English Cocker Spaniel Breed Profile

Description

The English Cocker Spaniel is an active, merry sporting dog, standing well up at the withers and compactly built. He is alive with energy; his gait is powerful and frictionless, capable both of covering ground effortlessly and penetrating dense cover to flush and retrieve game. His enthusiasm in the field and the incessant action of his tail while at work indicate how much he enjoys the hunting for which he was bred. His head is especially characteristic. He is, above all, a dog of balance, both standing and moving, without exaggeration in any part, the whole worth more than the sum of its parts.

Coloring

Various. Parti-colors are either clearly marked, ticked or roaned, the white appearing in combination with black, liver or shades of red. Solid colors are black, liver or shades of red, white markings make the dog a parti-color, tan markings

Temperament

The English Cocker is merry and affectionate, of equable disposition, neither sluggish nor hyperactive, a willing worker and a faithful and engaging companion.

Origin

The English Cocker Spaniel, and spaniel types have been found in art and literature for almost 500 years. Spaniel means Dog of Spain. All Spaniel types share the same lineage, and through careful selective breeding produced the different variations we see today. The Spaniel developed specifically to hunt Woodcock and other winged game.

Care Level

Easy