With bags of energy, affectionate personalities and intelligence to boot, spaniel breeds make for excellent family dogs in active households. But what makes a spaniel a spaniel, and what’s the difference between all the types of spaniel?
What is a spaniel?
Bred to hunt, spaniels have a natural inclination for work making them smart, loyal and energetic. This popular type of dog is not only a hard worker, but often a beloved family member too, cherished for their one-of-a-kind character and affection.
Their precise origins aren't known. Some think they may have come from Spain, others think Asia is a more plausible destination. Either way, scholars can agree that the history of the breed goes as far back as at least the 14th century.
Spaniels were bred first and foremost for flushing game, but each specific type of spaniel has been bred with specific traits in mind. While spaniels come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, they broadly share the same baseline traits of affection, intelligence and boundless energy. Keen to learn which is the right spaniel for you? Read on…
A–Z of spaniel breeds
1. American Water Spaniel
Height: 15–18 inches
Weight: 25–40 lbs (female), 30–45 lbs (male)
Life expectancy: 10–14 years
Hailing from the lake country of the upper midwest, you better believe this dog likes to swim! Muscular and midsize, the American Water Spaniel is a cheerful, athletic dog breed that loves nothing better than being outside with their pack. Your American Water Spaniel might keep their distance with strangers and could be a little stubborn.
2. Boykin Spaniel
Height: 14–16.5 inches (female), 15.5–18 inches (male)
Weight: 25–35 lbs (female), 30–40 lbs (male)
Life expectancy: 10–15 years
Bred for hunting wild turkeys and ducks in the Wateree River Swamp of South Carolina, the Boykin Spaniel is a lively, sturdy dog who is a joy to train. Inside the house, as long as he or she has been well exercised, they are mellow and loving. Also, just try saying no to those puppy dog eyes. Impossible.
3. Brittany
Height: 17.5–20.5 inches
Weight: 30–40 lbs
Life expectancy: 12–14 years
A French breed sometimes called the Breton spaniel, the Brittany is upbeat, smart and eager to please. As spaniels go, these ones need a lot of exercise. Which is to say, only consider a Brittany if you’re seriously active and game for bringing your dog along on your adventures.
They stand out from the standard spaniel crowd thanks to their longer legs, plus their stunning characteristic orange and liver coat.
4. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Height: 12–13 inches
Weight: 13–18 lbs
Life expectancy: 12–15 years
Irresistibly sweet, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a British breed of toy spaniel. With their big, round eyes and silky coat, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a serious looker and it's little wonder they've proved popular with English royalty for centuries. While they have sporting prowess from their spaniel roots, they are less lively than some of their peers.
5. Clumber Spaniel
Height: 17–19 inches (female), 18–20 inches (male)
Weight: 55–70 lbs (female), 70–85 lbs (male)
Life expectancy: 10–12 years
The heaviest of the spaniel breeds, the Clumber Spaniel was originally bred to flush game from heavy cover. These robust dogs are powerful, with a heavy, low lying body and large head. They are heavy shedders and prone to snoring! But they'll charm you nonetheless, with their funny disposition and affection.
6. Cocker Spaniel (American)
Height: 13.5–14.5 inches (female), 14.5–15.5 inches (male)
Weight: 20–25 lbs (female), 25–30 lbs (male)
Life expectancy: 10–14 years
The famous Cocker Spaniel is one of the world's most beloved breeds and it's not hard to see why. With their sunny personalities and pretty looks, these solid little dogs are the perfect size too. They’re plenty big enough to keep up with your outdoors without taking up loads of space. Plus, those lush ears you can't help but stroke – gorgeous!
7. English Cocker Spaniel
Height: 15–16 inches (female), 16–17 inches (male)
Weight: 26–32 lbs (female), 28–34 lbs (male)
Life expectancy: 12–14 years
With their handsome looks, merry personality and sporting prowess, the English Cocker Spaniel is popular for good reason. Widely considered a well balanced dog, English Cocker Spaniels make for excellent family pets.
8. English Springer Spaniel
Height: 19 inches (female), 20 inches (male)
Weight: 40 lbs (female), 50 lbs (male)
Life expectancy: 12–14 years
The perfect blend of hardworking and affable family members, the English Springer Spaniel is a joy of a dog. These hardy dogs love a job, but they're great family dogs too and enjoy being involved in family activities with the whole pack.
9. English Toy Spaniel
Height: 9–10 inches
Weight: 8–14 lbs
Life expectancy: 10–12 years
They might have been developed to become royal companions, but the English Toy Spaniel (also known as the King Charles Spaniel) is not just a lapdog. While they rarely weigh over 14 pounds, these tiny spaniels still love to play.
They're characterised by their big domed head and prominent cheeks and while they can be discerning in who they keep as friends, if you're in the inner circle, they're highly affectionate.
10. Field spaniel
Height: 17 inches (female), 18 inches (male)
Weight: 35–50 lbs
Life expectancy: 12–13 years
If you're after a spaniel who loves to be trained and has the intelligence to excel, look no further than the field spaniel. A relatively rare dog breed, this type of spaniel is unusually docile as spaniels go.
11. Irish Water Spaniel
Height: 21–23 inches (female), 22–24 inches (male)
Weight: 45–58 lbs (female), 55–68 lbs (male)
Life expectancy: 12–13 years
With their distinctive curled coat and dramatic tapered tail, you could hardly mistake an Irish Water Spaniel for anything else. And while they might look high maintenance, they're happiest when putting in a day's work in the field or out swimming, which they do beautifully and powerfully.
12. Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
Height: 15 inches (female), 16 inches (male)
Weight: 20–30 lbs
Life expectancy: 12–15 years
Dating back to the 16th century, the Nederlandse Kooikerhondje is often spotted in paintings from the Dutch Golden Age. Today the breed is energetic, agile and good natured. They've got oodles of stamina and love to spend a good day out working, which they do with an upbeat disposition.
13. Papillon
Height: 8–11 inches
Weight: 5–10 lbs
Life expectancy: 14–16 years
Also called the Continental Toy Spaniel, the papillon is one of the oldest of the toy spaniels that gets its pretty name from their butterfly-like face silhouette, thanks to their long, fringed ears.
If you're looking for cuddly dog breed, you've found it in the papillon. Yet despite their proclivity for a snuggle and sweet appearance, papillons are made of tough stuff and respond brilliantly to training.
14. Sussex Spaniel
Height: 13–15 inches
Weight: 35–45 lbs
Life expectancy: 13–15 years
Native to Sussex in England, this low lying, compact spaniel might be a little more slow-paced than some of its peers, but their clownish personality is utterly endearing. They're slow and steady hunters whose funny frowning face is hilarious and not reflective of their playful, affable nature.
15. Welsh Springer Spaniel
Height: 17–18 inches (female), 18–19 (male)
Weight: 35–50 lbs (female), 40–55 lbs (male)
Life expectancy: 12–15 years
Bred for hunting, Welsh Springer Spaniel are built with their job in mind thanks to their waterproof, thornproof coat that allows them to work effectively across punishing terrains. One of Britain's oldest sporting breeds, the Welsh Springer Spaniel is an excellent athlete who goes about their job with a happy, upbeat nature. The perfect companion at home or work!
Read next: Types of retriever and types of setters
Edited by Georgia Guerin.
This feature was last updated in June 2025 by Abby Driver.
