Cocker Spaniel - Rage Syndrome

[BBH]

A girl at work has offered to adopt a golden cocker bitch of 15mths ( being chucked out by the breeder ). She has a small 6yrs daughter and is now worried about internet research identifying this syndrome prone to solid coloured cockers.

She has read that they can get into a blind rage and attack, usually family members, and then come too not realising whats happened.

Anyone any thoughts / knowledge of this.

 

[Spudlet]

It's extremely rare, especially these days. You can find out more on the Cockers Online forum.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I remember a big hoo haa about it back in the early 1990s but I know no one with first hand experience of it.

 

[posie_honey]

my cocker was a rescue - he was due to be pts for suspected cocker rage - he was just totally mismanaged and is naturally a very submissive dog = so i'm sceptical tbh....

 

[Spudlet]

I agree P-H, I think most 'cases' come down to mis-management of one kind or another.

Obviously mine is a raging beast though

 

[spaniel]

Ive never come across a case either.....seen some utterly spoilt and badly brought up ones but no actual 'Rage'.

 

[Spudlet]

Many people seem to think of show cockers as little furry dollies more than dogs (not all of course, I don't for starters!) and therefore they are spoiled, wrapped up in little coats when it's mildly damp, and generally not allowed to be dogs (in my totally unscientific opinion anyway).

 

[Puppy]

I remember a big hoo haa about it back in the early 1990s but I know no one with first hand experience of it.

Hmmm, I don't know! It could explain what the Poplets have done to my mother's herb and veggie garden!

Is it all cockers or only show cockers that are supposed to suffer from it?

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

St Sweep would get into a rage about it only he can't be ar*ed to wake up long enough......

 

[MurphysMinder]

Cocker rage was heard of quite a lot in the 60s and 70s. My grandmother used to breed cockers, and I think it was considered particularly the golden who were prone to it. I would imagine with hopefully more selective breeding etc it is far less common nowadays. People do need to remember though that spaniels aren't lap dogs and needs lots of exercise and stimulation.

 

[Scranny_Ann]

Never come across a case - think people who have no idea how to manage a spaniel, whether it's a cocker or a springer, are too quick to jump to conclusions. Just a case of not understanding the breed or not having a clue about training.

 

[Puppy]

People do need to remember though that spaniels aren't lap dogs and needs lots of exercise and stimulation.

They're not?!

Oh darn! Anyone want a poplet?!

 

[Scranny_Ann]

They're not?!

Oh darn! Anyone want a poplet?!

YES! I'll trade one for a Jaisey?!?!!!

 

[Puppy]

This one do you?

 

[Scranny_Ann]

Yes please ... and you can take your pick out of one of these ...

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=399496

 

[posie_honey]

Just a case of not understanding the breed or not having a clue about training.

i think this is the key - most spangles i've found are naturally submissive and like to be told what to do and use their brains

my rescue - i'm 99% sure - was allowed to do what he wanted so he felt pushed into being a leader not a follower due to the owners stupidity/mismanagement - he obviously felt very stressed in this role and that turned into aggression - and when i say agrression - i mean total mental attacking anything i've witnessed it at the vets when they dared to try to take a bandage off him

but a few days of v strick hierarchy lessons and he began to relax - as soon as the pressure was taken off him to think/control - ie when he knew we were in total control (ok ok he does occasionally run forward in the line ) he chilled out and became a far happier dog.

giving treats/feeding first/allowing to run first through doors first yada yada yada are seen as harmless things by many dog owners - but to a dog this means they are in control - and a spangle will soon take advantage of that

 

[Puppy]

Yes please ... and you can take your pick out of one of these ...

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=399496

Obviously I shall have to confer with Popple over which one she wants to swap Fraggle for - we want a girl though please!

 

[Katikins]

Just to hijack the thread... can I please request updated Poplet piccies please please pretty please

 

[s4sugar]

I have seen three dogs with rage syndrome - two were cockers and one was a lab!

The cockers -one golden & one black - were distantly related and were fine until it was as if a switch flipped and they went berserk -snapping wildly and eyes turning red.

The lab was from a dodgy litter and two of the litter were epileptic and the dam was shot just after her pups were weaned.

Once seen it is unmistakable.

Less common now but odd ones crop up and are usually identified as older puppies.

 

[Vikki89]

I had always thought (have been told in the past) that brown and white cocker spaniels are more aggressive, but i have only known one and she had to be put to sleep

 

[reddie]

my friend's mother's golden cocker spaniel had rage syndrome. She could be perfectly pleasant and then for no apparent reason would turn and bite someone. Sometimes it was though she was suddenly guarding a paving slab for example. Sometimes she would just bite someone who she was letting stroke her. She was extremely unpredictable, there was no trigger. After biting a few different people, they had to have her put down. this was in the early 80s

 

[SecretSquirrell379]

its the solid Golden and Black that are more prone to being snappy, I've no knowledge of Rage Syndrome at all. I have been bitten by a pure black. I've had a Black and Tan who was soppy and her daughter who was golden with a little white bib who wouldn't hurt a fly. I've always been led to believe that as long as they have a little white or another colour on them then they should be fine. It totally depends on their upbringing though. Why is the dog being rehomed would be my main question

 

[Spudlet]

Much like horses, a good dog is never a bad colour.

And dogs are often rehomed through no fault of their own... like mine.

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Don't believe the patches of white theory - Sweep has white bits and is about to go into a rage.....................







O thats because i won't let him have any Ben & Jerry's..............

 

[Spudlet]

Info here from the breed society http://www.thecockerspanielclub.co.uk/rage_syndrome.htm

Here is a raging beast in action - note the vicious glint in his eye...

 

[Bearsmum]

Info here from the breed society http://www.thecockerspanielclub.co.uk/rage_syndrome.htm

Here is a raging beast in action - note the vicious glint in his eye...

ME and LB are pretty scared now - runs for cover.

JDx

 

[kirstyhen]

Rage?? No need when you have the "Death Stare" in your arsenal!!

 

[CAYLA]

Im affraid I do actually believe it after seeing just recently 4 golden cockers with was seems like rage type behaviour, 2 esp, one I saw for myself and 2 recorded on a mobile phone, because frankly I hold my hands up and admit, I thought the owners where jsut being to soft and the dogs just playing little rough.
What I saw on tape was the young golden sleeping , then suddenly upon awakening launch its self for the woman (owner )throat and face)
The same behaviour was reported and recorded from a male cocker (golden) although I never saw the footage, apparently he would just glaze over and start to attack, once the episode was over he would be the nicest little dog in the world
No expert , but they certainly seemed like rage

 

[PucciNPoni]

ARrrgh, PnP rage syndrome just now cos I'd posted a reply to this and HHO ate it! ARRRGHHHHHH!

Anyone, I do think that rage syndrome is not only real, but is not common (yet more common in solid colored cockers). It can also be in other breeds.

A good explanation on the tv show on Eden last night called The Dog That CHanged the World (or summat like that) as to a link between temperament and color in foxes. Anyone see it?