View source for English Cocker Spaniel

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2010}}

<!-- Begin Infobox Dogbreed. The text of the article should go AFTER this section. See: -->
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{{Infobox Dogbreed
| name = English Cocker Spaniel
| nickname = Cocker, Cocker Spaniel
| image = "Bill" - Cocker spaniel anglais 2.JPG
| image_caption = Red English Cocker Spaniel
| altname = Cocker Spaniel
| country = [[England]]
<!-----Kennel club standards----->
| kc_name        = [[The Kennel Club]]
| kc_std         = http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/113
| fcistd         = http://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/005g08-en.pdf
}}<!-- End Infobox Dogbreed info. Article Begins Here -->

The '''English Cocker Spaniel''' is a [[breed]] of [[gun dog]]. It is noteworthy for producing one of the most varied numbers of pups in a litter among all dog breeds. The English Cocker Spaniel is an active, good-natured, sporting dog<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cHkKjYN5EV0C&q=checkers+cocker+spaniel&pg=PA10|title=The Cocker Spaniel Handbook|first=D. Caroline|last=Coile|date=25 November 2006|publisher=B.E.S. Publishing|isbn=9780764134593|via=Google Books}}</ref> standing well up at the [[withers]] and compactly built.<ref name="akc">{{cite web|url=http://www.akc.org/breeds/english_cocker_spaniel/|title=American Kennel Club: English Cocker Spaniel|access-date=5 September 2009|archive-date=19 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819082405/http://www.akc.org/breeds/english_cocker_spaniel/|url-status=dead}}</ref> There are "field" or "working" cockers and "house" cockers. It is one of several varieties of [[spaniel]] and is the foundation of its American cousin, the [[American Cocker Spaniel]]. The English Cocker is closer to the working-dog form of the [[Field Spaniel]] and the [[English Springer Spaniel]]. English Cocker Spaniels are also known as the "Merry Spaniel" due to their constantly wagging tails.

Outside the US, the breed is usually known simply as the '''Cocker Spaniel''', as is the American Cocker Spaniel within the US. The OED states that the word ''cocker'' is derived from the fact the breed was used to flush [[woodcock]]s.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cocker etymology |url=https://www.oed.com/dictionary/cocker_n5?tab=etymology#9027194 |website=Oxford English Dictionary |publisher=Oxford University |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref>
<!--Please do not post snapshots of your beloved dog unless they illustrate the characteristic appearance and activities of the breed in an encyclopedic manner-->

== History ==
[[File:Bojars's english cocker spaniel.jpg|thumb|Red solid colour English Cocker Spaniel]]
Spaniel type dogs have been found in art and literature for almost 500 years.<ref name="Kolehouse1">{{cite web | author=Kolehouse, Bobbie | title=Dusting off History to Look at Cocker Hunting Tradition Part I | website=Spaniel Journal| url=http://www.spanieljournal.com/bkolehouse.html|access-date=13 September 2009}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=February 2024|reason=Better to use the original source/references provided in the article}} Initially, spaniels in England were divided among land spaniels and water spaniels. The differentiation among the spaniels that led to the [[breed]]s that we see today did not begin until the mid-19th century. During this time, the land spaniels became a bit more specialised and divisions among the types were made based upon weight. According to the 1840 Encyclopedia of Rural Sports, Cockers were 12–20&nbsp;lb (5.5–9&nbsp;kg).<ref name="Kolehouse1" />{{better source needed|date=February 2024|reason=Better to use the original source/references provided in the article}} At this time it was not uncommon for Cockers and Springers to come from the same litter. Even a puppy from a "Toy" sized lineage could grow to be a springer.<ref name="Kolehouse1" />{{better source needed|date=February 2024|reason=Better to use the original source/references provided in the article}}

There is no indication from these early sources that spaniels were used to retrieve game. Rather they were used to drive the game toward the guns.<ref name="Kolehouse1" />{{better source needed|date=February 2024|reason=Better to use the original source/references provided in the article}}

