Cocker spaniel or German short haired pointer.

[ChoudeBruxelles]

We have a springer (had two but elderly one pts recently). We want to get a new puppy but torn between a cocker or short haired pointer.

I'd rather have a short haired dog but dh wants to "downsize" to a cocker.

Anyone got experience of either breed?

[GobblersKnob]

No, but I did read somewhere recently that German shorthaired pointers where the most unsuitable breed imaginable to have as a pet.

Not tremendously helpful I know, I only took notice as they were the breed I most wanted when I was a child (dog obsessed).

My friend has a cocker who is lovely, but she does a lot with her, obedience and field trials.

[ChoudeBruxelles]

Oh no. I wanted a pointer.

[GobblersKnob]

Aww sorry, wish I could remember where I read it, I have read so much dog related stuff recently.

With having springers already you must be used to a high activity/energy level, I'm sure if you were planning to do lots with it it would be okay.do you know anyone with one? Our you could talk to a good breeder?

[quineandloons]

DHs family have always had GSPs and they're lovely dogs! Very high exercise demands but no more than spaniels I'd imagine. They're very affectionate dogs., the sort to nudge your hand and enjoy sitting on your knee (!) but some people don't like that sort of neediness. We have a wirehaired, same sort of temperament just fluffier. She is much cleverer than my in laws last pointer, who was beautiful but rather dim. Our girl has been well trained (she has worked in a previous life) and like most gundog breeds they're good
workers but also good pets. None I've met would make happy kennelled dogs, they love human companionship
too much. Ours has some separation anxiety, probably due to being a rescue. They have a strong hunt drive, nose to the ground on walks and lots of pointing which is great fun to watch.

They do mature slowly though and retain that puppy bounce for ages, hence our rehoming an adult! I don't find them goofy in the way labs are if you know what I mean.

I hope that helps, there are rescues for both short and wirehaired pointers, worth checking out.

[shoutymcshoutsmum]

I love my GSP! He is perfectly gorgeous. I have 3 little kids and he is amazing with them. He spends most of his time asleep but when I go running with him, he just runs and runs. My perfect companion. He calmed down when he was two, if that is a long puppy stage then fair enough.
The only downsides to my dog:

1. he does not like being on his own. Other side to that coin - very affectionate.
   
2. he pulls on the lead. Other side to that coin - really full of life and probably due to my lack of experience.
   
3. gets very over excited if certain people come in. These are the half dozen people who spoilt him as a puppy so it's fundamentally their fault!

[ChoudeBruxelles]

Gsp sounds positive them. Our springer is very soppy and loves fusses.

We're used to having to exercise a lot - and when were both out all day (which is probably 1 or 2 days a week) a friends walks our springer with his weimamar (sp?)

[needastrongone]

We have a springer and a cocker. Cocker is 6 months and springer 18 months.

Our other choice was a GSP. I felt either would suit the exercise needs of a springer and also be a good match from a trainability point of view.

Glad we went for a cocker now. I adore him. And, from a size point of view, must admit, bring able to pick him up and pop him in the car, rub him with a towel and walk both easily without pulling works well.

In terms of shedding, friends have a Vizsla who may be short haired but you brush against her and you are covered in tiny hairs!

[hairypaws]

I have a show cocker. Adorable dog, very easy to train, high energy or lazy depending on what we are doing, ie happy to go running, skate boarding or laze around. Very sociable with other dogs. I'm hooked on cockers now and would love a second.

[Spellcheck]

I have an English Pointer who is wonderful with children, extremely bouncy (never changed since puppyhood - he is now 10), a complete couch potato, very very needy, highly strung, has disappeared on at least seven occasions, affectionate, friendly, great with other dogs, pulls on the lead (better with a harness), an amazing guard dog, and sheds like a bloody Christmas tree. Literally everywhere, it's a real problem for my asthmatic DP and it's the one thing that really annoys me! Not a dog for the faint hearted, but an incredible dog all the same.

I did hear GSPs were a little more aggressive and have seen that a bit with my friend's dog, but he's not very well trained so maybe that has something to do with it?

[shggg245]

We've got an English pointer which are slightly smaller. A lovely, gentle breed but very high energy so they need space to run. Ours is 10 and will run all day - she's also a big bony crunch potato with very pointy elbows! They can also be a big scatty!

[shggg245]

We've got an English pointer which are slightly smaller. A lovely, gentle breed but very high energy so they need space to run. Ours is 10 and will run all day - she's also a big bony crunch potato with very pointy elbows! They can also be a big scatty!

[imonaplane]

GSPs make great family pets. They are kind, loving, loyal and just want to be part of the family. They are energetic and need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation but, if you have the time for one, you won't be disappointed. The only thing is, if you have small children, they will be in danger of being bowled over! They have a long lifespan for a pedigree dog and can easily live to 14 or 15 and can have puppy like levels of energy well into old age. They all seem to pull on the lead but that can be overcome. Separation anxiety can be a problem as GSPs crave company. I would never have another breed now.

[EvenBetter]

This sausage is meant to be a pointer cross. She's small, and I reckon there's spaniel in there. So she's both!
From a kill-pound, which seems to get an unending string of them :(