Spaniels are intelligent dogs known for their silky coats and floppy ears. The question is, how many types of Spaniels are there?
Listed below are common Spaniel breeds:
- American Water Spaniel
- Boykin Spaniel
- Brittany Spaniel
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Clumber Spaniel
- Cocker Spaniel
- English Toy Spaniel
- English Cocker Spaniel
- Field Spaniel
- German Spaniel
- Irish Water Spaniel
- Papillon
- Pointer
- Sussex Spaniel
- Welsh Springer Spaniel
1. American Water Spaniel
The American Water Spaniel is a dog that was bred to hunt waterfowls and rabbits. These dogs have a natural talent for treading through marshes and wetlands, making them the perfect hunting companion. These days, they are a popular choice among pet lovers.
American Water Spaniels are medium-sized dogs, with males having an average size of 15-18 inches in height and 30-45 pounds in weight. Females grow to be the same height but only weigh about 25-35 pounds.
The American Water Spaniel has a very dense and curly coat that requires daily brushing. They need to be groomed once or twice a week to keep their coats from knotting or matting. Pet lovers also need to keep the pup’s ears clean to prevent any inflammation or problems.
This water-treading breed has a timid and shy personality despite its intelligence. American Water Spaniels are easy to train and love to socialize. They get along great with people, especially kids, but can be prone to separation anxiety. These pups aren’t afraid to let you know when they aren’t getting enough attention!
2. Boykin Spaniel
Just like the American Water Spaniel, the Boykin Spaniel was bred to hunt wild birds. They were first bred in South Carolina by L. Whitaker Boykin to have natural swimming abilities and a small enough build that makes them easy to travel with. Since then, they’ve become the state dog of South Carolina. Thanks to its friendly personality, the Boykin has become a popular pet to have for any family.
The Boykin Spaniel is a small breed. Male Boykin Spaniels weigh about 30-40 pounds and grow up to 15-18 inches in height. Female Boykin Spaniels are a bit smaller, weighing only 25-35 pounds and standing at 14-16 inches in height when fully grown. They were bred to be this size so that hunters could easily fit them into small boats while searching for waterfowls.
Boykin Spaniels have medium-length coats that are dense and wavy in texture. Their coats are normally longer around their head and face, giving them a shaggy appearance but a smoother body. These pups need to be brushed once or twice a week, especially during the spring when they shed most.
What makes the Boykin Spaniel so popular is its calm and people-pleasing personality. They are active dogs that love to play and need a good amount of exercise to prevent them from becoming destructive puppies. The Boykin Spaniel also loves to roam and go for long walks because of its natural disposition to hunt. This pup is easy to train and will fit in perfectly with any household.
3. Brittany
Brittany Spaniels are one of the more elegant fabulous breeds among Spaniels. The species is one of the oldest among Spaniels, dating as far back as 150 AD. They were first bred in France, in a small town in the Brittany province. These pups have various hunting talents, including pointing, setting, flushing, and retrieving. Nowadays, they’re loved for their elegant coats that can come in different beautiful colors.
The Brittany is a medium-sized dog. Brittany Spaniels grow up to 17-20 inches in height and weigh about 30-40 pounds when fully grown. They have long limbs that are attached to a short and straight back. These pups are naturally muscular and strong, with a very rugged build.
The Brittany Spaniel has a medium-length coat with a dense and wavy texture. Their coats come in a wide range of colors and patterns, including blue, brindle, brown, cream, fawn, isabella, and pied.
The Brittany with a pied coat is a popular pick with an appearance that makes it seem like the pup has been dipped in cookies and cream. Their coats are low maintenance, needing a brush just once a week. However, they are prone to dental problems, and an owner will need to brush their teeth every day.
Brittany Spaniels have a hyperactive and sweet nature. These dogs need regular exercise and will suit an owner with an active lifestyle perfectly. They get along great with other dogs but have a strong hunter instinct, so they may view smaller pets such as cats or birds as prey. The Brittany is sure to ace any agility course that you train it with and will gladly take your affection as a reward.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the most popular of all the Spaniel breeds. These are dogs that originate from royalty, being favorites of King Charles I and King Charles II in the United Kingdom. Every single Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that exists today comes from six dogs that survived World War II. These dogs earned their popularity with their regal looks that stun pet lovers across the world.
