well... im very glad that jane and dessie have given their comments i certainly dont want you to think that im jumping in with both feet to quickly, im not prepared to go and get a working cocker at a whim, im not gona get any dog untill i know the in's and out's of them.it is very dificult to pass judgment on when and what to do. especially when you have such good advise coming from people in the know like yourseves.i will be ringing mrs rhodes to get more information on the breeds.i will say... in my quest to get knowlege, i have found that people who have (show) cocker will say how good they are, and also those that have working gun dogs will say exactly the same :? so with this info its hard to come to some sensible decision. im hoping that an unbiased opinion will help me out.