At this time it was not uncommon for the Cocker and Springer to come from the same litter, even a puppy from a toy sized lineage could grow to be a Springer.  There is no indication from these early sources that spaniels were used to retrieve game, rather they were use to drive the game toward the guns. 

During the 1850's and 60's other dogs types of cockers were recorded. There were Welsh Cockers, Devonshire Cockers and Sussex Spaniel cockers.  In 1874 the first stud books were published by the newly formed kennel club. Any spaniel under 25 lb was placed in the cocker breeding pool.

The Welsh Cocker was reclassified as a Springer in 1903 due to its larger size and shorter ear, in those days only those dogs up to a hard day’s work and sensible specimens were allowed to live, as absolute sporting purposes were about their only enjoyment. During the 1920's and 1930's a change came about to the English Cocker Spaniel breed.

The bloodlines that were being developed by breeders were following a different type of conformation.  The head became smaller, the height of the dog was shrunk by 1 to 2 inches, and the dog became lighter in weight.  The coat became longer, silkier and softer. The new breed of Cocker Spaniel became used as a family pet, instead of a hunter's helper. In 1946, the America Kennel Club recognized the English Cocker Spaniel as a separate breed from the American Cocker Spaniel.