New to cockers

[Metermaid]

Hello, I am new to the forum and seeking info as to whether a cocker could be the 'right' breed for me. I recently lost our 12 year old rescue staffy. She wad a lovely dog in the home but always a problem when out as we struggled with her being aggressive with other dogs due to her history. I was always extremely careful, had her muzzled and always on a lead etc and never had any incidents because of this. I feel I did the best for her dealing with her past problems and we had 12 wonderful years together, I miss her very much. However it has made me feel that if we do have another dog I would like one without the associated problems of her breed.

I hope that makes sense! Having done some reading Cockers look to be a very soft, people and dog friendly breed. My husband works fulltime but always walked the dog in the morning, I work part time but this does include one, occasionally two full days a week. Could we give a home to, maybe and older single cocker? We are in our forties and our children are grown up and living away from home with no children yet to visit! Hence we have a quiet lifestyle and no other pets. We live 2mins drive from the coast. 

I would very much like to hear opinions from you Cocker experts!

Many thanks MM

[Mudmagnets]

Hya and welcome to COL

Of course we are all biaised on here re cockers  we just luv em.  I am sure having read up on the breed you will know they are active little dogs (both in mind and body) and if you can give them the exercise they need for both you should be fine.

There is a rescue forum for cockers on here and maybe you could look there if you are considering an older dog (they do  sometimes have pups too btw)

Good luck with your search - hope you find your new friend soon,

[Little-Miss-Molly]

Hi and Welcome  We also had a staffie, we lost her at 12 years of age to cancer  she was fantastic with people and children but extremely aggressive to other dogs. We were devastated when we lost her and thought we could never feel that close to a dog again. We decided we didn't want the same breed in case we had the same problem, we could never relax walking her. We decided to go for a cocker spaniel and I am so glad we did    we have Molly who is  2 and half and we  also have Poppy who is 4 months, we have 4 grown up children and 5 grandchildren all under the age of 5 and Molly and Poppy just adore them  and follow them all round the house when the children visit. Keep an eye on the rescue board on here  if you are considering an older dog. If you have anymore questions ask away there are lots of people on here who can offer lots of help and advice who have owned cockers for years and have years of experience 

[Metermaid]

Thank you both for the welcome - Molly, isn't it strange that we have such similar past experiences!

I will indeed look at the rescue pages (as I have been already actually - such beautiful dogs) - I was wondering how the breed as a general are if left at home for a few hours a day?  I know some breeds are easier to leave that others, I would be glad to hear any experiences (good and bad!)

[elaine.e]

Hello and welcome to COL

So sorry that you lost your Staffy recently.

With regard to your question about leaving a Cocker home alone for a few hours, they're usually pretty good at coping with a few hours everyday once you've built them up to it gradually. I don't work now, but when I was working 3 days a week the Cockers I had at that time were used to the routine of a walk before work then being left for about 5 to 6 hours on two of the days, less than that on the third day because my mum used to come up and doggy sit. The Cockers weren't puppies then, but mature dogs. When they were puppies I was working 4 days a week but my husband was working shifts and we had my mum as a regular puppy sitter.

[Poppypuppy09]

Hiya and welcome to COL 

Firstly I am so sorry to hear of your recent loss.

I am a cocker lover and no other breed will do for me so am totally biased  Cockers are generally robust little dogs who enjoy the outdoors and in the case of my Poppy also enjoy sitting on my lap  My cockers both past and present have always enjoyed people and in particular children, my last cocker, Lucy was a rescue who in the early years had very bad separation anxiety, to the point of ripping her claws out. She was real hard work for the first 18 months but I was rewarded time over as she ended up being the most gentle loving girl you could ever want. Poppy my current cocker has been totally fine being left on her own, with a nice filled Kong to chew she is happy for upto 4 hours no problem, she would settle again after a toilet break too 

[sarahbe]

Hi,
I too am new to cockers- and wouldnt have any other breed know. I have also got a springer but wil definately have another cocker. My boy loves people and dogs and follows me everywhere I go because he loves me sooo much! And of course I love him for it!

[Little-Miss-Molly]

When we got Molly she was 11 weeks old, I was working 4 hours a day 4 mornings a week, she had the run of the kitchen while I was at work but unfortunately we had to buy a new table and chairs because it didn't survive her teething  but other than that she was fine with being left, I made sure she went for a long walk once I got back from work, we live right next to a nature reserve so have lovely walks round here, our grown up children live quite local so if for any reason she would need to be left all day in an emergency situation I knew they would go round and let her out etc. Would you be looking for a show or working cocker? This forum is great for info and advice on buying a cocker spaniel, also take a look at how to find a reputable breeder page (in case you decide to go for a puppy) also on the home page you can see the different colors and  info explaining the difference between working and show cockers. 

[Abbi]

Abbi is our first dog and is a show type cocker. We are so pleased to have chosen a cocker and she is left for 5 hours, 2 days a week. She is now nearly 1 and just sleeps in her bed all the time I'm away.

She was crate trained initially and slept in there for the first 5 months if we were out (my daughter was at home on study leave for the first 3 months we had her) but now has the run of the house, but don't think she moves! I always leave her with a filled kong as I leave and she has never touched anything while I'm out. She gets a good run before I leave and when I come back, and seems to be fine.

I wish you luck with your search for a new companion and express my sympathy over the loss of your staffie.