The Dog Codex

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Choose two breeds. You’ll see the same strip of citeable traits — not a winner, and not kids / apartment / shedding scorecards.

Temperament lines are short plate excerpts, not a verdict. Open each plate for the full entry.

English Cocker Spaniel

English Cocker Spaniel

Sporting · Great Britain

  • AKC group

    Sporting

  • Size

    Medium

  • Height

    38.1–43.2 cm (AKC; sex-specific); FCI/Royal Kennel Club approximately 39–41 cm dogs and 38–39 cm females

  • Weight

    11.8–15.4 kg (AKC; sex-specific); FCI/Royal Kennel Club approximately 13–14.5 kg

  • Energy

    High

  • Energy notes

    High: AKC calls the breed active and “alive with energy,” with a gait made for covering ground, dense cover, flushing, and retrieving. FCI classifies it as a flushing dog with a working trial, while The Royal Kennel Club describes scent-following, bustling movement, and fearlessness in cover.

  • Trainability

    High

  • Coat

    Medium-length on the body, short and fine on the head, flat or slightly wavy, silky, and feathered.

  • Origin

    Great Britain

  • Temperament

    The standard picture is merry, affectionate, equable, and engaged. AKC and the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America describe a willing worker and faithful, engaging companion, neither sluggish nor hyperactive; The Royal Kennel Club calls the breed gentle and affectionate yet full of life, and FCI emphasizes merry movement and fearlessness in heavy cover.

Brittany

Brittany

Sporting · France

  • AKC group

    Sporting

  • Size

    Medium

  • Height

    44.5–52 cm

  • Weight

    13.5–18.1 kg

  • Energy

    High

  • Energy notes

    High: this is a working gundog in the standards’ own terms. FCI lists pointing dogs as the utilization and requires a working trial; The Kennel Club describes a very energetic hunt-point-retrieve dog, while AKC calls the breed strong, vigorous, energetic, and quick.

  • Trainability

    High

  • Coat

    A dense, medium-length coat that is flat or slightly wavy, never curly.

  • Origin

    France

  • Temperament

    The standard picture is alert, happy, sociable, and mentally balanced. AKC calls for a happy, alert dog, neither mean nor shy; FCI adds adaptability, an intelligent and attentive expression, sociability, and mental balance.