Advice on spaniels

moneylover

My husband and I are retiring and we want to have a dog, work commitments mean we couldnt have given a dog proper attention before.
i have been thinking about cocker spaniels and king charles spainiels does anyone have experience of either. I like medium sized dogs so the cocker appeals but have heard that they can be amziningly clingy (although maybe that depends in part on sensible training). And I gather they need a lot of professional grooming - do they shed buckets?
I like the little King Charles spaniels too but have been told they do nothing but sleep when abut 4 years old. Also am worried about heart disease although I would only go to a very reputable breeder so perhaps not so much of a prob.
Does anyone have either of these breeds and can tell me something of their temperaments etc?
Also love labs and golden retrievers but a bit large for me.
many thanks

bethie

don't know too much about king charles, but if you are going to go for a spaniel, figure out if you really have the energy necessary for a working line, or if a show line might be better.....

spaniels are mad as a hatter, especially the working ones......

katie1234

I have a cavalier but she's only a pup so not sure about the sleeping but I have heard they can be lazy. She's however mad at this stage so I'm still hoping shel calm down!
As for shedding, it's awful. I'm so house proud though which is why I find it hard. She's actually ok at the min but during the summer your clothes, bed even bathrooms were covered in little hairs. They just manage to get everywhere but in saying that as much as I Hoover I still wouldn't change her for something else. She has such a loving personality and very smart. She also has become housetrained easily and loves company.

chez22

I used to have a cavalier and I also used to work at a cavalier breeding kennels. Cavs are fantastic, friendly dogs with huge personalities. They are very adaptable with regard to exercise, they are equally happy lounging around or going for long walks, all the cavs I have known have been fairly active dogs.

Heart problems are a feature of the breed unfortunately, many will have or develop heart murmurs, however my cav had one and still lived to 13.

moneylover

bethie wrote: »

don't know too much about king charles, but if you are going to go for a spaniel, figure out if you really have the energy necessary for a working line, or if a show line might be better.....

spaniels are mad as a hatter, especially the working ones......

wouldnt have a working line,what do you mean 'mad as a hatter' you mean the cockers won't ever sit still? Have heard the cockers can be quite needy but isnt the madness due to them having enough exercise? Am definitely not planning a springer spaniel which are often the working dogs...
couple of replies now from owners of king charles - who has a cocker spaniel- anyone?

Suze315

We bought an American Cocker Spaniel in April and he is now almost 9 months old. He does like company and is happy to be wherever the family is, he does have plenty of energy but also enjoys his sleep during the day.
I can deginitely say he is mad, but entertaining at the same time, as for grooming it is necessary but I have not noticed any shedding of his fur.
Hope this helps.

tizerbelle

I have an english cocker spaniel! He's 14 and has been with me just over 18 months since I adopted him from dogs trust. He is the sweetest, daftest mutt you will ever meet. He has a few old age problems, deaf, eyesight going, brain cells going and getting a bit wobbly on his back legs but he is the quietest, gentlest dog I have ever known. He does have a heart murmur but it is not causing him any problems at present and he has been under anaesthetic twice since I have had him for lump removals (benign) and had no problems at all. And apparently "sang" to the vets virtually the entire time of his incarceraton!! In the time I have had him, he has only ever barked once or twice and then out of over-excitement and he's only growled at another dog once and it was understandable, t'other dog wanted to have puppies with him and wouldn't take no for an answer!

Practicalities wise - be prepared to have a hairy house - he seems to shed all year round. If you are going to keep your cocker in true cocker groomed style then yes it will need a lot of work - daily grooming and regular trips to the groomers, although you can learn how to strip and shape their coats yourself - you shouldn't clip a cocker - if you do their coat will never be the same again. However that said, my old man is a bit of a drama queen (about so many things!) and stresses when having things done to him so for his sake (and ours - did I say it took three of us to hold him still at the vets to remove one stitch? - no aggression even then, just thrashing around and for an oldie he is blooming strong) this summer I decided to clip him at home - so could do a bit at a time and I have been known to sneak up on him while he's asleep to try to trim the hairy hobbit feet.

You also have to pay particular attention to their ears and have a good cleaning regime going - like any dogs with floppy ears they can easily develop problems with wax build ups and infections.

He walks well on the lead and although I can't say his recall is great - he's deaf - he can't hear me! We have developed a "sign language" so as long as he looks at me I can get him to come back to me - unfortunately if he has his head in a discarded tray of chips / pizza box - then you're not going to get his attention till he's finished his duty as litter cleaner. Off lead, he does love a good run (more of a gallollop than a run) every now and then and even only 12 months ago, he would happily cope with 2 walks of 40-60 minutes a day and then get excited if he thought we were going to go off out for another walk.

