English Cocker Spaniel on the Beach Postcard

A black and white English Cocker Spaniel strolls on a beach. English Cockers are a medium-size dog breed with long ears and a happy disposition. Spaniels of varying sizes have been around for centuries. There are references to spaniels as far back as the works of Chaucer and Shakespeare. Spaniels come in two types: land spaniels and water spaniels. English Cockers are members of the land spaniel family. They take their name from the job they performed, which was to hunt woodcock. Until the past century, it wasn't unusual for a single litter of spaniels to have puppies of different sizes. Breeders would decide what use the puppies in their litters seemed most suited for, depending upon their size, muscle, intelligence, and stamina. Toward the end of the 19th century, however, British breeders began dividing the spaniels into specific breeds: English Springer, Welsh Springer, Cocker, Field, Sussex, Clumber, and Irish Water Spaniel. American breeders selected for smaller dogs with a more rounded skull, shorter muzzle, and heavier coat. In 1946, the American Kennel Club recognized the two varieties as separate breeds, with one being called the English Cocker Spaniel, the other the Cocker Spaniel.