Do different colour cockers really have different personalities ?

[JinglyJane]

We are looking at getting a show cocker spaniel. I have been told to avoid a golden cocker as they are harder work and more aggressive. Also been told the roan speckled ones are the most laid back. This seems like it could be a myth but wondered if anyone had experience ?

I’ve got a solid black show cocker and he’s quite difficult if I’m honest. Stubborn, can be a bit snappy, endless energy even at 11, quite neurotic on occasion and completely glued to my side at all times.

A friend of mine has a lemon roan female cocker and she is completely different. Very laid back, happy with a couple of 30 minutes walk a day, independent and easy going.

One thing they do have in common though is their obsession with food!

Well the evidence so far is in favour of the roan dogs ! I know stereotypes are just that. But some bay have a real basis I guess.

I had this conversation with a vet nurse recently. She was of the opinion that working cockers are less problematic, but more high energy. And yes, the solid colour ones can be unpredictable! Show cockers can also be prone to more health problems aswell.

Oh this is interesting!

I had a pedigree black cocker years ago, same temperament unfortunately

I had a black roan and he was an angel. So laid back.
I've had a solid black bitch for 12 years and she is snappy, neurotic and awful with people. The only person she is interested in is me. Love her but never again.

Suspect it’s more about responsible breeding than colour to be honest.

I've known two CS in my life - the orange one was a dream, the dark brown one is batshit

Both wonderful, but I know which I'd rather own.

I had a solid golden cocker spaniel when I was little. It was a bit crazy and very energetic but never aggressive or snappy. I loved that dog. Unfortunately it had health problems though and died young :(

I don't have one but there was a golden one at our puppy class and I now know the owner.

The owner has worked to train her but she barked solidly through every single class and she is still neurotic now (age 1) with endless energy and won't leave owners side. Hard work.

Vet nurse here, i totally agree with this , personally i would never consider a cocker spaniel ,ever , i feel so sorry for clients when they have a gorgeous new pup that ends up not being a particularly fulfilling pet due to personality problems and also in the case of cocker spaniels -chronic ear infections.
Working cockers so much easier.

My friend has a blue roan cocker and she’s a dream. So easy. Hence my question as wondered if it was just chance.
Interesting to hear a vet nurse say avoid.
out of interest as a vet nurse which dog would you suggest?
I would have rescued a mongrel but they are hard to come by tbh , or at least ones that can be homed with families.

IME working cockers are much less highly strung and neurotic than their show counterparts. We have a black wocker and she's a lovely temperament. Not snappy at all, gentle as anything, but a terrible thief

I love the discussion about show versus working. I think spaniels are mad as a box of frogs and it's just down to luck whether you get one that is laid back (WCS owner here).

Oh and lots of health issues has affected ours and I know two others WCS as well with lots of ongoing problems. My vet always says she recommends good insurance to any new spaniel puppy owners 😁

Yes definitely good insurance! Mine’s had pancreatitis twice, pulled a cruciate ligament, surgery for entropion so is now on eye drops for life and has recently been diagnosed with arthritis in both hips. He’s an expensive little sod.

I have the most gentle, laid back, quiet, sweet and obedient black WCS. He is mad and frenetic on walks, but only in context that this is his favourite thing, he still listens to commands. I have a Springer too. We put a lot of time and effort into both when they were puppies, and bought from responsible breeders. I don't know anyone that doesn't love our dogs. These days, cocker rage is more to do with training and perhaps negative experiences the dog has had (both of mine have been attacked but luckily unchanged). They are wonderful dogs imho 🙂

Ha - my WCS never ever has any health issues, the Springer, well, another matter!

I have a black working cocker she is lovely - yes she is energetic but she is very keen to please and has learnt everything very quickly. She is 17 months now and not nervous or neurotic at all - I can leave her 4 hours when needed although not often. She is not guardy or snappy. She does however get ear infections like a pp said.

My auntie has 2 blue roan show cockers and they are extremely neurotic, anxious, bark at anyone and everything. Have been known to snap. They were excellent pedigree and trained etc just seems to be the way they are wired. One has had eye issues, the other heart issues.

My daughtet has a black show cocker. He's very neurotic and highly strung, fabulous with people knows but barks frantically at strangers, but he's never bitten anyone and he's seven.

She has a working cocker, also black, and she's an absolute dream, she's so friendly and loves everyone and other dogs.

I have an orange roan cocker and he's lovely. Very laid back, cuddly, loves kids & teens. He has always had a bit of attitude, but basically just enough to stand up for himself in a family with 4 kids.
Obsessed by food, especially at 12 he's on a low protein diet due to kidney failure.

Orange roan show cocker here. Calm, well behaved, fits in with us. Runs miles or potters in the garden. Best dog ever, all are all from our breeder. Chose the breeder carefully and wait for a pup.

Oh & yes he's a show Cocker. Happy with short walks & running thru' streams. My understanding is working cockers need a lot more exercise than the show type

I had a black 50:50 cocker! Show x Working.

He's an absolute gem, as long as he's walked and given mental stimulation each day with training etc he spends most of the day snoozing and is the sweetest boy. Never growled or snapped. He mouths still bit normally it's to direct me, so he gets hold of my arm really gently, and then let's go and leads to to the front door to tell me he wants a walk. Clever little sod.

I don't think colour has much bearing on temperament tbh.

I've had two cockers, same breeder. Solid golden was a bit snappy as he got older. Blue roan the most chilled out affectionate dog I've ever known.

I currently have seven working type cockers in a range of colours, and have had many more through my hands. Roans are my preference for attitude and listening, but all colours of cockers have the potential to be bloody minded little buggars. They are fun dogs to live with and rewarding when properly trained. They will give back everything that you put in.

If you do choose a working type don't be sucked in by a raft of field trial champions in the pedigree unless you intend to actually properly work your own dog.