Can someone answer a ? 30+ FTCH - What does it mean

[Angels of Fur]

Just wanted to add to this, That when i bought Alfie, i knew he was a working cocker, we assessed everything and prepared ourselves for having a worker, and a half worker/Show and after alot of planning and searching we purchased him. It was only 2/3 months down the line i actually looked at his pedigree and counted 37 FTCH in his lines!!!!
We live near fields, he has long regular walks/runs and brain training. And once he is 12months we going to look into taking him to a local gun dog club, basically myu OH wants to take him beating in time, and want to have a bit of fun in scurries etc. Ill be honest, Alfie is very energetic and takes alot of walking to get his energy out, but he is no problem whilst he is getting the time he needs. We dedicate our lives and they revolve around the dogs so much and we were purely committed to them from the day go.

[Cotswold Girl]

Ooh thanks - I have done research into the 2 and have decided on a working cocker,  so is 32 ftch a good thing then.

Lou

I know I have had a springer in rescue who had alot of RED in his pedigree or FTCH ... boy was he a handful, lovely dog but very bold, very confident and a high drive, very energetic and needed a very experienced home he'd been sold to an inexperienced family who'd had a first time springer home and it was a disaster.

Think very carefully before taking on a dog from strong working lines if you are not going to train them to work because they might be too hot for you to handle and a family pet. I've just taken on Wellie I am told he has strong working lines in him and I can tell, he is a livewire but intelligent, quick to learn and eager to please which means I should be okay but I also have on hand some experienced people to help me train him and not make the mistakes I made with my Sprocker who has more show in him and is alittle bit slow on the uptake and rather stupid at times  If all goes well he will be joining me in the beating line properly next season.

[Henshallboys]

Hi, we have two working cocker brothers now 13 months old . We previously had two show type cocker's.  I think there is a big difference but we were aware of this before we got them. They are pets and have a fair amount of Ft ch in their pedigree and you can tell their instinct and eagerness to fetch and carry etc.  They are energetic boys but we have had no problems with them at all but this could just be good luck !!!
They get lots of exercise and my husband takes them to work with him every week day.
They have been quite easy to train because they are eager to learn......but they will never be just snooze by the fire dogs.....
Be prepared for the energy required.   

[Tasha]

I'd be more interested in the health and temperment of the sire and dam, the tests that have been carried out for example DNA testing for PRA (Optigen test) etc than the number of ch of any kind in a pedigree.  Really the only thing is shows is that previous generations have been trialled in this case with success but if you were looking for a dog to trial you'd want the sire and dam to be qualified not just dogs further up the pedigree and if your looking for a pet I'd go and see some workers first before I made the decision.

I have a working bitch and she is a star but she's had a lot of training, socialising and is a big committment, wouldn't change her for the world though

[loublou1]

Well huys we have found a beautiful black cocker boy - he is lovely - cant wait to collect him next weekend.  I am lucky that I work from home, so am really looking forward to this little chap coming into our lives.  I have grown up with springers so know how much energy they have.

Good luck to all those still looking

Lou