Anyone own a Cocker spaniel X Beagle cross?

[AmyMay]

Lab appears to be the safest bet but they don't come in middle-sized - do they? Now what about a mini Labradoodle? Would a chunk of poodle keep the Lab side sane and trainable? Cockerpoos/Cockapoos (sp) are good size-wise and simply gorgeous looking but wonder if the cocker bit would mean too high energy after reading all your experiences with cockers.

Yes, you can get small labs. You don't need a cross to keep them sane, as they are a sane breed. Add a poodle in to the mix and expect a higher energy dog. Cockerpoo's are 'nuts' but fun and very trainable. But will require a lot of exercise. It's the poodle that makes them high energy.

 

[{97702}]

What we need is for a lovely mild-mannered middle-aged mutt to come along who for some innocuous reason ie owners moving overseas, moving to a flat, can no longer keep their much loved friend, but how often does that happen. The canine version of a bomb-proof cob would be spot on!

Thank you to all who have given their invaluable advice. We shall heed what not to get and work from there.

You have just described an ex-racing greyhound to a T. You can get cat-friendly ones - some of them are dumped from racing specifically because they won't chase anything - and they are laid back, easy to have around, adaptable, loveable..... the whole works

 

[burtie]

My mum has a beagle, spaniel/ collie cross, adorable looking dog(people still think she's a puppy) but can be aggressive to strangers(men), very smart and very high energy, my mum got her at 18 month as a rescue on her 4th home and her last chance. She is now settling down at 6 years, but still needs a lot of exercise and can be very crafty. About as far from a first time dog as you can get!

 

[Leo Walker]

You have just described an ex-racing greyhound to a T. You can get cat-friendly ones - some of them are dumped from racing specifically because they won't chase anything - and they are laid back, easy to have around, adaptable, loveable..... the whole works

Yup, my friends just gotten one. I think she came from Spain so it their version of a greyhound. She has 4 cats. Shes had her since Christmas time and comes in to work every day telling me how much she has fallen in love with her and how amazing she is.

 

[{97702}]

Yup, my friends just gotten one. I think she came from Spain so it their version of a greyhound. She has 4 cats. Shes had her since Christmas time and comes in to work every day telling me how much she has fallen in love with her and how amazing she is.

Ah that's a galgo then - they are less predictable than greyhounds I believe, but I've never had one so that is rumour and hearsay!

 

[Alec Swan]

…….. - people have dogs that won't work (gunshy or whatever) both spaniels or labs and they are generally very highly trained and a pleasure to be around.

Such dogs are also extremely rare. The genuinely Gun-shy dog shouldn't be confused with the dog which is Gun-nervous. The latter can, more often than not, be brought to their work, get over their fears, and put it all behind them. The former, thankfully and I have only ever had one, are very, very rare.

Alec.

 

[Moon River]

This is perhaps where, with very careful selection to make sure it's all ethically done and you're not actually propping up a backyard breeder type, you might want to befriend a show breeder and convince them to let you have one of their retired or didn't-quite-make-the-grade dogs. Someone I know has done just this and now has a lovely little no-issues middle-aged cocker bitch. She got made up to champion, had a couple of litters and then her breeder followed a scrupulous vetting process to place her in this pet home, where they will stay in touch for life.

The ethics of it irked me a bit at first (I can't imagine ever wanting to move on a dog I'd made up to champion ) but actually everyone gets what they need out of the arrangement, little dog and all, she's plump and spoilt and happy.

Personally I'd deeply resent the grooming but temperament wise I can't fault the show cockers in our family, they are proper family pet material.

This, entirely. My other half had never had a dog when we moved in together so I wanted a "first dog" that wouldn't mind too much when he made handling/behaviour errors. I found a coming 4 year old show cocker that hadn't liked being shown, hadn't liked puppies and as it transpired once she was in our home saw no need for multiple dogs in a household, or out on a walk (just no interest, no behavioural issues!). What she did like was being the centre of someone's world, day trips, holidays, visits to grandparents, etc. In other words perfectly suited to a pet home. She does have a ridiculous coat and isn't keen on being groomed so is clipped out fully every couple of months.

 

[buddylove]

Our working lab was excited by the sound of a gun even as a small puppy before she knew what it meant! She now can't contain herself if hubby even puts on a particular jacket that she associates with shooting! That's a lab that loves her work!

Unfortunately, I've never specifically looked for cat friendly dogs, so mainly had terriers and working dogs. The lab is great with kids and will sit for ages being fussed, easily trained and on the smaller side. You will find some breeders prefer to breed smaller, more athletic types, which mine is.

 

[autumn7]

Thank you all, these replies have been really helpful and given us lots of extra things to consider, over and above the trainability and cat-friendly aspects of dog ownership. Next Sunday we shall take a wander to our nearest Dogs Trust and have a look at what they currently have in, how their system works and what advice they have to offer. Hopefully we should learn more about the type we'd be best suited to after a chat with the staff there.
We're 50/50 as to whether rehoming from (a reputable) rehoming centre would be a good idea or not, given the high probability that most have ended up there in the first instance due to issues, but it'll be a start.

I managed to whittle away an hour or two browsing Preloved and Gumtree today. This is a new one for me - it's usually equine sites that eat my time inadvertantly. Was meant to be a housework day too but only managed to do the bathroom!