help deciding and personal experience with cockers and toddlers needed please

[candi1576]

Hello, How are all of you?
This is my first time being to this site or posting to it I have looked all over the web for a good personal refrence on cockers besides the breed info facts which every one tells you something diffrent the what the breed info sheets say and all of you seem to REALY love cockers so I'm hoping ya'll can help!

I have been trying to research a good breed for a pet that would be small enough to be allowed where we live (under 25lbs) and since I have been reading up on the cockers I have already fell in love with them my self even though I've never met one in real life yet  I have always had a dog when I was growing up and I myself miss having one but more impotantly I would love for my only son to  have a best friend and a loving companion like I have always found in my pets. Now he will be turning three in october so I was thinking it would be a win win for me and him if I got him one for his birthday, where my dilema is, is that all the breed info sites say their excellent choices for children and if well socialized from the start around them they would become unsepratable which is what I'm looking for! but when I ask individuals about the breed they tell me their normally agressive towards others and don't tolorate kids AT ALL! I know I would have to supervise their play at all times and teach both of them to respect each other  but if my son doesn't pull at him or pounce,poke,run and excetra at him would the dog be a good family dog or are they quick to bite from mistakes and hold that grudge??

if you have a toddler and a cocker please give me your input or if you think that a cocker is the wrong choice with a young kid around let me know I need info from actuall cocker owners is why I came here every other person i asked just met a cocker or knew of one not some one that raised them from a pup and seen how they acted so thanks in advance

I like the ideal of a cocker because their the bigger dog of the small breed and I'm not fond of real small dogs and I want one that would be more active and want to play with my son not just sit around on the couch and be left alone


PLEASE HELP!!!!!
sorry it's so long and please be gentle I am new to this but I'll take all the info you can spare

[bernie]

 Hello and welcome to COL.

In my experience,  cocker pups that are brought up in a responsible way with young children  i.e they are supervised at all times for the safety of the pup and the child and if the children are taught how to behave appropriately, respectfully and gently around the pup,  they will make lovely companions for families with children and as they grow, they will in turn, be gentle with and happy to be around other  children that they meet.

[*jean*]

I suppose it all depends on where you live and the time,commitment you have towards dog walking, stimulation, excersise. cockers are bred both for the show ring and working. dont underestimate the show ones they can be just as busy as the working type.
 A lot can depend on the breeding and early socialisation of a pup in regard to how they turn out. snappy parents breed snappy pups . always see the mother with her pups and ensure she has a friendly nature. any breed can be snappy not just smaller ones. be sure its a reputable breeder
 my kids were brought up with spaniels and they got along fine ..
 read this..
http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=2687.0
 and this..
http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=40635.0

[Jane S]

Candi, are you in the US? If so, you're asking about what we in the UK call American Cockers as opposed to English Cockers (which are just called Cockers here in the UK). I believe we have a couple of American Cocker owners who I'm sure will help you with advice about that particular breed. Just thought I'd mention this as most people here have English Cockers

[Beth]

I have a 2yo cocker, and a 1yo boy, and as i'm sure you can imagine, it can be fun and games.   Indie (hooman) is going through the ear-pulling stage at the moment, but we are getting there slowly.

Jarvis (cocker) isn't the best natured boy at times wasn't particularly well bred, and has guarding issues etc, but he is FAB with Indie. He is so tolerant, and when small boy is being a pain Jarvis just looks up at me and waits patiently for me to remove the small boy from whichever bit he is hanging on to. I do have to referee at times, and keep very much on top of them when either one is playing, but it makes me so proud when i see them playing together nicely. Indie adores Jarvis, copies his barking, throws the ball for him, and follows him round like he's a puppy.

It will be a LOT of work, particularly for the first year, but if you do your research, (you're in the right place for that) and put in the effort it can be wonderful.

[candi1576]

thanks so far for your opinions I have read all the frequnly asked questions online and although I do work, I onle work about five hours a day and after I get home me my husband and our son go ride bikes for about an hour so we would be able to let him go with us and then he would get plenty of play time and plenty of training time My sons baby siter has a yorkie and two chiwawas? that hes does not agitate at all he knows his boundaries and know not to invade their space also all my relatives have dogs and hes just as gentle with them But he is hyper and does like to play but has no one to play with but me and my husband and I don't think he likes playing with adults all that much "we're not fun enough"
but thinks again and please for the rest of you guys reading this PLEASE add your two sense this is a major decsion for me to make ITS A LIFE LONG decsion and I want to make sure I make the right one!
so thanks again

[candi1576]

thanks Jane S  I didn't realize that and you are right I am trying to find out about the american cockers as their a little smaller than the english cockers right??

sorry about the confussion all

[mary w]

  Hi Candi and welcome.
I think you have answered your own question about children and dogs. You sound like you have enough experience with dogs to know how to handle them with children.
Any dog, if treated well will interact with people and children.
You will have the best friend ever in a cocker for you and your little one. All dogs (and us) can have a grumpy day,  ;)you just have to get to know your dog and know  when to give him/her some time on there own.
As would always say that you should check out a reputable breeder, and ask to see the mum of the pup, and in some cases the dad.
I hope you get what you are looking for.. For me a cocker will be a great friend for your little one to grow up with, but I would say that wouldn’t I.

Mary.

[Nuffi]

Yes, American cockers should be smaller!
I was just about to post that English cockers might well grow bigger than 25 pounds...mine is 39 

(I remember our landlord back in Germany agreed to let us get a "small dog" per our lease agreement. A few months later he saw Jerry and promptly commented "Hmmmm, that's not a small dog!"     Admittedly, Jerry pushed the limit of that definition...   ) 

[JasperPop]

My two cockers are wonderful with all of my children (youngest is 3yrs) and love to play all the time.  It is a LOT of hard work to have a toddler and a dog/puppy but I think it is well worth the effort.  I am constantly telling my daughter to leave the dogs alone however and sound like a scratched record.  The novelty has never worn off you see and she is totally besotted with them as they are with her. 

I dont know how similar English/American cockers are, but there are a few owners of American cockers on here...sure they will be along soon.  Good luck x

[PennyB]

There's a small forum dedicated to American cockers here http://s8.invisionfree.com/American_Cockers/

I think with all dogs and small humans you have to be careful whatever their breed or size.

[EmmaA]

I have a 2yo hooman and 9 month old poopy.
They get on well most of the time but they do have their moments. Either Eric knocking Ruby over or Ruby aggravating Eric  They have to be supervised together at all times but this isn't too much of a problem for me because if I leave the room Eric follows me anyway.
Eric is very good and will let Ruby do anything really. He does not guard his food or toys from her and is as happy for her to take his ball and throw it as he is for me to do it (however my OH is another matter).
It can be very rewarding having a dog and a child but it is very hard work. The puppy stage is especially gruelling when child is wanting attention but dog needs to be taken outside for the toilet and things. A lot of time and energy needs to be dedicated to a dog and it is extremely tiring. On the plus side cockers are definitely easier to house train than a toddler 

[JasperPop]

On the plus side cockers are definitely easier to house train than a toddler 

   that is so true!