Tell me about your Cocker Spaniels :)

[stumblymonkey]

I've posted a couple of times over the past month or so about getting a dog....

Short summary: Both DP & I grew up with dogs, we have researched a number of breeds, we have four cats, we rent, no DC but planning to have one in a couple of years.

We were waiting for the landlord to consider our request for a dog....and today they said yes!!!

I'm so very happy!

They have stipulated an extra 1/2 month's deposit and some additional pet clauses (all fine).

They also want us to have a smaller dog rather than medium-large dog.

This cuts out a lot of the breeds we were considering....Labs, pointers, GSDs, etc.

My other fave breed are Springers but I think I would still consider them a 'medium' sized dog but perhaps a Cocker could be considered on the smaller side of medium?

I would be happy with a smaller dog but DP refuses point blank and says they are 'not real dogs'

So tell me about your Cocker Spaniels!

Obviously we would need to carefully introduce and socialise with DCats...any success stories on this front?

Two types, working and show to consider.

I have show cockers, they are hairy, moult a fair bit - I should really hoover the kitchen every day - soft mouthed but they can cause damage chewing, but they are so so affectionate, sleep a fair bit and one walk of 1 - 1.5 hours is enough for my two. We have a fairly large garden that they like to roam in.

They like human company.

I have no experience of introducing to cats though.

I have a 7 year old ginger cocker spaniel. She is a bit "bitey" but incredible sweet at times too, She is the smartest dog ive ever had.

She doesn't moult a lot , and I would class her as a medium sized dog. She needs lots and lots of walking because otherwise she shows signs of stress if she gets bored, I think that's to do with her intelligence.

I was also told that full colour ginger cockers have been overbred and that's the reason she is nasty. I also have a 15 year old springer who is the most loving docile dog ive ever had, not as clever as the cocker though. Love my dogs : -)

I have a show cocker and had two cats when I got her. They immediately took to her (and her to them). I think they assumed she was a cat and seemed genuinely shocked when she started getting bigger than them.

She picked up housetraining uber quickly. Was a bit of a demon at chewing up cushions when she was younger but rarely chews anything now. Is very loving but happy to be left 4 hours a day when I'm at work. Hates water (think that's unusual for a spaniel tho!) and isn't that keen on walks in the cold. Very adaptable, we had to move from big house with very big garden to small with postage stamp and she seems just as happy here!
Don't think I would have any other kind of dog, her ears do smell sometimes though and those paws absorb mud!!

Just to say, we introduced a cat to the "bitey dog" and she was frightened of it! They get on fine now :-)

Mines a blue roan. Think it's the plain colours that can have issues. I did a lot of reading up about rage syndrome in cockers and that seems to be confined to plain colours.

Here's my two.

My mams old boy was a right miserable git. They say dogs love you without any conditions but he didn't get that message.

Below is my brother new puppy she is a lovey natured dog.

Aw they are lovely doggies :-)
Yes that's what my girl has " Rage syndrome" and she is one colour.

Cop is technically a springer/cocker cross (so a sprocker) but he is a cheeky, naughty, loveable rogue. He was a rescue who was abandoned as a young dog and had every reason to dislike humans but is an absolute diamond of a dog.

They are all beautiful!

I am BEYOND excited but DP has an interview for a couple of jobs this week....one of them would mean he'd be out all day (I'm already out all day) which means no dog. I have all fingers and toes crossed that he gets the other one!

It feels like every time we get over one obstacle to getting our dog, another arises

This is my make liver working cocker sitting with my friend's female springer. You can see that he is almost the same size.
He is a fab dog. So loving and affectionate. My husband also takes him out beating on a shoot during the season. He is very well trained on a whistle. A very rewarding dog.
My husband always was a big dog fan, but once he got friends with some shooting people and started to go beating, we got our cocker and husband absolutley loves him to bits.
He is very intelligent. He needs a job to do. They need mental stimulation almost as much as physical exercise.
Lots of people do agility with working cockers.
Please don't expect your dog to be content with a walk around the block each day and then sat indoors the rest of the day, that's when they become destructive.
Hope the job situation works out so that you can get your dog.

I had a blond cocker. My baby. Loved and NEEDED walks/playtime. I miss him still after 9 years

Here is my beautiful Lucky; devastated that I had to have her pts 12 days ago.

Absolute treasure. Loved children, walks, playing. You could not have a lovelier dog.

I would say go for a show cocker rather than a working, unless you're prepared to do LOTS of walking, agility, training etc. Shows are much more placid and content to lie around. Shows also (IME) relate better to people - working dogs can be more ball fixated.

Harvey is nearly 9 but still bonkers, excitable, loving little dude. Has bitten once when very young but never since as it was robustly managed. Very protective of long lasting treats but otherwise a diamond. Love him to the moon

He's cross between working and show type I believe and yes much bigger than the average show type.

This is my Bella. She's a complete lunatic but the happiest, waggiest dog ever