an interesting topic. When i got Jasper, i hadn't given an awful lot of thought to worker or pet type, just concerned mainly with where i could get a well bred, appropriately health tested, happy pup. The initial bonus from working type cockers from my point of view, is they tend to have less hair!! which though i love hairy dogs, having two already i thought one thats not bred to have profuse hair, or with too much emphasis on looks, might not be so bad. And in the main, i was right. His parents were from working lines, were both workers and mum lived in the house and was the family pet (didn't meet dad as belonged to someone else). A lovely dog and good mum she was, and a great dog Jasper is i must say. But he is full of energy, and you won't get away with a short walk, or a lay in. ever! he needs to be kept occupied, and thankfully i can meet his needs. However, i did appreciate that any cocker size dog will be full of energy and need lots of stimulation and exercise all equalling time, before i got him.
It always makes me laugh when people thinking of getting a dog say, "yes but i want an active breed cause i want a dog thats gonna get me out walking, long walks, a dog thats really up to a long walk cause i#m really trying to get fit!...
my first dog was a japanes chin (papillon size if you don' know it) and she could do a ten mile hike if you had time. But a game in the garden would suffice for the odd occasion if you couldn'#t afford longer! it's these same people who end up with a sad, a!ways pulling barely walked overweight dog! (sorry but don't they make you mad@)
At the end of the day, i wouldn't change my working bred cocker for the world, but i might think twice in the future, bearing in mind how much time and or energy you really want to put into your dogs wellbeing. does that makes sense??!