During the 1850s and 1860s, other types of Cockers were recorded. There were [[Welsh Springer Spaniel]]s and Devonshire Cockers. Additionally, small dogs from [[Sussex Spaniel]] litters were called Cockers.<ref name="Kolehouse1" />{{better source needed|date=February 2024|reason=Better to use the original source/references provided in the article}} In 1874 the first [[stud book]]s were published by the newly formed [[kennel club]]. Any spaniel under 25&nbsp;lb (11&nbsp;kg) was placed in the Cocker breeding pool, however, the Welsh Cocker was reclassified as a Springer in 1903 due to its larger size and shorter ear.<ref name="Kolehouse1" />{{better source needed|date=February 2024|reason=Better to use the original source/references provided in the article}}

The [[List of dog sports|sport]] of [[conformation show]]ing began in earnest among spaniels after the Spaniel Club was formed in 1885. When showing, the new ''Springer'' and ''Cocker'', both were in the same class until The Spaniel Club created [[breed standard]]s for each of the types. The Kennel Club separated the two types eight years later. Since then, the Springer and Cocker enthusiasts have bred in the separate traits that they desired. Today, the breed differs in more ways than weight alone.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

[[File:AKC English Cocker Spaniel Dog Show 2013.jpg|thumb|upright|English Cocker Spaniel]]
At [[Crufts]], the English Cocker Spaniel has been the most successful breed in winning [[List of Best in Show winners of Crufts|Best in Show]], winning on a total of seven occasions between 1928 and 2009, with wins in 1930, 1931, 1938, 1939, 1948, 1950 and 1996. In addition, the breed makes up three of the four winners who have won the title on more than one occasion with all three coming from [[H. S. Lloyd]]'s Ware kennel. Due to World War II, the English Cocker Spaniel managed to be the only breed to have won the title between 1938 and 1950, although the competition was only held on four occasions during that period. The most recent best in show was Sh. Ch. [[Canigou Cambrai]] in 1996.<ref>{{cite web |title=Past and Present Winners |url=https://crufts.org.uk/about-us/past-winners/ |website=Crufts |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hvuttar.net/?h=17160&g=307 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031003120749/http://www.hvuttar.net/?h=17160&g=307 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=3 October 2003 |title=Besti hundur sýningar á Crufts, frá árunum 1928–2002 |language=is |publisher=Hvuttar.net |access-date=28 December 2009}}</ref>

=== Field Spaniel ===
In the late 19th century with the increase in popularity of dog shows and the creation of standards for various breeds, the Spaniel family began to split into various different breeds. A group of enthusiasts decided to create a large black spaniel breed. Four dogs would act as progenitors for this new breed, of which two were Cocker Spaniels, one was a Cocker Spaniel/[[English Water Spaniel]] cross and one was a [[Norfolk Spaniel]]. This new breed was named the [[Field Spaniel]], and was recognised by the Kennel Club in 1892.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

=== American Cocker Spaniel ===
The [[American Cocker Spaniel]] was developed from the English Cocker Spaniel in the 19th century to retrieve [[quail]]s and [[woodcock]]s. They were originally divided from the English Cocker solely on a size basis but were bred over the years for different specific traits.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} The two Cocker Spaniels were shown together in America until 1936, when the English Cocker received status as a separate breed. The American Kennel Club granted a separate breed designation for the English Cocker Spaniel in 1946.<ref name="akc" /> The American breed has a shorter snout.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

