Need to find out more

[Potter]

Would welcome advice on the general character of cockers.  Only had springers previously.  Find springers far too high maintenance these days - hoping a cocker is steadier and calmer.  Am I correct?  Or just wishful thinking?  I love all spaniels and would love another, but not hard work like a springer.  It would be with me all day.  Summer and winter would have about 2 miles of country walks each day.  Had thought a pair of little girls might be best, but just read your site about this not being a good idea, so that has been extremely helpful.  Thank you.  Also spoken to our cat's vet about inoculations, and care, etc. so that has been helpful too.  Any advice anyone can give me will be highly valued and appreciated to enable me to reach the correct decision for all concerned.
Potter

[wrenside]

Hi Potter, what type of cocker are you after, a show type of working type?
The two types of cocker differ quite a lot, generally show cockers are less active but need more time spent on grooming them, whereas working cockers make fantastic shooting companions and usually have a higher energy level but don't need grooming or trimming very much. Both types are typically very friendly and human orientated and are also bright little buttons who learn things very quickly. Obviously I've just made some huge generalisations and individual dogs do differ from the stereotype. 

Once you have decided on what type of cocker you want to investigate I'd advise you to go to some shows or game fairs and meet as many cockers and their owners as possible, and chat dogs with them. You'll pick up a lot of information quickly and may well hear of some litters available or reputable breeders to contact etc...

As you've had springers before I'm sure you'll know all about the basic demands of keeping a dog, I think that both working cockers and show cockers are more steady and less bouncy than springers in general, however again individual dogs differ from this stereotype. If you research the background of a litter thoroughly you can narrow down the chances of getting a hyperactive type pup, look at the parents carefully as if they're calm and steady in themselves then most likely their pups will be too.

I hope this helps 

Good luck

Best wishes

Mary

PS: I have a working cocker bitch, so I'm obviously going to be biased! but I personally do think they make great family pets as long as their minds are stimulated with some type of activity, such as basic obedience training, agility and gun dog training, like most other breeds of dog infact!  A trained working cocker makes a very calm and steady dog. So I dissagree with the common misconception that they're more difficult to own than a show cocker (although again individual dogs are different  ) 

[Cazzie]

I tend to agree mith Mary 

I look after all types of spaniels and will say that you get some nutters in every category (meaning hyper and bouncy & self willed). 

I would have any type of Spaniel but would make sure their brain/energy & enthusiasim is ploughed into a dam good training regime whether it be agility/working or some other activity. This leads IMO to a happy content dog that is a pleasure to own. 

[Nicola]

Yes I agree with Mary too, I have two working cockers and they are wonderful dogs although I do know a few gundog trainers who have all sorts of 'affectionate' names for their workers as they are definitely not viewed as the easiest gundogs to train    they can be stubborn and very high energy. It really depends on the dog and what you do with it. My Stepdad has two working springers and I definitely wouldn't say that my cockers are less energetic and demanding than they are, they are really much of a muchness and tbh if you've found a springer too high maintenance and too much hard work then probably a working cocker isn't going to be right for you either as it will require a lot of hard work in the training stages and this can go on for quite a long time. My 16 month old boy is a fab dog and I adore him but he is extremely energetic and has a very high hunting drive and I have to constantly keep on top of him when we're out so in that sense he really is very hard work and I know more than a few young workers who are just like him, although in the house I couldn't wish for a better dog.

[speedyjaney]

generally show cockers are less active

I think Jessie missed that e-mail! She ran a friends worker into the ground last summer on a walk....Barley couldn't wait to get home and sleep! 

Janey

[Cob-Web]

I have a show cocker, and he is my first spaniel after a GSD so I am not able to compare spaniel to spaniel - but a cocker was a steep learning curve for me 
Also, I know a number of experienced dog handlers, who have trained and work springers as sniffer dogs, and they all say they would not have a cocker, because they are, in their words "totally manic" 


From my own experience with Molo is who is a very laid back show cocker, I know that he would not be happy with only 2 miles exercise a day..........he would be hyper and bouncing off the walls 

Find springers far too high maintenance these days - hoping a cocker is steadier and calmer.  Am I correct?  Or just wishful thinking?  I love all spaniels and would love another, but not hard work like a springer. 

