CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => General Cocker Spaniel Discussion => Topic started by: pcmikey on January 02, 2009, 11:07:30 PM
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Hello,
I am looking for a cocker spaniel pup and have the choice of two.
One is pure show and the other is part show part working(mum show,dad working)
I am not sure which one to go for.I have been told that working cocker's have more energy and require more stimulation etc.
Any advice on the pro's and cons between the two would be gratefully received.
thanks :D
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I think you could find this thread answers any questions you may have! http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=40635.0 (http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=40635.0)
Welcome to COL!
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The fact that one is half and half doesn't bode well for the breeder. There shouldn't be any reason to mix the two really.
Have you seen the thing on the top of the puppies board about finding the right breeder?
Welcome to COL by the way, excellent choice of breed ;)
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Hi and welcome from me and mine!
It would be difficult to predict whether the show/worker mix would follow worker traits or other. I have a mix who looks quite show but has a high work drive and is manic when he's out, but good at home. (Mum 1/2 worker, dad was show)
But then the two show types are different as chalk and cheese too.
I'd want to consider how the parents of each of thesepups are rather than a generalisation of the traits!
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Thanks for the replies.
The breeder owns both parents and has been breeding show/working cockers to get brains & beauty apparently.
We have never had a cocker before so are looking for as much advice as we can get.
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As well as considering temperament, it would be as well to consider the ethics/experience of the breeders involved.......have the dam and sire been genetically screened for PRA/FN, and health checked for other hereditary diseases? :huh:
The working/show cross breeder sounds like they are in it for the money imo - a working dog doesn't need a thick coat/pretty looks, and a well bred show dog will have ample *brains* if they are being selectively bred - so there are no real benefits to the puppies to doing this.......and can lead to litters of pups which don't suit a typical domestic environment :-\
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I have 2 show cockers that are fairly laid ( my hosehold is quiet though, no children) back but my son as a show cocker with part worker in her and she is wonderful but will keep going alot along than mine. She also will pace around alot more.
All 3 are shadows but his will not sleep all evening like mine do, she will want constant attention. But she is so gentle :blink:
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I wouldn't be focussing on the cocker type so much as the breeders. :D Agree with Cob-web about the health testing being very important too. ;)
My cocker is mostly show, with a tiny bit working way back in his pedigree, but his brain is all worker, he can go for hours and is fairly high maintenance.
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My black Cocker Bitch is all Show type, but thinks like a working dog. She never stops when out, working the ground and she goes mad for agility. I also have a Rescue Cocker who looks show type, but who knows and he is the dopiest boy you have ever met. I also have the Black Bitches three pups who are all very different. The girls tend to take after there mum and the boy takes after his dad as in he is much calmer and more biddable. ( Dad is from well known breeder)
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Thanks for the replies.
The breeder owns both parents and has been breeding show/working cockers to get brains & beauty apparently.
We have never had a cocker before so are looking for as much advice as we can get.
Hmmmmm agree with some of the other comments here. That is not a breeder I would be considering as there is absolutely no reason to cross these two strains ... as you will have absolutely no idea which side they are going to inherit. I have a cocker/ springer cross and he is nutts .... beautiful but absolutely nutts and as thick as two short planks and the same can happen with crossing show and working cockers .... physically I have seen some show/working crosses that look just odd.
It sounds to me that this breeder (IMHO and feel free to shoot me down in flames is more interested in the ££££ then benefiting the breed). If you want a brainier show breed dog look for a sire or dam that will complement your own show dog in terms of brains ... if you want a better looking working cocker then do the same with finding a good looking sire or dam to go with yours.
What do you want to do with this dog? What is your cocker experience? Have you ever had a working cocker? How much time do you have for this dog and it's training and mental stimulation? These are all things that need to be taken into account as well as making sure the dog is well bred and it's sire and dam have had the proper health test.
