Working Type Cockers

The initial changes in look came during the war years, and are referred to as Show Lines & Working Lines. The 2 variations developed due to the breeders/owners interest of the time, and the limitations caused by the 2 world wars. They are still recognised and registered as one breed.

As breeders focused on their own interest and requirements to improve the breed functionality in their chosen sport or hobby, the variants have increased somewhat.

The gamekeepers working cocker spaniels in the field, bred for the traits they wanted to strengthen, they tend to have larger chests, thick necks, a flatter, broader head. Taller with longer legs. Shorter more grape leaf shaped ears and their coat is very sparse and much shorter.
In general the Working Cocker is much more energetic and requires additional daily exercise a day… more like a springer.

The Hobbyist or Show breeder, aimed to meets the aesthetic breed standard. Breeding to increase and improving the silky coat, longer feathers etc. Show type cocker friends are usually self exercising on an average size NZ section, but do enjoy the chance of a walk.

Hence we have one that has that "chocolate box appearance" and one that is valued for its traits as a working dog gundog. For obvious reasons the 2 lines are rarely found in one pedigree.

This in no way indicates that the show bred cocker spaniel can not undertake its original work, and there are many that compete in Exhibition & Dog Sports and just as successfully at Gundog Trials and work in the field (the owner may just have to trim off some of that long coat glorious coat, for practical reasons).

However like most things, there will be differences between individual dogs, whatever type you have. My own dogs are Show type but most have good working traits, and if I had the time wouldn't hesitate to join a working gundog club. I have also had a couple that appear to have very little natural traits to work.