Cavies are a small breed, growing up to 12-13 inches in height and 13-18 pounds in weight when fully grown. They have large and round puppy dog eyes that are sure to melt your heart. This breed was designed to be shown off, boasting a painfully adorable appearance.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have medium-length coats that feather around their legs, feet, tail, chest, and ears. Their coats come in a variety of colors, such as Ruby, Blenheim, and Prince Charles. Cavies need to be brushed every day to prevent too much shedding.
The Cavalier is definitely a lapdog that loves to be hugged and cuddled. With their affectionate nature, they make excellent therapy dogs for seniors and people with disabilities. Although they make great lapdogs, they can also be active dogs that love a good chase. Whichever lifestyle you live, a Cavie will adapt with ease.
5. Clumber Spaniel
The Clumber Spaniel is one of the oldest Spaniel breeds, dating back as early as the 1700s. The breed is named after Clumber Park in England because it belonged to the Duke of Newcastle, who had an avid love for the species.
The Clumber Spaniel is a large and muscular dog with big paws. However, they are also stocky dogs, standing up to just 19-20 inches in height while weighing in at a heavy 70-85 pounds in weight. Their builds resemble those of the Welsh Corgi or Pitbull. This unique build is what makes them so unique and popular.
Clumber Spaniels have medium-length and straight coats. When well-maintained, their coats have a beautiful shine that glistens in natural light. They can only have two colors on their coats, which are pure white and pied. Unfortunately, these dogs are heavy shedders and are likely to cover your house in their fur. If you want a Clumber Spaniel, you’ll have to be prepared to brush their coats twice or thrice a week and have them groomed every month.
The Clumber Spaniel is known to have the personality of a gentle giant. They are sweethearts that are easy-going and aren’t very active. However, due to their size, they have the tendency to want to be pack leaders. They can tell when their owner isn’t assertive enough and may show dominance. They require consistent discipline and will do just about anything for a good chew toy.
6. Cocker Spaniel
The Cocker Spaniel, also known as the American Cocker Spaniel, originates from the English Cocker Spaniel but was bred to be smaller by the Americans to hunt smaller game. The Cocker Spaniel has much less of a prey drive than the English Cocker Spaniel, making them good family dogs.
Cocker Spaniels are small dogs, standing at the height of just 14-15 inches and weighing in at 25-30 pounds when fully grown.
The American Cocker Spaniel has a heavy-shedding coat that is sure to leave tufts around your household. Even with extensive grooming, this breed sheds very easily, and even more so during the spring months. You can curb their shedding by brushing them every day with a slicker brush.
American Cocker Spaniels are friendly and sensitive dogs. They are averse to loud noises and roughhousing, so they don’t particularly enjoy being around children. On the contrary, they are also loud barkers and may disrupt the neighborhood if not trained properly. This breed loves to spend time with its owners, so with enough socialization, their habits can be remedied.
7. English Cocker Spaniel
The English Cocker Spaniel is the more hunting-prepared relative of the American Cocker Spaniel. These dogs are larger than their American counterparts and were bred to flush out birds and small woodland creatures. A group of English Cocker Spaniel lovers started a movement to separate them from American Cocker Spaniels due to their large difference in hunter instincts.
English Cocker Spaniels classify as small to medium dogs, growing up to 15-17 inches in height and weighing in at 26-34 pounds when fully grown. The most distinctive feature of this breed is their fur, which feathers around their belly, making them appear like a carpet when they’re sprawled on the floor. Their coat comes in various colors, including black, brown, gray, pied, red, and silver.
Grooming an English Cocker Spaniel takes a great deal of work. They require less grooming than the American Cocker Spaniel but need much more exercise. They are at their happiest when they are able to have regular walks and playtime throughout the day. They are cheerful dogs with a knack for exploring, so it’s essential to keep the pup on a firm leash when going on walks. Unlike the American Cocker Spaniel, they get along great with children and other animals as long as they are socialized early enough.
