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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

King Charles Cavalier or Cocker Spaniel

33 replies

newbiefrugalgal · 14/08/2013 10:10

Love both and both very different. What would you recommend and WHY?
We have two DC - 5&6 years old.
Will be in large backyard in Oz.

and boy or girl? or does that not really matter?

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BoozyBear · 14/08/2013 11:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tiredemma · 14/08/2013 11:09

We have a beautiful female black and white cocker spaniel (working) - God I love her like she is one of my children.
Lively but lovely with the boys, very 'clean'- fun to walk with.

I honestly cannot find any fault with her- she did go through a phase of chewing everything (and we have to hide our socks!) but I'm sure that could be of any dog- not just a cocker!

Original poster

newbiefrugalgal · 14/08/2013 11:13

Both puppies are coming from established breeders so covering bases with associated health problems as I've read for both. And will have pet insurance without a doubt.

My heart is going for the cocker - so lively and would suit my boys but I also melt everytime I see a cavalier.

Can't decide and have just been offered a cavalier.

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flowery · 14/08/2013 11:20

Cavalier (biased)

We had a gorgeous one, he died last year :(

Pic of him on my profile and of our Springer as well.

dreamingofsun · 14/08/2013 11:44

cocker. agree with tired. such cheerful loving dogs.

Original poster

newbiefrugalgal · 14/08/2013 11:47

Flowery - you have two.
Why the cavalier over the cocker?

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yesbutnobut · 14/08/2013 14:42

I know in Oz people keep their dogs outdoors and if that's your intention I think a cocker would be more suited. Cavaliers are companion dogs and like being close to their owners whereas cockers are working dogs and more suited to an outdoors lifestyle.

HRHLadyG · 14/08/2013 14:49

We have the most gorgeous King Charles. He's a fabulous member of the family, gentle, well behaved and very patient with children (he has happily worn dolls clothes, nappies, been covered in Post Its and pushed in a pram!). Its true that he likes to be with the family and is happiest when we're all at home.
He's pretty low maintenance too, which is helpful if you work...... x

flowery · 14/08/2013 14:52

We only have one now - we had the cavalier but he died and now we have the springer who is also on my profile.

We initially went for a cav because they are just so adorable, and we were also conscious of wanting to start a family and they are so good with children.

So we had the cav when our two were small and he was absolutely fantastic with them, so tolerant and gentle.

Then he died last September and looking ahead we had said next dog we wanted a springer, anticipating the boys being slightly older when it happened, but we went with it anyway. He's very bouncy and lively, but plays really well with the boys as well. Someone said to us not a cocker but I can't remember why. Think it might have been something about being a bit nippy but I've no idea whether that's true or not.

In your position if you want something lively and it's between a cocker and a cav then maybe go with the cocker, given your DC's ages, as gentle with small children not an issue, or won't be for long.

I'm just biased about cavaliers because they are so adorable and I will have one again one day!

mum23girlys · 14/08/2013 15:00

I've had 2 of each and would honestly go with the.cocker. My male working cocker is now 12 and just the most loving and loyal dog. He's truly one of the family. My other cocker sadly passed at 16 but I reckon that's a pretty good age. Both my cavaliers came from good established breeders and both died before they were 2. It was heartbreaking. Absolutely beautiful wee dogs but just so many health problems. My eldest dd is desperate for another cavalier but I keep saying no as I just can't go through that again.

Cockers need a lot of walking and can be a bit crazy but I love my boy to bits

Original poster

newbiefrugalgal · 14/08/2013 20:55

MN you are not helping me at all

Some are yes some are no - aaargh!

I think this is the time to get one regardless as I know I am increasing work outside from home next Jan so a few months to get through the puppy stage.

Mum - so sad to hear you lost two before two years of age. I haven't heard anything from my breeder but she is not likely to say anything is she. She has a gorgeous farm/land near the Australian coast and adores her dogs, I love her enthusiasm and don't think she would lead me astray.

If I wanted to go joggind and I say jogging as its not very fast, would both breeds join in, I think the cocker would be not sure about the cavalier.

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flowery · 14/08/2013 21:02

Cocker for jogging. Our cav would have at one point, but probably not for very long.

He was only 6 when he died, serious heart problem, and we did all the checks possible when we got him. It is a risk, and it was utterly heartbreaking but after a few years I would take the risk again because he was so wonderful.

