The Cocker Spaniel is one of the AKC’s most popular breeds. But did you know there is another Cocker Spaniel breed? That’s right, the Sporting Group also contains the English Cocker Spaniel. To add to the confusion, in the rest of the world, the English Cocker Spaniel (ECS) is known simply as the Cocker Spaniel, whereas the U.S.A.’s Cocker Spaniel is known as the American Cocker Spaniel. But despite the nomenclature, these are two distinct breeds that share early roots.
To avoid any mix-ups, let’s compare the American and English Cocker Spaniels.
A Shared Heritage
Spaniels, dogs that hunt and flush an assortment of game birds, have an ancient history and for centuries were grouped into land spaniels and water spaniels based on where they worked. By the 1800s, land spaniels were also classified by size. According to Chereen Nawrocki, breeder and past president of the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America, “In one litter you could have dogs considered any of the various land spaniel types — springers, fields, cockers, or toys — depending on their adult weight.”
Diane Kepley, breeder, judge, and former president of the American Spaniel Club, says the larger puppies were called field spaniels and springer spaniels, while the smaller dogs were the cockers. The latter’s name came from the woodcock, a small, stocky bird. Hunters used their cockers to flush or startle woodcocks out of their hiding places. “Cockers have traditionally been used to hunt in deep cover, shrubs, and other heavy vegetation, because of their small size,” says Kepley.
Over time, people bred for either springers or cockers, and the two groups diverged. But the breeders on either side of the ocean had different priorities. “Most American breeders concentrated on the smaller, elegant solid Cockers blended with the smaller Field Spaniels. While the British breeders were breeding roan and parti-colored springer types with their Cocker Spaniels to produce a larger, leggier Cocker who would hunt and retrieve,” explains Nawrocki.
Although they were still considered the same breed, in 1936, the American Kennel Club recognized the English type as a separate variety of Cocker Spaniel. But fanciers wanted to keep the English variety pure and vowed not to breed the two types together. Ten years later, in 1946, their efforts were rewarded when the American Kennel Club granted the ECS status as a separate breed from the Cocker Spaniel.
-
- English Cocker Spaniel
-
- Cocker Spaniel
Different Coats and Head Shapes
There are definite physical similarities between the two breeds. Kepley says, “Both should have muzzles/jaws along with length of neck that allows them to carry a bird as large as a duck or pheasant through rough terrain. Both should be solid, well-proportioned, and balanced in their front and rear construction to allow them to push through heavy brush.”
However, the breeds’ differences are clear when you know what to look for. The Cocker Spaniel is the AKC’s smallest sporting breed with a height of 13.5 to 15.5 inches at the shoulder and a weight of 20-30 pounds. They have a sturdy, compact, and solid body, move with a smooth, easy gait, and come in many colors and patterns.
The English Cocker Spaniel stands 15 to 17 inches tall and weighs between 26 and 34 pounds. They have more height than length, giving them a squarer shape than the Cocker Spaniel. They also come in a range of colors, though a roan pattern (an even mix of pigmented and white hairs) is common. Kepley says, “While both breeds have the same coat texture, Cocker Spaniel fanciers have selectively bred for more coat. In Cocker Spaniels, the length of hair is pronounced on the legs and sides.”
The shape of the head is another place where the American and English Cocker Spaniels differ. The Cocker Spaniel head is distinctive, with its shorter muzzle, rounded skull, and almond-shaped eyes. Nawrocki says, “I think that the head is the definitive characteristic of the ECS. The correct expression is soft and melting with tight eyes that are full and slightly oval, the muzzle is equal in length to the skull, and plushy but not overdone.”
Merry Personalities
The Cocker Spaniel is an affectionate, impish dog who is easily trained and makes an eager friend for adults and children alike. These dogs want to be with their humans as much as possible, and although they make great alert dogs when somebody’s at the door, they will befriend new visitors the second they enter the house. Kepley describes them as the ultimate family companion. “They can thrive in city, suburban, or rural settings, as long as they get regular exercise.”
