In the early 19th century, spaniels were considered to be in one of three groups based mostly by size. It made for confusion when littermates could be regarded as either a Welsh Spaniel, a Springer Spaniel, or a Cocker Spaniel depending upon their coloring and size.

The smallest of the spaniels were the “comforter spaniels,” what we might call a King Charles or English Toy. Next were the Cocking, or Cocker Spaniels used primarily to hunt woodcock. The largest of the three groups was the English or Field Spaniel, and that “umbrella group” included the Springer (or Norfolk) Spaniel, the Welsh, Clumber, and Sussex Spaniels. It probably wasn’t until the Sporting Spaniel Society was formed that some breeders started keeping lines pure. In 1902, the English Springer Spaniel was officially recognized as its own breed by the UK’s Kennel Club.

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