If you like high-energy, bird-flushing machines that are cute as hell and just a little wild, then this is the breed battle for you. In a way, this is another old guard versus new guard competition, but the truth is, both breeds have their place in the uplands. Which one is a better choice is up for debate, and it all starts with size and potential health issues.
Health & Size
Springers look small when compared to quite a few sporting breeds, but they are really a mid-sized dog. Females generally top out around 40 pounds, while you can expect males to tip the scales closer to 50. English cockers are smaller, with females often weighing in the mid-20s and males weighing in the low 30s. When it comes to most upland habitat, the size difference between the two breeds is negligible.
When it comes to health issues, there are serious considerations with both breeds. Springers aren’t immune to hip dysplasia, which can take a dog out of the game way too early. PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) is another genetic issue that can crop up, and when it does, dogs can suffer serious visual impairment. Skin allergies, as well as ear infections, are somewhat common, which makes sense when you consider not only their coat but the size of their ears.
There is also the question of springer rage. Rage Syndrome, or idiopathic rage, is something to witness, but I hope you never have to. There isn’t a clear catalyst for what can take a dog from being seemingly well adjusted and turn them dark, but it happens. When it does, it’s ugly.
While this affliction can hit a variety of breeds, springers are known for it, and the only dog I’ve ever seen with this was a springer. It went truly crazy. It bit a couple of people, turned on the owner’s wife, attacked my dog unprovoked, and was generally like being around a grenade with the pin pulled. You knew he was going to go off again and again.
English cockers aren’t known for sudden rage, but they do have some health concerns worth acknowledging. The breed is prone to cherry eye, which is treatable but inconvenient and can become a real issue if it’s left unaddressed. Like with springers, ear infections, hip dysplasia, and PRA are all health concerns that hit English cockers. Another, patellar luxation, is a mostly hereditary issue (it can also come from trauma) that stems from dislocated kneecaps, which is about as fun to deal with as it sounds.
With all sporting breeds, the best future lies in the highest quality bloodlines. Neither springers nor cockers are immune to that reality, so do your due diligence with either.
Personality & Biddability
The Venn diagram of springer spaniel personality and English cocker personality is damn near a perfect circle. Quality bloodlines in each breed produce highly sociable, intelligent dogs that will show up to work every day. Both are highly trainable as well.
A subtle but important difference between the two might be the social aspect. While springers can get down with a good cuddle from their humans, English cockers will demand it every day. Both breeds don’t shy away from attention, but English cockers need it, and they thrive on it.
Springers could be considered a hair more independent, which is a consideration for individual owners versus family-oriented pets. A retired pheasant junkie who mostly hunts solo might think that the closest thing to dying and going to heaven is training, and hunting with, a springer. Someone in a different life situation who wants a badass bird dog that will also curl up in his lap every night to sleep might go with the cocker.
Some trainers consider English cockers to be a softer dog, in general, than springers. This means a raised voice or a careless usage of an e-collar might more easily derail a training session than it would with a springer. This, like all things with dogs, is heavily dependent on the individual.
Hunting Skills
If you’re a hardcore duck hunter, you’ll want to skip both of these breeds. They are upland flushers, and while you might encounter an outlier that spends some time marking downed greenheads, you could do much better.
Pheasant and grouse hunters are a different story. Quality blood in both breeds can produce dogs that are absolutely nuts about birds, and their energy levels and drive will support plenty of training and plenty of hunting.
Their coats are somewhat of a concern because both can be magnets for cockleburs and can hide plenty of ticks. Overall, for hunting enjoyment and overall skill in the uplands, you couldn’t go wrong with either breed. Both are simply fun to hunt over, and that matters a lot.
…And the Winner Is
English cockers! No wait, springers. Wait… This is as close as they come. Both breeds are widely available, both have similar health concerns, and while they aren’t mirror-images personality-wise, they are pretty close.
It’s tough to rule on this one, because of that, and many other reasons. If I had to lean in one direction, it would be toward English cockers, but that would be because of some anecdotal experiences with springers that aren’t worth much. I also happen to have a couple of daughters who want a lap dog in the worst way, which would probably sway me personally.
As for you, you’ll just have to decide on your own.
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