Whippet or Cocker Spaniel?

[Rosiethebc]

Hello all. I’m new here so forgive me for if I seem silly . I have a 3 year old Border Collie named Rosie. She is great with children and other dogs, and is amazing at agility and likewise very intelligent. I’ve just found out I’m pregnant, so I plan to get a puppy during maternity leave so as to housetrain them and teach them the basics before the baby comes. Does anyone have either of these breeds? If so, what are they like? Rosie currently gets about 2-3 hours everyday, depending on the day, most of it off the lead. She gets more on the weekend and does agility twice a week. Any replies would be greatly appreciated, many thanks.

[BiteyShark]

I have a 2 year old working cocker spaniel. I was warned by a farmer that we needed to 'manage' cockers when off lead because if they get a scent they go off hunting. So we were warned and yes he was right mine will go hunting in the forest if you don't engage with him. Our walks now consist of him demanding I throw a ball or hide a ball for him to find otherwise he would be bored simply walking by my side. He does however stick with his doggy pals on walks at daycare so given that you have an energetic dog you might not find their hunting instincts to be as problematic.

Mine also loves to do agility with me. Grooming wise we have ours cut short as he is a mud magnet.

[starcrossedseahorse]

Cocker, cocker. cocker, cocker!




Did I mention that you should get a cocker?

[Rosiethebc]

I am leaning slightly more towards the whippet, as I do love pointy dogs . But are they untrainable with recall because of their prey drive? And could they keep up with the amount of exercise Rosie gets?

[Chanelprincess]

I can't see either of those two breeds being a match for Rosie intelligence wise. My cattle dog gets highly irritated by my friend's working cocker and loses interest very quickly, as he does with most breeds - they're just not on the same level. I love whippets though!

[Nesssie]

I wouldn’t suggest getting any type of puppy whilst pregnant. A dog, a puppy and a new born? Not a sensible idea personally. He may be housetrained by the time the baby arrives but dogs are hard work up until 2 years. Just look at the amount of puppy threads on here.

Out of the two options, a whippet would be the least stupid. A reliable recall can be taught and they are less energy overall.

[tabulahrasa]

Is this your first baby? Because if so you might be being a bit unrealistic about both using your maternity leave to do, well, anything, and that you’re going to manage 2-3 hours of walking with a newborn.

[starcrossedseahorse]

Tbf spaniels are not the brightest! Missed that you are pregnant - you may find a pup a real handful. All my dogs have been uphill work until at least 2 and that's with regular attendance at my dog club's training classes.

[Rosiethebc]

Thanks all. We are now seriously considering the whippet.
Are they any good at agility/flyball? Are they ever allowed to be let off lead, with thorough training? We live near a forest and let Rosie off while there, and would hate to have to keep the new dog on the lead.

[Frouby]

We have a whippet, her recall is spot on. She is really food motivated so was easy to train. Even if she is 'on' something preylike (pigeons, ducks, squirrels) she can be reliably recalled.

However. Puppy + baby + dog is maybe not the best idea. You will have your hands very full with a dog and a baby. Add a puppy will likely push you over the edge.

[dapplegrey]

We’ve always had whippets and they are the loveliest, sweetest, cosiest, equable dogs - and they are incredibly beautiful.
However, does your garden have trees in it or nearby? I ask as if cats regularly come into the garden then they need a nearby escape route as whippets will give chase if they spot one.

[Aprilislonggone]

You need one of these!! Great recall,lovely with dc and our other ddogs!!

[TheCatWhisperer]

Just remember a puppy won't be able for anywhere near the amount of exercise a fully grown dog can handle. Rule of thumb is 5 minutes per month of age twice a day so just 2 X 20 minute walks for a 4 month old for example. Over exercising puppies can be seriously detrimental to their health so I'd be thinking about how you could manage the different requirements on top of a baby!

www.dailydogdiscoveries.com/puppy-growth-plates/

www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog-or-puppy/general-advice-about-caring-for-your-new-puppy-or-dog/puppy-and-dog-walking/

My personal preference is whippets, am seriously broody for one atm, I do love spaniels too though. If I were in a position to get a dog those would be my choices too.

