English Cocker Spaniel

Originally bred to hunt birds and waterfowl, the English Cocker Spaniel is a medium-sized dog belonging to the Sporting class. They received the name Cocker because they were so adept at hunting one particular type of bird, the Woodcock. Recognized for their long ears and silky fur, English Cocker Spaniels are known for their affectionate nature and calm temperament. They are sometimes confused for the American Cocker Spaniel, however, there are a few differences between the two, namely that the English variety is larger and was initially bred for hunting while the American variety was bred for companionship and is slightly smaller.