English vs. American Cocker Spaniels: Discover The Surprising Differences You Never Knew

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The English Cocker Spaniel (ECS) and the American Cocker Spaniel (ACS) are two separate breeds and some of the country’s favorite dogs. They are closely related and share the same heritage, which is why they are so similar. In fact, many people aren’t aware they are two separate breeds. But, there are a few differences, some quite obvious once you know what to look for, that set them apart. So, whether you want to clear your Cocker confusion or are just Cocker crazy, you’ve come to the right place. So, let’s explore the similarities and differences between American Cocker Spaniels and English Cocker Spaniels.

American Cocker Spaniel vs English Cocker Spaniel: 6 Key Differences

1. The ECS is the original Cocker Spaniel, and the ACS is a variation of the ECS.
2. American Cockers are smaller than English Cockers in both weight and height.
3. The ACS has a thicker coat than the ECS and requires precise grooming techniques for show.
4. English Cockers need more exercise than American Cockers.
5. American Cockers have a typically shorter lifespan than their English cousins.
6. The ACS coat can be more time-consuming to groom as they have thicker coats.

Breed History

Although it is unclear precisely when Spaniels came to be, we know that they date back to sometime in the 14th century, when they began appearing in documents and artwork. For centuries across Europe, there were considered to be two types of Spaniel – water and land. There were many different Spaniel sizes, sometimes in the same litter, which usually dictated what prey they hunted. However, the turn of the 19th century saw an interest in dog breeds, conformation shows, and breed standards, which is when dogs began to be classified into specific breeds and groups. The larger Spaniels became English Springer Spaniels, and the smaller pups eventually became Cocker Spaniels. The name “Cocker” derives from the prey they flushed out for their masters, the woodcock. But what about the American Cocker Spaniel vs English Cocker Spaniel’s history?

American Cocker Spaniel

Cocker Spaniels were first recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a breed in 1878. However, the American Cocker Spaniel’s journey began when American ACS breeders focused on breeding smaller and more elegant-looking Spaniels with solid coat colors, shorter muzzles, and domed heads. The American Cocker Spaniel is the most popular Cocker in America. For the last decade, they have hovered around the 30th most popular breed in the country.

The ACS became particularly popular in the 1940s and 50s. One reason for this was a black Cocker named Brucie, who won Westminster’s Best in Show two years in a row (1940 and 1941). Vice President Richard Nixon’s pup, a Cocker named Checkers, was thrown into the spotlight during Nixon’s famous “Checker Speech” in 1952. But the primary reason was because the star of one of Disney’s most famous films (and my favorite Disney film of all time!) Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp” was a Cocker named Lady.

English Cocker Spaniel

The English Cocker Spaniel is the original Cocker Spaniel before the separation between ECS and ACS. British breeders focused on breeding roan and parti-colored Spaniels with larger Spaniel types. This created typically larger, taller, and more versatile sporting dogs. The AKC recognized English-type Spaniels as a separate Cocker type in 1936, but they were given distinct breed status in 1946. The English Cocker is less common than the ACS in America but is becoming more popular. In the last decade, the ECS has risen from the 60th most popular breed to the 39th. In Britain, the English Cocker Spaniel is called the Cocker Spaniel, and they are one of the most popular breeds there.

Appearance

The most notable difference between the American Cocker Spaniel and the English Cocker Spaniel is their appearance. Although you can tell they are closely related, their appearance is quite different. They are both medium-sized dogs, but the ACS is smaller than the ECS in both height and weight. Americans weigh between 20 and 30 pounds, whereas the English weigh between 26 and 34 pounds. The ACS measures between 13.5 and 15.5 inches tall, from paw to shoulder, and the ECS weighs between 15 and 17 inches.

The differences don’t stop there. American Cockers have a smaller head, a more domed skull, and a shorter muzzle. You can see similarities between the Cocker Spaniel and much smaller breeds like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the English Toy Spaniel. English Cockers have a longer muzzle, similar to Springer or Field Spaniels. Once you know what to look for, they look pretty different from one another. If you want to learn more about their individual appearances, take a look at the Cocker Spaniel breed standard and the English Cocker Spaniel breed standard.

Temperament

There isn’t much difference between American Cocker Spaniels and English Cocker Spaniels regarding their personalities. As the smaller pup of the two, the ACS is slightly more docile than the ECS naturally. However, they both love to spend time cuddling up to their favorite humans on the couch after a day of playing and investigating their yard. They are playful and fun to be around and make great therapy dogs. They can also live peacefully with other dogs and animals with proper socialization training.

Both have sweet Cocker characters who need human interaction and companionship throughout the day. Without it, they feel lonely and can suffer from separation anxiety. These merry Spaniels are adaptable to their family’s needs. This is one of the many reasons why they both make great family companions. As sporting dogs, you can be confident they have a strong prey drive and shouldn’t be off leash in an unsecured area. Even with a strong recall, they might ignore you if they catch onto a scent.

Both the ACS and ECS are known as Velcro dog breeds. As they don’t like to be left alone for too long, I recommend crate training all Cockers. We have a guide on the best dog crates for separation anxiety.

