The name 'Cocker' comes from the fact
that the breed originally hunted
woodcock.
In the United States the breed is
registered under the name "Cocker
Spaniel", as is the English Cocker
Spaniel in the UK, which can cause
confusion between these two breeds. By
the 1930s the American variety had
become so different from its English
ancestors that it was given separate
breed status.
Hunting
Originally a gun dog,
the Cocker now fulfills the position of
family pet or show dog most often and
unlike the English Cocker, is rarely
seen hunting. Some American lines are
still bred for fieldwork, and a small
movement works to preserve the hunting
abilities of the breed.
Popularity
He can be a faithful
and responsible children's companion.
Cockers have been a highly popular
American breed since the 1940s,
occupying the top position in number of
American Kennel Club registrations from
1940-1952. The breed declined a bit in
popularity and then resurged to number
one in registrations from 1984-1990.
Since then, the breed's popularity has
declined. The Cocker Spaniel was 15th
in AKC registrations for 2004, down
from 14th in 2003.