Cocker, sprocker or Cockapoo?

[Tangaroo]

I presently have a Sprocker who is wonderful. Shes 13yrs old. Im thinking about getting a puppy and cant decide whats best to get,
My girl is quite short legged which is great as we dont want a big dog but im aware some Sprockers are bigger.
All the Cockapoos ive met seem crazy, although that could be down to lack of training.
Show cockers seem hard to find so its looking like maybe a working cocker would be the best option.
What experiences have other people had? MY sprocker girl has never been crazy although does have her moments.
I only work part time and we have a huge garden/orchard as well as long walks over the local farmland

 

[[139672]]

I’ve met lots of owners with Cockerpoos. The ones I’ve met at dog training have been lovely well behaved dogs, the others not so good. I presume that’s because they haven’t trained them or as well. If you would like a smaller Cockerpoo make sure the Cocker is crossed with a toy poodle, not a miniature. I have a large toy poodle. My friend’s Cockerpoo, crossed with a miniature, is about 3 times his size.

 

[gallopingby]

small springer or cocker better than a designer dog or consider one of the rarer small spaniel breeds such as a Sussex

 

[Clodagh]

Trouble with cockerpoos (to me) is the grooming costs. Get a spaniel of some sort at least generally a brush can fix it.

 

[Spotherisk]

Our cockers have always been mad as a box of frogs! Maybe a Sussex or a Clumber would be a bit steadier?

 

[misst]

There are lots and lots of cockerpoos round here and most of them are bonkers and have issues around resource guarding, separation anxiety and general nuttiness. The working cockers on the other hand are bonkers but nicer temprements. I personally would never have a cockerpoo - but I do have mad yappy terriers so who am I to judge ;-)

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

As much as I adore the fluffy socks off my cockapoo the grooming is a right pain. Will go cocker spaniel next time!

Mabel’s mum was a show cocker and her dad a teeny tiny toy poodle. She’s the size of a cocker spaniel! As with all cross breeds, don’t get hung up on wanting a particular colour, coat type or size. Mabel started off wavy and tri colour and is now a lot curlier and is sometimes red, sometimes lighter and sometimes darker.

I read a lot about crazy, badly behaved, neurotic cockapoos and Mabel is none of those. Whether that’s luck or our training I’m not sure!

 

[L&M]

As much as I adore the fluffy socks off my cockapoo the grooming is a right pain. Will go cocker spaniel next time!

Mabel’s mum was a show cocker and her dad a teeny tiny toy poodle. She’s the size of a cocker spaniel! As with all cross breeds, don’t get hung up on wanting a particular colour, coat type or size. Mabel started off wavy and tri colour and is now a lot curlier and is sometimes red, sometimes lighter and sometimes darker.

I read a lot about crazy, badly behaved, neurotic cockapoos and Mabel is none of those. Whether that’s luck or our training I’m not sure!

View attachment 81722

That is one seriously cute dog!

 

[splashgirl45]

personally i wouldnt have any of the poo crosses as you never know what you are going to get regarding their coats, you could have a fluffy moulting one!!!! working cockers are good if they have plenty to do, have no experience of cockers...does it have to be a spaniel?

 

[GSD Woman]

I'm not a fan of cockapoos. They seem to be all over the place as far as temperaments go and many are nasty little biters.

Working cockers for the win.

 

[Dyllymoo]

I have a cockapoo. I have to say I think we were very very lucky with him.

He does have crazy 5 minutes (he is 9 months) but we do lots of sniffing walks, brain games/training and he is honestly so good. We have been to training and are starting sniff training soon to keep his brain active. They are definitely very clever dogs.

He does suffer a bit of separation anxiety and its something we are working on but it's hard as I work from home and my mum lives with us.

I think its hard to know what personality cockapoo you will get but I do think a lot of it is down to people not training enough. I'm a first time dog owner though so I have probably just been very lucky with Wally!

 

[druid]

Or just a poodle? They're lovely trainable little dogs

 

[Moobli]

If you want a more laidback spaniel I’d look at show bred cockers. You may have to go on a waiting list, although a quick look at champdogs shows a few available.

https://www.champdogs.co.uk/breeds/cocker-spaniel/puppies?mobile_site=1

 

[AmyMay]

I would love a cocker. Absolutely fantastic dogs. Not desperately keen on poodles. All the cockerpoo’s I’ve met have been fabulous dogs.

 

[Mynstrel]

If you want a more laidback spaniel I’d look at show bred cockers. You may have to go on a waiting list, although a quick look at champdogs shows a few available.

https://www.champdogs.co.uk/breeds/cocker-spaniel/puppies?mobile_site=1

When we got a worker our vet said she far preferred treating them to show bred as she'd had far more iffy temperament dogs with show lines, but not much difference in craziness. Wonder if it's a regional thing?

