is there much of a difference between working and show re:exercise?

[lovingdogs78]

I haven't been able to bring myself onto this forum much. . I don't know if anyone remembers me but i was asking for advice last year about rehoming my working cocker as i could not cope with her.

Well its been nearly 6months since she went to her new working home. She went to live with my dads friend and his wife who have a few acres of land surrounded by trees and woodland. She lives with a springer and 2 other working cockers.  I can see her anytime but must admit i haven't been to see her as im still so upset about it. My dad saw her last month tho. Apparently she has sooo much energy, even for a worker,lol. She had been to the beach all day and was still raring to go! She did have a very strong working background.

Now to the point! I love cockers, and i miss her terriblely. . I admit i didn't do my homework very well before i bought her. I didn't (still not sure) there was/ is such a difference between a worker and a show cocker. 

Poppy was constantly on the go, day and night! She never stopped! I would take her for off lead walks for at least 2 hours every day. We went to training classes every week. I took her to the park with my neighbour every evening and she played with her lab cross who was the same age, but she barked and barked til 1 or 2 in the morning. To be honest tho i wish i didnt give up on her. I was just so sleep deprived and when my dad suggested his friend have her, i went with it. It happened all so quick. im thinking of getting a show cocker but im worried incase it all goes wrong again. I have 2 dogs already, a cavalier and a yorki. But i wanted a cocker all my life. Are show type really much different to workers?

[Holly2009]

This link might help

http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=70375.0

[harleys mum]

I have one of each and whilst the worker is more laid back, he needs much more exercise than our show type who would be quite content with twice round the local park a couple of times a day.  Needless to say, they both get much more than that because of the greater need of the worker.  I guess I wouldn't have known this had we rescued Rio (the worker) first, but we had Harley (show type) for over a year before Rio came to live with us.  

[Nicola]

I would say that in general working Cockers do need more mental and physical stimulation than show types. I have never met a show type that has as much stamina or drive as my workers. A well-bred working Cocker will be bred to do just that - work - and they have the drive and the stamina to keep going all day. However, I would say that even a show Cocker is going to be able to take more exercise than a Cavalier or a Yorkie, but I would think that the walks and training that you were doing with your previous worker would be enough for most show Cockers. If you do start looking into getting a show Cocker then find a good breeder and talk to them about their dogs and their requirements and that'll give you a good idea of what a related pup may be like.

[JennyBee]

All dogs are different, but my show type girl is at the other end of the scale from an energetic worker and can be a bit of a lazybones. Her idea of a good walk is a plod about the streets and a fifteen minutes run offlead at the park . In saying that, she has plenty of stamina and can run along with the best of them when she needs to. Her litter sister is different and goes on long walks every day, but is just as happy if she only gets a short onlead walk on occasion. I still have to ensure I keep Brodie's mind busy otherwise she can find other ways to entertain herself .

Really sorry you had to give up your girl, can't imagine how hard it was for you .

[tillyson]

Tilly is show cocker and she can run and run and run is totally ball obsessed, whereas my friends show cocker is happy to chase a ball and is more then happy to watch Tilly do the running 

[Maria n Dennis]

I dont have any experience with working cockers , but i have 2 show cockers and they are both completely different energy wise , one is very very lazy and would rather sit and watch the other dogs play and the other is extremely energetic and can be on the move all day and not tire  

[Emma xx]

Meg is a lazy girl and we have to make sure she is made to run after things on walks, otherwise she would just plod behind us sniffing EVERYTHING . Its a miracle if she ever pulls on the lead, so we let her do it when she wants to . Alfie on the other hand is much more energetic (i know there is an age difference but according to my mum Meg was never as energetic as a pup). We can tell now that he will probably need more exercise than Meg has ever done. Although, if we have one of those days where we are just meeting ourselves coming back, both are happy to have their walks cut a bit short . Both are very tired when we get home though, whereas a worker i know can walk all day and then come home acting as though he hasnt been walked for a week xxx

[Karma]

While all dogs are different in terms of energy levels, I would personally eat my hat if you found a Show line Cocker that had the same energy levels as your Worker girl had.
She was obviously a very highly developed working drive - more than many other working cockers... Honey is 3/4 worker, but is quite happy with the level of exercise/training you were giving your girl.  I think you did the kindest (but hardest   ) thing an owner can possibly do in that situation and found her a home which really suited her needs... and she is a happier, more fulfilled dog because of it.  

