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Original poster

Do different colour cockers really have different personalities ?

67 replies

JinglyJane · 15/07/2022 16:39

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 ?

OP posts:
EssexCat · 15/07/2022 21:33

I have a solid golden show cocker and she’s an absolute dream. Incredibly friendly, but really chilled. Sleeps most the time but loves a walk too. She’s 15mths old and has genuinely been pretty easy all along.

I can leave her for 3-4 hours and she seems fine

justasking111 · 15/07/2022 21:34

Show breeds can be snappy, have health issues which is why we've always had working dogs. With children and now grandchildren it's not worth the risk Cocker rage is not a myth and very distressing to witness.

Having said that I know cockers who are PAT dogs golden very well trained.

I love the roan ones especially

Jagley · 15/07/2022 21:36

I had a blue roan show breed growing up and he was lovely for the most part, but would just snap. Pretty sure he had cocker rage looking back, it was awful. Honestly put me off cockers for life tbh, I know there's lots of perfectly lovely ones out there though!

flowerycurtain · 15/07/2022 21:39

Crikey we've just got a cocker spaniel puppy and these replies are making me nervous. He's from a very reputable breeder and we are used to dogs but there's a lot of negativity here!

barneymcgroo · 15/07/2022 21:41

I have a black working cocker. She's a dream - quite inclined to run up to everyone she sees and say hello, but comes back and is biddable. A complete dream with children - they adore her, she adores them.

I've heard that black dogs are becoming less popular because - and I kid you not - they aren't so photogenic. Instagram generation. I couldn't care less - she's gorgeous. No ear infections here, had an eye infection for a bit a couple of years ago, but no trouble since.

GuyFawkesDay · 15/07/2022 21:44

How can you resist??!!

Do different colour cockers really have different personalities ?
travelmad · 15/07/2022 21:46

I had an orange roan show cocker and she was batshit mental and full of energy til the day she died. She was an absolute loon - we all swore she was born with most of her screws missing. She loved everyone, wanted constant fuss and had boundless energy. I miss that little furry menace!

flowerycurtain · 15/07/2022 21:49

just showing off our new family member!!

Do different colour cockers really have different personalities ?
Ivedonethisthreetimealready · 15/07/2022 21:49

Colour makes absolutely no impact on the dogs behaviour or temperament.

Genetics and breeding do obvioulsy.

SakuraSky · 15/07/2022 21:52

A friend's blue roan is neurotic and has cocker rage. Supposedly good pedigree etc. The family have previously rescued dogs with behavioural issues so they're experienced owners. The dog won't tolerate any other dogs, barely eats (only eats some days, only eats a few things, just because it ate something yesterday doesn't mean it'll accept it today...)

MajesticWhine · 15/07/2022 21:53

We have a white and liver/(brown) WCS.
He has a gorgeous temperament and is very affectionate and intelligent. He is very active and a bit obsessive about balls.
Many years ago when I was a child our family had show cockers and we had a particular problem with a black one. In fact he had to be given away after biting. The blue roan ones we had were lovely.
I would avoid golden or black show cockers personally, but I don't know if I'm being unfair.

MajesticWhine · 15/07/2022 21:55

@flowerycurtain he's gorgeous ❤️

Badger1970 · 15/07/2022 21:56

I've got a working cocker and a sprocker. Wouldn't change either for the world.

A friend had 2 show cockers and had terrible trouble with their health so for that reason alone I wouldn't risk one.

MondayTuesdayWednesday · 15/07/2022 21:57

BiteyShark · 15/07/2022 17:58

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 😁

Totally agree. Have had both working and show. One working was totally neurotic and so was one show. The other show totally laid back and so gentle. It depends on the parents mostly and then the level of training but overall cockers are VERY hard work but very lovable dogs and if you are used to cockers you will never want another breed but if you have never had one before then you will be very stressed out!

EddieHowesBlackandWhiteArmy · 15/07/2022 21:58

We have a blue roan show cocker. He’s very needy and would spend his entire life being cuddled and petted if it was possible but he’s also very sweet natured and happy with a couple of 30 min walks a day or will run for hours, not snappy, destructive or particularly high maintenance outside of the constant desire to sit on your lap if you show the slightest inkling about parking yourself on the sofa.

SpanielDaniel · 15/07/2022 22:06

Our golden oldie is a roan, she’s blind deaf and dementia bound now…. Tail still wags though. She’s 15 this month, and she’s brilliant with people, pets of all varieties and children….. but is untrustworthy round food. We couldn’t have asked for a better dog. I’d have another in a heartbeat.

GuyFawkesDay · 15/07/2022 22:11

@EddieHowesBlackandWhiteArmy mine is the same, total cuddle monster.

teddy2806 · 15/07/2022 22:21

I have two cockers both male. My golden one is more show and is 4 years old. He is the most laid back dog I've ever met. He is shy but very friendly with people he knows. He is so calm and only snapped at me once (he does have problems with his ears and I hurt him by accident after a vet visit)! He loves his own company and we really have no issues with him. He knows how to stand up for himself against the other cocker but nothing serious.

Our blue roan is 1 year old. He is absolutely bonkers and is working. He's very lovable and no issues with aggression or snapping at all. Much more energy but I do think as he is with the other one a lot he constantly wants to play, plus he is still very young. Apart from damage to our things we can't complain about him either.

Do different colour cockers really have different personalities ?
Do different colour cockers really have different personalities ?
GuyFawkesDay · 15/07/2022 22:23

Interesting my cousin has bred cockers for years, she always says not to place any store by the letters and pedigree of them as overbred spaniels are almost inevitably bonkers, especially those with reams of FTCH in their pedigree.

Hers are all working dogs but bred to stud dogs or bitches on temperament and her knowledge of the dogs. All theirs are lovely dogs, no issues.

GigglingSquib · 15/07/2022 22:27

I have a golden show cocker. She is adorable. No health issues and brilliant character. Very slightly eccentric (squirrel obsession) but funny, loving and obedient and I wouldn't swap her for the world.

Hyvsvaar · 15/07/2022 22:31

WCS here
have a good look at both parents pedigrees..you can check breeding coefficient on the KC website..some studs are very prolific

have they both had checks for inherited diseases and gonioscopy
we have chocolate and chocolate and tan, I think they mellow with age

i have a neighbour with a show cocker which barks when ever it goes out into garden for a prolonged period

one of mine barks if something is put through the letter box..for about 3 seconds

any spaniel breed is a commitment as they need a lot of exercise

FiddleFigs · 15/07/2022 22:40

I’ve got a liver show cocker and before him had a golden show cocker. Both the most relaxed, laid back and friendly dogs, if rather food-obsessed. DSis has a black show cocker - he’s needy, neurotic, stubborn and aloof, and very picky about food.

Not sure that their respective colours make any difference - but their personalities seem to reflect their owners’ 😅.

Original poster
JinglyJane · 15/07/2022 22:41

Thanks all. I’m wondering now whether a working cocker would be better. I was thinking show would be easier . Seems a little bit and miss!

OP posts:
GigglingSquib · 15/07/2022 22:43

We were very careful choosing a very reputable breeder and all the health checks had been done. I asked the breeder about the temperament of the red/golden tone ones. She said in her thirty years of experience, the red/golden toned ones can take a bit longer to train but that she had never had an aggressive one. Both my dog's parents were very friendly and laid back.

GigglingSquib · 15/07/2022 22:46

The working ones are lovely too but what put me off is that they definitely need a lot more exercise. Mine is quite happy with an hour or so a day plus flying round our large garden. My friend has a working cocker and it is still bouncing around after about four hours in the field.