I'm not sure a cocker is *less work* or *lower maintenance* than a springer, from people I know with them - they are different in their own ways, and when their focus and energy is channelled they are both amazing 

[Penelope]

I have Josie who is a Springer cross labrador and she is definitely very hard work and challenging.  She never ever ever ever (did I say ever?) gets tired!  She is a nightmare at the moment as can only do lead walking due to stitches after being speyed.  Lucky its an op she only has once, I COULD NOT GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN with her!!!!
She is however, the most loving and affectionate dog in the world.
I also have Buffy - my cocker spaniel baby - who (so far!) has been a dream - much easier to train, and although totally full of energy, I do think Josie may wear her out when Buffy is older!
We also have Suki who is a rescue Saluki cross - she is very laid back, although somewhat highly strung and nervous, has huge burst of energy when she has to run and run, and then flakes out on the sofa for the rest of the day - lazily watching the other 2 going mental until their next walk!
Good luck whatever you decide - this site is very addictive and when you get your next dog pictures are a necessity!

[Potter]

Thank you all so much indeed.  This is absolutely brilliant.  I can see that gathering as much information as possible is the very best thing to do, before making a final decision, and that I was right to investigate fully.  It certainly has given me food for thought. 

Yes, I am thinking about show cocker, rather than working cocker.  My springer was working springer and very, very hard work.  He was a full male too, and a bit alpha male, so it was a battle of wills mostly.  Plus I did not have him from a pup - he came with lots of naughty habits at 9 months.  A very unruly teenager!

I found someone locally with a little girl puppy ready for homing next week and was all enthused to call, but your comments have made me pause a little.  Firstly, her advert did not mention KC registered, and from reading your forum, that seems very important.  The pups are microchipped, first inoculations and 12 weeks' insurance - so that seemed a plus.  But now I'm not so sure...

I fully agree about visiting fairs and talking to breeders there, but I'm always concerned that they will try and sell me what they have.  And I haven't seen a puppy yet that I don't fall in love with!  (I liked the advice on another member's email, about visiting the pups with Mum, but leaving your purse at home.  Excellent advice - my husband wishes I would do the same when I go to the shops!)

Apparently my idea of 2 miles walking a day is not correct.  The walk across the fields I do is nearer to 4 miles, so I'm told, and this would be twice a day.  Good exercise for me too!

I'm going to keep learning and keep looking, and hopefully, keep talking to people about it.  There's never been a better time in my life to give a dog a loving home than now, and I can devote my whole time to it.  I would have much preferred to do all the toilet training with a puppy in the summer, but getting the right puppy is more important than season of the year.

I'll keep in touch.  Potter

[crazyspaniels]

Cockers are way naughtier than Springers, they have an in-built mischief streak that'll keep you on your toes

[Colin]

Good luck with your search. Although KC registration is really important ( I'd personally discount any pup that wasn't KC reg) it's not always a  reliable indicator of a reputable breeder, you need to make sure that the necessary health checks have been done on both parents - you can read how to find a reputbale breeder HERE.

Re the walking - my three ( show Cockers) are pretty adaptable, some days they get long walks other days short ones - the exercise required seems to vary from dog to dog. I know mine would much rather have a short walk and human company all day than a long walk and then be left alone - Cockers are such social creatures. Yes they can be mischievous - part of the fun of Cockers is their cheeky nature and sense of fun, it's what we all spend our time on here talking about - I wouldn't have it any other way.  From my own experiences I wouldn't say that Cockers are 'hard work' at all ( although Jimmy's adolesence was a trying time) and I wouldn't say that they need to be worked or involved in any other activity, mine aren't and they are all happy and contented. Early ( and on going) training to ensure a well mannered dog is essential though... but that goes for all breeds.

