An English Cocker Spaniel is a cheerful, energetic, and athletic dog. Their gentle, lively nature makes them perfect family pets. They are friendly and affectionate towards their owners. Naturally, they enjoy being considered part of the family. They also bring a lot of cheer to any living room. They are quite intelligent and sometimes a bit headstrong. By barking, they warn of danger. Training can teach them to bark only when absolutely necessary. These dogs get along well with cats and other pets if raised with them. The same goes for children. If not, it's best to keep these dogs with older children.