I think any show Cocker would be very happy with the kind of lifestyle you offered to your worker - whle there are variations in energy levels, they just aren't bred for the kind of stamina that is expected of a Worker.  
And if you speak to the breeder of any potential pup, they should be able to tell you the energy levels of the parents - which, while not a guarantee, would be a good indication of the likely needs of any pup.  

[Chedi]

Our dylan is a working cocker, and boy can he go allll day. The only thing that can settle him at times is a nice yummy rawhide bone. I have to admit, I havent had a lot to drink for about 6months now, as I'm not risking a hangover with a working cocker spaniel pup! I could not handle the last one when he was about 10 weeks!

I think the amount of excercise you have your previous dog was plenty - but I think if you do plan to get another, make sure you put in a lot of mental exercise. Its a good way for us to get Dylan worn out when we're home on a miserable day or late at night.

[Hurtwood Dogs]

My experience of show types has been a bit extreme. I've had one very very hyper unsettled dog with a high hunt drive and one very easy going chap but still busy and able to 'go' all day long when needed.

I assumed all show types were like my first cocker, he was pretty exhausting and I can honestly say that none of the workers (family pets and trained to work) that live around me are as hyper or need as much stimulation or exercise as he did, but I don't think he was typical of a show cocker and I've not met another one like him since. My current show cocker is a very easy dog but he's up for as much as I can give him all the same. He'll happily 'go' all day long but he's also capable of chilling out with us and is easy to be around.

It sounds like you did have an acceptionally highspeed girlie there and I'm sure with what you can offer, most show types would be fine.

[Sarah1985]

I have 2 working cockers and it sounds like you got very unlucky in getting such an energetic working cocker. Mine have plently of energy but do settle well round the house.

I do however walk my dogs for 3 hours a day (total, not all at once) and do an hours training each night. Im not sure how this compares to other owners of working cockers and if this is more or less than other people need to do. I do get told that Im lucky to have such calm and responsive cockers (especially working ones) but Im told this by people I suspect dont do the amount of training I do. Training and mental stimulation shouldnt be under estimated.

Im not sure how the show cockers compare as Ive never owned one. The ones we meet on walks dont cover as much ground as my 2 do. Mine zig zig constantly and never stop moving whereas the show cockers seem much more sane 

My advise would be to see mum and Dad when you pick a puppy (if your going down the puppy route) as they give a pretty good indication of the pups future energy level. Also look for a breeder that understands the importance of picking a dog for tempement as well as health. My little girl was breed for steadyness and trainability (her parents where good examples of both) and this is evident in all her training. She is so much calmer and focused than my older one. Shes happy to settle when you need her to but is up straight away when we set off anywhere. She'd have made a brillient worker and i suspect I wouldnt have gotten her had she not been considered too small for gun dog work.

[Helen]

I have 2 working cockers and it sounds like you got very unlucky in getting such an energetic working cocker.

not unlucky - this imho is quite normal for a working bred dog - I think less active workers are more the exception 

[Mudmagnets]

I have one of each (sort of... Katie is half work/show) and I know that she has more energy to burn off than Smudge the showsort.

Of course being young cockers (Nearly 2 and 4) they both need quite a lot of exercise during the day, but Smudge is much quicker to settle than her ladyship.

Because of health problems at present they have had to adapt to what I can give them, but I have not seen either of them pack a suitcase yet - so I guess they must be happy 

[tigs71]

Whilst Mason (working type) is happy to go out (he gets 2 offlead runs a day and seems like he could run forever) he is also happy to chill out with me when we are in the house and always settles really quickly when we return from our walks.