puppy rage question

[trousers12]

Hi everyone, ive just joined and am currently trawlin the net and ringin round to try and find a little cocker puppy, i have come across a cute batch from a reputable breeder near me, the only problem is ive kind of been put off with all the rage horror stories and with me having kids as well im a bit worried and obviously i want to get a healthy happy puppy which will have a great and full life, they are show puppies and are solid brown/red colour, which i beleive is the worst combination for rage , they have both the parents at their place to be seen and have had then since puppies and they have shown no signs of aggresion and neither have the pups, my question is, if the parents are friendly, does that mean the pups will be or could they inherit the rage syndrome later in life, and could it maybe skipa  generation ie get it from their grandparent,s which arent avalaible for viewing.....i just want to get it right and do what i need to check everything is ok, any info /help would be appreciated
cheers rob

[*Jay*]

If you do a search on here, you will find lots of posts on the subject. True rage is very rare so I wouldn't even allow that to factor in my decision personally. If the parents of the pups have great temperaments and the pups have been well socialised this far, then you have a great foundation for a well adjusted dog.

[LynneB]

Puppies do make lots of growly noises when playing and they do nip, it's all part of growing up. Please do not mistake this for rage. Rage is very rare these days.

[trousers12]

thanks for your replies i realise its rare, but dont want to make a mistake, i think ill go and see them and their parents and see if they are as chilled out and friendly as the owners say thansk rob

[Neon]

Hi

cocker puppies can be very chewey/bitey but it's all part of growing up.  This is not an indication of rage, merely a normal, healthy puppy.  Please do your research carefully for a reputable breeder.  Make sure you see mum with the puppies and ask about dad as well.  Check out the pedigrees of both parents to make sure there is no inbreeding (breeding of close relatives).  Ask the breeder all the questions you can think of.  Spend time watching the puppies at play and their interaction with any other dogs there.  The Kennel Club website is a very good place to find a quality puppy from a reputable breeder.  Keep us informed of how you're doing and good luck.  (I'll just go and get the KC link for you).

here goes, you can search by area.

http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/findapuppy/Default.aspx?id=Spaniel%20(Cocker)

[bajoleth]

I really thought that the 'Rage' situation had been well and truly debunked now
If you search here you will find many newbies asking the same question and they will all get the same answer, FWIW all dogs are capable of being aggressive if not socialised or handled properly, this is no more true of Cockers than of any other breed in my opinion

[Monstersspaniel]

Ive done a little research on this too its called rage syndrome and its very rare

 rage syndrome has been found in other breeds also but seems to target the cocker spaniel as it was originally reffered to as cocker rage.

[stuffster]

Just to clarify, there are literally thousands of members on Cockersonline, many hundreds use the site regularly, and Im pretty sure that at least 99% of us have never met a dog with actual rage, or even heard of a dog whose "rage" couldnt be explained away by more sensible explanations. It is a ridiculous myth that has been spread by stupid tabloids etc.

For instance, my vet told me my golden cocker probably had rage and should be put down, because he was snarling and snapping at me and the children.

I took him to another vet and insisted on an xray, and it was discovered he had torn cruciate ligaments which were cauing him immense pain. After several operations to fix his knees, he was the happiest calmest dog ever. Poor fella had just been in pain!

BUT if you are worried about having a bitey dog around your children (how old are they?) then cockers may not be the dogs for you. AS others have said, cocker pups are generally VERY lively and very bitey. Just read through the many tearful threads from new owners who are too scared to go near their little "cockerdile" for fear of those sharp bitey teeth. I remember begging my husband to take Purdey back to her breeders when she was 12 weeks old after she drew blood AGAIN! But eventually we got through the biting stage and now we adore our mad loopy critter!

You are doing the right thing by researching well before you choose your pup, but dont worry about rage! As far as I know it doesnt exist any more or at least is incredibly rare.

[LynneB]

ALL puppies are growly and bitey at first, if you have young children, you may be better getting an older puppy. See all threads about bitey puppies. I have 2 x 12 week old Bichon puppies and they are a nightmare, absolute hooligans but I know they will grow out of it.