Now I have to leave this thread because I'm getting upset. :(

MelanieCheeks · 14/08/2013 21:02

Well both are lovely dogs, and were just giving you our experiences of either!

Hands up- I have a cocker. She's adorable, really sweet temperament, lovely personality (every day is Christmas Day to a cocker!) , very smart ( we've done bronze and silver good citizen awards, working On The gold, and about to enter our first obedience show)

Bit more energetic than a cavalier, and possibly a bit more "manly" since that's one of your criteria.

Tiredemma · 14/08/2013 21:03

Cocker spaniels are great running pals. I have been out frequently with mine. She loves running.

MelanieCheeks · 14/08/2013 21:07

Only just seen your jogging q- my cocker loves coming with me on my weekly park runs- a 5k timed run every Saturday morning. Minnie loves these, and she's now a regular, everyone says hello to her and jokes about her pulling me up the hills!

Frcomparison, I took max, my Weimar, with me ONCE to a park run- he was totally freaked out by the adrenalin, crowds, high viz vests etc

Jogging on country roads etc s fine, but the long hair will need a bit of attention afterwards.

HerRoyalNotness · 14/08/2013 21:07

We just picked up a 2yo cavalier that was being rehomed. She is clingy Anf a lapdog type. Doesn't do fetching and sleeps most of the day. She loves going for walks, I wouldn't think she'd like jogging. She is very good with our boys (6 and 3) and they are in love with her. Just wish she had a bit more oomph.

She is also very fussy with food and at the same time greedy. I caught her ON the dining table the other day hovering up the DC leftover tuna pasta! The brat!

BCBG · 14/08/2013 21:10

Cockers (I have two) for jogging! My home help has had two Cavaliers and lost one to MVD at 2 1/2, and the second to syringomyelia at 13 months - and both came from reputable breeders. And believe you me pet insurance does nothing whatsoever to help with the absolute trauma and heartbreak she went through in losing each one. The death of the second was slow and agonisingly cruel. I would have PTS at diagnosis, but she felt unable to do that so the vet treated him for 8 months or so before the inevitable happened. Like mum23girlys says, she would never ever go through it again.

Our cockers are loveable, laundry stealers, and have boundless energy.

Original poster

newbiefrugalgal · 14/08/2013 21:16

Flowery sorry - didn't mean to upset you.

Thank you for all your thoughts - I do appreciate them all.

I wonder if I can get both......

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Original poster

newbiefrugalgal · 14/08/2013 21:17

If I do go Cocker my next question which one - some Australian breeders advertise English Cocker. Is this NOT the working one?

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Original poster

newbiefrugalgal · 14/08/2013 21:21

Found this on an Australian pedigree website:

Energetic and loving, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel makes the perfect family pet, but it must be stressed they are dogs that belong with people. They are not dogs to be left alone or housed outside as they thrive on human contact.

Does that mean 'left alone' whilst out at work - six/seven hours alone too much? Does anyone keep cavaliers at home alone during the day?

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Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 14/08/2013 21:26

Ahem. My Dog is a working cocker.

He is gorgeous, clever, loyal, hard working, brilliant, loving, oh I could go on. The English cocker is just the generic term for them, they fall into two categories of Show dogs and Working dogs. There is a little physical difference, the Show has the domed head and long ears whereas the Working often looks like a smaller version of a Springer. There's a bit about it here and this is a good site for information.

I'm sure Cavs are lovely but I don't know anything about them!

Whatever you decide, he'll be yours and you'll love him just the same. Good luck!

MelanieCheeks · 14/08/2013 21:26

6 or 7 hours! That's a lot for any dog to be left alone.

everlong · 14/08/2013 22:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 14/08/2013 22:03

Oh yes, just seen the bit about leaving it on its own for 6 or 7 hours.

I shouldn't really bother just yet then. Perhaps wait until you can give it a bit more time. You can't really leave a dog on it's own like that, it isn't fair.

Original poster

newbiefrugalgal · 14/08/2013 22:03

We had a cocker spaniel growing up (in oz) both my parents worked and he was left at home in the back garden during the day. Is that uncommon these days?
I know some dogs need more and want people around all day but surely that doesn't happen all the time - does it?

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