== Description ==
The English Cocker Spaniel is a sturdy, compact and well-balanced dog. It has a characteristic expression showing intelligence and alertness. Its eyes should be dark and its lobular ears should reach "a bit past" the tip of the nose when pulled forward.<ref name="akc" /> Today, a significant difference in appearance exists between field-bred and [[conformation show]]-bred dogs.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} The Cocker's tail is customarily [[Docking (animals)|docked]] in North America.<ref name="akc" /> In countries where docking is legal, the tail is generally docked at about 4–5 inches (10–13&nbsp;cm) in field-bred dogs while show dogs are generally docked closer to the body.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Docking is now illegal in Australia<ref>{{cite web |title=Is the tail docking of dogs legal in Australia? |url=https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/is-the-tail-docking-of-dogs-legal-in-australia/ |website=Royal Australian Society for the Protection of Animals |access-date=19 February 2024}}</ref> and South Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tail Docking • Cape of Good Hope SPCA |url=https://capespca.co.za/services/inspectorate-department/tail-docking/ |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=Cape of Good Hope SPCA |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=SAVC |date=2009-08-19 |title=Tail Docking |url=https://savc.org.za/taild/ |access-date=2024-11-27 |website=SAVC |language=en-US}}</ref> In England and Wales, docking can only be carried out on dogs where the owners have proved that the dogs will be used as working or shooting dogs.<ref name="defra">{{cite web |url=http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/act/docking.htm |title=Defra, UK – Animal Health and Welfare |access-date=9 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427081157/http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/act/docking.htm |archive-date=27 April 2009}}</ref>

The breed standard indicates that the males of the breed are on average between {{convert|15.5|and|16|in|cm}} at the [[withers]] with the females a little smaller, growing to between {{convert|15|and|15.5|in|cm}}. Both males and females of the breed weigh approximately {{convert|13|-|14.5|kg|lb}}.<ref name="standard">{{cite web|publisher=The Kennel Club|url=http://www.thecockerspanielclub.co.uk/breedstandard.htm|title=The Cocker Spaniel Club: Breed Standard| access-date=13 September 2009}}</ref> American Cocker Spaniels are smaller, with males being on average between {{convert|14.25|and|15.5|in|cm}} and females again being smaller on average at between {{convert|13.5|and|14.5|in|cm}}, both weighing approximately {{convert|11|-|13|kg|lb}}.<ref name="standard" />

The English Cocker Spaniel is similar to the English Springer Spaniel and at first glance, the only major difference is the larger size of the Springer. However, English Cockers also tend to have longer, and lower-set ears than English Springers. In addition Springers also tend to have a longer muzzle, their eyes are not as prominent and the coat is less abundant.<ref name="differences">{{cite web|last=Gormish |first=Denise |publisher=English Cocker Spaniel Club of America |url=http://www.ecsca.org/difference.html |title=A comparison of English Springer Spaniels, American Cocker Spaniels and English Springer Spaniels |access-date=13 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121224038/http://ecsca.org/difference.html |archive-date=21 November 2010}}</ref>

=== Colour ===
The breed standard of the United Kingdom's Kennel Club states that in solid colours, no white is allowed except for a small amount on the chest<ref name="standard" /> and the American Kennel Club has standards for features including the expression, neck, topline, and body.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/english-cocker-spaniel/|title=English Cocker Spaniel Dog Breed Information|website=American Kennel Club|access-date=2019-02-01}}</ref> In working Cockers, breeders value working ability over the colour of the dog.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

Solid English Cocker colours can come in black, liver/brown, red/golden with black or brown pigmentation<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thecockerspanielclub.co.uk/colours.htm |title=Understanding Cocker Colours, Patterns and Markings Page 1 |last=Davis|first=Jinty Gill|date=9 September 2000 |publisher=The Cocker Spaniel Club |access-date=7 January 2010}}</ref> and Parti-coloured cockers come in blue roan, liver roan, orange roan with black or brown pigmentation, lemon roan with black or brown pigmentation, black and white ticked, liver and white ticked, orange and white ticked with black or brown pigmentation, lemon and white ticked with black or brown pigmentation,<ref name="colours3">{{cite web |url=http://www.thecockerspanielclub.co.uk/colours3.htm |title=Understanding Cocker Colours, Patterns and Markings Page 3 |last=Davis|first=Jinty Gill|date=9 September 2000|publisher=The Cocker Spaniel Club |access-date=7 January 2010}}</ref> black and white, liver and white with brown pigmentation, orange and white with black or brown pigmentation, lemon and white with black or brown pigmentation.<ref name="colours4">{{cite web |url=http://www.thecockerspanielclub.co.uk/colours4.htm |title=Understanding Cocker Colours, Patterns and Markings Page 4 |last=Davis|first=Jinty Gill|date=9 September 2000|publisher=The Cocker Spaniel Club |access-date=7 January 2010}}</ref>