[M0nstermunch]

Another vote for a whippet, amazing dogs. Our girl has great recall, she will never go far always likes to know where you are when out and about. Just registered mine as therapy dog such a good temperament.

[Ticcinalong]

My worker cocker is super bright and very trainable! They are great at agility too.
However: I surely wouldn’t get a pup in your shoes though. A dog and a baby are enough without a puppy in the mix . Plus pup will need short walks, training classes and all the socialisation that goes with puppies for the first year so you will have that to do, as well as Rosie’s 2 hour walks and a baby. You could have a teenage hooligan pup at the same time you have a new born and it would be difficult to cope with.

[buckleten]

We have a border collie, and a whippet, who get on wonderfully and enjoy playing chase games and with a ball together. The whippet has reasonable recall, we would not let her off lead near any major roads but woods and beaches she loves a good run! And they both absolutely adore my mum's working cocker!

[Lau123lau]

I have a 4.5 month old whippet and he is fab. He goes off lead but I always put him back on if we come across people/dogs as he is over friendly and still quite jumpy and very excitable! Tend to stick to more off beat walks where we’re less likely to encounter other people or dogs. He did escape into a field today and chased some sheep briefly but he did come back to me when called a few times. To be honest, we researched a lot about the amount of exercise and the 5 minute rule doesn’t have to apply to all breeds. Mine has approx 1 hour walk a day plus garden time. Walks are never on pavements etc though, always wooded areas/fields and as mentioned, mainly off lead so he can let us know when he has had enough. Not that he does ever seem to tire! He hates the rain and won’t go walking unless it’s dry. He loves to chase the family cat too but we’re getting over this (slowly) and he has been pretty close to a few squirrels. He is pretty much fully housetrained now, can’t actually remember the last accident, and sleeps from 8pm till 8am. He’s pretty lazy and as long as he gets his exercise, he spends most of the day sleeping (on the sofa of course). I wouldn’t get a whippet if you don’t want him/her on the furniture, they love their comforts. He isn’t really a chewer either which is a bonus. Made some holes in a toy sheep but that’s it, he’s never tried to chew anything other than his toys and my partners work boot insoles! He will steal any food in reach and has to be crated when we eat but we’re working on this. He is my first dog and I can’t inagine having any other breed now. I’m not sure I would like a puppy and a baby as they’re into everything and personally I think it would be hard work! I’ve read that they’re often around 2 years old before they ‘grow up’. Overall though, he is a lovely dog!

[Lau123lau]

Picture for reference ☺️

[neamchimpsky]

Whippet here too. 9mo, with the loveliest, sweetest temperament. Mostly good recall, but a terrible food stealer if we're not careful. Love the fact that he's as happy running around on a field for a while as with a "proper" walk. I found the puppy phase hard work, no way could I have coped with older dog plus baby, but he's ever so sweet with the kids and even our cats. Caught him and cat snuggled up together last night. I'd love a whole pack of them now!

[adaline]

A puppy, and older dog and a newborn baby? In the nicest possible way, are you mad?

Puppies are hard, hard work. Like newborns, they pee and poo constantly. They need taking to the toilet every thirty minutes and at least twice in the night for a good month or two. And exercise - you can't walk a puppy like you can a older dog so how are you going to manage that? Leave the puppy at home (who will take it to the toilet? what if it has separation anxiety or cries all the time?) or not walk the older dog (recipe for absolute disaster in a breed like that)

Please consider holding off until you're out of the newborn phase before adding a puppy into the mix!

[adoggymama]

Cocker! This is our lovely 8 month old worker, Colby.

[adoggymama]

Just read you have a newborn too- I wouldn't too be honest until your child is a little older.

We're waiting until our pup is at least a year+ before any decisions about trying for a baby.

Good thing about cockers though is that they are easily trainable and great with children. They demand all you attention though and need stimulation!