Where the Cocker Spaniel came from
The American Cocker Spaniel was developed in the United States in the 1800s from English Cocker Spaniels. The name comes from woodcock, a game bird these dogs hunted.
American breeders made the dog smaller, with a more domed head and a longer coat than the English type. In the AKC, the two were registered together at first.
The AKC lists the Cocker among its first breeds in 1878. In 1946 the AKC recognized the English Cocker as its own breed, separate from the American. Today the American Cocker is mainly a companion dog.
- 1800s American breeders develop a smaller Cocker from English stock
- 1878 AKC recognizes the Cocker Spaniel
- 1946 AKC recognizes the English Cocker Spaniel as a separate breed
The job a Cocker Spaniel was bred for
The dogs flushed small game birds from thick cover and retrieved them. At home that means sniffing, a happy tail and a need for contact with people.
Sports that fit a Cocker Spaniel
- Scent work. A good nose and a happy worker
- Rally. Friendly and responsive
- Tracking. Natural trackers
- Trick dog. Eager to please
Training tips for a Cocker Spaniel
- Use gentle, upbeat training, since many are sensitive.
- Reward calm greetings and relaxed behavior.
- Build confidence in new places slowly.
- Make grooming a positive routine with treats.
Body and health
Long ears can get infections, and the coat needs regular care. Keep them lean.
Fun fact. The American Cocker is the smallest dog the AKC recognizes as a sporting breed.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Cocker Spaniel is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Looking for a different breed? See what 75 breeds were bred to do.