Of the solid colours, sable is considered rare and controversial and is classified by some countries as being a type of parti-colour on account of its mixed hair shafts.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} While some have claimed this colour is from a cross with a different breed,{{who|date=February 2024}} geneticists{{which|date=February 2024|reason=Is it just genomia that has reported this?}} have discovered English Cocker sable is unique to this breed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.genomia.cz/en/test/locus-eh|title=Genomia: Testing of dogs: Locus EH|website=genomia.cz|access-date=2019-01-05}}</ref> In addition, a silver/ash colour, usually associated with the [[Weimaraner]] dog, is considered genetically possible but is yet to be recorded by the United Kingdom's Kennel Club.<ref name="colours2">{{cite web|url=http://www.thecockerspanielclub.co.uk/colours2.htm|title=Understanding Cocker Colours, Patterns and Markings Page 2|last=Davis|first=Jinty Gill|date=9 September 2000|publisher=The Cocker Spaniel Club|access-date=7 January 2010}}</ref> Of the roan varieties, lemon roan with a light brown pigmentation is the most recessive of all the roans.<ref name="colours3"/> Plain white Cockers are rarely born and not encouraged in the breed.<ref name="colours4"/>

{{Clear}}
<gallery widths="200" heights="200" perrow="5">
File:ECS Black.jpg|Solid black with acceptable amount of white on chest
File:Snowing Bella.JPG|Black and tan
File:Bild Braunschimmel.jpg|Liver Roan
File:Zahir the English Cocker Spaniel.jpg|Blue Roan and Tan
File:Frida della Kalesa standard cocker.jpg|Black and White
File:Gessa d'Aran Copo de Nieve- arancio roano- prop.Kalesa.jpg|Orange and white
File:English_Cocker_Spaniel_Red.jpg| Red
</gallery>
<!--Please do not post snapshots of your beloved dog unless they illustrate the characteristic appearance and activities of the breed in an encyclopedic manner-->

== Temperament ==
<!--Please do not post snapshots of your beloved dog unless they illustrate the characteristic appearance and activities of the breed in an encyclopedic manner-->
The English Cocker Spaniel ranks 18th in [[Stanley Coren]]'s ''[[The Intelligence of Dogs]]'', being of excellent working/obedience intelligence.<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://petrix.com/dogint/11-26.html
 |title       = The Intelligence of Dogs: Ranks 11 to 26
 |author      = Stanley Coren
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100209072359/http://petrix.com/dogint/11-26.html
 |archive-date = 9 February 2010
 |author-link = Stanley Coren
 }}</ref>

With a good level of socialisation at an early age, Cocker Spaniels can get along well with people, children, other dogs and other pets.<ref>Coile, D. Caroline (2006). The Cocker Spaniel Handbook. Barron's Educational Series Inc. {{ISBN|978-0-7641-3459-3}}.</ref> This breed seems to have a perpetually wagging tail and prefers to be around people; it is not best suited to the backyard alone. Cockers can be easily stressed by loud noises and by rough treatment or handling. When trained with a soft hand and plentiful rewards, the Cocker Spaniel will be an obedient and loving companion with a happy, cheerful nature.<ref name="coile13">[[#CITEREFCoile2006|Coile (2006)]]: p. 13</ref>

== Health ==
<!--Please do not post snapshots of your beloved dog unless they illustrate the characteristic appearance and activities of the breed in an encyclopedic manner-->
[[File:Puppy3.jpg|thumb|right|English Cocker with puppies]]