[supaspaniel]

I would say that show cockers are slightly steadier than springers. As for working cockers, they can be a handful and are thought of in the gamekeeping world as more difficult to train than springers. But I do think its personal preference really.

I know my 3 show cockers are fairly good lads and do what they are asked 98% of the time ,

Re the walking - my three ( show Cockers) are pretty adaptable, some days they get long walks other days short ones - the exercise required seems to vary from dog to dog. I know mine would much rather have a short walk and human company all day than a long walk and then be left alone - Cockers are such social creatures. Yes they can be mischievous - part of the fun of Cockers is their cheeky nature and sense of fun, it's what we all spend our time on here talking about - I wouldn't have it any other way.  From my own experiences I wouldn't say that Cockers are 'hard work' at all ( although Jimmy's adolesence was a trying time) and I wouldn't say that they need to be worked or involved in any other activity, mine aren't and they are all happy and contented. Early ( and on going) training to ensure a well mannered dog is essential though... but that goes for all breeds.

I totally agree with Colin
And the fact that you are researching cockers is great. I bumped into a lady with a sprocker just yesterday. The dog was lovely, but the lady moaned about how much hard work she was and had she known how much work a sprocker could be she would'nt have had the dog The dog seemed OK to me and not at all a handful Cockers are lively dogs whatever type, but if you've coped with springers I think you'd cope with a show cocker

[sarah25]

Hiya
Just wanted to say Good Luck in your search  & Welcome 2 COL 

[Jan/Billy]

Springer was originally our first choice of dog   .
OH had one for 13 years shortly before we moved in together. My friend had a springer who we borrowed for a weekend and i found her hard work & ssooo energetic. I started to have doubts about Springers & was told a cocker would be easier but still had a lot of the sprimger characteristics. OH was absolutely determined we were NOT going to have a cocker as they were the poorer relation in the spaniel world, he wouldn't even consider it for a good few weeks  .

eventually I won him round   and we got Billy, show cocker and he's nutty!! He's just as much work as my friends springer & OH says he's actually more work than the springer he had. Billy is apparently much more strong willed & determined .

Good luck whatever you decide  

[Potter]

This is just fantastic information.  Many, many thanks.  I won't say I'm more confused than when I started, but it seems a bit of a minefield!  Clearly, more research prior to purchase is the only way forward.  I think it just proves that there's no guarantee really, other than getting a reputable breeder - big thank you for that link - researching the history of the mum and dad of the litter, visiting the breeder and litter, and then going on a bit of natural instinct.

I do have a friend with a show cocker, a girl, who is adorable: busy, fun, but not "exhausting".  My dear old spaniel was 100% exhausting and died of a tumour at only 5 years - but even at 5 he was still as busy as a puppy, despite the illness as well.  And he was always trying to be the boss, in sillly little ways, so it was a constant battle to keep him well behaved - but I did adore him.  Having met other springers I realise that my old chap was more bonkers than any of them. 

I take on board the comment about human company - how true.  Thankfully, I can have a dog with me all day - I do work, but I work in a family business within a rural countrysports nature, so it couldn't be better.  I work just a mile from home and intend to ditch the car and walk my new friend to work every day, where we will be side by side all the time, with 3 acres just outside the door to play in.  I also have many working dogs visit through work, so there would be plenty of socialisation all the time.

I'm off to scour the reputable breeders now and see if there's anything in my locality - although I'm very happy to travel to find the right new friend.

I've read a great deal on your forum about crates too and am off this afternoon to a huge pet store to investigate further.

Thank you for making me so welcome to your forum - what a wonderful lot you cocker owners are!  I hope I can soon become one too and send photos.

Potter

[Alpha]

I have had 3 working cockers and all of them have been full of life and very the best dogs you could wish for.
If you are keen on a spaniel my vets always recomends Cavaliers King Charles as a starter dog, as you have all the lovable stuff that comes with spaniels but none of the hard work. It what I am having when I can't keep up with cockers anymore.