Advice on spaniels

Hintza

If you do decide on a Cocker can I suggest you take him for gundog training. You don't need to follow this up taking him beating (he and you might enjoy it though).

But you will have a very contented wee dog if he can fetch, retrieve and search for balls/dummys etc.

Remember all Cockers need to be named:- "Trouble"

head2head83

My parents had cockers for 20 years and I lived with them for most of that .

Ours certainly weren't bonkers at all. In fact, they were sooo laid back it was ridiculous! My experience is that they would have what we called 'funny five minutes' where they would run around for a bit and then collapse and snooze it off . They were into everything though, and ours had a habit of running off with shoes and carrying them around with them when you came in through the door.

I wouldn't worry about them being too much to handle, although I'd agree with other advice that you need to do your research and find a reputable breeder. It would also be worth investigating 'Cocker Rage' - not terribly common (and not even proven according to some sources) but more so in the 'solid' colours (black/golden) so you might want to think about that. My parents black cocker turned on my dad when I was six months old and had to be pts; my mum is still devastated 26 years on!

Cockers are fantastic dogs. They do require attention and regular grooming, but they really are worth it!

Good Luck!

Hintza

Have a look at Edward Martin's videos on Cocker Training on YouTube I think there are 4 but here is a link to the second. There are plenty of other vides worth watching too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXN765v09wc

Bubby

moneylover wrote: »

interested in the CAVS but does ANYONE have a healthy one or is it absolutely a given that they will have problems. It does seem a bit amazing that the Kennel club supports the breed. If its as bad as it seems to be made out surely the breed should be allowed to die out Hilary.

Its not all doom and gloom, alot of it is heightened for the media interest. As long as you source a reputable breeder and ask alot of questions about the health testing they do and also the ages of their ancestors (parents ancestors) and what they died of then it is fine. I know an excellent breeder, who health tests and is a member of the breed club, her cavaliers live very long lives. Always go with someone who is a member of the breed club (www.cavaliers.co.uk) click on advertisers and members adverts that will list all the breeders who are associated with the breed club. They will have to adhere to a strict code of ethics but still ask lots of questions, some of them are involved in the rescue aswell. I hope that helps, discover dogs will be a great place to go to see the dogs and ask lots of questions.

dotx

I have an English cocker spaniel and I can pretty much confirm everything that’s been said here. They are clingy and needy. I love it but to some people it might be annoying. I have a big garden and during the day I leave the door open (I work from home) so they can run in and out of the house (I have two dogs, that’s why I keep typing “they”). The spaniel comes back into the house every 10 minutes just to check and make sure I haven’t vanished.

Yes, they are mad dogs. When people ask me about his personality, I like to describe him as “not quite right in the head.” Spaniels are moody too. He gets stressed about things and goes frantic. Like another poster mentioned, he's either on or off. My other dog is so mellow… He walks around like a normal dog. He plays and gets excited too, but he also has “normal” times. The spaniel doesn't. He’s either overexcited or sleeping to get his energy back (so he can get overexcited again, of course).

I don’t find shedding such a big problem, but he does get ear infections from time to time. I have a big fish pond in the garden and he’s always swimming in it (loves loves the water). So long ears + water = ear trouble.

On a positive note, spaniels are incredibly loyal and sweet. Loving and great companionship.

moneylover

dotx wrote: »

. My other dog is so mellow… He walks around like a normal dog. He plays and gets excited too, but he also has “normal” times. The spaniel doesn't. He’s either overexcited or sleeping to get his energy back (so he can get overexcited again, of course).

Dotx- thank you - what breed is your "normal dog"?!
I cant wait to go to 'Discover Dogs' dog show to find out more about the wonderful breeds by spaniels and others that have been mentioned. Read the other day that there are about 180 dogs there.

I am not certain that a cocker will not be just a bit too clingy for me - they do seem to be just bit madder and needier than cavaliers - cavaliers do sound very loving and affectionate as a breed as are the cockers so maybe thats a better route for me.Cockers are very popular and I guess thats reflected here as more people have written about cockers than cavs. But I do like slightly bigger dogs and am worried about cav health although it does seem possible to lessen probs by choosing carefully. I am lucky to have a choice - my husband doesnt mind! Its down to me (as the training and clearing up will be) Still, if its me that gets the loving thats fine!!
Hilary

tankgirl1

Hi Hilary

No offence, but why do you have your heart set on a spaniel? Apologies if that is a personal question.

Can the hoardes of 'Heinz 57' rescue dog owners on here sway you? Even a teeny bit, to going and looking round your local dog rescue kennels?

I never thought I would be happy with anything less than a farm bred border collie, after my first BC died - I then came across my current pooch - a collie cross - she has tiny legs, far too long a body and is completely out of proportion.... she also is the sweetest pooch you will ever meet - as a friend said to me - she is a beautiful soul - there is not a bad bone in her body!

She loves to share long walks and run's with me, but is equally happy to snuggle up and sleep.

I must say, I would vote for a heinz 57 every time, especially over a springer or a cavvie, lovely as both breeds are

justpeachy81

I have a Cav, she's two now, and she's had absolutely no health problems at all (touch wood!). She is nuts though, so energetic sometimes, just running back and forward between the kitchen and living room for about 5 mins. She chases everything that the wind blows when we're out, she eats anything that's on the floor, chewed all of my skirting boards, and casts hair absolutely everywhere, but I love her to bits.

She is like my little shadow, if I go for a bath she comes and lies on the mat and waits for me. Same if I even go to the bedroom, I pull the glass hall door over and she lies there waiting on me. Initially she was very clingy and she always wanted to be right beside me but she's grown out of that a bit now (although does try and climb onto my lap most nights!).

I don't think it's a given that all Cav's will have these horrific health issues, so don't write one off just yet

LibbyR26

Hi, I had similar questions myself 2.5 years ago when I lost my springer.

I fancied a cocker and spoke to a mate who was a vet. She advised me to avoid the "show strain" because, in her experience, there was a higher rate of gentic illnesses due to the way they had been bred, than the working ones.

I followed her advice and got a pup from good working stock.

Firstly, as the other owners of working cockers have posted, they need a lot of exercise and stimulation. They are very intelligent and strong minded dogs and can be "cocky."

If you don't harness that energy and intelligence you could have an absolute horror on your hands. Basic obedience training is absolutely essential. Although mine is a pet we do gundog training because it works his brain and it is good fun. The first two years were a lot of hard work but I have now been rewarded with a super wee dog with bags of charm and character.

In essence I would not generally recommend a working cocker as a first dog unless you are pretty fit and able to treat the first two years as a full time hobby.

Have you considered a small lab? The gundog trainer always say you only have to be one step ahead of them, but two steps ahead of the cockers.

Good luck in your search.

dotx

moneylover wrote: »

Dotx- thank you - what breed is your "normal dog"?!Hilary

He's a rescue. A mix of labrador with something else. I was living in Vietnam when I got him --He was for sale at a meat market (don't get me started on that) and I just didn't have the heart to leave him behind.