A 2022 UK study of veterinary clinic data found a life expectancy of 11.31 years slightly above the 11.21 overall average but below the 11.82 average for crossbreeds.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Teng | first1=Kendy Tzu-yun | last2=Brodbelt | first2=Dave C. | last3=Pegram | first3=Camilla | last4=Church | first4=David B. | last5=O’Neill | first5=Dan G. | title=Life tables of annual life expectancy and mortality for companion dogs in the United Kingdom | journal=Scientific Reports | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume=12 | issue=1 | date=2022-04-28 | issn=2045-2322 | doi=10.1038/s41598-022-10341-6 | page=6415| pmid=35484374 | pmc=9050668 | bibcode=2022NatSR..12.6415T }}</ref> A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13.3 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for [[Mongrel|crossbreeds]].<ref>{{cite journal | last1=McMillan | first1=Kirsten M. | last2=Bielby | first2=Jon | last3=Williams | first3=Carys L. | last4=Upjohn | first4=Melissa M. | last5=Casey | first5=Rachel A. | last6=Christley | first6=Robert M. | title=Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death | journal=Scientific Reports | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume=14 | issue=1 | date=2024-02-01 | issn=2045-2322 | doi=10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w | page=531| pmid=38302530 | pmc=10834484 | bibcode=2024NatSR..14..531M }}</ref> A 2024 Italian study found a life expectancy of 13 years for the breed compared to 10 years overall.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Roccaro | first1=Mariana | last2=Salini | first2=Romolo | last3=Pietra | first3=Marco | last4=Sgorbini | first4=Micaela | last5=Gori | first5=Eleonora | last6=Dondi | first6=Maurizio | last7=Crisi | first7=Paolo E. | last8=Conte | first8=Annamaria | last9=Dalla Villa | first9=Paolo | last10=Podaliri | first10=Michele | last11=Ciaramella | first11=Paolo | last12=Di Palma | first12=Cristina | last13=Passantino | first13=Annamaria | last14=Porciello | first14=Francesco | last15=Gianella | first15=Paola | last16=Guglielmini | first16=Carlo | last17=Alborali | first17=Giovanni L. | last18=Rota Nodari | first18=Sara | last19=Sabatelli | first19=Sonia | last20=Peli | first20=Angelo | title=Factors related to longevity and mortality of dogs in Italy | journal=Preventive Veterinary Medicine | volume=225 | date=2024 | doi=10.1016/j.prevetmed.2024.106155 | article-number=106155| doi-access=free | pmid=38394961 | hdl=11585/961937 | hdl-access=free }}</ref>

A 1996 study made by the [[University of Cambridge]] surveying 932 English Cocker Spaniel households throughout Britain found owners to report higher aggression in different coloured English Cocker Spaniels depending on the scenario.<ref>Podberscek AL & Serpell J A (1996) The English Cocker Spaniel: preliminary
findings on aggressive behaviour. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 47: 75-89 cited by {{cite journal|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0168159195010122|title=Rage syndrome|author=Linda Ward|journal=Applied Animal Behaviour Science |series=Human-Animal Interactions |year=2002|volume=47 |issue=1 |pages=75–89|doi=10.1016/0168-1591(95)01012-2 |url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name="discov" /> A 2009 study by Spanish researchers at the [[Autonomous University of Barcelona]] found that English Cocker Spaniels were more frequently produced to a referral clinic for aggression and that they had more impulsive attacks than other dogs.<ref name="discov">{{cite news |first=Jennifer|last=Viegas |title=World's Meanest Dog: The English Cocker Spaniel?|newspaper=Discovery News |date=22 May 2009 |access-date=13 September 2009 |url=http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/05/22/cocker-spaniel-aggressive.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Amat | first1 = Marta | author2 = Xavier Manteca | author3 = Valentina M. Mariotti | author4 = José Luís Ruiz de la Torre | author5 = Jaume Fatjó | title = Aggressive behavior in the English cocker spaniel | journal = Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research | volume = 4 | issue = 3 | pages = 111–17 | publisher = School of Veterinary Medicine | location = Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra | date = May 2009 | url = http://www.journalvetbehavior.com/article/S1558-7878(08)00140-8/abstract | doi = 10.1016/j.jveb.2008.08.010 | access-date = 13 September 2009| url-access = subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=What is Rage Syndrome?|url=http://www.thecockerspanielclub.co.uk/rage_syndrome.htm|website=The cocker spaniel club|access-date=8 June 2015}}</ref> However, the notion of 'cocker rage' has been dismissed as a myth.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pacelli |first=Alessandra |date=2023-07-21 |title=The persistent myth of 'Cocker rage' |url=https://dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/2023/07/21/the-persistent-myth-of-cocker-rage/ |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=Dogs Today Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref>

