labrador/cocker spaniel??

consultant31

I've never owned a labrador but I do think they're among the most gentle amd intelligent dogs around.

I have, however, owned several cockers, and have found them to be rather 'highly strung'. I'm not sure I'd be happy to have cockers in a house with small children. They're gorgeous dogs, but hard work as they're always on the go and need attention all the time (well ours did).

Hope you find what you want

ecsvn

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

'Fraid I'm going to disagree with you on a couple of points:

• Spaniels need way more exercise than labs! (the latter are actually quite lazy and happy with a couple of good walks per day whereas spaniels need loads of exercise or you can run into problems)
• Labradors shed pretty much all year round (it just gets worse at certain points in the year!)

- Spanels I have friends who have them and know I'd never have one as they need so much exercise and stimulation. Although they can be extremely affectionate, I also know 4 people who've "lost" theirs through "rage syndrome" (aggression) - I'd suggest you Google this before you commit to one as it's the most heartbreaking thing if it does happen.


+ Labs they really are the most versatile, fantastically brilliant dogs. They love their walks but are just as happy to be curled up on the sofa. They are loyal, affectionate and easy to train and will give you so much pleasure back - I can honestly say, that my current "old boy" has made me smile at some point in every single day that I've had him (5 years).

Are their any breeders of either dog near you - maybe see if you could go and spend a day with them and get some more info.

Good luck

Pretty much 100% agree with this statement. I have worked in the veterinary industry for over 12 years and so have plenty of first-hand experince. Plus have 3 labs :-)

dizzyb99_2

Having had staffies all of my life (from 3 months to 45 yrs) we acquired an 18 month golden lab about 5 months ago. He is the most beautiful, affectionate, intelligent boy you can imagine. The moulting when getting his winter coat was a night mare, but did settle down after a bit. The exercise was a bit of a culture shock.
He has a 30 min walk before we go to work (at about 6.00 am :0) and my dad picks him up at about 10.00 and takes him out during the day, my son then takes him out when he comes back from school and then takes him on his paper round with him. He is however worth every second of it

gettingready

Amanda65 wrote: »

A friend of mine got a Jackadoodle (jack russell / poodle) that they paid

Vet - "What have we got here then?"
Friend - "He's a Jackadoodle"
Vet - "A mongrel then" :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Correct - any mixed breed IS a mongrel.

Nothing against regular mongrels but tottaly against people delibrately creating them and charging a fortune for those pups... and the suckers that go for "new breeds" paying a fortune for what can grow up to be a total tomerament/health diseaster....

:eek:

Chocolate80

OP - I'm not sure whether you are aware (no mention in your post) about the different types of Cocker Spaniel. There are the working type and the show type. The working type do really need to be working but I understand that the show type are far more steady.

Labradors all the way

flora48

If you get a lab be prepared for never being able to feel the heat fron the fire. Ours was an excellent firescreen! LOL

suki1964

Cocker owner here

Cockers are very very intelligent and not only need vast amounts of exercise - they need their brain stimulated as well

Cockers shed their hair daily, but as its fine you don't notice it until the carpet is looking a tad grubby ( I love my miele)

Yes a show cocker can look stunning when fully groomed. However that takes daily work and unless you learn how to do it yourself, costly hand stripping - either is time consuming and not always in the dogs best interest

When I lived in London my lad had a full hand stripped coat and looked stunning, However he became a grass seed magnet and in his first year of life had 10 ops for grass seed removal

Now we live in the country hes clipped to an inch of his life. Looks a mess but its better for him and us

Cockers as a breed are clingy. They dont realize they are dogs and think they are on par with humans. You will never pee alone when you have a cocker in the house. Mt last lad was so bad he would have crawled in my skin if he could.

This trait can cause HUGE problems if you arent a strong enough owner

They come with a whole host of possible hereditary problems - ears, eyes, and skin being the most common

The poster above has been most unforutnate in knowing of four cockers who have had Rage. Rage is a very very rare condition ( not confined to cockers ) and there are very few recorded proved cases. Many dogs are destroyed for " rage" as its an easy get out for owner

Cockers are extremely willful and will test the patience of a saint. Many many previous dog owners have been tested to the limits with cockers. Even though I considered myself as an experienced owner, this lad had me in tears many a time in that first year with myself convinced I had a rogue pup

Hes a wee darling. A great companion. Fantastic with my grandson. Hes a big dog, very strong ( can knock me down) but is as gentle as they come

Mind he would rip the throat out of any one who would lay a hand on me

Hope this gives you an idea. They look so cute as pups, but they are bred to work and as such are very intelligent and need firm handling and plenty of stimulation

hels234

I have a lab x spaniel (springer) she's a lovely dog but sheds like there's no tomorrow, all year! the main thing is that you have enough time to exercise and train whatever dog you get. Have had many different breeds over the years and think I'd either go for a pointer next or another briard which I loved (puppies are now £900!!!! though) (got mine free, rescued from London) Enjoy choosing x

wilykit

Hi,

We had a Cocker Spaniel called Dusty that died about 4 years ago. He was very highly strung (I have read that this is common in these breeds?) and would often snap at people. He needed constant grooming and his ears absolutely stunk and we were always back and forth to the vets and the groomers etc. We got him when he was 2 and he had not been bothered with and had been kept with other dogs so was very food possessive - some days you couldn't even walk past him when he was eating! I still loved him, but I don't think I would get another Cocker Spaniel, but then again I am sure there are plenty of people who have had positive experiences with this breed.

When I loved at home we got a Labrador a few months after the Cocker Spaniel passed away. He is a big black Labrador called Leo and he is one of the loveliest dogs I have ever known! He has NEVER shown aggression - even when my mum's Patterdale Terrier is annoying him! I think that in general Labradors have the best temperament and are highly intelligent and easy to train.

But my favourite in an English Bull Terrier as I got one a year ago when I moved out - but I have always liked this breed so I am a little bit biased

bouncydog1

Have owned 3 cockers - need daily grooming and you must keep on top of it. Regularly need trimming which is time consuming to be done properly. Solids, particularly the reds, do often have bad tempers - my golden would snap at any other dog on a lead and also attacked our springer.

If you have a female and have it spayed the coat will be ruined and you will have to keep it clipped short. They also do need a lot of exercise. Please do not be swayed by how pretty they are - the owners put in huge amounts of work to keep them in that sort of condition.

If you are not an experienced dog owner, my advice to you would be to start with a mongrel of medium size with a smooth coat. That way you are not as likely to get the health issues that the majority of pedigree dogs have which have been caused by too much inbreeding by irresponsible breeders to try for the perfect animal. Health issues can include some of the problems listed by other posters and also temperament.

Labs and spaniels are both prone to weight gain and are absolute dustbins! Although you are not too worried about the pros and cons, living with a dog that needs half an hour daily grooming for 15+ years is not for the faint hearted!

I would also say that there is not a lot of difference between the amount of exercise required by working cockers or show cockers - they are like athletes - the more they get, the fitter they get!