Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The English Cocker Spaniel is one of the oldest hunting breeds of Great Britain, descending from ancient spaniels once used for flushing and retrieving game. In the 19th century, the breed was divided into field and show types, and in 1892 it was officially recognized as a separate breed — the English Cocker Spaniel. Its name originates from the word woodcock, the primary game bird it was bred to hunt. Thanks to its excellent scenting ability, endurance, and friendly disposition, the Cocker quickly gained popularity not only as a working gun dog but also as a loyal household companion throughout the world.
General Appearance
The English Cocker Spaniel is a medium-sized dog of compact, well-balanced build, displaying strong musculature and noble lines. The body is slightly rectangular in outline, with a deep chest, short firm back, and well-developed limbs. The head is proportionate with smooth contours; the ears are long and covered with thick, silky hair. The coat is of medium length, straight or slightly wavy, dense and glossy. The overall impression is one of endurance, cheerfulness, and natural elegance — a perfect balance of strength, refinement, and working ability.
Important Proportions
The English Cocker Spaniel shows balanced proportions combining power with agility. The body length slightly exceeds the height at the withers, giving a compact yet slightly elongated outline. The head is in proportion to the body; the muzzle is approximately half the length of the skull. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows, with well-sprung ribs. The limbs are strong, proportionate, and ensure free, tireless movement. The topline is level, the loin short and powerful. All parts of the body must harmonize, maintaining the breed’s balance between elegance, endurance, and strength.
Temperament and Character
The English Cocker Spaniel has a friendly, even-tempered, and energetic personality. This is a cheerful, affectionate, and devoted dog, always eager to communicate with people. It is lively, active, and strongly driven to work — whether in hunting, sports, or daily walks. The Cocker is intelligent, obedient, and responsive, with a keen sense of its owner’s emotions. It gets along well with children and other animals, showing no aggression, though it may be reserved with strangers. Its temperament combines gentleness, confidence, and initiative, making it an ideal family and working companion.
Head
The head of the English Cocker Spaniel is proportionate, noble in outline, with smooth, flowing lines. The skull is slightly domed and moderately broad, with a defined occipital bone. The stop is pronounced but not abrupt. The muzzle is square and deep, with a straight nasal bridge and strong jaws. The nose is large, with well-opened nostrils and pigmentation matching the eye color. The lips are moderately developed, close-fitting, fully covering the lower jaw. Jaws are strong with a scissor bite. The eyes are expressive, reflecting intelligence, warmth, and attentiveness. The head gives an overall impression of kindness, alertness, and good nature.
Muzzle
The muzzle of the English Cocker Spaniel is well developed and proportionate to the skull. It is square, broad at the base, and tapers slightly toward the nose without being pointed. The nasal bridge is straight; the nostrils are large and open, ensuring an excellent sense of smell. The nose is dark — preferably black in dark-colored dogs and brown in liver or golden ones. The lips are dense and slightly pendulous, covering the lower jaw completely. The chin is firm but not coarse, and the cheeks are smooth. The muzzle expresses both gentleness and determination — the typical confident and friendly look of the breed.
Eyes
The eyes are of medium size, oval in shape, set straight and wide apart. The expression is intelligent, soft, and kind, yet lively and attentive. The color is dark brown, the darker the better, though slightly lighter tones are acceptable in lighter-colored dogs. The eyelids are close-fitting with dark pigmentation. The expression should always convey warmth and affection, reflecting the breed’s balanced and devoted character. Protruding, round, or pale eyes are considered faults.
Ears
The ears of the English Cocker Spaniel are long, lobular, and set low on the skull, approximately at eye level. They are covered with abundant, silky, wavy hair that forms beautiful feathering. In repose, they hang close to the cheeks, extending nearly to the tip of the nose when pulled forward. They should not be coarse or sparsely haired. Correct ear placement complements the shape of the head and gives the breed its characteristic elegant, gentle expression.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, muscular, and gracefully arched, widening smoothly toward the shoulders. The skin fits tightly without dewlap. The neck should be long enough to allow a proud carriage of the head but not so long as to disturb balance. It combines strength with elegance, providing freedom of movement and lightness in work. A correctly formed neck contributes to the breed’s noble and balanced appearance.
Body
The body is strong, compact, and well-balanced, with developed musculature. The chest is deep and broad, reaching the elbows, with well-sprung ribs. The back is short and firm, the loin slightly arched and muscular. The topline is smooth, slightly rising toward the loin. The croup is wide, gently sloping; the abdomen is moderately tucked up. The overall structure conveys power, endurance, and agility, reflecting the Cocker’s working origins and ability to move with coordination and grace.
Tail
The tail is set slightly below the topline but not too low. It may be docked to medium length in countries where this is permitted; otherwise, it remains natural — medium in length, straight or slightly curved, and well feathered. In motion, it is carried level with the back or slightly higher, moving actively and cheerfully, expressing the dog’s friendly and lively nature. At rest, the tail hangs down naturally. Its placement and carriage contribute to the breed’s characteristic happy and confident demeanor.
