Golden Cockers - is there a risk of behaviour problems

[CraftySam]

Hi, I'm just about to get a Golden cocker puppy from what seems a reputable breeder.  I have read about rage syndrome and spoken to my dog trainer friend about it and I'm fairly satisfied that its a rare occurance in poorly bred cockers.  However had a message passed to me from someone who knows a cocker breeder that Golden cockers are snappy.  Is this the case?  I have two other dogs and am used to socialising puppies, but I'm now worried.    I myself don't have children but I have very young neice and nephew.  Please help me, I don't want to make a huge mistake.  I had a rescue dog once who was snappy and aggressive and it was just an awful situation.

[Pammy]

It's not the colour that dictates how your cocker will be but the breeding and subsequent upbringing. If you are not 100% sure you have a reputable breeder then you should think again. What seems and what are are two very different things. You have to bo totally trusting of your breeder - no room for manouevre.

Have a look at the FAQ on finding a reputable breeder and check that yours fits .

http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=2019.0

You can glean a lot from the mother - her demeanour will be indicative of the overall environment and her own temperament and should be evident in the puppies too

[Helen]

that's a really sad indictment of golden cockers....you've read up yourself on rage syndrome and how rare the symdrome is - also people are quick to blame any behavioural problems on 'rage'

I don't know what breeder you're speaking of but if you've done your research (especially the good advice on COL) and the breeder is sound and offering evidence of the appropriate health checks on the sire/dam then I don't think you should be worried about cocker rage.   It's wise to check the temperament of the pup's parents anyway and to be able to view the pup's parents before deciding on purchasing from the litter.

Your rescue dog probably came with aggression 'baggage' from previous homes and indeed was likely the reason he was given up.  

also curious - this 'message' - on what evidence is the 'snappyness' of golden cockers based?  I can pass on a message that I walk my working cocker with the most gorgeous golden show cocker girl, and she is the most affectionate, gentle & placid girl cocker i've ever seen.

i'm sure the golden cocker owners here will be able to tell you more....there are some beautiful golden cockers on this site

[CraftySam]

Thank you both for your advice.

I have followed the COL advice on finding a reputable breeder.

I have found from experience with my Lab and Golden Retriever that a good breeder, with plenty of early socialisation, ongoing training and love has produced lovely dogs and I anticipated the same "ingredients" would do the same for a cocker.

Thank you for your reassurance, its much appreciated.

[Fletty]

The pic in my signature is a of our late dog Tango. (Click on the thumbnail)  I was told about the rage thing when I bought him and a lot of people said I was brave to take on such a challenge.  I had him from 8 weeks old.  In his 14 yrs he only snapped once.  I couldnt blame him, he was laying behind the setee with his paws sticking out and I stood on his foot by accident.  He would have the odd mad half hour when he would "kill" a tea towel, but that was just him having fun.  I could have asked for a more friendly loveable companion.

Stu

[Cob-Web]

that's a really sad indictment of golden cockers....you've read up yourself on rage syndrome and how rare the symdrome is - also people are quick to blame any behavioural problems on 'rage'

It is sad, isn't it - I'm starting to understand what Staffie owners go through 

I think you'll find "bad" reports of almost every breed.......for a variety of reasons; personal experience or dislike, even show ring competition  The important things are nature and nurture - responsible breeding followed by loving, dedicated socialisation and training using humane methods; enjoy your puppy 

[silkstocking]

I agree,  golden cockers, well solids coloured cockers in general seem to have a very bad press, as others have said its not about what colour the cocker is it is about its breeding and upbringing 

[miche]

Herbie's grandmother is golden and georgeous and Herbie's mum is black, both are the most gentle, placid kindest animals ever.  They are like Herbie in that all they actually want out of life is to love and to be loved.

Enjoy your beautiful golden pup

[lyn]

it's not just any people who have the impression about golden cockers.when i was searching for a puppy,i called one reputable breeder and she said never buy a golden cocker,they are horrid little creatures.she bred parti colours.
it is so sad thet goldies have this reputation.made worse by the fact that cocker puppies can be little demons at time.i bet there are many who bought a golden cocker then heard about rage and then thought there dog had it just coz it was a naughty puppy.i bet those puppies grew to be loving loyal pets.
paddy is a black and tan and he was the worst behaved pup i have ever come across.he is nearly 11 months now and a different dog.still has the mad half hours but so well mannered.i wouldn't be without him.

[shonajoy]

I hear it a LOT and it really bugs me. Even popl who know I have a golden have said it, but if people rally think that then their loss.