Their sensitivity to people and desire to please help them excel as therapy dogs. They’re also known as foodies, eating anything they can get their mouths on. Their happy personality and desire to be involved in all kinds of activities make their grooming needs a small price to pay. Kepley explains, “That merry temperament is housed in an attractive, stylish package. But among the most endearing aspects of the breed is its soft, beautiful expression that has melted many hearts!”
English Cocker Spaniels are easy to live and travel with. They also have an eager-to-please nature, which makes them fabulous helpers for hunters. They’re upbeat while out in the field and mellow, charming, and agreeable once they’re back home. Like their Cocker Spaniel cousins, expect some barking when guests come to the door, but an ECS will be just as likely to make friends as soon as new people come in.
The intelligent English Cocker Spaniel is full of life yet gentle and affectionate. Nawrocki says it’s hard to imagine not living with an ECS. “Most are very people-oriented. They like to be with their person(s) and will follow you around all day if allowed. Always merry, they make delightful companions.”
Health Concerns and Ear Cleaning
You can expect a Cocker Spaniel to live 10-14 years, with an average lifespan of 12 years. They’re generally healthy, but responsible breeders should be conducting health testing for hips and eyes at the very least. Be aware that their love of food can make Cocker Spaniels more prone to weight gain, particularly as they get older. It’s also important to regularly clean their ears in order to prevent ear infections.
English Cocker Spaniels live 12-15 years, with an average lifespan of 14 years. Although they’re generally considered healthy, some genetic conditions occasionally occur in the breed. These include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, familial nephropathy (an inherited kidney disease), and adult-onset neuropathy (progressive nerve weakness that starts with the hind limbs). Breeders should test their dogs for these conditions and ensure a patella (kneecap) evaluation occurs. Finally, like the Cocker Spaniel, the ears should be regularly cleaned and examined.
-
- English Cocker Spaniel
-
- Cocker Spaniel
Grooming Is Essential
Both breeds’ beautiful appearance requires regular and thorough grooming. The Cocker Spaniel needs daily combing and brushing to prevent tangles and mats. Weekly baths can help keep the coat in good condition, but be sure to dry the ear canals thoroughly afterwards. In addition, their coat requires trimming at least every 6 weeks, including inside the ears. However, a Cocker Spaniel in a shorter puppy cut needs less work than a dog in a full, long coat.
Although a quick daily brushing will keep an English Cocker Spaniel tidy, most need a good combing and brushing at least once a week and a trimming about once a month. The back and head can also be stripped (to pull out the dead hairs), and the ears trimmed inside and out. The frequency of trimming depends on how much hair a given ECS grows. Some, particularly those bred for field work, have sparser coats and fine feathering, whereas others have longer and thicker hair, so they’ll need to be trimmed more frequently. Bathing can be done as often as needed.
Energetic Sporting Companions
Thanks to their heritage, both breeds are active and enjoy activities with their humans. The Cocker Spaniel loves brisk daily walks, playtime, and a good game of fetch for physical exercise. They have an innate desire to hunt, so with proper training they make great gun dogs. But they excel at dog sports too, such as conformation, obedience, and agility.
Twice-daily 30-minute walks will keep an ECS happy, as will games like retrieving a ball or Frisbee. Long walks or hikes also provide a workout, but they should remain leashed, as the hunting instinct is strong. And most of them love to swim. Because English Cocker Spaniels are easily trainable, they make good partners for activities such as obedience, AKC Rally, agility, hunting tests, and field trials. They also make wonderful tracking dogs thanks to their incredible sense of smell. Note that dogs bred from working lines may need more exercise than those bred as companions.
When you compare the American and English Cocker Spaniel, both have beautiful, feathered coats, yet are every inch sporting dogs. Either one would make a loving and active companion. But although they share a history and a merry temperament, they’re two distinct breeds with wonderful qualities all of their own.