working cocker spaniel

[npritch1]

Me and my family have been thinking about getting a cocker spaniel in the summer , however we are unsure whether to get a working cocker spaniel or a English cocker spaniel. I have two children aged 10 and 13, and I currently work 4 days a week for around 6 hours. My husband would be happy to take it to work on the days I am working. I'd love to hear what people think about their cocker spaniels, how much walking do they need and they a lot of hard work?

thank you.

As a devoted slave to an adorable sprocker spaniel (dad working cocker/mum springer spaniel), I can only be fulsome in my praise of these lovely dogs! Even though they have a reputation of being super energetic, we have found that with ours, one good walk a day (at least an hour) and playing in the garden is enough to keep him happy. They are total love sponges & adore everyone & are extremely sociable - they are a smashing breed!

thank you, thats very helpful. How long would you recommend leaving a working cocker spaniel for 4 days a week?

Hi OP
Why get a working spaniel,whose very nature will want him to work and not being able to do so will frustrate him leading to problems.
I'm no expert ,I've had a few rescue dogs,worked in animal rescue and volunteer with them as well as gaining some qualifications in dog behaviour,but I as I said,am no expert.
This breed is known for its,shall we say,short temper and I'd be wary of leaving one alone with young children)yes I know many owners of the breed will refute this but there you go,everyone has different experiences.
In answer to your question,a dog should never be left more than four hours a day.a working dog will need a couple of hours minimum off lead exercise and to keep his mind busy.remember what they are bred for and don't punish him for acting out his instinct,use positive reinforcement instead.
The cocker spaniel rescue will be able to help you with more detailed information on the breed.
I'm not being negative,I am trying to ensure that an innocent dog I'd in the right home and you find a dog that suits your lifestyle.
Good luck🐕

Thank you, what you have said is really helpful. Me and my other half have decided that we will get a dog walker, on the days where I am working. We also are thinking about other breeds that would suit my family the best. Do you know any?

To be honest, dogs are generally an absolute joy regardless of the breed, but its a bit like having a perpetual toddler in the family.
Cockers are lively and usually bright so need a lot of stimulation, as do all working dogs. They can be destructive if left alone to get bored. You need to think about holiday care too.
We have a border collie/springer (sprollie) who is 9 now but still needs load of exercise. (Keeps me very fit though).
Whatever breed you eventually choose, enjoy him/her.

Thank you for your help. Are there any very affective ways of training a puppy?

We have a working cocker and a Labrador terrier cross, both the same age. The cross definitely has a lot calmer temperament. Our cocker is lovely but she’s a lot more needy, and isn’t happy with a good run like our other dog. She needs mental stimulation too. She is insanely good with children though, she is really drawn to the sound of them. She totally loves human company, dog company less so. She is harder work than our cross breed though, but he is so laid back it’s ridiculous!

Thank you. Is there any other breeds that you recommend that are slightly easier to look after than the working cocker spaniel?

What sort of size dog are you after? Labradors are amazing, but may be too big for you.

I’m sort of against them because of their fashion status at the moment, but I know a few cockapoos which are lovely. Calmer than a full cocker. I would just be worried about finding a reputable breeder, so would maybe consider one of those as a rescue.

It may be worth going the rescue route anyway - at least then you will know the temperament of the dog beforehand, and you can avoid the tricky puppy stage!

Both our dogs are rescues.

Thank you, we are looking for a medium sized dog. Could you recommend any medium sized breeds?

I have both a working and show cocker. The working cocker is exactly as it sounds, a working dog. 2 hours exercise a day, in all weather, is the minimum he needs. I dont recommend the working cocker if you cannot guarantee that sort of exercise level.

The show (or English) is happy with an hour a day. If its cold/raining/snowing he would rather stay home than go out. He will even walk to the field have a wee an immediately turn for home if its not warm enough. However their coat needs a lot of grooming which mine hates so we end up shaving most of it off.

I would recommend both the border terrier and schnauzer. I have friends with these breeds and they are more suited to your home set up. You can leave them up to 4 hours a day and walk around an hour a day. Theyre very friendly busy dogs and love children. Their coat needs minimum grooming although schnauzers are usually clipped.

Thank you I will have a look at the two breeds that you recommended. Do you think that the show cocker would suit my family rather than the working cocker?

You can’t leave a puppy alone with just one visit from a dog walker in 6 hours. You’d need to be planning on them having pretty much constant company until they’re about 6 months old.

Decent breeders plan their litters 1-2 years in advance and have waiting lists for them, quite often from then... so if you’re wanting one in a couple of months , you’ll pretty much be left with backyard breeders and puppy farms.

Breed, size isn’t really the best place to start, you want to be thinking about how much is realistic in terms of exercise and grooming and what it is you want from a dog.

Do you think that the show cocker would suit my family rather than the working cocker?

I would say no maybe not. I genuinely think that grooming a show cocker everyday may become tiresome for you. Your children wont want to keep doing it and if you and your husband work longer than expected I think that you would put grooming to the back of your mind. You can clip them, as I do, but then you have the extra costs associated with regular clipping.

Why have you picked the cocker? Unless you lead a very active outdoorsy life that a dog would enhance then theyre not the best dog for you as a novice owner.

Anything with a long silky coat takes extra time and commitment. Any gundog is a working dog, even the show varieties do get bored being left home alone. I would highly recommend a short haired variety such as those I mentioned previously. Have you looked at greyhounds. Despite their size they are happy to have a good few hours sleep undisturbed during the day. They will also be happy with 2 half hour walks a day.

You should quite possibly consider a rescue dog, and not necessarily a puppy.

I adopted a Staffie cross in June and it's one of the best things I have done. She was in the shelter for months because of her age (she is 8 or 9), and because she was cooped up most of the day was super hyperactive. I almost thought I had made a mistake, especially as she had separation anxiety to begin with.
However after some patience and a consistent routine she has made herself at home. She is the most loving and loyal dog, and loves her cuddles. She is also really good with my niece and nephew (2 & 7).
Despite her age, she needs a lot of exercise or she does get hyperactive. I usually take her for a 2 mile walk in the mornings, a 3-4 mile walk in the evenings, and a quick jaunt around the block at lunch times (I come home from work at lunch time so she is never alone more than about 4 hours). On the weekends we go for longer walks. Despite her age we can for for an 8 mile walk, and she will still want to play ball when we get in!

She also came already house trained and had grown out of her destructive chewing stage!

I think the overwhelming message is that unless you have the time to give a dog, ie, walking it as much as the breed requires, playing with it, and can provide human company as well as canine friends, then reconsider getting one at all. If you can, then great. Our social circle expanded rapidly with all the friends we met whilst walking our sprollie.
Puppies are lovely BUT they soon grow up! As others have suggested, Do consider a rescue...plenty needing loving forever homes. And please get a good level of pet insurance. Vets are hugely expensive!

thank you for your advice. Me and my family are going to a dog rescue this weekend, to find dogs that would suit us x