The English Cocker Spaniel

History, Field Virtues, and Today’s Leading Breeders & Trainers

Few gundogs inspire as much affection and admiration as the English Cocker Spaniel. Small in stature but mighty in spirit, the Cocker has spent centuries at the side of British sportsmen, rising from humble origins as a “spaniel for woodcock” to one of the most sought-after flushing dogs in the world. Their merry temperament, inexhaustible drive, and uncanny ability to work close to the gun have made them not only icons in the shooting field but beloved companions by the hearth. Today, both in the United Kingdom and across the Atlantic, Cockers continue to thrive under the stewardship of dedicated breeders and trainers who safeguard their working instincts while adapting the breed to modern sporting traditions.

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From Spaniel Roots to “Cockers”

The English Cocker Spaniel’s story begins with the ancient land spaniels of Britain, described in texts as early as the 14th century. These dogs were divided loosely into “land spaniels” and “water spaniels.” By the 17th and 18th centuries, land spaniels were further divided by size and purpose. The smaller, quick-footed dogs excelled at flushing woodcock from dense cover, and it is from this quarry that the “cocker” derives its name.