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hi
fuse was my first cocker and is 100% worke( prior to him i had a border collie )
fuse loves long walks and would go and go all day for his ball but equally he loves to sleep on the sofa and likes to lie in !!!!! if its raining there is no chance he will be running around!!!!!!! his father is a field champion and his mother a similar line .....
i have never had a show cocker so cannot comment
i love cockers so much i now have a 5month old worker bitch same really loves to walk but loves her grub and blanket ...
my cockers are pets they do not work fuse used to work but has retired and they are both smashing little dogs
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Hmmm....well, Chloe is my first ever dog, let alone cocker ph34r and she's from strong working line. I had done a fair bit of research before hand, but must admit I really wasn't prepared for the bombardment that is Chloe :005: I have absolutely no regrets, a working cocker was always what I wanted, but I think there is a big difference between the two strains from what I gather ;)
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Have never breed dogs myself - but i would look into whether they have experience of show and working cockers.
Taz is a pure show cocker, but is very energetic and clever. In fact, he worked out how to open the stair gate on the first day we put it up. On the second day, we put an old collar around the gate/stair banister so if he managed to unlatch it, it wouldnt swing open - it took him less than 20 minutes to work out that it was the collar stopping it opening and chew through it!!!! When i got back from the shops he was upstairs and Kelly who had been left upstairs was downstairs.
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My Annie is a show type (im sure we were mislead :005:) but she is major hard work...but having grown up with a cocker I already expected this. I agree just check lines ect and breeder, Annie is pure show but just a >:D.......if I wasnt aware already of the breed from my beloved childhood cocker I would be very taken off guard. Show's don't necessarily mean calm as Annie reminds us every day :lol2:
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Honey i shalf show half worker - we got her through family who wanted to give breeding a go as a hobby. They only had a litter of one, and think they realised that being a hobby breeder wasnt for them, but i was still fortunate enough to have my gorgeous girl.
Alfie, we done alot of research into breeders and the breeds ( even though cockers have been in the family for a period of time) we still needed to assess what was right for us.
Even still, we got alfie a pure worked of excellant FTCH in his pedigree, we got him as a pet. Although he is very very clever, very loopy, very energetic ( this is great for us as we are outdoor people and bless with countryside) we will be looking into joining a local gub dog club, not to work him 100% but just for scurry's and things at gun dog shows.
welcome to COL BTW
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Both my girls from well known show lines. The eldest is a real couch potato and will mooch about on walks not too far from me, in fact I actually had her to the vet when she was about a year old as I thought she may be unwell (previous dogs had been goldies, working collies and latterly a working springer so anything was going to appear quiet :005:) she is as fit as a flea and is just a lazy little moo. My youngest cocker is exactly the opposite, and I knew this before I got her as their breeder told me that if the pups were like their mum they'd be lively and cheeky little monkeys (he was right!!).
Show types have a lot more coat to contend with, but hopefully you'll know what you are going to get, and health tested if from a reputable breeder.
Best of luck with your choice.
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Jack is a working cocker but is really laid back. He had his moments when he was really little but now as he is getting older he is totally chilled out. Maybe the active, constantly on the go working type instinct comes later but I was really surprised at how calm he is for a working cocker.
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Well, I am no expert, but I can say that my Rufus is very active, possibly the fastest dog around, but a nightmare hunter. His Dad belonged to a gamekeeper, and his mother was a working pet. He was my first dog, and has been to training and does agility. He had 3 walks a day until 2 years old, when his mad moments reduced to one a day. I am sure I made lots of mistakes in his training. However, his hunting instinct is so strong, catching his first rabbit at 6 months, that I have to use a retractable lead most of the time if I have time constraints. He holds the endurance record for the local maize field- 90 minutes. So although he is very gentle and loving at home, I would go for sofa strain, not field strain!
