Working dog experts - opinions please?

[NotInMyDay]

Our family would like to get a dog. We have DD (5) and DS (2). Although I think taking on a rescue dog is wonderful. It's not right for us just now. We want a puppy.

I had considered size of dog, grooming requirements, training and exercise requirements and had decided on a cocker spaniel. However, something didn't feel quite right. I have done lots of research online and came across the working cocker spaniel. Wow! I am in love.

Can dog experts give me opinions on my plans for having a working dog as a pet?

1. We'd planned to get a puppy in a year when DS starts nursery. I'd delay this till he's at school in order to accommodate the extra exercise requirements of the working strain?

2. I'm a SAHM. I'm planning to take on some voluntary work but it will only involve being out for the odd half day here and there.

3. We are not a working home but we have woods behind our house and I plan to train the dog well and possibly do agility. Lots of
   walking up hills and across moors while the children are at school.

4. My background is quite doggy. Worked in kennels for years and have had a retriever/setter cross who was beautifully trained despite being mad as cut snakes.

5. Money will be rather healthy by then and I'd not entertain a puppy til we could afford the dog, crate for car, vet fees and insurance, high quality food etc.

Have I missed anything? Is my wish for a working dog realistic? What extra reading should I do in the meantime?

While your considerations are very sensible, and I applaud you for it, is there a specific reason you want a working bred cocker over the show type? If it's the looks... well, I can't blame you, I prefer the working over the more coated and longer eared type.

But, and it's a big but, there really is a world of difference between the two. Working bred spaniels are NUTS. They do not stop, ever. I have dogs with very high exercise requirements but they at least mostly switch off as long as they've done some work. The working cockers I know are still pinging about after a full day's shoot and are invariably kept kennelled in between times because they'd be exhausting as a house pet.

Like many other dogs with high exercise requirement it's not just necessarily walks they need, no matter how long the walk and nice and rural the surroundings, it's the mental stimulation of doing a job that they need. Lots of training clubs now offer classes in gundog type things, scentwork, picking up etc. but it's a commitment. We do agility and we're at club twice a week, 9pm-11pm, plus shows which often involve long drives, camping, entry fees... I only manage maybe one a month but one of the trainers at our club, who has cockers, is out competing every weekend.

What I would advise is going to see some of these dogs actually working - wrong time of year, really, but try getting in touch with local shoots, gamekeepers and gundog trainers. There are often gundog displays at county shows and later in the year the game fairs where you'd be able to pick the brains of the trainers.

Thanks boldly. I so appreciate your thoughts. I totally agree with your points on mental stimulation.

I would be lying if I said that the looks of the working cocker didn't come into it at all - they are beautiful! But I am also looking for a dog with a purpose. I have dabbled in agility with other people's dogs over the years and this appeals to me.

I would find it difficult if the dog didn't want to sleep by the radiator in the evening after an energetic day on the moors.
Great idea about seeing working dogs in action. So much to consider...

Bump

Well, I'm in practice in an area full of sporting estates and working dogs, so naturally I see loads of working cockers. A lot of them are pets who work.

I think no it won't work as long as you take one from a domestic environment. The problems tend to arise from pups introduced to family homes at 8 weeks, having spent their life until that point in kennels or an outbuilding.

If you are prepared to commit time to exercise, training and stimulating the dog then of course it could work. show cockers are ugly and dull anyway

Buy one of every Kong toy available and get a good insurance policy. Working cockers have a high incidence of elbow disease (IOHC) which is extremely costly to treat.

Otherwise good luck :)

That should say no reason it won't work!

Well my two working cockers (ones 5 the other is 14 months) are fast asleep in front of the fire, and no not all working spaniels are nuts!. I have two small children and my cockers fit in perfectly with our lifestyle, calm at home and energetic on walks, but with the added bonus of being very well trained. Yes they need exercise, but no more than a working lab or a dalmation. Speaking to breeders and gamekeepers is a good idea, they will be able to reccommend a good steady bloodline for you.

Agree with above, Cockers are lovely but mental without sufficient excerise and stimulation.

I have a labradoodle, and whilst most people don't automatically think 'working dog' the combinations of very clever working lab and very very clever poodle means he needs LOADS.

And I don't just mean walks, I do some form of training every single day, things like scent work, sendaways, laying small tracks. It's not what I imagined owning a dog would be- I dreamt of long woodland walks with my DCs, taking dog down the pub for Sunday lunch, etc. The reality is different, I have to constantly keep on top of my boy on walks, recalling, sending out and so on- otherwise he goes solo by bringing me random things he's found, going for scents to track, and basically looking for a job to do. We are out for 2hrs plus, daily. On top of this I hand feed every meal (in his mind he thinks if hes not earning it, its not worth having) I attend formal obedience classes once a week and am in working trials training 2x a week, for 2 hrs at a time.

Do you have the time to commit to a working breed?

I love my dog, and have fortunately fallen in love with training him, he comes absolutely everywhere with me, but it's bloody hard hard work keeping him stimulated. If you asked whether my life would be easier with a lovely greyhound to take on quick runs, then yes!

Good tips. I think I'll start researching breeders then as well as going to see working dogs in action. Does anyone know if a good breeder would 'mind' me being in touch and expressing an interest so far in advance?

Thanks all

Must add, as long as we've done enough during the day he will sleep quite happily of an evening.

No not at all, it will just show that you are really doing your homework. The breeder who i got my 14month old off has a list of interested people for when she breeds from the same pairing again next year. Have fun at all the game fairs!!

I would say most reputable breeders would expect to have developed some sort of relationship with you.