English Cocker Spaniel Dog Breed

Below are details and specs for the English Cocker Spaniel dog breed.

This is a medium-sized breed. Males are 15-17 inches at the shoulders, and weigh 28-35 pounds; females are 14-16 inches in height, and weigh 26-32 pounds.

An ECS is playful, intelligent, and extremely personable. These dogs are great family pets because of their intense devotion and fun-loving personalities; they may be a bit stubborn at times, and tend to be easily "spoiled," so they may require some obedience training.

These dogs need a fair amount of care. Their longer coats will need frequent brushing, and they require a good deal of exercise.

The ECS has its origin, of course, in England. Prior to the 1700s, before England, Scotland, and Wales combined to form the kingdom of Great Britain, numerous hunting dogs of this type were commonly referred to simply as "spaniels." As Britain's population diversified into more distinct classes (and after the U.S. declared its independence), so too did the various spaniel dog breeds. These varieties were first separated into "land" and "water" spaniels, and the land (or "field") spaniels were themselves divided into "setting" spaniels (like the English Setter), which crept forward and pointed their game while on a hunt, and "springing" spaniels, which would dash forward to "spring" game from their nests. During the early 1800s, the springing spaniel variety was subdivided yet again, with smaller springers becoming known as "cocker" spaniels, named for their ability for flushing birds known as woodcocks. Since that time, yet more varieties of the cocker spaniels exist: the English is the larger variant generally known for its hunting prowess, while the American is smaller, and is ultimately valued as a pet and in the show ring. Though the English and American cocker spaniels are two separate breeds, each is known simply as a "Cocker Spaniel" in its prospective country.

The English Cocker Spaniel was originally recognized by the Kennel Club in Britain in 1892. While the AKC in the U.S. had recognized the Cocker Spaniel – the American variety – in 1878, the organization recognized the ECS as a separate breed in 1946. Today, the ECS is wildly popular in England, though less so elsewhere.

The ECS has a medium-length coat, with an abundance of fur on its ears, chest, legs, and underbelly. (Dogs used in the show ring often have longer, "feathered" coats than those used for hunting.) The breed's body, which appears quite angular and streamlined, is generally a bit greater in length than in height. The head is the shape of a narrow wedge; the medium-sized, oval eyes are brown or hazel in color; the ears are low-set, very long, and covered with silky hair. An ECS's neck is of medium length, graceful, and muscular, and its topline slopes gently from front to back. The chest is deep, the legs are medium-length and curved slightly, and the tail is of moderate length, curved slightly, and is usually docked to a quarter of its length.

Friendly, intelligent, curious, and loyal, the ECS is a remarkably people-oriented breed, and is known as one of the most amicable of any dog breeds. Bred as hunting dogs, these animals are alert, lively, and playful, and make superior companions both in the field and as family pets. Some ECS owners claim the breed has a complex, almost human-like personality; while extremely personable, these dogs can also be stubborn and willful. If not trained in proper obedience from a young age, experts suggest, an ECS may become "spoiled," and might suffer from Small Dog Syndrome, in which the dog believes it "rules the roost," so to speak. Professional trainers recommend gentle, consistent training when an ECS is a puppy to minimize this stubborn behavior. (But at all costs, avoid any harsh treatment, the trainers say; this breed is very sensitive, and rough discipline may cause an ECS to become overly skittish and fearful.) But these dogs are fast learners, and will respond well to any training they receive. This breed is also typically difficult to housetrain, and may "go potty" in undesirable places unless it's taught properly. An ECS may tend to bark quite a bit as well.

Overall, though, the ECS is a warm, loving breed, and will make a fantastic addition to any family.

Life expectancy is 12-14 years. This breed is generally quite healthy, but may suffer ear infections due to its long, floppy ears. (Veterinarians suggest regular cleaning of an ECS's ears with a soft, moist cloth to help prevent these infections; if an infection develops, seek veterinary care.)

Other health issues, though rare, include hip and elbow dysplasia, eye problems such as cataracts, and renal failure.