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The doghouse

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Original poster

do all show cockers have the personality of a tea towel

119 replies

Jamandcheesesandwich · 04/01/2023 11:13

hi all

I am still pondering breeds and are now down the last two
lab and cocker

I am going for the show cocker rather than working due to the needs of the wcs being much higher than the show

the only show I have known had the personality of a tea towel

so please tell me about your show cockers , pictures too if possible

OP posts:
Thread gallery
29
Lastqueenofscotland2 · 04/01/2023 11:46

Personally I’m not a lover of cockers, they are pretty prone to resource guarding which is really annoying if you have kids, as it can be a bite risk.
it doesn’t sound like you actually like them… how come you’ve come to this decision?

ElephantInTheKitchen · 04/01/2023 11:52

What are you actually looking for in a dog - and what made you put a show cocker on the shortlist?

(I'm with you, I can't stand dogs with no personality or opinions either, though your description of them having the personality of a tea towel did make me laugh!)

QuietYou · 04/01/2023 11:53

I read this as Slow Cookers and came on to see what on earth you meant!!

Original poster
Jamandcheesesandwich · 04/01/2023 11:58

QuietYou · 04/01/2023 11:53

I read this as Slow Cookers and came on to see what on earth you meant!!

brilliant

OP posts:
GoTeamRocket · 04/01/2023 11:59

I have a mixed breed (half show cocker). She loves a good, solid, long, sulk after a visit to the groomers or vets.

But she has loads of personality and doesn't resource guard. She did when she was a puppy though!

whataboutsecondbreakfast · 04/01/2023 11:59

I have to say I'm not a fan of show cockers. All the ones I've met have been snappy with behavioural issues.

But I suspect a lot of that is down to ownership. People often get the "show" strain of a breed without realising that they still need a good amount of training and exercise.

I know what you mean about personality too - I like dogs with a bit of sass and attitude Grin

Original poster
Jamandcheesesandwich · 04/01/2023 12:02

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 04/01/2023 11:46

Personally I’m not a lover of cockers, they are pretty prone to resource guarding which is really annoying if you have kids, as it can be a bite risk.
it doesn’t sound like you actually like them… how come you’ve come to this decision?

we have been pondering for a long time now about getting a dog, we have tried for rescue but due to having a cat not one of the rescues will rehome with us.

We dont like terriers and want a dog which will be trainable and we both like the lab or spaniel. My friend has working springers and they are mental

OP is 63 and I am 58 and both active , but not up munro active ! we both love walking

I love golden retrievers too but they seem a lot of work

have looked at champdogs for fully health tested dogs and found a really good breeder for labs and show cockers and working cockers

OP posts:
HoppyHop · 04/01/2023 12:02

QuietYou · 04/01/2023 11:53

I read this as Slow Cookers and came on to see what on earth you meant!!

Oh me too!! 😂

But in answer to the question I have a working/show cross cocker and he is definitely not lacking in personality! He's also fairly lazy so an hour hurtling round the garden and an hours walk each day is enough for him.

With regards to guarding, yes, he does this and after a close call with tween DC trying to get something (that he stole!) off him. Only myself & DH take things of him now. Something I didn't know about about spaniels before we got him. It's easily managed though.
Love spaniels and would recommend a X if you can find one.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 04/01/2023 12:05

Have you looked at clumber or Sussex spaniels? Harder to come by but lovely dogs without the springer lunacy, but less “meh” than a cocker

THisbackwithavengeance · 04/01/2023 12:06

My DB had a show cocker and I agree with your description of it's personality.

My DB loved it though.

I also don't understand why you'd consider a dog that you were 'meh' about.

My niece has a labradoodle and I know they get a bad press on here but you'd honestly never find a sweeter, more lovable dog. Very needy though, like a hyperactive child.

Floralnomad · 04/01/2023 12:07

Totally agree with the pp look for a Clumber spaniel they are by far the best type .

123rd · 04/01/2023 12:09

QuietYou · 04/01/2023 11:53

I read this as Slow Cookers and came on to see what on earth you meant!!