A review of 2,318 English Cocker Spainels attending veterinary care found the most common conditions to be: [[periodontal disease]] with 20.97% prevalence, [[otitis externa]] with 10.09% prevalence, [[Obesity in pets|obesity]] with 9.88% prevalence, anal sac impaction with 8.07% prevalence, diarrhoea with 4.87% prevalence, and aggression with 4.01% prevalence.<ref name="Engdahl Brodbelt Cameron Church 2023 p. ">{{cite journal | last1=Engdahl | first1=Karolina S. | last2=Brodbelt | first2=Dave C. | last3=Cameron | first3=Carla | last4=Church | first4=David B. | last5=Hedhammar | first5=Åke | last6=O’Neill | first6=Dan G. | title=Demography and disorders of English Cocker Spaniels under primary veterinary care in the UK | journal=Canine Medicine and Genetics | publisher=Springer Science and Business Media LLC | volume=10 | issue=1 | date=2023-05-19 | issn=2662-9380 | doi=10.1186/s40575-023-00128-x | doi-access=free | page=4| pmid=37202773 | pmc=10197368 }}</ref>

The English Cocker Spaniel is predisposed to [[chronic hepatitis]],<ref>{{cite journal | last=Bexfield | first=Nick | title=Canine Idiopathic Chronic Hepatitis | journal=Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice | volume=47 | issue=3 | date=2017 | doi=10.1016/j.cvsm.2016.11.012 | pages=645–663| pmid=28063746 | url=http://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/40734/ }}</ref> with one study finding the breed to be 2.78 times more likely to acquire the disease.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Bandara | first1=Y. | last2=Bayton | first2=W. A. | last3=Williams | first3=T. L. | last4=Scase | first4=T. | last5=Bexfield | first5=N. H. | title=Histopathological frequency of canine hepatobiliary disease in the United Kingdom | journal=Journal of Small Animal Practice | volume=62 | issue=9 | date=2021 | issn=0022-4510 | doi=10.1111/jsap.13354 | pages=730–736| pmid=34155648 }}</ref>

The English Cocker Spaniel is one of the more commonly affected breeds for [[progressive rod-cone degeneration]]. An [[autosomal recessive]] mutation in the [[PRCD]] gene is responsible for the condition in the breed.<ref>{{cite book |author1-first=James A.C. |author1-last=Oliver |author2-first=Cathryn S. |author2-last=Mellersh | editor1-first=Barbara | editor1-last=Cooper | editor2-first=Elizabeth |editor2-last=Mullineaux |editor3-first=Lynn | editor3-last=Turner |title=BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing |date=2020 |publisher=British Small Animal Veterinary Association |isbn=978-1-910-44339-2 |edition=Sixth|chapter=Genetics| page=131}}</ref>

== Working Cockers ==
[[File:Kerygma Cockers Echo & Pheasant.JPG|thumb|alt=A black and white dog sits in a field of yellow corn or maize, next to a brightly coloured dead pheasant.|A field-bred English Cocker Spaniel with its quarry, a [[Common pheasant]]]]

This breed, like many others with origins as [[working dog]]s, has some genetic lines that focus on [[working dog|working-dog]] skills and other lines that focus on ensuring that the dog's appearance conforms to a breed standard; these are referred to as the "working" (or "field-bred") and "conformation" strains, respectively. After World War II, Cocker Spaniels bred for [[pet]]s and for the [[List of dog sports|sport]] of [[Dog show|conformation showing]] increased enormously in popular appeal, and, for a while, was the most numerous [[Kennel club|Kennel Club]] registered breed. This popularity increased the view that all Cockers were useless as working dogs.<ref name="svw" /> However, for most dogs this is untrue, as even some show-bred Cockers have retained their working instinct.<ref>{{cite web |last=Moxon |first=P.R. |date=1960s |publisher=Felsteadgundogs.com |url=http://felsteadgundogs.com/gundogs.html |title=The Cocker Spaniel as a Gundog |access-date=5 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090609112540/http://felsteadgundogs.com/gundogs.html |archive-date=9 June 2009}}</ref>

