One could assume the name Cocker Spaniel came from "Cocking" the rifle in the hunting of birds. The name, Cocker, originated from the birds they were bred to hunt, Eurasian Cockers. When the dogs were brought to a young United States they hunted American Woodcock, hence the name change.
Like virtually all of the Spaniels, English Cocker Spaniels can have dry, rough noses ranging from a bit of dryness to the extreme version, Nasal Hyperkeratosis, in which the skin of the nose grows aggressively, creating layers or chunks of scab-like crust. The good news is your English Cocker's dry nose problems can be treated and maintained with Nose Butter®.