Me too!

Daysoffarethebest · 04/01/2023 12:11

Friends have a show cocker, she is very calm in the house and quite lazy. Does not run about like a regular spaniel, does not chase a stick or ball and does not swim, but quite sweet natured until older years (age 5) when she has become snappy towards other dogs.
They now have a WCS puppy who is lovely natured, likes a swim/run about but not crazy and is everything they wanted which the show isn’t.

PlaitBilledDuckyPuss · 04/01/2023 12:12

I have a tea towel with the personality of a Show Cocker 😀

PigsDontFly · 04/01/2023 12:18

We have a show cocker puppy who is nearly as year old, as well as an older dog working cocker/springer mix.

The show cocker isn’t quite as high energy as the working dog was at the same age, but still needs at least half an hour walk off lead each day, and loves to swim and chase balls and get muddy.

He is a bit clingy compared to our older dog but that means he has an excellent recall and has been off lead from day 1 (in comparison to the one from a working family - he is stubborn and had a phase of hiding in bushes if he didn’t fancy coming back at the end of walk!)

Lots of cuddles, no resource guarding, very focused on his family and a bit wary of strangers. He is fine being left alone for a few hours, and likes to be independent even when we are all at home, going off to be somewhere quiet if he wants a break. In summer he was often found curled up sunbathing in a sunny corner of the garden, like a cat.

I don’t really know what his bad points are… probably that he steals shoes and socks and hides them behind a tree in the garden, where he gathers all his favourite things. Think that’s a general spaniel thing though!

All dogs need to be well socialised - with other dogs and people - and trained though, maybe some cocker owners are prone to babying them a bit and carrying them around as puppies, which isn’t helpful.

tattychicken · 04/01/2023 12:19

I find the show cockers a bit dim tbh. Pleasant enough dogs though. Much prefer WCS, yes they can be a bit nuts but I know plenty that aren't. Or actually I would choose a Springer over a WCS, the working types are still quite small, and slightly less frenetic than cockers. Still high energy dogs obviously but very trainable.

Frlrlrubert · 04/01/2023 12:20

We have two working cockers and they're not particularly high energy tbh. We put the work in when they were puppies and once past 2 they were both happy with one walk a day as long as they can potter about with you for most of the rest of the day. One in particular hates the rain and would rather skip the walk if it's wet. Don't get me wrong, they do love a long walk and new places to sniff, but they're not bouncing off the walls if they don't get it.

Frenchcroissant · 04/01/2023 12:23

I've got a half spaniel half Cocker, he's amazing so far.

do all show cockers have the personality of a tea towel
Nap1983 · 04/01/2023 12:23

Go for a Lab!!

Frenchcroissant · 04/01/2023 12:24

Obviously still a puppy, but it's the perfect mix for our family.

do all show cockers have the personality of a tea towel
OldTinHat · 04/01/2023 12:25

😆 I thought this was about slow cookers too!!

kenadams86 · 04/01/2023 12:28

I wouldn't get a show cocker if you aren't that drawn to them.

I've got a working cocker rescue and he's 15 months. He's not that mental to be honest. We are quite an active family but he settles and is calm with 2 walks a day (occasionally 1 if the weather is terrible)
He doesn't like being left on his own though and is quite needy

rainbowandglitter · 04/01/2023 12:28

Frenchcroissant · 04/01/2023 12:23

I've got a half spaniel half Cocker, he's amazing so far.

A cocker is a spaniel though or did you not mean spaniel?

ZeroFuchsGiven · 04/01/2023 12:29

QuietYou · 04/01/2023 11:53

I read this as Slow Cookers and came on to see what on earth you meant!!

I'm so glad I wasnt the only one 😂

MyGrandmaLizzie · 04/01/2023 12:31

QuietYou · 04/01/2023 11:53

I read this as Slow Cookers and came on to see what on earth you meant!!

I read it as slow cookers as well.
Maybe time for an eye test.....