Cocker Spaniels

fidleyspromise

fidleyspromise

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Anything I need to know about them?
I generally treat all breeds the same and have house sat for friends cocker x poodle, lurcher and corgi.
I've got experience with GSDs- had 3 of my own plus grown up with numerous of them and house sat/trained several family dogs.

Tia (GSD) is not coping well since losing Sam in April and she went to a home boarder Mon eve and picked up this am. Boarder mentioned she's missing Sam so not something I'm just being silly about. Sometimes wonder if I'm putting human feelings on her.

The border breeds and trains gundog and has labs and cockers and as we chatted I brought up his dogs and he's planning a litter soon. - he's not had any litters since Covid started.

I've met his dogs and been on walks where progeny have been too and they're all lovely. I know he'll give a hand with anything we need too.

What are your thoughts on Cocker Spaniels? Any words of wisdom etc?
 
Karran

Karran

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Best dogs ever. I have a working Cocker, she's always up for a walk and an adventure, but also loves sofa cuddles and afternoon naps. She hacks out with me, competes flyball and agility. I don't have any small children in my life but this afternoon in the park she met a small child and happily played fetch with him for ages, even though he could barely throw the ball six inches.
She is a people person dog, adores meeting people and very introverted about other dogs, a polite sniff for hello and how's the weather and then its a "must dash, busy doing Spaniel things."

Bad side - she is so clingy. She pulls like a train on a lead and can go conveniently deaf when her nose takes over. Her world caves in if she gets told off and takes herself off to sulk and she can sulk for England!
 
fidleyspromise

fidleyspromise

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Thanks all :D
It will be as I expected then. (I say she's GSD but Tia has a little Bernese Mountain Dog and Husky in there).
Hubby is on board too which is great.

@Karran - Minus agility/flyball you have just described Tia to a T. Afternoon naps are the absolute best thing ever but she's as happy to come on a 5 mile walk/hack with me and pony. Her nose gets her in so much trouble, lol. It's like a cartoon - the nose goes and the body follows unconsciously.
 
fidleyspromise

fidleyspromise

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Cinnamontoast said:
Can’t beat a spaniel! The thread re getting a puppy for your dog might be worth a read.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'd missed that one but had a read and there's lots of really useful info.

I wouldn't want Tia much older (she's 8 yrs old today) and she is fit and healthy. She goes to hydrotherapy fortnightly for confidence swimming rather than issues.
While she may help with toileting pup it won't be allowed to pester her (same as she wasn't allowed to with Sam) although she LOVES to play and is always looking for the pup at the yard to see if she can go play in the other field.
She's a massive softie so her feelings/behaviour will always be a priority. She gets on well with all dogs and I've had various here over the years I've looked after for family from pups to older dogs which is a help. (Tia's dad passed away with a stroke a couple months ago - he was 12 and her mum is currently 10. He was a shock as there were no signs and mum is healthy).

I work 3 days a week so I'm about most of the time and the dogs are allowed at the field with us so 3 acre field that we do obedience in as well as free running and new pony will need to wait until next year or year after.
 
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SilverLinings

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I've had quite a few cockers and they have all been wonderful dogs. All have been easy enough to train apart from my mother's current one, but she (the dog!) is a bit ADHD and my mother doesn't put in as much time training as I've always done, so I think it may be due to the situation not the breed. They are affectionate and companionable, and always up for fun, be that a long walk or a game in the garden. Even though I've usually had two at once (overlapping as of different ages) they have still formed a close relationship with me and not just the other dog. I have competed in agility and obedience with three of them, they have all really seemed to thrive on being set a task, even if it is just learning something new in a training session. I have only owned bitches, but the dogs I've known haven't seemed to be noticeably different.

Sadly I am currently dogless until I move and can provide a better home situation again, but the bitch I lost last year (from old age) honestly was my best friend. I know that sounds like a cliche but I truly mean it, she was amazing and we felt like a part of each other. I will never be able to replace her, but will have another as soon as I can. I hope you have as much fun as I have had if you go ahead and get a spaniel (and it sounds like you already have a lovely relationship with Tia) :)
 
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Our working cocker has the most wonderful temperament but has way too much energy and can be as mad as a box of frogs. My partner takes her rough shooting, she goes to work with him so loosed out most of the day, plus 2 walks a day with our others, and yet to see her tired.

On the upside she is extremely obedient, picked up gun dog training within days, very loyal and just wants to please........just hoping she quietens down as she gets older!

Also, having a whippet and a smooth haired terrier, who moult very little and hardly leave a paw mark, the cocker is the complete opposite. She needs daily grooming as always covered in burrs, and seems to have mops for feet, that can attract mud even at the driest time of year. So not an ideal dog if you don't like grooming or are very houseproud!

Would we have another? Maybe ask us in 10 yrs time!!!!
 
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TPO

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fidleyspromise said:
Update:

Meet Fraggle who will be coming home just before Christmas which is perfect timing as my partner has 2 weeks off
Click to expand...

Ah so cute and you've "stolen" my name. I've always wanted a dog called Fraggle!

How is Fraggle bred? Is he from a working home/lines?

I'm a year down the line with a working one from a working/competition home and lines. He is a lot but in the best possible way. Hoping to start working trials with him next year to try and put his training to good use.

I hope you'll be posting lots of photos ?
 
Bearsmum

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I once read an article in H&H which described cockers as busy little dogs who enjoy life to the full, it wasn't until we adopted a show cocker that I realised this was the understatement of the century - busy? busy?, she was crackers, she was a rescue who'd had a very bad start in life but oh boy did she make up for that, it took two of us to just get her lead on
but oh boy what a brown and white hole she left when she passed away at nearly15.
 
fidleyspromise

fidleyspromise

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There will be lots of photos when he comes home.

Haha TPO, sorry not sorry for name pinching ? choices were between Muttley and Fraggle. He's from working lines. Oh how exciting, bet you have lots of fun with the working trials.

IKnowMyValue - so sorry for your loss. We lost my old boy of 14yrs in April and I still tear up thinking of him. We expect to have lots of fun. My GSD went to hydro today and wanted to play with the spaniel in after her.

MerryMoobli - I've seen a couple people lately with resource guarding issues so will definitely be aware. Reading a FB group just now on advice and support who have lots of good articles.

Pennyless - I bet she's lots of fun though. I definitely need to look at games to get his wee brain thinking.

Bearsmum - sorry for your loss. They do leave the biggest holes in our hearts. Am I ready for the crazy to begin? I hope so ?
 
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