Pipsqueak T: Thoughts on Cocker spaniels?
Hi i may be getting a cocker spaniel quite soon for my kids. I would like to know what everyone thinks about this breed. A few months ago we lost our labradoodle to cancer and i think its time they had another dog in there life. My kids are aged 12 and 15 and have lived with many pets including birds and rabbits. I would just like to know wheather a cocker spaniel would be suitable as i have only read about them it articles and websites and from past experiances i dont really trust this form of advertising dog breeds. Thanks for reading and i hope you can help!
Answers and Views:
Answer by Bells - Psychic Advisor to the Ignorant
I had one ...he was wonderful...minus the epilepsy that he developed at a rather young age, something that cockers are prone to
We got ours from a TOP TOP notch breeder, thus no behavioral problems that are pretty common in your back yard bred cockers...he was a wonderful pet
my tips...find a good groomer lol.....and make sure you get one from a GREAT breeder, with all necessary genetic health testing done on the parents/grandparents...etc
Answer by Toya
They are hyper and high strung, but so loving and so sweet. They are also fun and smart. They are a great addition to a family with kids. I say go for it!
Answer by Jessica
I had one, she was VERY well behaved! Her tail wagged like crazy though, it was quite annoying for some as it whacked you a bit and into other objects, lol. She was very good natured and calm most times, and was extremely good around children. :)
Answer by Harley
Cocker Spaniels are nice dogs, if you like going to the vet often. They are usually not a very healthy breed, they are prone to skin disorders and seizure disorders.I have had several clients with Cockers and they all had some sort of health issue. If you are looking for a smaller breed of dog then I would suggest the CockaPoo, they are great with kids and are heartier than a purebred Cocker. Otherwise, you can never go wrong with a Golden Retriever. My personal favorite, their gentle, loyal spirit makes them ideal. Always get a female. Your kids are of the age that you need to be thinking of what kind of dog you want to have around when they move out, trust me, it happens in a blink. Good Luck
Answer by Avis Senior
Hi
Sorry to hear about your labradoodle. Cocker spaniels are lovely dogs, active but they have lovely temperaments.
Answer by CanineTruth
I've always liked the Spaniels - Cockers, Springers, etc. They all have excellent, social, outgoing temperaments!
Make sure you buy from a responsible breeder who either shows OR works their dogs and does all relevant genetic testing. The dogs should have a steady, stable temperament when you meet them. This breed is very popular and there are MANY people out there taking advantage of this, thus resulting in a ton of dogs with poor health and/or temperament.
Also keep in mind that this is a dog that was bred to retrieve game for hunters. They have more energy than you would think! They also require a bit of grooming. Other than that, sounds like it might be a good match - talk to some reputable breeders!
Answer by Medusa
I had a Cocker Spaniel when I was 8 years old. He was a rescue pup, and ended up being extremely aggressive. About a year later my family and I had trained most of it out of him, and he turned out to be an excellent family pet. Even with the aggression we knew he was an excellent dog, and he was well worth the extensive training.
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Coley says
Cockers are a nice little dog. As many have mentioned they are higher energy and more gamey than other small breeds so they do require a fair amount of exercise both in the form of daily walks and playtimes such as fetch etc. I would not go so far as to say they are hyper. xD IMHO probably a good match energy wise for a family with older children.
Cockers are prone to a wide array of health problems so it would be in your best interest to check into good breeders who have been with the breed for many years and show them or even hunt with them. Most importantly, insist on a breeder who health test. Aside from health problems the breed is prone to what I would term, personality disorders lol. Some can be overly nervous, neurotic little dogs and others can be somewhat aggressive. Altho these traits are what many may associate with a Cocker Spaniel now, it is not suppose to be the norm and more due more so to poor breeding. Again, by buying thru a reputable breeder will greatly improve chances of getting a well bred cocker that is the way it is suppose to be. Proper socialization is important in the cocker as it is in any breed. They are fairly easy to train and like all spaniels are attention hounds and have a willingness to please their owners. I would stay away from the Cockapoo as someone mentioned. Cockers and poodles both suffer from some of the same health issues etc and this can greatly be compounded with a cross. I also have found many “cockapoos’ are more prone to being nervous little submissive urinators.
I would assume since you had a Labradoodle that you know a good groomer. The Cocker is a moderate shedder and will blow its coat twice a year. Many prefer to simply keep the body shaved short to aid in shedding and to aid in keeping the dog clean. I would say with the information you provided and the fact you already have your heart set on the breed…go for it. My only warning would be to get one from a breeder that goes over and beyond. If you find a good breeder they should be able to honestly and thoroughly answer any questions you may have and get you started on the correct path.
Lindsay says
I had a cocker spaniel/beagle cross as a kid. She was a great family dog! We never had any medical issues with her, she past away a couple months ago due to old age.
STBERNARDMAMA says
Cockers are nice dogs that are hard to find. Due to the popularity of the breed, you must only buy from a very reputable breeder. They do tend to have skin problems, ear problems, and temperament is of utmost importance; fear biting, aggression etc is commonplace in a poorly bred Cocker. Personally, I prefer the temperament of the English Cocker as it tends to be softer, and has never reached the same level of popularity. Not as much coat, and generally, healthier and sounder temperament.