The English Cocker Spaniel is generally an eager-to-please little dog, a trait he shares with many other breeds of the sporting group. He is often quite affectionate to those that he knows well but may be slightly more reserved with strangers.
Most English Cockers are very energetic and intelligent… several qualities that make him a natural at training, but if left unchecked might cause him to display behavioral issues such as barking or digging. 
English Cockers make loyal family dogs, and are usually good with children. Often happy, their tails tend to wag a good deal of the time!
Many are happiest when they have a job to do, especially if they are doing that job with their owner. As such, they are quite a versatile breed, excelling as hunters as well as in the obedience ring, tracking, agility, fly-ball, and therapy work. Of course, they also enjoy just “hanging out” with their family, as long as they are given adequate exercise and attention.They are definitely not “outdoor only” dogs, they need to be inside with their family.
There exist two strains within the breed – “working” and “show”. Dogs from working lines generally are more active and can be a handful for those who are not able to provide an outlet for that energy. Obedience training is especially helpful for working lines, as it helps to keep their busy brains occupied, although they still need the physical outlets as well. When it comes to training, English Cockers are quick learners but are often very sensitive to particular training methods. I have found that they work best with lots of praise and encouragement.