Cocker spaniel vs labrador?

[Ouch44]

We are hoping to get a dog as a family pet. We keep going backwards and forwards between these 2 breeds. We like the working type of both these breeds. We used to have a flat coated retriever so used to active, slightly mad dogs!
Any thoughts?

[Ouch44]

Our flat coat was a loveable pain in the butt! Stole food off the kids. Nicked any food off the side. Pulled on the lead. But let the kids as babies pull themselves up on her..so tolerant.

[palacegirl77]

My lab is 4. He is the most laid back (lazy, bone idle) dog ever. He is fab on walks, walks lovely on the lead, great with other dogs but what swung it for us is how they (generally) are with kids. We have 2 girls and he is the sweetest boy ever with them A complete gentle giant and I wouldnt swop him for anything! His dad was from field lines and his mum show lines so we got the best of both with an energetic dog that loves a walk and a run but is quite as happy chilling out on the settee watching the Greatest Showman with the kids!

[BirdyBedtime]

Interesting to hear that lots of your cockers aren't food motivated. BirdyDog is a show cocker and will do pretty much anything for food! Unlike others though she is totally uninterested in a ball despite our best efforts. As soon as we start cooking or even opening food packets etc she's right there begging. We have managed to train her not to swoop for anything dropped but that was hard work.

We had considered a lab and I'm really glad we went for a cocker as her size is just right. But she is very bouncy and pulls on the lead (although we are making some progress in loose lead walking very slowly).

[rideawhiteswan]

Haha @missbattenburg so true

[Lovemusic33]

Very true, my old dog was a nightmare to train as food was not a motivation. Most labs and spaniels will do anything for a treat but not all.

[missbattenburg]

Do not discount food motivation as a bad thing.

Battendog (springer) is not food motivated, particularly. Or toy motivated, especially. This has made training a million times more complicated as the rewards are harder to deliver.

I have looked on, in envy, as classmates have had their labs doing double backflips for a dry bit of old kibble they found in a pocket.

[Lovemusic33]

Ouch I was bitten by a springer spaniel as a child, was visiting a friends house and one of her dogs jumped up and nipped my face (luckily not badly, just bruised). I think we often think of guard dogs and police dogs when we she GSD, a lot of people here used to use them to guard their land or property, they always seemed a bit scary but my neighbour has 5 of them, although they are strong dogs they are pretty people friendly.

[Ouch44]

Completely agree about poo and dog size!
Sorry to hear your rescue fell through. I am actually really scared of some dogs. When I was a toddler 2 dogs had a fight and knocked me over, luckily didn't hurt me but have remained scared of German shepherds and dogs with no tail. Probably be different with my own but won't risk it.

[Lovemusic33]

I like your thinking Wine ,I also consider that bigger dog will pee more, which will kill the lawn.

We are back on the hunt for our perfect dog after our rescue fell through. I do like big dogs but I like the fact a smaller/medium size dog is easier to transport and clean up after. I have several breed on my list at the moment, all quite different, I’m still unsure what dog would suit us. I do love springer spaniels (have had them before) but also love bull breeds as my last dog was a staffie, both very different dogs. Also love collies but they are too high energy and like to work.

[Winenotttea]

I have a very simple rule when it comes to dogs, big dog equals big poo. If you are happy to pick up the big poo then go for the big dog!

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

Any dog is potentially a problem with livestock, but particularly breeds with a high prey drive, like whippets. They are also not famous for their recall.

I have a high prey drive dog, and she is okay in the same field as cattle (I don't take her close unless she's on a lead and we haven't much choice), but I have worked hard on stop and recall with her, as well as on just not going anywhere near the cows. I'd never let her off in the same field as sheep, though I'm working on steadiness with sheep just in case she ever meets some unexpectedly.

[Ouch44]

We are actually thinking of a whippet too. We like to go for family walks in the country. Are they a problem with livestock?

We have missed having a dog to clear up the floor!