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Well, I am no expert, but I can say that my Rufus is very active, possibly the fastest dog around, but a nightmare hunter. His Dad belonged to a gamekeeper, and his mother was a working pet. He was my first dog, and has been to training and does agility. He had 3 walks a day until 2 years old, when his mad moments reduced to one a day. I am sure I made lots of mistakes in his training. However, his hunting instinct is so strong, catching his first rabbit at 6 months, that I have to use a retractable lead most of the time if I have time constraints. He holds the endurance record for the local maize field- 90 minutes. So although he is very gentle and loving at home, I would go for sofa strain, not field strain!
Sounds like my working type springer. I learnt so much from her, she was manic and had to be kept on a flexi lead in the field as I'd no knowledge of needing to teach the steadiness needed in a working dog. She was such a sweet natured girl at home, but get her out in the field and Whoah!!! It depends on your circumstances and what you want from your dog. Re the rabbit at 6 months; PJ caught a partridge whilst on her flexi, it was minding it's own business outside the Forestry Commission Office and wallop she'd got it!! By the time David and I had quietly and firmly retrieved it fom her jaws it was deceased and we were quite warm. I don't think the chaps in the office noticed >:D :005:
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All these replies are very interesting. I wish I had known about this site 4 years ago! Rufus catches wood pigeons and rabbits on the flexi lead sometimes. He also catches mice in the gardens and rarely, squirrels. We flushed 5 pheasants today. I cannot do much about field training as he barks with manic excitement to tell me of everything he has found. His girl friend, Bonnie, sold as working, won't even go through brambles or nettles, whereas Rufus doesn't even notice if there is a rabbit in the middle. If you want an active pet and have lots of time for training, go for the working! I am told that solid colour are more wilful, and boys more difficult, but I love my black Rufus to pieces. He would never win anything, especially agility if a pigeon lands in the ring, but he gives me great pleasure.
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We didn't know about this site until weeks after we had Hattie and it seems like there's yet another thing that we did wrong as she's half show half worker - BUT - it also seems like we've been lucky in terms of all the things that could've gone wrong! In terms of temperament, Hattie will run or walk for hours and I think that she will love agility when she's old enough but she's becoming more and more chilled as she gets older (she's just over 5 months old now) and she's sleeping on my lap as I type (one handed as her head and back feet are in my other hand!) She's also extremely beautiful and very friendly!
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I have to say a lot of these answer make me very angry why are you all so elitist? If some breeds and things weren't mixed you would wipe out the breed as they would end up so inbred they would have a lot of problems. working and show type is the same - where do you think they came from anyway - arent they the same breed. yes they have different priorites and look a little different but thats just the genetics of the breeding - every cocker is different in there own special way so whats your problem?????!!!???
I have 2 mixes and I wouldnt change them for the world and i would breed from them too. the point is you get a cocker spaniel whatever - yes some are more energetic - some look prettier - some are lazy but they are all cocker spaniels it doesnt matter if its show or working.
if ur having problems choosing just follow ur heart - make sure the breeder gives you help and information and has good intentions at heart then just go and see both puppies - you'll know as soon as you see them and cuddle them :)
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I have to say a lot of these answer make me very angry why are you all so elitist? If some breeds and things weren't mixed you would wipe out the breed as they would end up so inbred they would have a lot of problems. working and show type is the same - where do you think they came from anyway - arent they the same breed. yes they have different priorites and look a little different but thats just the genetics of the breeding - every cocker is different in there own special way so whats your problem?????!!!???
I have 2 mixes and I wouldnt change them for the world and i would breed from them too. the point is you get a cocker spaniel whatever - yes some are more energetic - some look prettier - some are lazy but they are all cocker spaniels it doesnt matter if its show or working.
if ur having problems choosing just follow ur heart - make sure the breeder gives you help and information and has good intentions at heart then just go and see both puppies - you'll know as soon as you see them and cuddle them :)
Head above the parapet here. I have been involved in golden retrievers for years and we encourage the mixing of working and show dogs.
