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The doghouse

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

Original poster

Working cocker spaniel decision!

52 replies

Quokka12 · 02/12/2016 08:28

We have been talking and talking about getting a puppy - think it is time to take the plunge or not and are going tomorrow to see a working cocker spaniel from this litter felsteadgundogs.com - first dog (as adults grew up with them) and have a 7 year old dd. Someone in the house most of the day and happy to do exercise/ training etc. V expensive though at 900 - is it a good family dog (only had border collies before and didn't want that big but still active and bright)?

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FlappysMammyAndPopeInExile · 02/12/2016 16:42

If I was paying that sort of money, I'd certainly be wanting assurances about health tests.

hennipenni · 02/12/2016 16:42

We have one of each, the show has an off button- the worker does too but it takes longer to work! Definitely needs a job (worker) ours does agility, gun dog training and also goes to work with my daughter (dog walker) he is a failed gun dog (rescue) he's lovely around the house but my daughter has found that if she not constAntly working him when off lead he will go free hunting which has resulted in him going missing before now- This isn't through lack of recall training but he just needs to be doing something under instruction all the time. The price seems very, very steep, our show cocker cost £650 and came from fully health tested parents and has an excellent pedigree.

FlappysMammyAndPopeInExile · 02/12/2016 16:43

He's lovely! I'll have to work out how to post a picture of mine, and then you can all go green with envy!

hennipenni · 02/12/2016 16:48

These are our two

Working cocker spaniel decision!
Working cocker spaniel decision!
Original poster
Quokka12 · 02/12/2016 16:58

There all so lovely - I will go fully armed with questions on health checks and parentage.

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twocockersarebetterthanone · 02/12/2016 17:06

Think my user name sums it up!!!

Working cocker spaniel decision!
FlappysMammyAndPopeInExile · 02/12/2016 17:14

I'd just talked myself out of a third spaniel (cost, grooming, exercise, the fact that DH and I can hardly get into bed as it is with the girls stretched out all over it etc) but now I want another one.

I WANT ANOTHER ONE, DAMMIT!!!!! ()

Original poster
Quokka12 · 03/12/2016 13:06

As promised here is our new family member - Bob (short for bauble).

Working cocker spaniel decision!
Working cocker spaniel decision!
Working cocker spaniel decision!
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TrionicLettuce · 03/12/2016 13:16

Did it turn out the breeders do actually health test properly or did they explain why they don't bother?

Stevemcqueenlikesbeans · 03/12/2016 13:30

Agree with Lettuce. We paid £800 for ours but had all of those tests so felt it was worth it.

Original poster
Quokka12 · 03/12/2016 13:46

To my limited understanding yes - I have records for the mum and dad including Dan fn, prcd pra - eye scheme, hip score. Puppy health checked although not fully gone through that yet. My vet appointment tomorrow to go through everything and have it fully explored.

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Original poster
Quokka12 · 03/12/2016 13:47

Tbh most reassured by being able to see mum and dad and how they interacted with the puppies x

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A1Sharon · 03/12/2016 13:52

Just sneaking on to ask a question as so many on here are knowledgeable about WC.
Mt friend has one, she is 4/5yo. She is lovely, full of beans all day etc, as described here. But she has never been able to walk properly on the lead. My friend did go to a trainer/classes when she was small, but the dog has never improved at all. She nearly pulls your arm off, panting/straining, its awful! The trainer said WC just weren't good on the lead.
Is there any chance she could learn it now?
Your new arrival is gorgeous OP!

TrionicLettuce · 03/12/2016 14:14

The hip score is presented as two numbers which are combined to give the total score for the dog. For example 2/3 with a complete score of 5. You want the total number to be lower than the breed average (which I believe in cockers is currently 10) and for the two numbers to be very similar. So if the total score is say 8, 4/4 or 5/3 is preferable to 1/7. When there is a large difference between the two numbers the BVA recommends for the purposes of breeding that the higher number should be considered more accurate and that should be doubled rather than the two numbers being added together. So that dog with a score of 8 which was 1/7 would more accurately be viewed as having a score of 14.

This gives a breakdown of hip scoring and what the results mean.

As well as an eye test (which should have been done within the last twelve months) both should also have had a gonioscopy within the last three years. The gonioscopy checks for pre-disposition for primary glaucoma which there's currently no DNA test available for.

As well as DNA tests for FN and prcd-PRA they should also have had tests for adult onset neuropathy, exercise induced collapse, macrothrombocytopenia and acral mutilation syndrome.

For each of these conditions at least one of the parents must have tested 'clear'. The acral mutilation syndrome test is very important as it's exclusively seen in working lines. There's some information about it on the breed club site here and here.

Original poster
Quokka12 · 03/12/2016 14:28

Thank you v much - I am taking all paperwork to the vet tomorrow to have it fully explained x

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FlappysMammyAndPopeInExile · 03/12/2016 16:33

He's gorgeous! He looks so little and sweet and wise.

Time for a bit of creative nagging of DH, I think Grin

FlappysMammyAndPopeInExile · 03/12/2016 16:37

Let him off the lead outside (in a safe place, obviously) as soon as you can - while they are still tiny, they will stay near and follow you and come back when you call. Get him used to returning from interesting smells. The longer you leave it, the more confident they are and the more likely to ignore their recall.

Original poster
Quokka12 · 03/12/2016 17:24

Currently I have 2 poos outside so feeling like a dog ninja!

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pinkhorse · 03/12/2016 17:42

This is my working sprocker. Absolute nutter! 1 year old

Working cocker spaniel decision!
Helen1966 · 03/12/2016 19:04

Your new pup is adorable. We have a liver WC whi os nearly 4. He is a perfect house pet, but works too. My husband takes him beating and picking up on a local small shoot. He loves his owrk.
In the house he likes to,carry around a soft toy or a shoe, never happier than when carrying something!
He walks well to heel on the lead, unlike some of the other posters dogs. Off lead he is so close to our heel that we nearly trip up!
My husband has spent many, many hours training him. He works to a whistle, voice and hand signals.
We have an elderly GSD who has started to go deaf and we're so glad he knows hand signals, they have become invaluable (so long as he is looking at us!)
Enjoy your little WC but remember he needs mental stimulation as well as physical exercise.

Helen1966 · 03/12/2016 19:06

This is my boy

Working cocker spaniel decision!
Justwhy · 03/12/2016 19:15

You need to join cockers online. It's a fantastic, helpful forum.

Original poster
Quokka12 · 03/12/2016 20:33

I will definitely join teaching recall as we live in Epping forest is a must

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Original poster
Quokka12 · 03/12/2016 22:22

Have failed first puppy test of sleeping in its own bed - no wonder we are still semi co-sleeping at 7 x

Working cocker spaniel decision!
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bluetongue · 03/12/2016 23:31

Lovely.

Looks like the two of them are going to be best buddies.