horrible dogs!!!

[lola B]

  i was doing my usual  round on the internet trying to collect as much info on this lovely breed as i could and then i came across a link that said cocker spaniels are one of the most aggressive and unpredictable dogs that you can get they said people are fooled by there looks and that they are always attacking people i am guessing this is not true or at least most of it is not but some info would be very welcome i`m kinda freaking out  because so far i am head over heels in love with this breed     

[Clare B]

I saw the same when I was considering a puppy.  Luckily I had cockers as a child and knew they are delightful.  Alot that you see on the net relates to American cockers who have had a problem with exploitive bad breeding , resulting in bad quality temperaments.  Although I gather  this us old news and the breeders are working to eradicate this.  With English cockers always research and make sure you're getting a well breed pup from a reputable breeder, same with any breed.  Lots if info on this site to help.  I think sometimes cockers are bought because they're beautiful and look so complying, with no consideration that they are gun dogs and need stimulation.

[Joules]

Not sure where you saw that  but it is a load of twaddle 

Like every other breed, cockers are not all perfect, but the ones I have met are the most loving, sociable, fun and entertaining dogs in the world   

[LottieLu]

It only goes to prove that you can read anything on the internet but it isn't necessarily correct or properly and objectively researched. The internet is wonderful but not without it's failings. Anyone can write pretty much anything on the net.

[praia]

When your breed is one of the more popular breeds you're more likely to see poorly-bred dogs with poor temperaments.  Irresponsible breeders see a huge market and produce dogs without any care for health, structure, or temperament, knowing that people who haven't done their research won't know the difference between buying a well-bred dog from a reputable breeder vs buying a poorly-bred dog from an irresponsible breeder with questionable practices/breeding philosophy.

I agree in that most of the negative comments you see online about Cockers are aimed at American Cockers. Honestly, it is still difficult to find an American Cocker with a nice temperament.  Even in the conformation ring you'll often see dogs that are fearful and ill-tempered, yet they are still rewarded with titles.   There are many breeders who do produce temperamentally sound American Cockers, but there are many many more who simply don't care about producing quality dogs.

[KellyT]

i was doing my usual  round on the internet trying to collect as much info on this lovely breed as i could and then i came across a link that said cocker spaniels are one of the most aggressive and unpredictable dogs that you can get they said people are fooled by there looks and that they are always attacking people i am guessing this is not true or at least most of it is not but some info would be very welcome i`m kinda freaking out  because so far i am head over heels in love with this breed     

Luckily you came across this website and forum where people are far more sensible and distribute informative, factually based advice and information!!

[Poppypuppy09]

Well Lola B....tis just as well you found COL then 

I have been around cockers my entire life and whilst I adore most dogs cockers are the breed for me  This is namely because my experience of these wonderful little dogs is that they are fun loving, full of energy, intelligent, mine love kids despite us not having any, gentle natured and always ready for whatever happens.

I know from peeps on here and others that I know this is not always the case and that there is always exceptions but this is the same for any breed, dont let comments like that put you off of this fantastic breed 

[dal55]

I was shocked when I read your post. When I was looking for a Pup I decided on cockers because everything I read said just how wonderful they are...................... and they ARE. Ok they a naughty !!!!!! but wonderful. I'm sure as in every breed there are some "bad apples"
I would never have another breed now

[Clare B]

I was shocked when I read your post. When I was looking for a Pup I decided on cockers because everything I read said just how wonderful they are...................... and they ARE. Ok they a naughty !!!!!! but wonderful. I'm sure as in every breed there are some "bad apples"
I would never have another breed now

I was shocked when I went on the net and found so many negative comments about them... Yes there were probably more good things said, but I found the anti's very upsetting and they made an impact and for a bit made me research more, finding that the negatives were mainly related to American cockers. 
There is a load of rubbish on the net and the best way to evaluate the breed is to know them, or know someone who is experienced with them, or find Col and get the correct information.

[Dinah]

When your breed is one of the more popular breeds you're more likely to see poorly-bred dogs with poor temperaments.  Irresponsible breeders see a huge market and produce dogs without any care for health, structure, or temperament, knowing that people who haven't done their research won't know the difference between buying a well-bred dog from a reputable breeder vs buying a poorly-bred dog from an irresponsible breeder with questionable practices/breeding philosophy.

Whilst not disagreeing with the above, I have two cockers of my own - one an ex-breeder - and both have lovely natures.  Also I have fostered a number of ex-breeding cockers.  These had a lousy start re socialisation with people and other dogs, but each one has made a lovely pet.   Think sometimes owners don't realise that cockers are clever, busy dogs and need company, training and decent walks.  Any bored, lonely dog (whatever the breed) will get up to mischief.

[praia]

When your breed is one of the more popular breeds you're more likely to see poorly-bred dogs with poor temperaments.  Irresponsible breeders see a huge market and produce dogs without any care for health, structure, or temperament, knowing that people who haven't done their research won't know the difference between buying a well-bred dog from a reputable breeder vs buying a poorly-bred dog from an irresponsible breeder with questionable practices/breeding philosophy.

Whilst not disagreeing with the above, I have two cockers of my own - one an ex-breeder - and both have lovely natures.  Also I have fostered a number of ex-breeding cockers.  These had a lousy start re socialisation with people and other dogs, but each one has made a lovely pet.   Think sometimes owners don't realise that cockers are clever, busy dogs and need company, training and decent walks.  Any bored, lonely dog (whatever the breed) will get up to mischief.

Bad behavior due to lack of training and lack of socialization is very different from a dog that is genetically predisposed to a poor temperament, though most pet owners can't really tell the difference or even want to see or hear the truth of the matter.  I do agree that many people confuse poor or lack of training with serious aggression issues.  So many times you hear people worried about rage syndrome or early aggression when it's simply a young puppy that hasn't been taught what is appropriate behavior.  

You've been lucky in that in your case the dogs in your experience probably had such great temperaments to begin with that they recovered from their terrible start, but that is not the case for many dogs.  I'm not that far a drive from the puppy mill capital of America and have seen far too many of these puppies and ex-breeding bitches with the absolute worst of temperaments.  When people aren't specifically breeding for good temperament you're going to see more and more dogs with poor temperaments.  Some dogs are cracked from the start, and regarding American Cockers this is sadly the general truth of the breed.  Unfortunately, these days you see so many poor examples of dogs not only in conformation, but in temperament, and of course you're most likely to see such poor examples in the more popular breeds like Labs, GSDs, Golden Retrievers, and even Cockers.  

[Sara750S]

Bad behavior due to lack of training and lack of socialization [/quote]

I would so agree with that! Like children !!!!!

[LurcherGirl]

Am I assuming correctly that that statement was on an American site in which case it would refer to the American cocker spaniel - and they do apparently have a slightly tarnished reputation as it were... Not sure why, but in America, cocker spaniels (American cockers) are one of the most popular breed and it is also a very popular puppy farm breed and hence a fair share come with temperament problems - hence I guess there sometimes dodgy reputation re aggression...  

Although I gather  this us old news and the breeders are working to eradicate this.

They are, but puppy farms aren't.