cocker spaniel, breed of small sporting dog developed from English cocker spaniels brought to the United States in the 1880s. It stands from 14 to 15 in. (35.6-38.1 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 25 lb (11.3 kg). Its silky, flat, or wavy coat is moderately long and forms fringes, or feathers, on the underside of the body and on the legs, chest, and ears. The coat may be of any solid color or a combination of two or more colors (parti-colored), such as white with red or tan markings or black and tan. The tail is docked. The smallest of the sporting-dog breeds, cockers can be trained to flush game and retrieve. According to some authorities their name derives from their proficiency at hunting woodcocks. They have also been exceptionally popular as house pets. See dog.

English cocker spaniel, breed of compact sporting dog perfected in England, whose development may be traced back to the original spaniels of Spain. It stands about 16 in. (40.6 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 30 lb (13.6 kg). Its medium-length coat is silky and slightly wavy and forms fringes of longer hair, or feathers, on the dog's underside, ears, chest, and legs. It may be any of various colors or parti-colored. The tail is docked. Until its official recognition by the Kennel Club of England in 1892 as a separate breed, it and the larger springer spaniel were distinguished by size only. Thus, the same litter could produce both dogs, the cocker being used to hunt smaller game, such as woodcocks. It is still trained for that purpose today and is also widely kept as a house pet. The smaller cocker spaniel of America, derived from it, has been established as a separate breed. See dog.