Forequarters
The forelegs are straight, strong, and well-boned, with developed musculature. The shoulders are long and sloping, fitting closely to the body and forming an ideal angle with the upper arm for free, efficient movement. Elbows are directed straight backward, neither turning in nor out. The pasterns are short, slightly sloping, and resilient. The feet are round, compact, with thick pads and strong nails. The forequarters must provide strength, endurance, and freedom of movement typical of an active working spaniel.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are strong and muscular, with well-defined angulation ensuring powerful drive and stability. The thighs are broad and firm, the knees well bent, the lower legs of moderate length, and the hocks low-set and solid. The feet are compact and round with tight pads. The hind limbs should be parallel and in balance with the forequarters, providing smooth, rhythmic, and energetic movement that typifies the English Cocker Spaniel.
Gait and Movement
The gait is free, energetic, and effortless, with strong hind drive and good reach in front. Movements are smooth, coordinated, and rhythmic, demonstrating balance and stamina. The back remains firm and level without rolling or dipping. The dog must give the impression of strength, confidence, and natural coordination. The Cocker’s movement combines liveliness, grace, and functionality, reflecting its purpose as a hunting and sporting breed. Any stiffness or lack of balance is considered a fault.
Coat
The coat is dense, flat, and glossy, either straight or slightly wavy but never curly. It is of medium length, silky to the touch, and free from coarseness. The hair is shorter on the head and longer on the body, forming feathering on the chest, belly, legs, and ears. The undercoat is fine, providing protection from cold and damp. The coat must be well-groomed, emphasizing the elegant lines of the body without hiding them. Proper texture gives the English Cocker Spaniel its noble and practical working appearance.
Permissible Colors
The English Cocker Spaniel comes in a wide variety of colors. Solid colors include black, red, liver, golden, and fawn, with a small white mark on the chest permitted. Particolors include black and white, red and white, liver and white, blue roan, lemon roan, and tricolor combinations with tan markings. Colors should be clear, rich, and evenly distributed. Uneven or faded markings are undesirable. Regardless of color, the coat must remain dense, glossy, and typical of the breed’s expressive and elegant appearance.
Size
The English Cocker Spaniel is a medium-sized, compact, and sturdy dog. Males stand 39–41 cm at the withers; females 38–39 cm. Weight is proportional to size, usually between 12.5 and 14.5 kg. The body is slightly longer than tall, with well-developed muscles and a strong chest. All proportions must maintain balance, reflecting the breed’s endurance, agility, and strength. The Cocker should present the impression of an active, graceful, and powerful dog suited to sustained fieldwork.
Faults
Faults include any deviation from the breed type or balanced proportions. These may include overly fine or coarse bone, narrow chest, weak back, poor angulation, cow-hocked or stilted movement. Also considered faults are overly long or short bodies, sparse or coarse coat, light eyes, insufficient pigmentation of nose or eyelids, and behavioral issues such as timidity, excessive excitability, aggression, or stubbornness. Loss of the breed’s characteristic cheerfulness, friendliness, and confidence is unacceptable.
Disqualifying Faults
Serious deviations that make the dog unsuitable for breeding or exhibition include incorrect bite (over- or undershot, asymmetrical jaw), missing teeth, blue or uneven eyes, depigmented nose, lips, or eyelids. Congenital deformities of the spine, limbs, or tail, as well as albinism, are disqualifying. Unrecognized colors such as black-and-tan or solid white are not permitted. Dogs showing aggression, fear, or unstable temperament are disqualified, as are those altered by cosmetic procedures that modify their natural appearance.
Important Notes
The English Cocker Spaniel is a versatile breed combining hunting ability and affectionate temperament. In the ICCF system, special attention is given to maintaining working aptitude, proper proportions, and stable character. Breeding must avoid excessive miniaturization, over-decoration, or loss of stamina. The coat should preserve its natural structure, emphasizing the breed type. A balanced temperament is essential — the Cocker must be active, sociable, and kind. Only dogs with official ICCF documents confirming pedigree and standard compliance are eligible for show and breeding purposes.
Conclusion
The English Cocker Spaniel embodies energy, friendliness, and nobility. It is a dog of balanced temperament, intelligence, and natural grace. Within the ICCF system, it is valued for its harmonious combination of working ability, devotion, and striking appearance. The Cocker is an affectionate, obedient, and lively companion, equally successful in the field and at home. Participation in shows and breeding is permitted only for dogs possessing official ICCF documents verifying pedigree and full conformity to the standard. Adherence to these rules ensures preservation of purity, stability, and the true spirit of the English Cocker Spaniel as a symbol of elegance, energy, and loyalty.