Eve
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I have to say a lot of these answer make me very angry why are you all so elitist? If some breeds and things weren't mixed you would wipe out the breed as they would end up so inbred they would have a lot of problems. working and show type is the same - where do you think they came from anyway - arent they the same breed. yes they have different priorites and look a little different but thats just the genetics of the breeding - every cocker is different in there own special way so whats your problem?????!!!???
My "problem" is that there are literally thousands of dogs killed every year because there are not enough homes for them - and the only way of addressing that issue is to promote responsible breeding, ensuring that only the most exceptional examples of the breed contribute to the future genetic pool - for the sole purpose of maintaining a healthy genetic pool for the future :-\
A show x working cocker spaniel is not going to be the best example of the breed - it is unlikely to excel in the field as a working dog, and it is unlikely to meet the breed standard for conformity - so it is a poor representative of a "cocker spaniel" and will have no exceptional qualities to pass on :-\
It has taken literally generations to create some of the exceptional breed lines that are seen at Crufts, or on shoots up and down the country.......if we dilute these, and do not protect and maintain them, then they will be lost forever; and the work of dedicated and committed breeders over many years will have been wasted :-\
Until there are more homes than dogs needing them, this country cannot afford the luxury of breeding pet stock - which is what a working x show strain cocker is bred for..... :-\
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William is show bred and a very easy dog to live with. He's laid back and relaxed at home and is lively on walks but not the sort that would expect or need to keep going all day. If we do a walk that involves a coffee shop or pub he's happy to have a break with us. You can take him pretty much anywhere and he'll just fit in.
We do agility and he loves that, although he doesn't have the speed that most working Cockers have round an agility course. But then neither do I, so we're very well suited!
He doesn't have a strong hunting drive, but does have a good nose. He likes to sniff things out on walks and will start following a trail, but I can call him back easily 99% of the time. It's a bit harder in spring when all the scents are fresh and there's loads of rabbits around, but still not a problem.
My personal preference would be a show type everytime, partly because I prefer their looks, but also I think they are generally a bit easier as they often don't have a strong work drive. But more importantly, I'd want to meet both parents to see what they were like and how busy or laid back they were.
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Mason is my first dog - he is a working cocker and he is fab :luv: :luv: I must admit when I first got him it was a shock to the system ;) His drive & energy seem endless but having said that if I am relaxing he is happy to relax by my side too :luv: At first I wondered if I had done the right thing getting a cocker but now (he is only 5 months old) I wouldn't and couldn't be without him. The help from this site has been invaluable to me so take all advice on board but when it comes down to it only you will know which puppy is right for you :D Have fun choosing and please come back and let us know when you have decided
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I have to say a lot of these answer make me very angry why are you all so elitist? If some breeds and things weren't mixed you would wipe out the breed as they would end up so inbred they would have a lot of problems. working and show type is the same - where do you think they came from anyway - arent they the same breed. yes they have different priorites and look a little different but thats just the genetics of the breeding - every cocker is different in there own special way so whats your problem?????!!!???
It's not really the fact that mixing show/working breeding is wrong per se but that in the vast majority of cases, these kind of mixes are carried out by BYBs (who don't usually health screen) or commercial breeders looking to get particular fashionable colours. If show/working matings are done for a specific purpose by a knowledgable breeder who has done all the recommended health tests, then that's not necessarily a bad thing (I can think of a Working Cocker breeder who used a well-known show dog in the 80's to improve the look of his dogs) but when it's done in ignorance, without knowledge of the pedigrees and without health testing, then it's most definitely not to be recommended.
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My two, Katie and Smudge were bought from obviously not the best breeder in the world, (from wot I read on here) Katie is a half work/show and Smudge a show strain, both love to run about in the fields and woods for an hour or more, but they also love to cuddle up on the sofa and I can leave them content whilst I go out. They were bought as pets (as are I believe the majority of dogs - whatever the breed) and as such I have no aspirations for them other than to enjoy their company, and hopefully give them a fulfilling life with enough obedience, play, exercise and love to keep them happy and safe.