 

[DressageCob]

I'm yet to meet a cockerpoo that I like, so I'm maybe a little biased. The temperaments are so unpredictable, I have met many who are yappy and snappy. Separation anxiety seems very common, and a lot seem to be neurotic. So many of them are matted as well, because owners don't realise they need grooming at least daily.

A nice quiet cocker would be ideal. Either a show bred one or a quieter working line.

Otherwise I'm a big fan of the clumber spaniel. They are not as common and I think they look like chubby old men.

 

[limestonelil]

Oh Dyllymoo, I have serious dog envy over the gorgeous Wally. Just beautiful.

 

[P3LH]

If you want a more laidback spaniel I’d look at show bred cockers. You may have to go on a waiting list, although a quick look at champdogs shows a few available.

https://www.champdogs.co.uk/breeds/cocker-spaniel/puppies?mobile_site=1

When we frequented ‘elsewhere’ there was a lady there who bred border terriers and field spaniels. I can’t for the life of remember their affix but I then met them at a game fair show I think and wa surprised how lovely field spaniels (the breed not working type cocker or springer) were. Very calm. One worth considering.

 

[Aperchristmas]

The working cockers I know are bonkers - mostly in a good way, because that's what the owners want and are ready for, but I have to say it exhausts me after a while. There is no "off switch" so their drive is endless. Amazing dogs, and very trainable in their own way but would probably be a big step up in energy levels from your sprocker (just going off what you've said). Show cocker will be more manageable on the energy front, but do consider the rarer spaniels too. How about a Welsh Springer? The stockier lines seem much calmer than working cockers to me.

 

[Karran]

My WCS deffo has an off switch! She is the best little dog ever. She hacks out with me, competes in flyball and agility, we do long walks together and is always ready to cuddle up on the sofa. If you have an outlet for the energy which sounds like you do, i'd deffo consider one

 

[Mynstrel]

The working cockers I know are bonkers - mostly in a good way, because that's what the owners want and are ready for, but I have to say it exhausts me after a while. There is no "off switch" so their drive is endless. Amazing dogs, and very trainable in their own way but would probably be a big step up in energy levels from your sprocker (just going off what you've said). Show cocker will be more manageable on the energy front, but do consider the rarer spaniels too. How about a Welsh Springer? The stockier lines seem much calmer than working cockers to me.

They're like any other working breed, you have to teach them an off switch. They aren't for everybody because when they're on they're ON but with time and training they're awesome little dogs.

 

[scats]

Some of my best dogs to groom are Cockapoos. You get the odd one who is a bit silly, but I see far more neurotic behaviour in the salon from working cockers. Cockapoos are very high maintenance with regards coat care though, you are looking at daily brushing and combing and a groom every 5-6 weeks.

 

[Tangaroo]

Thanks so much for all the answers. Lots of food for thought. Ive always said i wouldnt have a Cockapoo and i think thats probably the right decision from what you all say. I will look into the other breeds that have been suggested. Theres no rush as whenever it happens im not sure my sprocker is going to be too delighted!

 

[norolim]

I have a cockapoo. He was a fairly challenging puppy and needed a lot of training but once he got out of puppy stages, he's been great. Has good recall, good manners, very calm and quiet. Never had a problem with separation anxiety. You do need to be on top of grooming though and he has a grooming appointment every 8 weeks usually otherwise it gets unmanageable. He's 10yo now and wouldn't change him for the world!

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Some cockerpoos breeders are not in it for the good of the cross. I doubt some of them have considered health testing or temperament of the parents. I’d therefore be keener to look at a cocker. I think they’re likely to have the energy I’d want in a dog. Re behaviour, I think a lot is nurture, not nature, although some aspects can be ingrained.

My bil’s working lines springer is half the size of mine, so size can be very variable. Re cockers, the look is very different when comparing show and working. I’m a working fan. Would you look at a different spaniel, like pp have mentioned? Field spaniels, for example, are lovely, imo, but not common.

 

[GSD Woman]

Field spaniels are nice dogs. I have a friend who is very involved in the breed and it sounds like the breeds are similar in both countries. I know that the American breeders import dogs from the UK to try a prevent a horrible genetic bottleneck. With such a gene pool it is a very real concern.

Anyway, I still say working cocker because that is what I would want.

 

[Cob Life]

I don’t know if you’re still looking but I have a cockapoo I compete in agility.

She’s very well behaved but she is go go go all the time. We can spend the day competing and after an hours nap on the way home she wants to play or go for a walk And she will do it all again the next day, she will go an lay on herbed but she doesn’t always go to sleep, she’s waiting for what will happen next.

I would go for a working cocker or Spanish water dog? They’re harder to get hold of but very sweet

 

[Penny Less]

Im a huge clumber fan but they are like hens teeth. They seem more stately and laid back. My rescue show cocker is a beautiful loving dog, but she doesnt rest !

Are field spaniels the same as Sussex?

 

[CorvusCorax]

A lot of genetic bottlenecking/associated health issues in Clumbers too.

 

[Penny Less]

Yes such a small gene pool , EIC prevalent .
But they are looooovly