Around the house, he is my little shadow. If I move rooms, he follows (big dog at least has the sense to wait a while to see if I'm coming back) so if I'm up and down, he's the same. If I go upstairs and don't instruct him to go to his bed, he will wait at the bottom of the stairs for me - the dogs aren't allowed upstairs - no safety gate needed, they just stay at the bottom of the stairs. The only time he doesn't follow is if he is asleep but if he wakes up and I'm not in the same room, he will immediately come to find me. They are left alone during the day (I come home at lunch though) and he copes fine but he does have the company of the other dog and the cat - ooh forgot to say, he loves cats, actually prefers them to dogs. If left alone say if I have to take other dog to vets he will stress a while and start singing but usually he gives up after 5-10 minutes and goes to sleep. (Yes, I spied on him!)

Personally, much as I love my other dog (boxer/rottie cross) I am absolutely smitten with my little cocker spaniel (well not that little, he's 22kg and probably about 21 inches long - doesn't meet the show standard in any way, in fact his confirmation is terrible but I don't care) and in all likelihood, when the time comes, any new additions to my home will be cocker spaniels and probably oldies as well.

If you've not already found them - these two websites may be of use to you:

http://www.thecockerspanielclub.co.uk/ - the club breed website lots of information if buying from a breeder and even run their own rehome and rescue

http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/ - website for owners and breeders with forum

Sorry for long post but can't help it when it comes to waffling about my dogs!!

teachergirl

Hi there, tried to post last night but my internet was playing up:( We have two cavaliers which we rescued via the RSPCA so when we got them they were already 5 and 6. They have been the most lovable and loyal animals you could ever wish for. We do take them on quite long walks(approx 1 mile every morning) but equally when we ar away and my elderly parents look after them they are happy just to forage in the garden.(They are quite old themsleves now) They do shed hair but as ours are pets and not show animals we have their coats cut and so this helps a lot. It also means if they run around in long grass they do not stay wet or need so much grooming which my two hate passionately. Having two helps in that they always have company and they do not seem to mind if we go out for short periods of time. Yes they do have bad heart problems and both of mine are on medication for this and so far still have a decent quality of life.
Do they sleep all the time??? Well they certainly sleep a lot.(They are 12 and 10 now) but they will also always play if given the chance or have a tummy rub:D
Actually (and I wasn't a cavvy lover before I got this pair) I cannot recommend them highly enough.):)

Kimitatsu

I currently have three working cockers sat at my feet as I type this

First question is have you had dogs before? If not then I dont know if I woudl reccommend a cocker if I am being honest. Mine are all fabulous, all have very differing personalities and are all as mad as hatters.

They are a dog that only has two speeds - full on and full off they dont "do" in between. They can be clingy, my eldest girl would get into my skin if she possibly could when she is sat next to me (although to be fair its great in the winter as she keeps my feet warm!), they do shed and they are very very inquisitive. If you are in the cupboard there is at least one furry face looking in the cupboard with you! They "spaniel" all the time, and can be easily distracted - wind, leaves, birds (most definately) the cat, the chicken etc etc. Invest in a micro fabric rugs as they can bring in half the garden or the field on their paws at any given time.

Having said that they are the most wonderful breed, but DO need love care and attention, they dont like to be left on their own (hence why we have 3) although can be trained to do so, they like to be part of the family.

There was an excellent post in another thread from suki1964 which I have quoted below:

One thing I will have to tell you is - someone forgot to tell cockers that they are dogs.

They do not do well separated from humans at all

Most will even sit on your feet while you are sat on the loo.

My last lad would have been my skin if I let him - where ever I was he was attached. This lad I have now, although not such a cuddle monster is never more then two foot from me. Even if hubby takes him to bed with him, the minute he can escape hes back beside me

Cockers are very much in your face dogs, extremely clever, and esp if you have chosen a pup from well respected working stock - always needing brain work and exercise

Keeping him penned up away from you - its no wonder he screams. It can take a good couple of weeks of slowly slowly extending the time before he will get the idea that you are coming back to him. I know both of mine it seemed like I would never ever even have a pee in peace - but you slowly get there.

Dogs also dont actually like to be picked up and carried so no wonder he wriggles and scratches. You need to put him on a lead and walk him out. If you do have to lift him to move him quickly then hold him firmly close to your body supporting him underneath. Dogs also dont like being patted on the head or being approached head on.

