Cocker Spaniel advice please - we'd like one!
Discussion
Please tell me about Cocker Spaniels. I absolutely love them (especially the working type, with its leaner frame and less ornate ears/coat), and Lady F and I have decided that we would like a pup in the new year. We finally have a home with a garden big enough for a dog, and Lady F works from home and loves walking so our hound would have plenty of opportunities to exercise/socialise with other people and dogs (we live in London, by a very dog friendly park). We have local friends with dogs who would house/dogsit when we are away, so hound would never have to go to kennels.
I am a dog lover, but have never had my own dog. Growing up, we had long-haired weimeraners: glorious animals, but a bit too big for what we would like. Lady F too is a dog lover and had a (rescue) American cocker growing up. From what I understand the dog developed a slightly weird (but useful) guarding complex over her youngest brother when he was born, growling at people who tried to get near his crib! Never attacked anyone, but still…
Questions:
1) We are trying for children, but this is taking a while and may well involve IVF or similar, and we are not willing to put the dog off any longer. Are these dogs good with children? I know cockers make great pets – but can they cope with a baby in the house?
2) Finding a reputable breeder: best way?
3) Is a rescue dog an option: I assume with question 1 above, a questionable past is not something you want?
4) Any general ownership experiences/pics/anecdotes welcome please.
We are both absolutely committed to training, exercising and being responsible owners. Any advice would be welcome.
I am a dog lover, but have never had my own dog. Growing up, we had long-haired weimeraners: glorious animals, but a bit too big for what we would like. Lady F too is a dog lover and had a (rescue) American cocker growing up. From what I understand the dog developed a slightly weird (but useful) guarding complex over her youngest brother when he was born, growling at people who tried to get near his crib! Never attacked anyone, but still…
Questions:
1) We are trying for children, but this is taking a while and may well involve IVF or similar, and we are not willing to put the dog off any longer. Are these dogs good with children? I know cockers make great pets – but can they cope with a baby in the house?
2) Finding a reputable breeder: best way?
3) Is a rescue dog an option: I assume with question 1 above, a questionable past is not something you want?
4) Any general ownership experiences/pics/anecdotes welcome please.
We are both absolutely committed to training, exercising and being responsible owners. Any advice would be welcome.
Thanks essayer - honestly we will consider most dogs small to mid sized: and honestly does not have to be a "breed" - we'd be happy with a mongrel as long as s/he was healthy, happy and well-adjusted. We really would like a coker, but will quite happily make an informed choice to another dog if it just isn't a good idea.
A cavalier King Charles may be a better choice as more of a lap dog, without the working instinct and prey drive of the cocker.
I definitely do not want to have to re-home a dog - that would be awful for the dog and us. Let's avoid that!
A cavalier King Charles may be a better choice as more of a lap dog, without the working instinct and prey drive of the cocker.
I definitely do not want to have to re-home a dog - that would be awful for the dog and us. Let's avoid that!
We have a 2 year old Cocker, shes mad as a box of frogs, good as gold with kids, and although yes she does have a lot of energy, she does settle down in the evenings but if she is unsettled give her a squeaky tennis ball and shes happy as larry. the rest of us not so much with the constant squeaking though lol
They are absolutely nuts! They have boundless energy and will require a lot of work, and a lot of off the lead exercise. They really aren't the sort of dog that can be walked round a park on a lead, if that's the reality of your location. They will do 5 miles to each one of yours.
They'll be fine with kids, but can be quite boisterous in a dash round the house going a bit mad kind of way.
They'll be fine with kids, but can be quite boisterous in a dash round the house going a bit mad kind of way.
I grew up with a cocker spaniel. Fantastic dog, still miss him to this day. They are very energetic as above but from my experience they are great with kids. They're known for being especially loyal.
I'd echo the above advice regarding juggling new babies and a pet but I'd say that goes for any sort of dog or even cats. We have two cats and when our first child was born we found that although the cats adapted pretty well and pretty quickly, once we got the baby to sleep the cats would appear, looking for their share of attention.
I'd echo the above advice regarding juggling new babies and a pet but I'd say that goes for any sort of dog or even cats. We have two cats and when our first child was born we found that although the cats adapted pretty well and pretty quickly, once we got the baby to sleep the cats would appear, looking for their share of attention.
We lost our Working cocker in March, he was nearly 14 & my OH was heavily pregnant when we brought him home, we also had a 2yr old daughter.
We now have a Sprocker, rescued 6mths ago at 12mths old so we missed most of the puppy stage, chewing, nipping etc.
It can work, it depends on what you're prepared to put into it, if you want to buy a harness & spend 20mins flicking a ball in a park then the dog will be hard work.
We are fortunate to live bordering a country park with many coastal & country walks a short drive away so our dogs get loads of exercise, but more importantly they get loads of stimulation.
Don't spoil them & give them loads of stimulation & they make awesome pets, to rescue one may be hard though if you're honest about trying for a family.