Today, this breed is experiencing a resurgence in usage as a working and hunting dog. Dogs from working lines are noticeably distinct in appearance. As is the case with the English Springer Spaniel, the working type has been bred exclusively to perform in the field as a hunting companion. Their coat is shorter and ears less pendulous than the show-bred type. Although registered as the same breed, the two strains have diverged significantly enough that they are rarely crossed.<ref name="svw">{{cite web|publisher=Petwave.com|url=http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Breeds/English-Cocker-Spaniel/Show-vs-Working.aspx|title=Show Bred vs Working Cockers|access-date=5 September 2009|archive-date=12 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412224419/http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Breeds/English-Cocker-Spaniel/Show-vs-Working.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> The dogs that have dominated the [[hunt test]], [[field trial]] and [[hunting]] scene in the United States are field-bred dogs from recently imported English lines.<ref name="Thoms">{{cite journal | author=Thoms, Jerry | title=Pocket Rockets | journal=Gun Dog Magazine |date=December 2002 | url=http://www.roettgerridge.com/8873_eprint.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071203190639/http://www.roettgerridge.com/8873_eprint.pdf | archive-date = 3 December 2007}}</ref> Working-dog lines often have physical characteristics that would prevent them from winning in the show ring. This is a result of selecting different traits than those selected by show breeders. The longer coat and ears, selected for the show ring, are an impediment in the field.<ref name="akc" /> Cuban authorities train and use English Cocker Spaniels as sniffer dogs to check for drugs or food products in passengers' baggage at Cuban airports.<ref name="darshama">{{cite web |publisher=Darshama.net |url=http://www.darshama.net/frostieblog/travel/cuba |title=Travel research, planning and reports: Cuba |access-date=5 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530030941/http://www.darshama.net/frostieblog/travel/cuba |archive-date=30 May 2011}}</ref>{{better source needed|reason=blog|date=April 2025}}

==See also==
* [[Portal:Dogs|Dogs portal]]
* [[List of dog breeds]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite journal |author=Thoms, Jerry |title=Emma is a Gun Dog (Cocker Size) |journal=Gun Dog Magazine |url=http://www.gundogmag.com/gundog_breeds/emma_gun_dog/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050419032341/http://www.gundogmag.com/gundog_breeds/emma_gun_dog/index.html |archive-date=19 April 2005}}
* Roettger, Anthony. ''Urban Gun Dogs: Training Flushing Dogs for Home and Field'', The Writer's Collective, 2004. {{ISBN|1-59411-050-6}}
* {{cite book|author=Sucher, Jamie|title=Cocker Spaniels (Complete Pet Owner's Manuals)|isbn=978-0-7641-1034-4|year=1999|publisher=Barron's|location=Hauppauge, NY|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/cockerspanielsco00jami}}
* Grainger, Alexandra. ''Training your Cocker...Whilst Playing with Children. Complete Owner's Guide.''
* Fergus, Charles. ''Gun Dog Breeds, A Guide to Spaniels, Retrievers, and Pointing Dogs'', The Lyons Press, 2002. {{ISBN|1-58574-618-5}}
* Fogle, Dr Bruce. ''Cocker Spaniel English and American'', Dorling Kindersley Limited, 1996.

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wiktionary|Cocker Spaniel|cocker}}

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{{Gundogs}}
{{English dogs}}
</div>

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Dog breeds originating in England]]
[[Category:FCI breeds]]
[[Category:Spaniels]]
[[Category:Gundogs]]

[[he:קוקר ספניאל]]