The American Cocker was originally bred to hunt small game including bird flushing and retrieving. This dog is classified as one of the Sporting Dog Group.

The word spaniel comes from the word “español” which means Spanish from where all of the Spaniel breeds come from. The word “Cocker” relates to the breeds British heritage and its use of hunting Woodcock pigeons.

Before 1892 Cocker Spaniels were not specifically bred as such. One litter of springer spaniels would produce three types of dogs (Springers, Sussex, and Cockers). Pups would be recognized as cockers one year and springers the next year as they grew larger.

Over time, the Cocker Spaniels in the United States became smaller than the English dogs, and, in dog shows, separate categories were created in 1935 for the English variety and the American variety.

The American Cocker Spaniel is recognized as a separate breed from the English Cocker Spaniel due to its smaller stature, shorter snout and longer, silkier coat.

In the United States, the breed is usually referred to as the Cocker Spaniel, while elsewhere in the world, it is called the American Cocker Spaniel.

Lady from the Disney Animated film, Lady And The Tramp was an American Cocker Spaniel.