Overview
The English Cocker Spaniel is a compact, well-balanced gun dog with an alert, intelligent expression. It was bred to flush woodcock and is nicknamed the Merry Spaniel for its ever-wagging tail.
Outside the United States it is usually just called the Cocker Spaniel. There are working cockers and show cockers, and they differ noticeably in build and energy.
History
Spaniel-type dogs appear in art and writing for nearly five hundred years. In the mid-nineteenth century land spaniels were divided by weight, and the smaller ones, called cockers, were used to drive game toward the guns.
Cockers and springers often came from the same litter until the Kennel Club separated them in the 1890s. The English Cocker has also been very successful at Crufts, winning Best in Show seven times. It was the foundation of the American Cocker Spaniel.
Appearance
A sturdy, compact dog with dark eyes and long, lobular ears that reach slightly past the nose tip. Males stand about 39 to 41 cm and females a little smaller, with a weight of roughly 13 to 14.5 kg.
Colours are plentiful: solid black, liver, red or golden, and parti-colours such as roan and ticked patterns. Sable is rare and distinctive to this breed.
Temperament
Friendly, cheerful and happy in company, the Cocker is an affectionate family dog that does not suit being left alone in the garden. With good early socialisation it gets along with children, dogs and other pets.
They are bright and respond well to kind, reward-based training, but can be stressed by loud noises or rough handling.
Care and exercise
Cockers need daily walks and the chance to use their nose. Their silky coat tangles easily and needs regular brushing and trimming, and the long ears should be checked and cleaned often.
They love food, so watch the weight.
Health
Life expectancy is often around 11 to 13 years, depending on the study. As with other spaniels, ear problems and eye conditions are among the concerns, and some studies have looked at behavioural differences between coat colours.
