Working Cocker Spaniel Scotland

Working or Show? What’s the Difference?

This breed, like many others with origins as working dogs, has some genetic lines that focus on working-dog skills and other lines that focus on ensuring that the dog’s appearance conforms to a breed standard; these are referred to as the “working” (or “field-bred”) and “show” strains, respectively.

After World War II, the show-bred Cocker Spaniel increased enormously in popular appeal and, for a while, was the most numerous Kennel Club registered breed. This popularity increased the view that all Cockers were useless as working dogs. However, for many dogs this is untrue, as even some show-bred Cockers have retained their working instinct.

Today, this breed is experiencing a resurgence in usage as a working and hunting dog. Their happy and inquisitive personality makes them ideal assistance or detection dogs. Dogs from working lines are noticeably distinct in appearance. As is the case with the English Springer Spaniel, the working type has been bred exclusively to perform in the field as a hunting companion. Their coat is shorter and ears less pendulous than the show-bred type. Although registered as the same breed, the two strains have diverged significantly enough that they are rarely crossed.

Working-dog lines often have physical characteristics that would prevent them from winning in the show ring, such as heads that are more domed than desired or other traits. This is a result of selecting for different traits than those selected by show breeders. The longer coat and ears, selected for the show ring, are an impediment in the field.

The coat of the English Cocker Spaniel does take care. The coat consists of long guard hairs on the top and a soft undercoat. Grooming styles depend greatly on the purpose, coat texture and colour of the dog. For showing purposes most coats are stripped by hand. Regular grooming is essential and you should get your puppy used to this from an early age. Grooming should be carried out by a professional groomer, your breeder should be able to recommend someone for you but many English Cocker owners learn to groom their own own dogs and find great rewards in doing so.
In addition to the coat, the nails should be trimmed and teeth brushed with a dog toothpaste. The ears require special care. They should be cleaned weekly with a dog ear cleaning solution.