Spaniel dog breeds are true gems in the dog world. They are cute and athletic working dogs. Many of them are excellent hunters, and they can be equally as good as Poodles, Setters or Labrador Retrievers, for example.
We will discuss four types of Spaniels here; get ready to meet the Springer, Cocker, Sprocker and King Charles Spaniels.
There are a few more breeds that are not quite Spaniels but everyone calls them that, and they are just as adorable as our little dogs.
Many of these breeds look alike and it is really hard to tell which one is which. So, continue with reading to find out more.
Come with me in this endearing journey and enjoy our walk with these fluffy good boys.
1. Cocker Spaniel
Welcome, welcome! First in line is the alpha and omega of all the Spaniel dog breeds, a hunting dog and a sporting dog – the Cocker Spaniel.
This is a breed you just can’t resist. And, with all the physical activity they do, like sports and hunting, make sure you give your Cocker the right amount of food by following this feeding chart.
Beauty comes with a price, and the price for a Cocker Spaniel is not small. However, it is not surprising for a dog that has held the title of most beloved dog for many years.
There are a few additional things you will definitely pay for if you decide to get yourself a Cocker, and the price will be a lot of your time and sweat because they demand a lot of attention.
Beautiful dogs like these demand a lot of hair care too. So, if you’re wondering whether Cocker Spaniels shed, I’ll give you two chances to guess.
One more thing, if you suffer from dog allergies, you will suffer even more when you find out that Cocker Spaniels are not hypoallergenic.
2. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Oh those eyes, those deep brown loving eyes of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Even the toughest guy out there melts when he catches a glimpse of this sweetie.
I can’t really decide what the sweetest part of a CKCS is. Is it their loving eyes, fluffy ears, irresistible colors, or the fact that they are so playful and joyful?
And if you thought this sweet potato couldn’t get any sweeter, then you’d be so wrong. There is an even tinier version that is half the size but double the cute. Meet the teacup Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
This easy going dog from England will certainly win you over into declaring them the best dog ever. Certainly, they do best in the role of a companion dog and a lap dog; the Duchess of Marlborough can confirm that.
And, there is no end to the surprises here. Try to imagine a combination of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with many other super cute pooches. Well, you don’t have to imagine any more because here is a list of CKCS adorable mixes.
3. English Cocker Spaniel
This type of Spaniel is perhaps the one that the most fuss is made about. Many people confuse it with the regular Cocker Spaniel and assume the two are the same breed.
However, these hunting dog breeds have a few traits that make them different from each other. Even though the differences are not huge, Cocker Spaniels and English Cocker Spaniels do differ, and not just by name. It is their colors and personality that distinguish them.
The English Cocker Spaniel is a gun dog that is most effective when chasing a woodcock. This breed is definitely happiest while hunting.
We are talking of a very capable bird hunting dog that can be even more upgraded when paired with another bird hunting dog breed. That could be a Basset Hound English Cocker Spaniel mix.
If you have fallen in love with this breed, as I have, you may look for the best English Cocker Spaniel breeder in the USA for yourself and your family.
This adorable Spaniel pup has its own breed standard registered under one of the notable canine clubs.
4. English Springer Spaniel
Besides Cavalier Spaniels, and Cocker Spaniels, there are also Springer Spaniel dog breeds. And here we have their first representative, the English Springer Spaniel.
You may or may not be surprised when I say that this is considered to be one of the smartest dog breeds out there. I am not surprised because these dogs have the predisposition to be smart. I can safely say that all hunting dog breeds are utterly intelligent pooches.
These versatile dogs have both brains and looks and are well-mannered pups.
If you want a perfect hunting companion that is considered a medium energy dog breed, then I recommend this little fella.
However, you will not be wrong if you choose one of the adorable and capable Springer Spaniel mixes instead. They are equally smart and cute as their purebred parents.
This adorable Spaniel pup has its own breed standard registered under one of the notable canine clubs.
Oh, and if you were wondering why this pooch is called a Springer, it isn’t because spring is their favorite season. It is because their speciality is to spring or to flush birds. This means they make them fly, while their human companion aims at the birds with a rifle.
5. American Cocker Spaniel
We have already said a lot about the Cocker Spaniel and English Cocker Spaniel so we will say just a few more words about their American brother.
If you like cartoons then you have probably seen the Lady and the Tramp. Lady is a Cocker Spaniel, a fine high-class dog that looks very well looked after.
Some people tend to just call this breed a Cocker Spaniel which causes lots of confusion about what is right and what is wrong.
Some even say that the English and American versions are the same. However, there are a few minor differences between American and English versions.
All in all, this type of Cocker Spaniel is the most confusing when it comes to Spaniel dog breeds.
This adorable Spaniel pup has its own breed standard registered under one of the notable canine clubs.
6. Welsh Springer Spaniel
Like all the other Spaniels, this one was imported from Spain and continued to develop in the pastures and woods of Wales, which seems like a great combination to get a capable hunting dog.