As they have both been neutered there is no chance of them carrying anything undesirable forward -should they indeed be carrying anything in the first place.
What you go for does really depend on what YOU want from your dog, but hopefully you will have an idea of people's experiences to help you.
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I have to say a lot of these answer make me very angry why are you all so elitist? If some breeds and things weren't mixed you would wipe out the breed as they would end up so inbred they would have a lot of problems. working and show type is the same - where do you think they came from anyway - arent they the same breed. yes they have different priorites and look a little different but thats just the genetics of the breeding - every cocker is different in there own special way so whats your problem?????!!!???
It's not really the fact that mixing show/working breeding is wrong per se but that in the vast majority of cases, these kind of mixes are carried out by BYBs (who don't usually health screen) or commercial breeders looking to get particular fashionable colours. If show/working matings are done for a specific purpose by a knowledgable breeder who has done all the recommended health tests, then that's not necessarily a bad thing (I can think of a Working Cocker breeder who used a well-known show dog in the 80's to improve the look of his dogs) but when it's done in ignorance, without knowledge of the pedigrees and without health testing, then it's most definitely not to be recommended.
I agree and rescue centres are full of them ;)
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It is difficult to be patient with you but do take a look at the good breeder guidelines from this site. COL isn't elitist, just responsible and the free advice you have asked for (and been given) from such experienced people is not to be taken for granted. I wish I had known about this site before I bought my first puppy - I would have avoided all sorts of pitfalls.
The problem being pointed out here is that most who would do crosses like this, are not registering their dogs with the KC or even providing first vaccinations/endorsed pedigrees for puppies they sell and this isn't responsible breeding.
You are right when you talk about the dangers of "inbreeding" (we all know you mean "by breeding from a restricted gene pool with problems" - don't debate this one now folks, different argument). This is why lines and lineage should be studied and developed over generations and generations, specifically to eradicate health problems and breed for temperament and good breeders work very hard to ensure this happens by very careful and very detailed study. There remains no reason to cross the lines, unless the breed has a current restricted gene pool or to breed away from an extreme type (where breeding has not considered health), neither of which I believe either strains have.
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Thanks for the replies.
The breeder owns both parents and has been breeding show/working cockers to get brains & beauty apparently.
We have never had a cocker before so are looking for as much advice as we can get.
I got a show/worker mix and got no brains and no beauty. :005:. Herbie is beautiful to me but he's just a bit strange to look at now he's older with his candy floss fur :005:
Herbie is also very lazy. I have a working cocker too, who is fantastic, lively, clever, beautiful, loyal and a real softy.
Welcome to COL.
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It is difficult to be patient with you but do take a look at the good breeder guidelines from this site. COL isn't elitist, just responsible and the free advice you have asked for (and been given) from such experienced people is not to be taken for granted. [/quote
It wasn't the OP who felt some of the replies were elitist.... ;)
I do agree with most of what has been said - there are a good number of responsible breeders in the Cocker world who have been working hard to breed out genetic illnesses etc. while most Backyard breeders wouldn't even know if their dog carried the gene for these illnesses.
Honey is a mix - and she is ideal for us, and I wouldn't change her for the world. :luv: But I now know enough to know we were very lucky - we didn't know about working cockers, and the breeder did not mention the mix in her breeding at all - without this site, we may well have struggled immensely!
In an ideal world, if we were to get another dog, I would love another worker/show mix - however I would be far more clued up on wanting to know why the mix was being made, that all the health tests were done etc. And I think it is unlikely I would find the answers I wanted! There are always going to be people who breed for the pet market - I know this feels wrong when there are so many unwanted dogs in rescue, but I really don't think this is going to change - this isn't so bad if they take their breeding responsibly (tested parents, life-long support to purchasers) - however most people breeding "pets" don't do these tests, which risks continuing the genetic illnesses into future generations.
