Cocker or springer?

[Beaverfeaver]

If you were to choose between the two on nothing but their personality/looks/characteristics etc

Springer

Seem to be less overbred, have come across too many cockers with inbred health issues (epilepsy, pancreatic problems). I don't like the squealing noise cockers make either.

Springer here too. No experience or knowledge of spaniels but we're thinking of getting a Springer. Black and white one ideally.

I think it depends on your lifestyle, how much exercise you can provide etc.Springers are much more high energy then cockers in my experience , unless you go for a working cocker.We have a show type cocker and he doesn't squeal, he has a nice deep bark .

Well, I am biased as we have a black and white Springer, although I would place temperament over looks (like the look of the liver and white too!).

He's loyal and gentle, loving, easy to train, intelligent, good with other dogs and children etc. I love him and he's a wonderful addition to our family, who loves everyone.

That said, I bet a Cocker would be very similar in terms of traits as I would think they are traits of a Spaniel, rather than specific type of Spaniel.

Our Springer attracts mud like nothing I have ever seen.

Agree - it depends on your life style, how much exercise you wish to provide etc. All spaniels will need more exercise than other breeds I would say as a general 'rule of thumb'

Cocker without a doubt. My MIL has both a working cocker and springer (springer came from the guy next door who breeds gun dogs - he wasn't 'right' for training) and their previous dog was also a working cocker. Extremely intelligent with a great temperament. I do love springers but they are a bit too energetic for me and I don't think I'd be able to keep up!

It would be a springer for me. I have known too many neurotic cockers and although springers are high energy the ones I have come across seem to have better personalities than the unpredictable cockers I know.

cocker. Theyre less mental.

Still a bit mental, but more trainable.

Cocker.
I have one who doesn't have mental problems or problems with inbreeding. I haven't noticed her squealing other when I've stepped on her paws by accident.

My cocker weighs just around 10 kgs, so she's smaller than most springers I've met.

She's a show dog (although not used for shows) and I've only met working springers. Her energy levels are much lower than working spaniels' energy levels.

She's a happy, well-balanced dog who has a great temperament. She doesn't bark, doesn't growl and doesn't cause trouble.

Springers are lovely dogs and pretty as well. But their size and energy level would mean that they wouldn't fit into our lifestyle.

Springer. Cockers can be neurotic, snappy and have smelly ears.

Cocker here. Never noticed him being neurotic, snappy or having smelly ears. Though the ears thing can be usual with all spaniels. I've had springers, cockers and king Charles. My cocker is working strain and even at 13 doesn't tire easily. Never had any health issues until the last year. He's had a back injury and a prostatic cyst. Both solved with medication and no surgery required. I wouldn't hesitate to get another one in the future. He's adapted really well to us having 3 wee girls and is very patient and loving with them. He is full of energy and is much the same as our springer was though the springer had many more health issues a lot younger. Though there's a lot of luck in that. Both are fabulous dogs and if treated well make wonderful pets

I had a cocker and one of my relatives has a springer

Based on this wholly representative sample of
two ;) I'd say they both have pros and cons

Our cocker needed much less exercise and was generally a lot calmer than the springer who is brighter but v neurotic. Neither was easy to train (we'd had labs before who were a doddle on the training front in comparison)

Cocker seemed to attract more mud (lower slung) and needed regular grooming - the springer is a bit less high maintenance

Health wise the cocker developed epilepsy (controlled with drugs) and the springer has slightly dodgy elbows

I have a Springer, from working lines
He is the easiest and lovliest dog ever

I had a Springer x Collie before him who was mostly Springer
He too was lovely, bouncy and knew loads of tricks. He unfortunately died just after he turned 4.
I have a Liver and white one now as my first was black and white and didn't want them to look too similar.

He will exercise as much as you want but will also curl up and sleep on the sofa. He will play ball all day. He loves working trials and was quite good at agility until he was put off it after a few dog incidents (he is a bit of a victim and will never retaliate) He is as easy to train as my other dogs, easier in that he will train for a toy reward not just treats.
He is soppy, cuddly and snores
He is a bit of a mud magnet, makes his own path through hedges, has a tendency to lie in a muddy puddle if he gets hot and looks ridiculous in the summer when covered with sticky weed!

I love Springers, but I would love a cocker too.