
Copied and pasted from someone who posted about this recently on another forum I go on, that I know works with their spaniels, and I believe competes when they get chance......
"Cockers should be much smaller, and far more busy in their hunting action, they should hunt a very tight pattern , which I've heard described as like a blanket stitch, it has also been said that the best ones hunt like stoats, which for those who've never seen a stoat in action, is a very short, sharp, angular hunting pattern.
Springers on the other hand, tend to have a much more open and flowing hunting style, often with their heads slightly up, and a very pronounced swagger on the back end. Their is more a a variation in size in Springers, FT springers are generally smaller, whereas on an normal shoot, you get a much greater size range.
In terms of temperament, I find Cockers are very demanding. They want to be with you, all the time, and up close and personal, they love human contact.
Springers, in my experience, tend to be a little more laid back."