as a first tine puppy owner would you choose a Cav or a cocker?

[2T2T]

I am a single stay at home Mum with a teenager daughter and a son of 5. I have been looking at rescue dogs but had no success thus far following this route. I am now considering puppy ownership and love the two above breeds. We are a reasonably active family but we don't go on 'treks' for 'trek's sake iyswim but are always out and about. We live really near the sea, really near two big dog friendly parks and it is very unlikely that I shall return to work.

What do you think? I value your views

I think she was about 16 weeks in that pic. I let next door's boys babysit her for ten minutes yesterday because I had a logistics issue with various stuff- and now they won't leave me alone: let me copy a text the mum sent me today, hang on...

"Hi BOF,our dan cried all night for pickle.he has just come home from play group so upset sayin he he loves her an wants her to come an play.is there any chance she can come for half hour? x"

She's a ruby with a tiny bit of white- total dream to train and take care of. I had to forgive a lot of puppy wees though, but that's minor. And she has a good diet, so her poos are very small and inoffensive.

aaaaaah!

My aunt's first was called Rupert - as in Prince Rupert the Cavalier General - how cool is that?

Here she is recently velcroed to me when I had pneumonia- she is ten months old now.

Look at that noble profile!

Our first one was Rufus when I was a little girl- God, I loved that dog . Between me and my family we've had six over the years, I think- three at once at one point. I just love them- perfect family dogs, in my opinion.

LeBOF Pickle is gorgeous, and I'm fond of the Cavs, but I'm a cocker girl through and through.

The walking thing is probably the main thing to think about OP. For instance, friend of mine had a Cavalier, I had a Cocker. Her little dog required a wee stroll a couple of times a day. My wee girl needed a good long run a couple of times a day, plus lots of exercise in the garden. Mind you, she was a wee lapdog as well - loved sitting on any lap she could find. Still miss her.

Good luck getting the 'right' puppy for you and your circumstances.

wow - you are certainly selling the idea of cav to me! Are they quite robust? I mean, not 'precious' like chihuahua's seem to be. I want a lovely lively companion for me and my son. Dd is doing her own thing a bit now so I don't expect her to be quite as involved. But a lovely run along buddy for my little boy and a loyal sidekick for mel. I had a secret fantasty of owning two cockers once. A black one called Skye and Golden called Summer . but a little cav would do me fine by the sound of it.

I would probably be a bit slimmer if I had a Cocker, by the sound of it

You're absolutely right of course- it's about which would fit your lifestyle best: we can see from this thread that whichever you get, you'll fall so hard that you just would countenance any other dog!

I think the Cav is basically a perfect dog. Cute and compact but loads of ooomph and interest.

2T2T- that's the beauty of Cavs, IMO: they are sporty little things, not just for laps! My memories as a child are of holidays camping in the Yorkshire Dales with the dog running round with us tirelessly all day. But if you are sick or something, they are happy to curl up with you and won't climb the walls like some other breeds might. A great balance, I think.

I'm another who struggles with the fugliness of cavs, but my friend has one and she's got a lovely temperament.

I love cockers though. My friend (different one) is on her second and they have both been lovely. Her 1st died very young, but I don't think it was anything genetic - more killed with kindness (ice cream from a van every day) by a doting grandparent

Some have slghtly bulgy eyes if their muzzle isn't very big and really you want one whose face does not look at all squashed - plenty of muzzle space between nose and eyes iyswim. Squashed face = more snuffliness breathing = strain on doggy heart in the end.

Cav - no doubts at all!!

I have an eight year old Black and Tan, and three, now teenage boys. He was ideal with the lads when younger.

He cuddles and sits on my lap (fantastic for period pain - did you know that Charles' mistress had terrible period pain and she was significant in persuading him to breed cavies?). He will also walk as far as I can cope with; he races around the woods for an hour a day if I let him. I think Cavies will actually adapt very well to the amount of walking you want to do.

And most importantly he toally adores me, I can do no worng. He is as loyal as...well a loyal thing!

BUT - YES I AM SHOUTING - BE VERY VERY INFORMED ABOUT CAVs BEFORE BUYING

Mine has the full quota of KCS related disease; syringomyelia, MVD, he has had both hind legs fixated due to dislocating knee caps...and more. He is npw eight ans we are facing some very tough decisions about brain surgery for him Incidentally he is now up to over twelve grand on vets fees....

Cavies are fab and some wonderful people are trying very hard (with it appears some success) to eradicate these bred in diseases but you need to be very very careful about the breeder you support by buying.

I can send you some very reliable and informative links if you like but start by having a good look around the Cav club sites. Do a google on SM in cavs...and find out how your chosen breeder scans for fitness prior to breeding. I would totally encourage you to spend a lot at a good breeder; they need support to carry on the good work!

One more thing; pedigrees and Kennel Club recommendations are worthless.

But...I would still choose to have a cav, mine is utterly irreplaceable. That photo of BoF when she was poorly just about sums up everything I love about cavs with a good dose of racing around the woods as a bonus.

No, no one is cuter than my cocker! Working cockers are smaller and sleeker than show cockers. I split the two hours over two or three walks, playing with the kids, and doggie play dates! She doesn't mind staying in though, she follows me round the house and is asleep on my knee right now. And dh says cockers are more manly than cavs, if your dp might walk him!

Aww bof just looked at the photo, she is gorgeous ( as clearly are you!)

Many Tears Resuce has several cavs available...a couple can go as only dogs, so could you try there ? They also have cockers, but I think they have too much energy for you guys ( & for me !)

Hehe- it took me three or four goes to get a shot where I looked acceptable, but the dog looked great in all of them

Just don't ask Shiney about the "out-take" one I sent her where an uncomfortable expanse of my plump shoulder made it look uncannily like I was trying to breastfeed the puppy... We were howling over that one

Shirazyum- great advice, lovely post

Proper spanie

spaniel even.

Oh, how gorgeous! I can see why you love him.

It's a damn good job he is gorgeous because he is a nightmare challenge. You'd almost think he was an angel

Have just been browsing the many few photos I have of him.