English Cocker Spaniel

The English Cocker Spaniel originated in the United Kingdom during the 19th century. During this time, spaniels were divided by type, not breed, and it was common for a large springer spaniel and a small "cocking" spaniel to be born to the same litter. The smaller cocking spaniels were used to hunt Eurasian woodcock, hence the name. Spaniels were not separated by breed until the mid-19th century. The English Cocker Spaniel was eventually brought to the United States where it was bred to a slightly different standard, tailoring it to hunt American woodcock. This became the American Cocker Spaniel, where the UK breed is known as the English Cocker Spaniel.