[Monstersspaniel]

Puppies throw tantrums and when they do they tend to use their very sharp puppy teeth I had miserable terrible two stage with Millie I have the scars to prove it!

in which case either a smaller breed dog or an older cocker would be better suited for chilren if their parents are worried about bitting unfortunately thats what dogs do when their young.

[minimoo]

thanks for your replies i realise its rare, but dont want to make a mistake, i think ill go and see them and their parents and see if they are as chilled out and friendly as the owners say thansk rob

they may well be chilled out when you look at them but when youve had them home a few weeks they will be typical puppies (any breed) and will chew things including your toes and fingers, my pup keeps trying to pull out my hair and bites my toes really hard with his VERY sharp little crocodile teeth , they will chew your stuff when you forget to put anything out of their reach too . i have a nearly 18 month old pup and a 17 week old pup and if you heard them sometimes snarling and chasing each other round the house and making each other yelp, i bet alot of people would think they have so called "rage", they dont they are just typical pups having fun with each other, its great when its at 5 am in the morning too    , its really good that you are looking into all of this before you get a pup, stick around this is a great site and theres always someone on here to give great advice

[seaangler]

Rage(but not)....Are Gemma is a wright maden..After a few minutes walk we pick her up in are arms to walk up steps ect..(over the bridge)As are other two just carry on walking are Gemma goes into paddy rage tantrum you should hear her she rely lets fly she wonts to get down and walk with the others...

We we have to be careful at the moment as to exercising twelve minits tops(she is now 13 weeks old) at the moment then we rest her(In the sit position) let her walk a bit then carry her again...But she scrambles to get down...

[praia]

they have shown no signs of aggresion and neither have the pups, my question is, if the parents are friendly, does that mean the pups will be or could they inherit the rage syndrome later in life

Rage syndrome is nothing like puppy biting, fear aggression, territorial aggression, prey aggression, etc.  The difference between Rage syndrome and all the other types of aggression you may see in a dog is that with Rage syndrome there are NO triggers.  You could have the friendliest, happiest dog in the world, and a second later her eyes are glazed and she's trying to rip your hand off.  The next second she's back to her normal happy self and has no idea what in the world just happened.  That's rage syndrome and it's something you can't predict in a dog just by seeing how friendly the parents are or how friendly the pups are. 

Rage syndrome is extremely rare and can occur in any breed of dog. Honestly, the great majority of people who report "rage" in their dogs were probably mistaking it for simple behavioral problems that they were unable to pinpoint and address. 

 Your best bet is to ensure that the breeder is reputable.  If he/she really understands the breed and has invested in their breeding program they can and will tell you what problems are known to affect their lines.

[Pam501]

It might be a good idea to get in touch with the Cocker Spaniel Club they have lists of reputable breeders.  I did a lot of research into getting a puppy after I nearly bought a lovely golden pup and found that both parents were carriers of the hereditary eye disease (sorry I can't remember the proper term for it).  I called the Cocker Spaniel Club after that and was told by the secretary that they are more stringent than the KC Club in their requirements for breeders. 

[Dimples]

I very rarely see another golden show cocker around my parts and often wondered whether it may be due to rumours of 'Rage'. It did cross my mind when buying but after I had spent time playing the puppies and the mum and the aunt, I was quickly reassured.

It again crossed my mind when Robbie was about 12/13 weeks. He kept doing the wall of death and would get very excited and jump and bite and become aggressive. Immediately you think "oh no has he got Rage" because people relate it to the 'reds'.  After coming on here though and realising I was amongst everyone else who had suffered the same 

Now at nearly 8 months - my golden puppy has the nicest and friendliest temperament that anyone could ever wish for.

My advice is as mentioned above. See the mum - see the surrroundings. Look in mums ears and feel her paws. If she is happy to do all of that as well as letting you touch her pup and you feel happy with the breeders, then i think you'll be just fine.