Comparison: English Cocker Spaniel and Sussex Spaniel

English Cocker Spaniel and Sussex Spaniel are marked as similar in our database. The table compares only the data we have on the breeds.

English Cocker Spaniel
Photo: NicolasCoeurdelion, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Sussex Spaniel
Photo: Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
English Cocker SpanielSussex Spaniel
FCI group8. Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs8. Retrievers, flushing dogs and water dogs
Country of originUnited KingdomUnited Kingdom
CategoryMediumSmall
Height at withers38–43 cm38–41 cm
Weight12–16 kg23 kg
Life span12–15 years–
Recognition features
  • Long silky ears and a silky coat in many colours
  • Longer muzzle than the American Cocker
  • Square build, about 40 cm tall
  • Rich golden-liver coat with hairs shading to gold at the tips
  • Strongly built, low spaniel with a characteristic rolling gait unlike that of any other spaniel
  • Wide skull with pronounced stop, liver nose and thick lobular ears
CoatSilky coat with feathering, many colours.Abundant, flat coat with no tendency to curl and ample undercoat for weather resistance; ears covered with soft wavy hair, fore- and hindquarters moderately feathered. Rich golden liver with hairs shading to golden at the tip, gold predominating; dark liver or puce undesirable.
PurposeAn English gundog for flushing and retrieving woodcock in dense cover.A flushing dog.

Breed page: English Cocker Spaniel · Breed page: Sussex Spaniel

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The information is indicative. Texts are based on available sources and may contain inaccuracies; for binding details (e.g. for breeding or shows) use the official breed standard.