English cocker spaniel

American  

noun

1. one of an English breed of compact medium-sized sporting dogs having a medium-length coat of various solid colors or parti-colored, low-set, droopy ears, fairly short legs, and a docked tail, originally raised as a hunting dog.

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Etymology

Origin of English cocker spaniel

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

I saw a man sit down with four thick tomes about the English cocker spaniel.

From Washington Post • Feb. 28, 2019

With them came Mick, a 15-year-old English cocker spaniel.

From New York Times • Aug. 19, 2016

He played with Magill, his English cocker spaniel.

From New York Times • Aug. 31, 2011

Well, I've been walking my dog, a nice older English cocker spaniel.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 7, 2011