Cocker snappy?

[jaybee]

Another who agrees it all depends of socialisation and training

We have an almost two year old niece who lives round the corner and we see her mos days. Bingley met her the first day he came home. We've never had a problem with aggression, he gets so excited when he sees her. It's as important that children are taught to respect dogs and understand they need their own space and are not to be play things for them. I would never leave Bingley and my niece unsupervised at the moment, purely because she is so young and if they both get excited and playful she can forget this sometimes and we have to remind her Bingley is not a toy. I think they key is ensuring, as best you can, that there is never a situation where the child or dog pushes the boundaries and creates a 'risky' situation

[phoenix]

I go with the dog personality opinion along with socialisation. However well socialised ,some dogs have 'personal space' issues, or strong guarding instincts.   Just read the Behaviour section posts.  These ones are still fantastic pets, but not to be expected to be cuddled without warniing or share food and toys! Of a life with nine dogs,  the ones that were to be treated with respect, were the the cleverest ones,namely a cairn and a cocker.
Dogs ,like people, are all different.

[sitdownshep]

We have had Libby our blind cocker for 2 years in September, she was an x breeding dog, so had never been around babies/children but when my great niece was born a year last December she loved her from the start, Isabelle loves to stroke her & Libby enjoys the attention, we make sure they are supervised, as you never know what a toddler can do!! the only problem is that Libby doesn't see her & some times walks into her, but shes getting used to that now!! this is our 3rd cocker & never had a problem with any of my dogs, its the kids you have to train!!

[Carolynleah]

My Nerys first lived with my son, who has two children - they were 7 and 5 when he got Nerys, and she still loves to see them when they visit - she is very, very gentle with children.   When my other grandson visited yesterday he and Nerys were curled up together on the chair watching telly - I have no worries about her temperament with little ones (but postmen are a different matter  )

[Dan]

This is what I thought if they are bought up with kids from a pup they should be fine with them I've been reading a puppy book and that also says the sooner they interact with children and other animals the better! Cocker spaniels are one of the less likly dogs to snap at anyone but then again depends if it has had a hard life just good to no everyone thinks the same

[Clare B]

Its the same deal with dogs and cats, as it is with kids and dogs.  Don't allow the dog to chase and torment the cat, and don't allow the child to chase and torment the dog.  Teach understanding of body language and space and they will be friends.  I grew up with cockers ,  I had 3 siblings and our dogs were totally soppy with us. 
I have 3 children and my house is often filled with others children, and my girl Flo just adores them all , no excited barking, nipping or chasing.... Just wags, licks and cuddles.  But I made sure when she was a puppy that no children tormented or got her over excited. 
It's just like toddlers they are difficult when they're overstimulated or over tired... My second son used to be a biter when he was over- tired/stimulated.....hehe he's 12 now and hasn't bitten for 10 years 

[Oliver21508]

I think cockers can be very excitable around children and cockers are a mouthy breed, so if they mouth a child, people may think they are biting or are snappy. Dogs and children should always be supervised. Ollie is fantastic with kids, he loves them and just wants to lick them all the time. So although he means no harm, he is always supervised to make sure he doesn't get too excited and the children don't get upset about it. But after a while of them being in the house, he will happily lie down next to them and fall asleep, which is so sweet.

[Joules]

How many of these people actually have or know any cockers?

Most of the stuff people spout is ill informed rubbish 

[dizzytrish]

Ella, my ex breed bitch, had never seen kids or been socialised with them, she has no clue how to act and so just shouts at them!
I do not have 'access' to young children to desnsitise her, so really it is a case of my responsibility to ensure she cannot hurt or scare a young child.
I have three dogs, all different types and although Cooper, my JRTx is a great little dog, I would not leave any of them alone with a child, regardless of age!
the child can do things that you would not know about and all it takes is one second of behaviour to worry the dog, and then accidents can happen, the dog would not be able to tell you what had happened, and society always blames the dog!
just my opinion, but any dog can and may bite if given enough provocation, I for one would rather not take the risk.

[Dan]

How many of these people actually have or know any cockers?

Most of the stuff people spout is ill informed rubbish 

Agree with you there most people just assume because word of mouth! Brodie is great with my son and try are like best friends it lovely to see!

[cfordham2710]

What a loads of old ..............................

Cockers are no more snappy then any other breed and it is down to their upbringing, just like a human child. 

I get sooooooo angry when people make stupid comments like this!! 

[LynneB]

Pile of tosh...all puppies are nippy regardless of breed and I would NEVER leave any dog alone with a child.

[ebony girl]

my two cocker girls have been bought up with my kids and a steady trickle of kid visitors to the house.....and they love them  ..... i think as long as they have been socialised correctly, and never hurt or pulled about by children, then they should be fine....but this would be the same i suppose with any breed...

there are some very ignorant and small-minded people out there 

[PennyB]

as others suggest a lot is down to socialising - sadly some people get a dog before they have children and don't think of socialising them with little children - so consequently the poor dog is ousted when they do have kids (or grankids) because the poor dog can't cope with them

while you can't think of every eventuality it really makes sense to socialise with children

I don't have kids but mine are well socialised with them

[Robbie34]

Early upbringing is absolutely vital, as well as how you treat your puppy.  Neither of my two dogs have been brought up with children, but I made sure that they met everyone we could when we were out.  Of course, it's very easy for a Cocker puppy because they are so delightful, and most people want to give them a cuddle.

Some years ago, when Charley was a puppy, I was stopped by a lady in Norfollk town centre who asked me if her teen-age daughter, who had Downes Syndrome, could stroke him.  I gave him to her to hold and she was thrilled.  Of course Charley loved the attention and was soon licking her.  I took every opportunity for Henry as well.