They specialize in springing or flushing, as the name suggests, and they love to play in the fields.
However, just as they are great at hunting, they do equally well as a family pet. Since they are a high energy bird hunter, you need to remember to provide this dog with a lot of exercise. Otherwise, there will be chaos!
The Welshie is such a fashionista among Spaniel dog breeds with their rich red and white coat and piebald pattern.
This adorable Spaniel pup has its own breed standard registered under one of the notable canine clubs.
7. Boykin Spaniel
Come on, I bet that you thought this one was also an English breed – because I did. It is actually an American breed, and the first place to develop this dog was in South Carolina.
They needed a dog that could chase all sorts of waterfowl and wild turkeys so they got the idea to create one.
They made them pretty, too; this breed is most notable for its livery brown coat and long ears. We can also open up the theme of Boykin Spaniel colors. It’s called a little brown dog for a reason.
Yeah, I know it doesn’t sound very appealing when I say that something is livery brown, but you should see the rich brown pigment this dog possesses – it is outstanding.
Besides the little brown dog, this beautiful pup is also called swamp dog. They got this nickname after the Wateree River Swamp, the place of their creation.
This adorable Spaniel pup has its own breed standard registered under one of the notable canine clubs.
8. Clumber Spaniel
You may think that a Clumber Spaniel is actually a clumsy Spaniel due to their appearance, but this white dog breed is actually the biggest of the Spaniel dog breeds.
Due to their sleepy gaze and big body you might also think that they are one of lazy dog breeds and, actually, you would not be wrong.
This chiller killer is so low-key and easy-going that you may want to take away the title of the sporting dog from them. On the other hand, it does make them a perfect family dog.
Don’t think they like to be inactive for a long time though. They will make quite a fuss if they lack entertainment, and that is not a pleasant experience for the dog owner.
Thankfully, they won’t bark a lot. There are some dogs that bark a lot at night, unlike our Clumber Spaniel, but that does not mean they don’t vocalize at all. You might find it surprising that this dog snores – and loudly!
I should probably mention that this dog sheds and drools too. So, if you don’t like to clean, perhaps think twice.
9. English Toy Spaniel
The English King Charles was truly fond of Spaniel dog breeds, which is why the English Toy Spaniel’s nickname, Charlie, is related to the king.. We can absolutely claim that this sweetheart is a true king among toy breeds.
This mischievous pup actually comes from Japan. This dog often likes a specific person and would rather ignore a group or unfamiliar faces.
It is such an adorable cutie pie that the only cuter thing I can imagine is, for example, a Pomeranian mix or a Pug mix with our Toy Spaniel as one of the parent breeds.
They are so special that there is even a legend that says the last living creature that Queen Mary of Scotland encountered on her way to the scaffold was an English Toy Spaniel. What an exalted role this dog has had.
Another fun fact is that every English Toy Spaniel color has its own name: King Charles is the name for black and tan; Prince Charles is for black, white and tan; Blenheim is red and white; and Ruby for red.
This adorable Spaniel pup has its own breed standard registered under one of the notable canine clubs.
10. Irish Water Spaniel
Even though they are not among the tallest dog breeds out there, the Irish Water Spaniel is the tallest among Spaniel dog breeds.
Whiptail, Shannon Spaniel, Rat Tail Spaniel, Bog Dog or as they say in Ireland, An Spainnear Uisce, are all names for this water dog.
As well as their coat being waterproof, it is also hypoallergenic which is great if you have some health issues with allergies.
If you thought only Golden Retrievers are retrievers, then you are wrong. Many water dogs are excellent at retrieving game and this breed is no different.
This dog is a rare sight in the field while chasing ducks and also in dog shows.
I was surprised when I found out that as well as being the tallest, it is also the oldest among Spaniel dog breeds. And since they are so old, no one actually knows how they were developed.
Besides being the tallest and oldest, these pooches are also funniest. They are the best comedians in the Spaniel dog world.
11. American Water Spaniel
It is a typical American, developed in the Midwest, near the Great Lakes. It is clear where they learned to be great swimmers.
They needed a dog that would be small and calm enough to be in a boat but strong enough to bring back a goose or a duck both in water and on land.
This is not your average pooch that you can run into on every corner. It is a rather rare breed.
And, imagine this, we actually almost lost this fine breed. Luckily, there were some dog lovers who put in an effort to save the breed.
What kind of American dog would this be if there weren’t American breeders to provide us with this breed?
And did you know that they are the official dog of the State of Wisconsin? I didn’t!
One more funny thing about this dog is that it eats bananas like monkeys. So cute.
12. Field Spaniel
Field Spaniel is one of the black dog breeds that takes down stereotypes (although it can also be dark brown or liver). It is an ultimately docile dog breed that is a perfect combo of gentleman and a hard-working hunter.
It is a highly trainable dog that can both be an active sportsman and fine family dog. They can even be a great watchdog.
One simply can not resist their cute appearance with long hair around their ears and fine feathering around their legs. So adorable.