Your living room, I had the same problem when this lad was a pup - till I gave up and let him in and out at will. Yes there was the odd accident and the carpet got christened but hey, you got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette and a carpet cleaner really works.

9 weeks is a bit young to be totally toilet trained,I wouldnt expect that till at least 12 weeks and even then the odd excitement pee.

I dont think anyone really can be prepared for how much a new puppy inpacts on their life. Im sort of guessing you and OH talked it all out and thought you had everything covered and now the reality is so different? All I can say is that with some minor changes to your expectations and a bit of time ( ok - a few months) things will settle down to a manageable level and pup will be a great addition to the household.


Then he will hit his teens and with that comes a whole new chapter:rotfl::rotfl:

Full thread here: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2052399

This was specifically about a puppy that was bored but this may influence whether you get an older dog or a baby.

For me I think they are a brilliant breed, smart capable, a little bit loopy and they have a constant smile on their face and love in their heart. But if you want a dog where you can go on holiday and pop them into kennels, or feel happy leaving them during the day, then maybe this isnt the breed for you.

Have you thought about going to dicover dogs which is in a couple of weeks time at Earls court? Details can be found here: http://www.discoverdogs.org.uk/ then you can have a chat with the breed clubs and breed rescue if you are looking for an older dog. It also gives you the opportunity to see many other types and breeds of dog which you would never perhaps have considered previously.

lottylouj

I have a sprocker spaniel ( Got her at 8 weeks old ) and she is the best tempered dog. She is 2 years old and can be hyper and wants to be everyones friend, but on the flip side of that she is also very quiet and calm ( currently curled up with a teddy fast asleep).
She is useless with other dogs, but i think thats more of the exception rather than the rule.
She can be very cuddly but i wouldnt say clingy, she likes her own space and will mooch off to her bed when she wants time out.
I have never had her professionally groomed, but i think that is a matter of choice, as she is an indoor dog she sheds more as she gets hotter, i have a pair of hair clippers which i use, she has had 3 clips this year.
She looses her fur like mad and my house is covered no matter how much i hoover and clean it up. Come spring no matter how much i brush her there will be a layer everywhere which i am constantly cleaning up.
I find spaniels smell a lot, they seem to have there own particular perfume, and when they are wet and drying out it can be very intense lol.
She is very nosey and wants ti investigate everything, if i come home carrying bags, she will check them all out to see what i have brought. As she poster above said if a cupboard door is open you can guarantee there is another head beside you checking it out lol

Springer spaniels are genrally great family dogs, cockers can be more highly strung. Dont rule out a springer just yet, just dont go for one with much trailing blood, they are the workers. Mine has got no trailing or working strain blood in her, and is the best pet i could of asked for personally. I have grown up with springers and cockers and personally i think they are just the best.
I love her to bits and cant imagiine not having her in my life,she is like my 3rd child, only she doesnt answer back and is always happy to see me lol, i have loved every second of having her and would readily have another, but i dont think she would allow that lol.
I looked into have a golden retriever but worries about the hips and eyes put me off there, from what i know labs can be tempermental esp the chocolate coloured ones, but thats only from what i have been told, no personal experience.
I have probably rambled on enough lol. Good luck and i hope you find the right one for you.

SarahLou

I have a working-type cocker spaniel (who is subjected to no work at all aside from your bog-standard doggy-walks!)

You say that you'd avoid springers because they are more associated with working strains but be cautious of cockers for the same reason - some are "show type", some are "working type". The working type tend to be slightly larger and much less hairy. (Require less frequent grooming).

Equally though, the working-type tend to be a lot more energetic (probably because their gene pool dictates as such - at least one of their parents was likely to be a full-blown working dog). Cockers are still heavily used in game retrieval especially.

I've never owned a Cav before but do have a soft spot for them but have never subjected myself to owning one as 99.9% of them do fall ill with one complaint or another - many at a very young age - usually heart related. Syringomyelia is something else to watch out for in the breed (a disorder of the brain and spinal cord). The breed, on the whole, irrespective of how well bred it may be, is likely to fall foul to health problem after health problem.

A friend of mine lost a Cavalier puppy ages just 19 weeks as his heart was so weak he wouldn't have made it to full size.

All in all, Cavs are calmer, Cockers are mental. BUT if I had to recommend one then I'd probably go for a show-type cocker spaniel - although a lot more hairy and requiring a lot more grooming (but then so do Cavs), they will generally be calmer than working-type cockers.