We now have a Sprocker, rescued 6mths ago at 12mths old so we missed most of the puppy stage, chewing, nipping etc.
It can work, it depends on what you're prepared to put into it, if you want to buy a harness & spend 20mins flicking a ball in a park then the dog will be hard work.
We are fortunate to live bordering a country park with many coastal & country walks a short drive away so our dogs get loads of exercise, but more importantly they get loads of stimulation.
Don't spoil them & give them loads of stimulation & they make awesome pets, to rescue one may be hard though if you're honest about trying for a family.
LordHaveMurci - I have seen pics of your dog on here, and he is beautiful!
This is great advice, thanks all. Whilst Lady F works from home, her job is fairly intense, so walks will not be long - more likely to be often and short. This will likely not suit a working breed at all, as they will never be that tired from exercise. I'd do an evening walk of about 30 minutes.
So, time to look at more lapdog type breeds!
This is great advice, thanks all. Whilst Lady F works from home, her job is fairly intense, so walks will not be long - more likely to be often and short. This will likely not suit a working breed at all, as they will never be that tired from exercise. I'd do an evening walk of about 30 minutes.
So, time to look at more lapdog type breeds!
Harry Flashman said:
LordHaveMurci - I have seen pics of your dog on here, and he is beautiful!
This is great advice, thanks all. Whilst Lady F works from home, her job is fairly intense, so walks will not be long - more likely to be often and short. This will likely not suit a working breed at all, as they will never be that tired from exercise. I'd do an evening walk of about 30 minutes.
So, time to look at more lapdog type breeds!
Don't be too taken in by cockers needing 3hr walks, they don't as long as they get loads of stimulation. Mine typically go out for about 40mins then longer walks at the weekend. Occasionally my OH will spread apple or carrot or similar around the garden then let the dogs out to find it - it's great fun & stimulation & the treats are healthy.This is great advice, thanks all. Whilst Lady F works from home, her job is fairly intense, so walks will not be long - more likely to be often and short. This will likely not suit a working breed at all, as they will never be that tired from exercise. I'd do an evening walk of about 30 minutes.
So, time to look at more lapdog type breeds!
As we also have a Westie they do play a lot together which helps but our last spaniel didn't play at all & he was fine with 30-40min walk once a day as long as there was plenty for him to explore.
I walked with a mate & his 2 border collies once, he was always on about how his collies were into everything, let's just say his eyes were opened on that walk!
HRL said:
sjc said:
From what you’re saying I’d go for a show type cocker rather than the working breed.Don’t need quite as much exercise or entertainment, and just love to give and receive affection.
Mine ...
[url
|https://thumbsnap.com/iUf4rSwM[/url]
Hahaha. Matches the home furnishings!Mine ...
[url
|https://thumbsnap.com/iUf4rSwM[/url]This bloke is an expert on Cockers, read this and then decide. The exercise thing isn't as much as people make out. They need stimulation more.
http://www.whaupleygundogs.co.uk/is-a-cocker-right...
They also have the best looking ones around imho.
http://www.whaupleygundogs.co.uk/is-a-cocker-right...
They also have the best looking ones around imho.
George is heading to 1 year old now.
He goes for a 2-3 mile walk every day, and easily does 3-4 times that through the undergrowth looking for pheasants.
He still has limitless energy, and does not like being on a lead at all.
You need miles of woodland/beach/moorland walks nearby to keep one of these things satisfied and healthy. And a tin bath; default state is covered in mud.
He goes for a 2-3 mile walk every day, and easily does 3-4 times that through the undergrowth looking for pheasants.
He still has limitless energy, and does not like being on a lead at all.
You need miles of woodland/beach/moorland walks nearby to keep one of these things satisfied and healthy. And a tin bath; default state is covered in mud.
Hmm. I shoot several days a year, but not enough to train a working gundog, frankly. I only beat about twice a year. Our dog's life will be as a pet - in a large London house with a decent garden, but definitely a pet in an urban environment. No exciting rural environment for constant stimulation.
Although the show variant will be fine too. These chaps aren't exactly lacking in the appeal department. ANyone here own one?
Although the show variant will be fine too. These chaps aren't exactly lacking in the appeal department. ANyone here own one?
Edited by Harry Flashman on Monday 4th December 15:30
Harry Flashman said:
Hmm. I shoot several days a year, but not enough to train a working gundog, frankly. I only beat about twice a year. Our dog's life will be as a pet - in a large London house with a decent garden, but definitely a pet in an urban environment. No exciting rural environment for constant stimulation.
Although the show variant will be fine too. These chaps aren't exactly lacking in the appeal department. ANyone here own one?
Bear in mind that working dogs tend to be bred from good working lines, show dogs are bred for looks primarily.Although the show variant will be fine too. These chaps aren't exactly lacking in the appeal department. ANyone here own one?
Edited by Harry Flashman on Monday 4th December 15:30
Choose wisely after lots of research.
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