8. English Toy Spaniel
The English Toy Spaniel has one of the most unique origins of the Spaniels. They’re believed to have originated as gifts from Japanese royalty to English royals. Much like the other Spaniels, the English Toy Spaniel was bred for hunting but wasn’t very successful due to its small stature.
English Toy Spaniels are the smallest of Spaniel breeds, growing up to only 10-11 inches in height and a light 8-14 pounds in weight. They have square builds with a domed head that makes them look like stuffed toys. With their tiny size, they’re sure to make anyone want to put them in their pocket.
The English Toy Spaniel was once classified into four different breeds based on their coat colors. However, the species were eventually considered as just one breed with varying colors. Those colors include black and tan (King Charles), black, tan, and white (Prince Charles), red and white (Blenheim), and red (Ruby).
These tiny pups make for the perfect lapdog. They love to laze around the house and will take any opportunity to cuddle up to their owners. They don’t require much exercise but require an extensive amount of grooming. English Toy Spaniel fur needs to be brushed daily because it can be prone to knots and matting. Luckily, their coat is dirt-resistant and only needs to be washed once every few months with a mild shampoo.
9. Field Spaniel
Early in Spaniel history, the breed was classified between Land Spaniels and Water Spaniels. Field Spaniels are now what used to be referred to as Land Spaniels. After going through a long period of failed breeding attempts, the Field Spaniel whittled in numbers but managed to make a return to the dog world after outbreeding with the Cocker Spaniel and the English Springer Spaniel. Thanks to those breeders, the Field Spaniel now leads a healthy and happy life.
The Field Spaniel is a medium to large dog, featuring a height of 17-18 inches and a weight of 35-50 pounds when fully grown. They are slightly longer than they are tall to be able to comfortably tread through tall grass and terrain.
Their coats are smooth and have a natural shine with a wavy texture. They only come in three colors, which are black, blue and brown. However, Field Spaniels can have either hazel or brown eyes.
Compared to most Spaniel breeds, the Field Spaniel’s coat only needs a moderate amount of maintenance. Brushing their fur once a week is more than enough to keep it shiny and healthy. They are also well known for their sweet nature that prevents them from ever being aggressive or fearful towards people. These dogs simply need plenty of space and exercise to keep themselves healthy and happy.
10. German Spaniel
The German Spaniel is one of the Spaniels that rarely exist outside of Germany. The German Spaniel is believed to have come from the Stober Dog, which is a dog that was bred to be a pointer. They were originally only allowed to belong to the upper-class part of German society. Still, after they became available to ordinary people, the German Spaniel was developed.
German Spaniels are medium-sized dogs, growing up to 18-20 inches in height and 40-55 pounds in weight. They are muscular and naturally athletic dogs that have no problem going on hikes or doing agility courses.
German Spaniel’s medium-length coats feather around their ears and tail. Their coats require a brushing every week to keep them healthy. Their fur grows pretty fast around their toes, so they will need to be trimmed regularly. In terms of personality, German Spaniels can be quite stubborn and love spending their time outdoors. Owners can keep this puppy happy by taking it to dog parks often.
11. Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel is one of the oldest among Spaniel breeds. Archaeologists have found fossils of the species that date as early as the Stone Age. The Irish Water Spaniel that we know today was first bread by Justin McCarthy, who comes from Southern Ireland.
Irish Water Spaniels are medium to large-sized dogs that look very similar to the Standard poodle. They stand at the height of 21-23 inches and weigh in at about 45-60 pounds in weight.
These Poodle look-a-likes have long curly fur that easily drapes over their eyes. To keep their coats from matting, they’ll need to be brushed every two or three days. Their ears need to be cleaned every day since they flop down and are covered in curly fur.
When it comes to its temperament, the Irish Water Spaniel is a very intelligent and timid dog. They can be shy around strangers, but with enough socialization, they can get along with just about anyone. They’re not great as entry-level dogs because they can be a bit headstrong. The Irish Water Spaniel will need an owner that is assertive and more dominant than they are.