Coat & Colors

The American Cocker usually has a fuller coat than an English Cocker. This is mainly because their breeders selectively breed them for their coats and smaller, more elegant appearance. This fuller coat is more pronounced when an ACS is groomed traditionally, with short hair along their back and full length on their chest, legs, and underbelly. However, they both have smooth, wavy hair that is medium to long in length with a soft texture.

During the ACS and ECS’s separation and development, American breeders favored solid-colored Cockers. Meanwhile, English breeders bred their Cockers with roan and parti-colored Spaniels. This means that, to this day, the most common ACS coat color is a solid coat, which is black or brown shades ranging from light cream to deep red. Roan and parti-colors patterns (two or more colors, one of which must be white) are the most common ECS coat patterns, and the most common colors are black, red, or liver. Both the ACS and ECS can have tan markings, too.

Exercise

The American and the English Cocker are members of the “sporting group,” meaning you can expect them to be energetic and curious. They both need at least one hour of exercise daily. Although you can expect an English Cocker to need much more than their smaller American cousin. An ECS could happily spend several hours exercising without skipping a beat. English Cockers are better at fieldwork and sport than American Cockers, which could be an influencing factor for some families. An ACS could be a better option if you’re looking for a calmer family companion.

As Cockers have an incredible sense of smell, investing in scent toys like snuffle mats and other interactive dog toys is a great way to entertain them throughout the day in addition to providing them with physical exercise.

Training

Both the ACS and the ECS are trainable and responsive. They are eager to please their favorite humans and do anything for a tasty training treat or toy. Train and socialize your Cocker when they are young, and they should develop into the polite pup they are known to be. All Cocker Spaniels are sensitive dogs that appreciate gentle training over harsher disciplinarian methods. So, be sure to research positive reinforcement training. Some people believe the ECS is more trainable than the ACS because they are bred for working in the field rather than being a companion dog. Although there is no conclusive research to back this claim.

Dog training requires lots of effort, patience, and time. We have found the best online dog training options to help you get the most out of your ACS or ECS.

Health

Both the American and the English Cocker Spaniel are generally healthy dog breeds. But like all breeds, there are several predisposed health conditions that you should be aware of. The average lifespan of an ACS is 10 to 14 years, compared to the ECS, which is 12 to 14 years. The ACS and ECS are predisposed to hip dysplasia, where the hip develops abnormally. This abnormal development can lead to increased wear and tear of the joint, which can cause restricted movement and arthritis. Both are at risk of eye concerns, especially progressive retinal atrophy. Reputable breeders screen their pups for both these conditions, so be sure to ask your breeder for these health certificates.

Nutrition

How much a Cocker eats depends on various factors, including their age, weight, activity levels, and more. Due to their smaller size and lower activity levels, you can expect an ACS to eat less than an ECS. But this is not true in every case. Be sure to feed your Cocker Spaniel a high-quality, age-appropriate diet that meets the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). If your Cocker is particularly energetic or assists you in the field, consider a high-protein option to fuel their needs.

We have found the best dog food for Cocker Spaniels, suitable for English and American Cocker Spaniels.

Grooming

The ACS and ECS have similar coats that are medium to long with a soft, wavy texture. Because the ACS is bred for their coat, they typically have fuller coats than the ECS, but they both have double coats. Because of this, the English Cocker is generally more straightforward and less time-consuming to groom, and they need brushing several times a week. The ACS, especially if they sport a traditional ACS show coat, needs daily brushing to ensure their longer undercarriage hair remains tangle, dirt, and debris-free. The best type of brush for an ACS or ECS is a wire pin or slicker brush to help keep their longer hair healthy. You should consider finding a professional groomer to help keep your pup’s coat in good shape. Watch this short video on what this groomer says about the Cocker Spaniel’s coat.

Apart from their coat, they have the same grooming needs. You should check and clean their ears every week, as they are prone to ear infections due to their longer length and drop-down shape. Their teeth need brushing several times a week to keep periodontal diseases at bay, and their nails clipped every few weeks.

Puppy Prices

My research shows that American and English Cocker Spaniels typically cost between $800 and $2,000. Puppy prices vary depending on a range of factors, including the breeder’s reputation, experience, and location, as well as the pup’s age and lineage. I recommend researching any breeder you want to work with and completing your due diligence. Insist on seeing the puppies with their mom in their home setting and asking for health certificates before committing financially.

Other Sporting Breeds To Consider

There’s more to the sporting dog world than American Cocker Spaniels vs English Cocker Spaniels. If you’re searching for a sporting dog but need more help, why not check out our guides on other popular active dogs like the Labrador Retriever or the German Shorthaired Pointer? You could also consider a Cocker Spaniel mixed breed. They are all beautiful in their own way and worthy of a space in the right family home.

Do you have an American Cocker Spaniel or an English Cocker Spaniel? We love to hear from our readers, so please share your Cocker stories in our comments section below.

Why Trust Canine Journal?

Emma is a dog mom to two rescue dogs, Bonkers and Chips. Before joining the Canine Journal team, she was a professional dog walker and sitter, and she has met and cared for many dog breeds, including many Cocker Spaniels. Emma is passionate about sharing her knowledge and research with her readers to help them care for their four-legged companions. She works with a dedicated team to ensure Canine Journal remains a go-to, current online resource for all things dog.