My Hammish (AKA Hammy the Hamster) is the soppiest boy evr, and thre's not a bad bone in his body. He's had one or two snappy incidnts but he's ill and on drugs at the time.

[CraftySam]

I had a long conversation last night with the breeder discussing this issue.  He explained where this bad reputation came from.  He has a two of golden cockers which I am meeting next week when I visit, who have never had any snappy behaviour problems.  He is putting me in touch with the sire's owner who is a championship gun dog judge and he's also asking the secretary of one of the cocker breed clubs he belongs to who also breeds goldens aswell to speak to me.

I do feel reassured by this and am very much looking forward to bringing the pup home in three weeks time.

Thank you everyone for your help and comments, its much appreciated.

[Tracey Jane]

We've got Milly - she's a year old - she's listed as a golden cocker but is really more red (she's every shade from blonde to red) which are meant to have the worst reputation for 'rage'.  Milly is the softest, soppiest girl ever. She loves children and adults.  She can be wary if they reach for her too quickly but has never snapped.

She likes to play rough with my husband but only play biting, mainly licking !!! and jumping all over him and always knows when to stop.  We abslolutely adore her and we couldn't wish for a more loveable dog. 

Good luck with your new pup and make sure you post lots of pics 

[Colin]

Another Gold Cocker owner here and I wouldn't hesitate in getting another  - I love both my dogs equally but the golds/ reds will always be my favourites.

There's always people around and about with negative comments but as you seem to have done your research in finding a reputable breeder ( as you have to do with any colour and any breed) then you shouldn't have any problems.

I got a few negative comments about the supposed temperament problems of red/gold Cockers when first out walking Jimmy as a puppy and it did start to undermine my confidence a bit ( to the point that when he had a bad reaction to a wormer and a mad half hour turned into several hours, a little part of me started to get paranoid that it was the first sign of rage    ) Now he's an adult and quite clearly not snappy, aggressive or suffering from rage I never hear such comments at all.

Good luck - I'm sure you will have many happy yeaars together and your nephew and neice will fall in love with the pup. When I go to visit my nephews and neices I get barely any recognition of my presence - the kids are too busy fawning over the dogs. 

[loppylugs]

I am the proud owner of a lovely golden cocker boy.He is 11months old now and is a real softy.I have all ways had "parti coloureds" before,but after losing my black/white bitch suddenly last year and being given a blue roan girl that was ring shy we decided to go for a "goldie"to keep her company.I only use one breeder to get my cockers from,both above bitches were from them,as is my boy.He is the nicest tempered boy you could wish to own,he adores all people and other dogs,he is really "smoochy" and can do any thing with him.He takes everything in his stride,grooming,showing,etc.His father/mother is the same.A few years ago i had a blue roan boy ,he died 4 years ago at the age of nearly 15.He attacked all other dogs in sight,would bite all strangers given the chance,but he was so faithfull to me and never once attempted to bite me.He was from one of the "old"top kennels of that time,i met his brother once,and his owner said he was exactly the same.My point being,its not the colour of the dog,its in the breeding.If a cocker(or any dog)has nasty tendencies,dont breed from it!!!!!!!

[DennyK]

I have wanted a gold cocker since I was eight years old. 

When I started looking in November last year, I contacted all the breeders who were listing puppy litters on the Kennel Club website at the time. 

Time and again, from both home breeders and professionals, I was told to give serious thought to the "ongoing" and "established" problem of "red rage" - one breeder even said that gold ones are "deservedly infamous" for rage syndrome.  Of the thirty four I contacted, I'd say at least 20 of them were negative on the issue, only two or three gave the kind of informed, balanced view you've read on this thread, and the others didn't have an opinion - just didn't have any golds for sale so that was the end of the conversation.

I ended up going to the thirty fourth breeder because she was, at the time, the only one with golden pups available - a few others had goldies, but they were all spoken for.  I ended up with her black boy, because Paddy picked me and I love him to bits.  Next one in a year or two will be a goldie, come hell or high water.  BUT...it still astonishes me that so many people who had gone to the trouble of breeding their girls, so presumably many had also researched the best lines to join for the litter, were so ignorant on the subject.  Luckily, (as I was panicking in the face of this onslaught), one of the breeders was involved in one of the Cocker clubs and reinforced what I'd previously read/learnt, so I didn't give up.

I guess a cynic might say they were just trying to induce a novice into taking one of their pups but....

Paddy, solid black, dopey, gentle, loving and sweet as hell. 

Go for your goldie!  And post some piccies so I can get a vicarious thrill!!!