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Cocker Spaniel History
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The “cocker” in the name Cocker Spaniel refers to the fact that the breed originally hunted woodcock. The first Cocker Spaniel in America is thought to have arrived in 1620 along with the Pilgrim Fathers on the Mayflower. Over the following centuries, settlers brought more Cockers to help investigate and take advantage of the wilderness game. These dogs are the ancestors of the Cocker Spaniel.
Cocker Spaniels have been exhibited in the US since the early 1880s. However, as developed here, the American Cocker has evolved somewhat differently in type, size, and coloring from the breed now recognized as the English Cocker Spaniel. Originally a gun dog, the American Cocker now fulfills the position of family pet or show dog most often and unlike the English Cocker, is rarely seen hunting. Nevertheless, some American Cockers are still bred for fieldwork, and a small movement works to preserve the hunting abilities of the breed. The Cocker Spaniel’s inherent desire to hunt contributes to his capability as a gun dog when judiciously trained, and the Cocker covers all territory within gun range speedily, flushing game and retrieving only when under command, and taking to water readily.
Cocker Spaniels have attained “star” status in the media. The more famous Cockers are Lady from Lady and the Tramp, Lucky Bundy from Married with Children, Oprah Winfrey's pets Solomon and Sophie, and Checkers, First Dog during the presidency of Richard Nixon.
