Is a cocker right for my daughter?

[Miriam]

Hi, I am a married lady of a certain age (!) and I have a lab (7) and a working cocker spaniel (4).  My boys are big buddies and Dizzy our cocker is my soul-mate and sleeps on the bed with me and hubby.  I work from home and walk the boys at lunchtime for about an hour and a half.

My daughter is 32 and was raised with dogs.  She loves ours and wants her own dog.  She works in her father's business with her brother in a dog friendly office, meaning dogs are welcome.  She lives on her own in a flat with a big balcony next to a park.

We've found a 4 month old show cocker girl needing a home and I think she'd be perfect for my daughter.  Daughter plans to take the dog every where with her, would walk her to work, (15 minutes), have a big cosy open crate kennel in the office and toys and basically socialise her with the people there.  When she's old enough she'd get another walk at lunchtime and then back home with daughter.   When daughter's out on dates or away for the weekend I'd happily be dog granny and have her.  I'm sure my two will be friendly.  Her friends like dogs and her brother says he'll help too.

Does this sound ok to you?  Or a bit optimistic.  I'd welcome opinions. 

I'm assuming that show cockers are a bit more docile than wcs and that girls may be a little softer than boys.



 

[Emilyoliver]

Sounds ideal  .

[Mari]

Sounds perfect! I lived alone in a flat with a balcony close to a big park for years with my cocker. We were very happy

A show cocker, though in theory more docile than a worker, is still a clever and sporty dog and they still need to get both mental and physical exercise every day as I'm sure you know So she should have time for at least one proper walk and a little mental training. In my experience show cockers adjust well to our lifestyle as long as they get plenty of attention, and it sounds like that will not be a problem

I have always heard that the boys are much softer than the girls in this breed. But I only have experience with girls, red girls to be presise, and they have all had a bit of a temper towards other dogs. They've all been lovely and cuddly and trainable, but a little bossy around other dogs. I've had some trouble with doggie sitters due to my girl not gettiing along well with other dogs inside. Outside is fine, but inside she starts resource guarding everything from other dogs. It's odd and probably not common, but it's always good to plan for what to do if your dogs don't get along.

Anyway, I'm no expert, but it sounds like a good life for a cocker. And it sounds like your daughter is lucky to have so many people to help her out

[Miriam]

thank you for the comments and very interesting re the boys being the softies - who knew?

I think that we'd just make it work.  Worst case I'd have her and I feel my dogs (both dogs, both friendly) would accept her, but who knows, we'd just have to work at it.

Yes I think daughter's luck with her help levels too!  I had to wait till I was 50 to get a dog and I'd wanted one all my life.

Very glad to hear about you living happily in a flat with a balcony.  I think it would be a nice life for both of them.  Daughter struggles to find boyfriends and she gets a bit lonely.  She'd love a dog to snuggle with.

Will let you know how it goes!

[Mari]

Not sure if it's true about the boys being softer, just something I've read a few times Cockers are great companions for single girls. I should know And having a dog with you in a park gives you opportunity to talk to other dog owners, which is nice if you feel lonely one day. Or if you come by a dog owner that happens to be a handsome guy. It would be awkward to approach a random stranger, but a dog owner talking to another dog owner is just polite 

Hope we get to see pictures of the little one, and your boys!

[bizzylizzy]

Sounds like an ideal match to me. What‘s not to work? Being allowed in an office with lots of doggy friendly people? Sounds like cocker heaven!!   
Don‘t know about the behavioural difference between males and females, I‘ve only ever had male dogs but my current golden boy show cocker would settle quite happily into the situation you‘ve described and as you‘ve said, you‘d all pull together and make it work.
Best of luck, keep us updated, would love to hear more!

[Gazrob]

I'd say go for it. Cockers are fantastic little dogs. I've got a working cocker at the moment but if I ever get another dog it will be a show cocker.

[Emilyoliver]

My boys have been softer and more affectionate than the girls. And less complicated!  But love them all - have show and working types. Am sure a cocker would happily fit in with the scenarios you’ve described. As you know - they love to be a part of everything.

[Finvarra]

My first home was an upstairs flat in a terra ed house, and we had a pup,  a jack Russell. It just means you have to take your dog out for weed instead of just letting through the door into the garden, though we did share the garden with downstairs. Keeps you fit  . And later in life I took my Scottie to work with me, she had her own dog bed in the office, had a walk before work, and in the lunch break we went to a country park, which was great because it gets you away from the office, no desk lunches! It can certainly work, don't know why more workplaces don't do it, because staff are happier with a dog about the place, I think.

Lesley and Dylan

[ips]

Go for it, the dog will fit into whatever lifestyle it is brought up in...I would imagine.

[Ambler54]

I have a girl show cocker ( using the word show quite loosely here) friend has a working cocker.At 2 my Rosie is layed back calm compared to Lola the working cocker, needs quite a bit of exercise but mental stimulation is great, so if your daughters dog is in a bit during the day try brain training toys etc.Mine is a Blue Roan and she is super friendly towards dogs .I also say go for it, think that will be one lucky pup.

[AndyB]

It sounds as though your daughter could give this girl a lovely home.  I've had both girls and boys (all show cockers), and definitely think the boys are more loving and cuddly.  Both my boys have been completely devoted to me and in my experience the girls have been slightly more independent, Molly in particular was "fuss me on my terms".   However, as we know all cockers are adorable and I agree your daughter should go for it and offer this puppy a loving home.

[ejp]

Sounds lovely, great socialisation for a wee dog, and I have to say all my cockers, boys and girls have been cuddle bugs    Keep us posted, exciting times!!

[Micahs Mum]

It sounds perfect as everyone said, I don't see any negatives at all.

I've had 1 girl, my first dog who was a Lab, after her I've had all boys, 3 Golden Retrievers, 2 show English Cockers & 2 American Cockers, and all my boys have been big softies, though my 1st English cocker less so. I love that they're softies but that can come hand in hand with needy & wussy! I still come back for more though!

My 8 month old ECS is showline and full of energy, maybe not as less energetic than you might think in comparison to a worker!

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[Emilyoliver]

 I love that they're softies but that can come hand in hand with needy & wussy!

My 8 month old ECS is showline and full of energy, maybe not as less energetic than you might think in comparison to a worker!

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Oh yes, my youngest cocker is properly needy and a total wuss!  But love him to bits.

And my show cocker is and has always been bonkers. And is the reason I decided to get a worker - love the energy. Definitely not all show types are sedate.