Editing English Cocker Spaniel (section)

== History ==
[[File:Bojars's english cocker spaniel.jpg|thumb|Red solid colour English Cocker Spaniel]]
Spaniel type dogs have been found in art and literature for almost 500 years.<ref name="Kolehouse1">{{cite web | author=Kolehouse, Bobbie | title=Dusting off History to Look at Cocker Hunting Tradition Part I | website=Spaniel Journal| url=http://www.spanieljournal.com/bkolehouse.html|access-date=13 September 2009}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=February 2024|reason=Better to use the original source/references provided in the article}} Initially, spaniels in England were divided among land spaniels and water spaniels. The differentiation among the spaniels that led to the [[breed]]s that we see today did not begin until the mid-19th century. During this time, the land spaniels became a bit more specialised and divisions among the types were made based upon weight. According to the 1840 Encyclopedia of Rural Sports, Cockers were 12–20&nbsp;lb (5.5–9&nbsp;kg).<ref name="Kolehouse1" />{{better source needed|date=February 2024|reason=Better to use the original source/references provided in the article}} At this time it was not uncommon for Cockers and Springers to come from the same litter. Even a puppy from a "Toy" sized lineage could grow to be a springer.<ref name="Kolehouse1" />{{better source needed|date=February 2024|reason=Better to use the original source/references provided in the article}}

There is no indication from these early sources that spaniels were used to retrieve game. Rather they were used to drive the game toward the guns.<ref name="Kolehouse1" />{{better source needed|date=February 2024|reason=Better to use the original source/references provided in the article}}

During the 1850s and 1860s, other types of Cockers were recorded. There were [[Welsh Springer Spaniel]]s and Devonshire Cockers. Additionally, small dogs from [[Sussex Spaniel]] litters were called Cockers.<ref name="Kolehouse1" />{{better source needed|date=February 2024|reason=Better to use the original source/references provided in the article}} In 1874 the first [[stud book]]s were published by the newly formed [[kennel club]]. Any spaniel under 25&nbsp;lb (11&nbsp;kg) was placed in the Cocker breeding pool, however, the Welsh Cocker was reclassified as a Springer in 1903 due to its larger size and shorter ear.<ref name="Kolehouse1" />{{better source needed|date=February 2024|reason=Better to use the original source/references provided in the article}}

The [[List of dog sports|sport]] of [[conformation show]]ing began in earnest among spaniels after the Spaniel Club was formed in 1885. When showing, the new ''Springer'' and ''Cocker'', both were in the same class until The Spaniel Club created [[breed standard]]s for each of the types. The Kennel Club separated the two types eight years later. Since then, the Springer and Cocker enthusiasts have bred in the separate traits that they desired. Today, the breed differs in more ways than weight alone.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

[[File:AKC English Cocker Spaniel Dog Show 2013.jpg|thumb|upright|English Cocker Spaniel]]
At [[Crufts]], the English Cocker Spaniel has been the most successful breed in winning [[List of Best in Show winners of Crufts|Best in Show]], winning on a total of seven occasions between 1928 and 2009, with wins in 1930, 1931, 1938, 1939, 1948, 1950 and 1996. In addition, the breed makes up three of the four winners who have won the title on more than one occasion with all three coming from [[H. S. Lloyd]]'s Ware kennel. Due to World War II, the English Cocker Spaniel managed to be the only breed to have won the title between 1938 and 1950, although the competition was only held on four occasions during that period. The most recent best in show was Sh. Ch. [[Canigou Cambrai]] in 1996.<ref>{{cite web |title=Past and Present Winners |url=https://crufts.org.uk/about-us/past-winners/ |website=Crufts |access-date=24 February 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hvuttar.net/?h=17160&g=307 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031003120749/http://www.hvuttar.net/?h=17160&g=307 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=3 October 2003 |title=Besti hundur sýningar á Crufts, frá árunum 1928–2002 |language=is |publisher=Hvuttar.net |access-date=28 December 2009}}</ref>

=== Field Spaniel ===
In the late 19th century with the increase in popularity of dog shows and the creation of standards for various breeds, the Spaniel family began to split into various different breeds. A group of enthusiasts decided to create a large black spaniel breed. Four dogs would act as progenitors for this new breed, of which two were Cocker Spaniels, one was a Cocker Spaniel/[[English Water Spaniel]] cross and one was a [[Norfolk Spaniel]]. This new breed was named the [[Field Spaniel]], and was recognised by the Kennel Club in 1892.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

=== American Cocker Spaniel ===
The [[American Cocker Spaniel]] was developed from the English Cocker Spaniel in the 19th century to retrieve [[quail]]s and [[woodcock]]s. They were originally divided from the English Cocker solely on a size basis but were bred over the years for different specific traits.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} The two Cocker Spaniels were shown together in America until 1936, when the English Cocker received status as a separate breed. The American Kennel Club granted a separate breed designation for the English Cocker Spaniel in 1946.<ref name="akc" /> The American breed has a shorter snout.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}