[Happyspud]

Should clarify, mine is calm, everyone else’s I know if is not.

[Happyspud]

My cocker (show) is an absolute beauty of a dog. Calm, loving and would cuddle all day long. I don’t know anyone with a cocker who hasn’t said theirs is a bit mad and often pusses everywhere. Any I know are not motivated by food, mine annoyingly wont even clean up after the baby, just not interested. The working cocker apparently needs to be worked and I can imagine that as my show cocker could run and run and run and literally never tires. I do think a lab is a better family dog (typically) as cockers can be snappy. Mine is not a fan of kids really despite having two little ones when she arrived and two since. She is fiercely loyal to me. Very smart and hard to train (I’ve problems with her chasing sheep and once she gets the adrenaline going there is literally nothing I can do to stop her).

[Chipsnchampagne]

Definitely consider a whippet - generally much easier than a lab or spaniel, lovely as those breeds are. Once you are past the puppy stage they are usually calm, lazy dogs. Yes they will run around like mad things when you walk them off the lead, but when you take them home most are happy to sleep all day. Very cuddly, very affectionate and far less messy/hairy than labs and spaniels. Usually gentle with children as well.

[Ouch44]

I think going to Discover dogs or Crufts will just make it worse. Even more dogs to add to the indecision! Also went before choosing the FCR and nobody told us they are pretty much the craziest dog you can get!!

[rideawhiteswan]

Go for a lab from show lines, lovely with children, always up for a walk but then will sleep at home.
Easy to train as food motivated.

[WeeMadArthur]

My show lines lab is very cuddly, and loves nothing more than a good snooze across my lap. I think the difference is energy levels is that labs will take as much exercise as you can throw at them but are also happy with much less than a cocker, cocker spaniels are much more driven and will happily disappear into the undergrowth. Labs are lower energy in the house imo. I’ve also had a working line lab and although not such a sofa hog as my show lab, was also really calm at ho e, even though he would happily run for hours. I would definitely go for lab over cocker.

My neighbours have Border Terriers and they are so noisy, they bark constantly whenever anyone passes the house or anyone is out in their back gardens.

The KennelClub has an online questionnaire it might be worth doing to narrow down which breeds might suit. If you aren’t in a hurry to get one then Discover Dogs (in London in November I think, or at Crufts in Birmingham in March) is a great way of meeting lots of different breeds and talking to breeders about the realities of each breed.

[spiderlight]

We have a calm cuddly cocker. But he is also totally food obsessed and can be very busy if he's not had enough exercise.

[Ouch44]

We are also thinking of a whippet and do like the look of a border terrier. I follow Loraine Kelly on Instagram mostly because of her gorgeous border terrier.
Too many dogs to chose from!

[TheSandgroper]

Border terrier? Likes to keep fit but works with the rhythm of the house. Amenable to a bit of training. Robust. Ours is a great dog.

[FATEdestiny]

I'm hoping for a nice, calm cuddly dog after last one which was mad as a box of frogs!

Blimey, don't get a spaniel then!

My final two when we were looking was Cocker or Labrador. We got a cocker in the end, but I still think I'd love a Labrador.

[ContadoraExplorer]

Our cocker (father was from show lines but mother has working in her) can go all day but he can also just chill out when he needs to. He does love his food and pretty sure he would eat until he was sick then start all over again if we let him, but we don't leave anything sitting out that he could eat. Very easily trained and had been great with our friends kids of varying ages. He's a good size as well for our 3 bed semi, I don't think the house would be right for anything bigger!

[Hairyfairy01]

If you want a calm dog don't look at working lines. What about a show cocker?

[Lovemusic33]

Both breeds can be quite crazy and hyperactive, if you want a quiet dog then you might want to look for something else unless your willing to put a lot of time in with training.

I had a lab x flatcoat and he was very high energy, not quiet at all.

I have just adopted a GSD x (possibly a bit of lab), went to view her yesterday and she’s surprisingly calm and gentle but she also has lots of energy for walking.