I know a lot of people feel very strongly that no pet breeding should be allowed (and I'm sure if I was more involved in rescues, I would have similar views) - but at the very least anyone who is pet breeding (whether this is creating a worker/show mix, a cockerpoo or a Heinz 57 mongrel) should be as thorough in checking everything as the breeders who breed for conformity to breed standard (along with temperament, health etc). :shades:
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One of my old cocker spaniels that I bought from a well known Breeder of cockers sold him to me as a pet dog. They also sold me my last bitch also as a pet dog. They show themselves and sell show dogs also and are incredably nice and helpful. When I bred this bitch. I did it with the help of this Breeder and a well known breeder and judge who was the owner of the male. They both knew these dogs were to be bred as pet dogs. It is coincidence that one of the pups has turned out really well and we have decided to give showing a go and are doing OK. I know all about Rescue as I worked in it for years, but I think as long as the dogs are healthy with good temperament and thought hard about, as in homes etc then a lot of pet families would miss out on owning such a beautiful dog if we only bred the finest lines.
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I know a lot of people feel very strongly that no pet breeding should be allowed (and I'm sure if I was more involved in rescues, I would have similar views) - but at the very least anyone who is pet breeding (whether this is creating a worker/show mix, a cockerpoo or a Heinz 57 mongrel) should be as thorough in checking everything as the breeders who breed for conformity to breed standard (along with temperament, health etc). :shades:
yes but how can you distinguish between the only one litter and the backyard breeders of who will often say they are just 'home breeding' + see how many puppy farms or large commercial kennels are jumping on this bandwagon as well convincing the public that its OK to breed crossbreeds etc for whatever reason! its very easy to be lulled into this thinking yet it just perpetuates the problem.
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One of my old cocker spaniels that I bought from a well known Breeder of cockers sold him to me as a pet dog. They also sold me my last bitch also as a pet dog. They show themselves and sell show dogs also and are incredably nice and helpful. When I bred this bitch. I did it with the help of this Breeder and a well known breeder and judge who was the owner of the male. They both knew these dogs were to be bred as pet dogs. It is coincidence that one of the pups has turned out really well and we have decided to give showing a go and are doing OK.
Well done. You were properly mentored, and you took all the advice you could with an open mind, that's how all novices should start out, it's probably no coincidence your pups turned out very well (I breed pedigree cats and have 2 mentors from the associated breed club, with 70 years experience between them. The result is that over time and now more recently, my cats are known by all on the show and breeding circuit - it took me 12 years to achieve that quality by very careful study of lineage, I couldn't have done it without being mentored or on a one off mating). Trouble is, many don't bother to get themselves a mentor, and so the match doesn't get thought through and planned properly and asll sorts of problems can creep in over time - that's the crux of it.
I don't know what you mean when you say "finest lines". But breeding only from a small gene pool would eventually cause problems anyway.
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We have had both over the years. We have recently acquired a working strain puppy BUT and it is a big BUT - we live in the country and the pup has considerable access to 'outside' and freedom. Those with working lines are for the most part much harder work certainly when they are young when they are often hyperactive. Generally they are not suited to a small town house or to lengthy periods left unaccompanied and without entertainment.
If you have the time and willingness to exercise then the working strain is fabulous. ..active jolly and very good natured. The show strains are more of a 'pet' dog. They also need plenty of exercise but generally they are less robust - and you do have to watch for the odd dodgey temperament. They are bred for their looks not their nature! Just my experience - no doubt others have their views...
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We have had both over the years. We have recently acquired a working strain puppy BUT and it is a big BUT - we live in the country and the pup has considerable access to 'outside' and freedom. Those with working lines are for the most part much harder work certainly when they are young when they are often hyperactive. Generally they are not suited to a small town house or to lengthy periods left unaccompanied and without entertainment.
