Are show cocker spaniels nice natured?

[Lillycoo]

Been wanting a doggo since forever and I finally now have a job where I can WFH and I've always wanted a show cocker. Anyone who has them as pets, are they well behaved and good around children? Pictures are a bonus!

She is very grey now at 8 🥰

Such beautiful spanners 🥰

I have a cockapoo, she's mad!

But really only came and commented for the pictures! Stunning dogs ❤️

Look at all those ridiculous comedy ears! ❤️

They really are the cutest pups (apart from all the others obviously!)

Here's our Orange Roan 'Baby' Belle as a pup, and now as a 3 yr old.

She's a sweet, daft love. My Dad thought he could train her to be a working cocker. You can't.

I did my research and talked to breeders to ensure I was getting a puppy bred for temperament. And he really is the sweetest, most gentle chap.

He absolutely loves kids (especially toddlers), and treats every person as a new best friend. He isn't at all hyper - he loves a good walk, but most of all loves snoozing on the sofa with his teddy. He isn't needy but does like to be with his people. Easy to train, eager to please, and generally happy.

His only fault is his food-obsession, and he does sometimes sulk if he feels hard done by. No issues with resource guarding (right from the start I trained him to drop and leave treats on command, which I think helped).

Grooming is a consideration. He doesn't shed, but I have him clipped fairly short all year around (he loves swimming and getting into swampy situations).

We had a show cocker when I was growing up and he was the most gentle soul too. I think they make wonderful family pets, but I do think the breeding makes a big difference.

From a grooming point of view, I have mine shorn short all year round for practical reasons. No point in having him clipped to "breed standard" when he is constantly in muddy puddles/brambles/general undergrowth. Show by name, not by nature!

@SoupDragon that's hilarious - our SC if asked "where's your ballie?" in a suitably enthusiatic tone will RUSH to find one - no idea how he learnt that?!

😂

The other weird thing is that he could always find a ball, even when it was at my parents' house where he hadn't been for months!

Cocker Spaniels, including show cockers, are generally friendly, affectionate, and good with children. They are known for their gentle and playful personalities and are often considered to be great family pets. However, like any breed, individual temperament and behavior can vary, so it's important to choose a well-socialized and responsibly bred puppy. Training and socialization from a young age can help to ensure that your dog will grow up to be well-behaved and good with children. I cannot provide pictures but you can find many online or from breed-specific forums and social media groups. It's also a good idea to meet and interact with a few show cockers before making a decision to make sure it's the right breed for you and your family.

Our breeder was absolutely wonderful. We were able to visit the pups regularly as she was very local, and every time we went she had a different activity out for the pups - one day it was a beach so they got used to the sand, one day a washing line over their heads with toys dangling, one day crate introductions, she taught them to settle on their own and started toilet training. Our girl is just lovely with everyone and so chilled around novel stimuli which I put down to the breeder.

We have the most beautiful, soft and sweet show cocker. Her mum was delightful too.

No resource guarding and she’s really good off lead. She is awful for pulling on lead though.

My children are teens but she’s brilliant with my toddler niece and nephew too.

Just look at son of show cocker spaniel😭

I mean all puppies are cute, but I have a special place in my heart for show cocker pups 🥰

9 months after posting here we lost SoupDogg so it's been bittersweet seeing this pop up in my Threads I'm On list.

Adorable as they all are, I could never do this again! I'll live vicariously through the pups of others 🙂 He looked just like Juliaaa's puppy all those years ago!

Gosh @SoupDragon pretty much the same here, I lost my old boy in October last year. Still miss the little menace. Sorry you lost your dog as well 💐

Still chasing squirrels somewhere I'm sure!

I've got a springer cross who's done the same. If I say 'find your ball' he will remember exactly where he left his tennis ball. I've always wondered how he picked up on that, and also why he only gets the tennis ball, not the other ball shaped toys he's got

Edit: ahhh I'm so sorry I've just realised this is an older thread and I've just seen your update