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

But this isn't helping the OP... I don't think a cocker is necessarily the right choice as a first dog.

My dad's family had springers and cockers and a few poodles on and off (not all at the same time) and we had our cocker so I had a vague idea what I was letting myself in for.

2T, sorry to hear that rescue isn't working for you - is there a particular problem any of us can help with?

Cavalier Rescue website here. As well as being the national rescue co-ordinators, they also have links to the regional rescue co-ordinators, part of hte Breed Club organisation.

Ooh BOF your dog is just like mine! And I defy anyone to look at mine on my profile under the Christmas tree and call him ugly!

Would definately recommend a cocker ,ours is gorgeous,he is show not working and doesn't need 3 hours at day at all ,he will go as long as you want but doesn't fret if you miss a day.

Have a look at www.cockersonline.co.uk especially the forums and guides ,it was huge source of information for us and they are a very friendly crowd.

Flowery, I am just squeeeeeeeing at yours- he's so beautiful!

American cocker spaniels are gorgeous! I've always had cavaliers but then got our American cocker and she is just perfect. So friendly and great with kids.

cocker best dog in the world! fact

Sorry, Flowery, I'm really not a Cav fan.

fair enough! No accounting for taste..

It would be a sad day for the fugly pugs of this world if we all liked the same kind of dog :)

Indeed. Although I do like cockers as well :)

Cavs do often get heart problems - a friend of mine has one and it has been on very expensive medication from age 5.

wow you are all so helpful! Thank you for the many links and also the lovely pics of your gorgeous pooches.

Scuttle - I had a very very bad experience with a rescue a month or so back - I can PM details if you are curious.................. and it has put me off.
I have been on so many rescue sites but it does seem to be a bit needle in a haystack type situation for me. As for Many Tears, they seem to have a lot of ex breeders who all need a resident dog in place which rules me out (at the moment anyway )
I shall read the links and think a bit more. AT the moment I am veering towards Cav but will continue my investigations -

That's true higgle - mine has a heart murmur. He's fine atm, no symptoms yet, he'll be 6 in May. I am expecting medication somewhere along the line though.

I have had both a cavalier and a cocker spaniel as pets.Our cav. was lovely,very easy to train,totally placid with my baby and easy to look after.The cocker we have now is very bright,extremely naughty-is forever pinching my 5 year olds toys and running away.We have no matching pairs of shoes in the house at the moment.He barks madly at everyone because he wants to play but frightens some.He is very active and good at nicking food and working out things, but very hard work.As a lone parent you will have to take your 5 year old with you for walks.The novelty of having a dog and going on long walks in winter with young kids quickly wears off.I honestly would get a cavalier.

Can I answer with none of the above? As a first time puppy owner I'd go for an easier breed such as a lurcher or a whippet. Getting your hands on one of these from a reputable breeder will be another issue as a Lurcher is cross breed and whippets are generally working dogs, so not generally bred by breeders.

For Whippet breeders check out here, they'll point you in the right direction. Lurchers can be found in many sighthound rescues as puppies.

another cav owner here....

i have one left but had two.

They have been my first dogs - so easy! i cannot imagine life without one tbh. the only draw back is they are not long lived and most have congenital heart defects, heart failure took my baby boy woof last year at age 9.

my gorgeous girl is 7, and i worry now i see her slowing down...but they do not have bulgy eyes! who the heck said that? they are the prettiest things - cavalier king charles have long snouts - are people thinking of king charles spaniels with their snub noses? Cavalier king charles have a longer snout....and they are pretty!