12. Papillon
The Papillon, also known as the Continental Toy Spaniel, is often overlooked as a Spaniel breed. Due to their unique name and appearance that deviates from other Spaniels, you might not think that this dog is a Spaniel at all.
The Papillon is a toy breed, having a small size of just 10-11 inches tall and weighing about 7-10 pounds. It is also one of the oldest breeds and is believed to have descended from toy Spaniels.
Papillons have long and straight fur that drapes down their ears and tails. This makes their ears look like butterfly wings, which gave them the name Papillon which means butterfly in French. Their coats shed seasonally and more often during the spring. They need to be brushed daily to keep their fur healthy and shiny.
Despite their small stature, Papillons are energetic dogs. They are intelligent, fast learners that excel in agility courses. They’re small enough to fit in the purse, so they also make great show dogs. They can be aggressive towards strangers, so they need to be trained and socialized early on to get along with others.
13. Pointer
The Pointer is a Spaniel breed that originated from England. They are named after their ability to point at small birds and woodland creatures with their muzzles while hunting. It is difficult to know which breed this the Pointer comes from, but it stands as its own breed today.
Pointers are tall and athletic dogs, standing at the height of 23-26 inches and weighing in at 45-65 pounds when approaching adulthood. The Pointer has a muscular build and proud stance that matches their bravery as a breed.
The Pointer has a short and smooth coat that can feather around their jowls. They don’t need a lot of maintenance when it comes to grooming. Their fur can be easily be maintained by brushing them once a week to avoid shedding. It’s enough to bathe your Pointer once every six weeks.
Pointers have a lot of energy that they need expend every day. If they go for a long time without exercise, they can become anxious, fussy, or even aggressive. They love the outdoors because of their natural disposition towards hunting as much as they love spending time with people and kids.
14. Sussex Spaniel
Sussex Spaniels are named after where they come from, Sussex, England. Sussex Spaniels were bred to hunt on foot and cover a lot of ground to catch prey. However, while it was a great hunting dog, most hunters opt not to use Sussex Spaniels due to their dark color and tendency to bark.
The Sussex Spaniel has short limbs and a long body, much like a Dachshund. They have medium-length coats that are dark and brown. This thick and feathery coat needs to be brushed every day to prevent too much shedding and mats.
Compared to most Spaniel breeds, the Sussex Spaniel is a low-energy dog. They are friendly companions that love dogs and children. Sussex Spaniels are normally patient with their owners and are quick to love anyone that cares for them.
15. Welsh Springer Spaniel
The last Spaniel on the leash is the Welsh Springer Spaniel. They are named after Wales and their ability to pounce or spring on small creatures when hunting. This breed briefly lost its popularity in the early 1900s, but after making it to America, it quickly became one of the most popular breeds once again.
The Welsh Springer Spaniel is a gorgeous dog that resembles the looks of a Beagle. They have strong and compact builds that show that they were bred for sport. They have webbed toes that make it easier for them to swim and catch waterfowls. They stand at the height of about 17-18 inches and weigh around 35-50 pounds fully grown.
This breed is relatively easy to maintain when it comes to grooming. With the right amount of care, their coats appear smooth and shiny. They need to be brushed about twice a week to keep their fur healthy.
Welsh Springer Spaniels are one of the clingiest dogs in the world. They love to spend their time with people and enjoy any activity as long as they get to do it with you. The Welshie will thrive with plenty of socialization and turn out to be a calm and loving addition to your family.
Final Thoughts
It’s truly remarkable just how many Spaniel breeds there are. Each Spaniel breed is beautiful and charming in its own way, with an interesting history to match.
These breeds may have started out as hunting dogs bred to catch prey or companions for royal families, but today, they are some of the most famous family pets. Even after existing for hundreds or thousands of years, Spaniels have kept all the best traits that they’ve had since the beginning.
Just like Spaniels, pet owners come with their own backgrounds and stories. The key to finding the best Spaniel breed for you is simply a matter of finding which type has the personality and gifts that complement yours.
Hey there! I’m Matt and I’m a content writer from the Philippines. I’ve raised over 10 dogs and 5 cats. I love taking care of my rescue dog Kewpie and my two rescue cats, Misty and Rosy.