlando, FL December 18 & 19, 2021 All Sporting, Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting Breeds and Junior Showmanship Competition  will be Judged on Saturday All Working, Terrier, Herding Breeds, Miscellaneous and Best in Show will be Judged on Sunday   The 2021 event will showcase the top canine athletes and [...]

AKC Meet the Breeds events are a fun and educational way to spend a day with the whole family, and maybe even figure out which dog breed is right for you! If you are attending an AKC Meet the Breeds event, or are thinking about attending an event in the future, you can find out [...]

Dear Performance Events: I have been doing both AKC and ASFA lure coursing for a number of years, with several sighthound breeds. But my husband and I have also run non-sanctioned lure coursing fun days at our farm for as many years as well. We initially confined them to the sighthound breeds but started allowing [...]

Results Team #1 Saturday, September 28, 2013 Judges ~ Sally Elkins & Betty Winthers Judge’s Comments Overall Excitement filled the air Saturday morning as tracking enthusiasts from around the country visited with each other in anticipation of the draw for running order. The order drawn was as follows: Deborah Abbott & Devon, a Golden Retriever Lynn Kaemmerer & [...]

The American Kennel Club (AKC®) is pleased to announce the judging panel for AKC Virtual Top Dog Challenge III. This virtual conformation event is open to all AKC-recognized breeds and Miscellaneous class breeds. Best in Show and Best Puppy Michael Canalizo   Regular and Puppy Groups SPORTING Mr. Douglas A Johnson HOUND Mr. Eugene Blake [...]

English Cocker Spaniel Learn about English Cocker Spaniels [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Rescue Organizations"] English Cocker Spaniel Club of America English Cocker Spaniel Rescue    email - ecsca.rescue@gmail.com [/accordion_panel] [/accordion] English Foxhound Learn about English Foxhounds [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Rescue Organizations"] Carolina Coonhound Rescue [/accordion_panel] [/accordion] English Setter Learn about [...]

The following breeders have met the requirements for the Breed and Levels recorded at the time of the application. The American Kennel Club is pleased to recognize these breeders for their contribution to the sport and maintaining the tenets of the Breeder of Merit program. (current as of  7/16/26, last updated 7/17/26) [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Platinum [...]

Cairn Terrier Learn about Cairn Terriers [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Rescue Organizations"] Cairn Terrier Club of America Patricia Gould, 9510 190th Place SW Edmonds, WA 98020; 406-459-8290; CairnPup@gmail.com Col. Potter Cairn Rescue Network [/accordion_panel] [/accordion] Canaan Dog Learn about Canaan Dogs [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Rescue Organizations"] Canaan Dog Rescue Network, Inc. [/accordion [...]

Monday, March 30 Welsh Springer Spaniel Tuesday, March 31 Belgian Laekenois Wednesday, April 1 Ibizan Hound Thursday, April 2 Puli Friday April 3 Airedale Terrier Monday, April 6 Sloughi Tuesday, April 7 Affenpinscher Wednesday, April 8 Lagotto Romagnolo Thursday, April 9 Rottweiler Monday, April 13 Finnish Spitz Tuesday, April 14 Welsh Terrier Wednesday, April 15 German Pinscher Thursday, April 16 Manchester Terrier Friday, April 17 Lowchen Monday, April 20 Canaan [...]

Season 13 - Spring/Summer Season 2026 [accordion] [accordion_panel title="Extended Ph.D."] Top Three Teams Champion – Michigan Border Patrol – Michigan Reserve Champion – Misfits on the Run – West Virginia Third Place – Let’s Play TAG – North Carolina Individual Dog Placements 8-Inch Regular 1st – Smirk, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Pluff Mudd Brats 12-Inch Regular 1st – Gem, English Cocker [...]

The earliest scientific review of canine development using assessment tools was the work done in Bar Harbor, Maine at the Jackson Laboratory. This seminal work has undoubtedly been the foundation of much of our knowledge of canine behavior. However, the research was not meant to lay down universal laws of canine behavior and development, it [...]

The Road to Orlando: All-American Dogs at AKC Junior Agility Competition The AKC Junior Agility Competition will be held Dec. 15 as part of the AKC Agility Invitational in Orlando, FL. Young people get the opportunity to compete with their dogs in a national setting. We will be spotlighting youth who are competing with All-American Dogs [...]

Jethro Leroy Kromer RAE owned by Brenda Kromer of Punxsutawney, PA Jethro is a 5-year-old Border Collie/ Cocker Spaniel mix. He and his brother Bo came to live with Brenda as puppies, and Jethro began obedience training when he was 5 months old. “We enjoyed it so much that we have continued ever since,&rdquo [...]

MACH Bax to the Future MXB MJB OF CAA owned by Maggie Fan of Athens, GA “Baxter was found on the side of the road and once I was told about him, the rest was history,” Maggie said. Maggie adopted Baxter and started training classes in basic obedience and manners. Baxter did so [...]

Money Penny,  a Cocker Spaniel puppy, really liked the taste of her bed – plus the hassock for a snack, but who could get mad at that cute face, says her owner Jackie Curr of Spring, TX. It is natural for dogs to chew, and puppies chew a lot when they are teething. Teething typically happens [...]

Jesse Belle and Cindy Stewart-Mackes of  Pedricktown, NJ, placed third in the large dog agility competition. Tack and Rhonda Koeske  of The Villages, FL, placed third in the small dog agility competition. The event took place July 11-12 in Boston, MA, and is a preliminary event for the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge finals that are [...]

Two-year-old Scout is a Basset Hound-Cocker Spaniel mix who keeps his owner, Sarah Rose, busy. “Scout loves to do things like dock dive, swim in the lake with friends, and chase the squirrels! He's pretty quick so he gives them a run for their nuts!” Sarah Rose said. He also often joins his owner and [...]