PawPedia breed guide

Spaniel breeds

Silky companions and bird-flushing athletes—how cockers, springers, water spaniels, and toy types differ in energy, coat care, and home fit.

19 breeds · Updated 2026-08-15

Spaniel breeds share a soft expression and a history of working close to hunters—flushing birds from cover, sometimes retrieving from water—or sitting beside people as devoted companions. Today the family spans active sporting dogs and smaller parlor types.

This guide covers 19 profiles people most often compare. Prefer a taxonomy-first overview? See types of spaniels. For field-focused neighbors, browse hunting dog breeds. Official group context lives in the AKC Sporting Group.

Popular spaniels to start with

If you’re new to the family, these eight show up most in searches and family conversations:

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel — small, energy 3/5
Cocker Spaniel — medium, energy 3/5
English Cocker Spaniel — medium, energy 4/5
American Cocker Spaniel — small, energy 3/5
English Springer Spaniel — medium, energy 4/5
Brittany — medium, energy 5/5
Welsh Springer Spaniel — medium, energy 4/5
Boykin Spaniel — medium, energy 4/5

Cavaliers and many cockers lean companion; Springers and Brittanys lean sport. Read energy and grooming notes before you fall for the ears alone.

Land, water, and companion spaniels

Land / flushing spaniels. English and Welsh Springers, Cockers, Field, Sussex, Clumber, Boykin, Brittany, and related types were built to find and flush birds. Expect drive, scent focus, and a need for structured exercise.

Water spaniels. Irish and American Water Spaniels bring curly or water-resistant coats and retrieving instincts. Coat care and swimming outlets help them thrive.

Companion & toy types. Cavaliers, English Toy / King Charles Spaniels, Papillons, Tibetan Spaniels, and Japanese Chins (historically “Japanese Spaniel”) were shaped more for laps and households than full days in the field—still needing walks, training, and health screening.

Living with a spaniel

Ears & eyes. Long, furry ears trap moisture—plan regular checks and drying after swims. Some companion spaniels have breed-specific eye or heart screening notes on their profiles; ask breeders and rescues what’s tested.

Coats. Feathering mats behind ears, on chests, and legs. Brushing isn’t optional for showy coats; many owners use a practical “pet trim” between professional grooms.

Energy honesty. A bored Springer is a different roommate than a settled Cavalier. Match daily mileage to the breed—not the Instagram photos.

How to choose your spaniel

Decide companion vs sporting first, then size and coat budget. Compare two favorites in Compare, or take the match quiz if you’re open beyond spaniels. Families often cross-check best family dogs.

Meet adult dogs when you can—field lines and show lines of the same breed name can feel like different lifestyles. Prefer alphabetical browsing? Open all breeds A–Z.