If you have the time and willingness to exercise then the working strain is fabulous. ..active jolly and very good natured. The show strains are more of a 'pet' dog. They also need plenty of exercise but generally they are less robust - and you do have to watch for the odd dodgey temperament. They are bred for their looks not their nature! Just my experience - no doubt others have their views...
I really disagree with the statement re: not bred for 'nature' ;) The breed standard states this 'Gentle and affectionate, yet full of life and exuberance.' If you read all the threads re: choosing a breeder you will find temperament is high on the agenda of most good show breeders.
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We have had both over the years. We have recently acquired a working strain puppy BUT and it is a big BUT - we live in the country and the pup has considerable access to 'outside' and freedom. Those with working lines are for the most part much harder work certainly when they are young when they are often hyperactive. Generally they are not suited to a small town house or to lengthy periods left unaccompanied and without entertainment.
If you have the time and willingness to exercise then the working strain is fabulous. ..active jolly and very good natured. The show strains are more of a 'pet' dog. They also need plenty of exercise but generally they are less robust - and you do have to watch for the odd dodgey temperament. They are bred for their looks not their nature! Just my experience - no doubt others have their views...
I really disagree with the statement re: not bred for 'nature' ;) The breed standard states this 'Gentle and affectionate, yet full of life and exuberance.' If you read all the threads re: choosing a breeder you will find temperament is high on the agenda of most good show breeders.
mmmmm also have to disagree with this as well ...especially *and you do have to watch for the odd dodgey temperament * that could be true of any breed :huh: wouldnt say they are less robust either :-\
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The show strains are more of a 'pet' dog. They also need plenty of exercise but generally they are less robust - and you do have to watch for the odd dodgey temperament. They are bred for their looks not their nature! Just my experience - no doubt others have their views...
What a shame that your personal experience of show strain cockers has been less positive than my own :(
All responsibly and ethically bred dogs of any breed or cross-breed will have been bred for "their nature" and temperament; and the cocker spaniel breed is by nature robust :D Many show strain dogs successfully compete in agility, take part in cani-x or similar activities; a fit and trained show strain dog will be far more robust than a "pet" working cocker, imo ;)
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All responsibly and ethically bred dogs of any breed or cross-breed will have been bred for "their nature" and temperament; and the cocker spaniel breed is by nature robust :D Many show strain dogs successfully compete in agility, take part in cani-x or similar activities; a fit and trained show strain dog will be far more robust than a "pet" working cocker, imo ;)
I agree with this (but not the bit about a fit trained show strain dog being far more robust than a "pet" worker. I have a pet worker, and you couldn't wish to meet a more robust dog, even though she's only 8 months. I'm sure there will be robust workers and show dogs, it all depends on how they've been trained, exercised and looked after)
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All responsibly and ethically bred dogs of any breed or cross-breed will have been bred for "their nature" and temperament; and the cocker spaniel breed is by nature robust :D Many show strain dogs successfully compete in agility, take part in cani-x or similar activities; a fit and trained show strain dog will be far more robust than a "pet" working cocker, imo ;)
I agree with this (but not the bit about a fit trained show strain dog being far more robust than a "pet" worker. I have a pet worker, and you couldn't wish to meet a more robust dog, even though she's only 8 months. I'm sure there will be robust workers and show dogs, it all depends on how they've been trained, exercised and looked after)
I didn't explain it very well - what I meant was that I wouldn't assume that a working cocker from a pet home would be capable of accompanying me and my other dogs on day hikes just because they are from working stock - they would need to build up and train, just like my show cockers did ;)
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Thanks for all your replies,never thought i would get so many.
We have decided to go for a pure show cocker.We are on the list for a litter that is due in 3 weeks.So fingers crossed there will be a perfect chocolate roan girl for us. ;)
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Excellent, hope the replies helped. Good luck for your wee girl :luv: