cocker spaniel

American  

noun

1. one of a breed of small spaniels having a flat or slightly waved, soft, dense coat of any of several colors.

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cocker spaniel British  

noun

1. a small compact breed of spaniel having sleek silky fur, a domed head, and long fringed ears

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Etymology

Origin of cocker spaniel

First recorded in 1825–30; cocker ¹ ( def. ) + spaniel ( def. ),

Example Sentences

Coastguards have lowered a dog owner on a rope down a cliff to help rescue her cocker spaniel.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026

Your cocker spaniel could have won the NFC East.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 12, 2026

She and Davis have flaunted their love on Instagram with Valentine’s Day posts and photo shoots with her cocker spaniel Harley.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2024

Hannah Povey, from Farringdon, Hampshire, warned of the disease's threat after her cocker spaniel Betsy was put down in November.

From BBC • Feb. 9, 2024

There were some more conventional pets, too: Tana, a beautiful white and lemon cocker spaniel who was given to me, and Hobo, a springer spaniel I looked after for a friend.

From "My Life with the Chimpanzees" by Jane Goodall