Hello everyone,
I would love some advice from first-hand English Cocker owners (pleeeeease!).
DH and I are considering bringing an English Cocker Spaniel into our family. We have two children - DS is 3 and DD is 5 (almost 6).
1) If we go for it - we would be looking at next April-ish time as we know that's a much better time for us to take on 'the puppy phase' and DS will almost be 4 and heading to school in Sept.
2) We would be hoping for a girl (sorry, can't bring myself to use the correct term yet!) and a golden cocker or orange patchy one (I know this isn't correct!) from a good breeder. We would be making sure that it's Mum and Dad are SHOW cockers and try to see both and check their temperaments etc.
3) After mind-boggling research for a first timer, I think that we would crate-train the pup (to let it have a tranquil place to rest and take itself!)
4) We would be teaching our children to love and respect their dog. It wouldn't be a play-thing! My kids do however, like to pretend to be mermaids, batman - or dinosaurs around the house so though they would be respectful (I HOPE!) they are indeed, children.
5) We would be enrolling on a puppy training class as a family for 6 weeks (or however long it runs) and would take time to focus on socialising and training the pup.
I am a SAHM. DH (on the most part) works from home. He does travel about for work sometimes but the majority of the time - he is home.
This would be my first dog. DH grew up with a Westie and loved having a dog throughout his childhood.
Our questions:
? --> Though websites recommend them as a great family pet - I have also read forums which describe their pup as a 'cockerdile' or 'going for/taking on the kids'
Are they really much nippier than other breeds? Are they more sensitive around kids and noise? Or with good training - would they soak in the family they have and love that environment?? --> I've read that show cockers need around 1 hr exercise every day.
Does this need to be one solid walk every day or could this be broken up? E.g. a long walk and a short walk or two half hour walks? Or in your experience, does a show need more? ? --> With socialisation, can ECS's do well with visitors? My husband is in Christian Ministry. Our home isn't quite a Vicarage (and I can't bake for toffee - so phew!) but we do have lots of people visiting, having tea etc. We also have playdates with DC's friends.
Would this be a real strain for an ECS? I would want to give her a loving home where she feels happy and comfortable! It would also be difficult if we had a dog that was unhappy with visitors and newbies -
or was protective of us in a ''I am going to growl to get you out of my house!' kind of way!? --> I hear they are 'mad as a box of frogs!' If so, they would probably fit right in with us!
Do they ever have a calm side though? Are they hyper in the house all day? Or do they have their calm, chilled moments?? --> Dog stat websites say they would be great for a first time dog owner! I've read though that you need to have a certain way with spaniels - firm but warm... that they can be sensitive to being spoken to, petted etc a certain way.
As a newbie to dogs (I grew up with fish... they were very obedient!) I don't want to royally mess this up! I am quite looking forward to training etc and learning - but should I go for an 'easier breed?!'? --> WHen my DH is away for a few days or a week - I would be the sole dog-walker and around the kids.
Would it cope with slightly less (still a good walk but not a full on hours hike) for a few days or would a show cocker be like "WHAT DO YOU CALL THIS?! This is a travesty!"Thank you so much if you've lasted this long.
Apologies for the lengthly post!
We genuinely want to be as informed as we can be so that we could enjoy and love an ECS. If we are the wrong family for this breed - we would love to know. If another breed sticks out - please do say.