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Original poster

Am I mad to be thinking of getting a cocker spaniel as first time dog owner?

58 replies

MinnieMouse0 · 15/09/2023 13:03

As title really!

I would really love a four legged pal and am thinking about a cocker spaniel. Either a show type or possibly an American cocker spaniel as I hear they are slightly (😅) more mellow compared to the working type.

I am fully prepared for lots of training and exercise. I don’t really have any hobbies so have all the time in the world for training. Also I live in the highlands so I’m not short of places for walks!

The other breeds on my favourites list are westies and King Charles cavalier spaniels.

OP posts:
Lastqueenofscotland2 · 15/09/2023 13:11

Do you have kids or regularly visiting small children? They are very very prone to resource guarding. Just take a look at spaniel aid to see how many were given up after snapping at a child due to resource guarding.

They are VERY different to westies and cavs.

bunnygeek · 15/09/2023 13:11

As long as you're going into it with eyes wide open, you're good.

If you had said you lived in a 12th floor flat in the middle of the city, worked full time in an office and only had half an hour a day to walk the dog in a local park, then obviously that would be a flat out no. But the Highlands sounds perfect Spaniel-land!

Do you have your own garden that is secure (or can be made secure) to help with training?

Iamalittleteapot · 15/09/2023 13:13

I have two Cocker Spaniels, and no problems with them resource guarding. They are lovely dogs, but need a lot of exercise and brain work too

IngGenius · 15/09/2023 13:14

Check check check the family history as Cockers can (a lot) have separation anxiety. For me that would be one issue I could not live with but for other people it may not be an issue.

How do you see your day panning out owning a cocker?

Fleetheart · 15/09/2023 13:16

please look up beagliers - such lovely dogs and for a first time owner they are just perfect as i have found. cockers are lovely but very very active and need so much exercise

GoodOldEmmaNess · 15/09/2023 13:25

I'm sure it isn't a mad idea. Loads of first time dog owners seem to choose cockers or cocker crosses these days.
Bu I'm also not sure that it is a good idea. It really depends on how rock-solid confident you are that you will enjoy the type of dog ownership that involves loads of exercise and training.
It could be wonderful, the best thing ever. Or it could be a kind of a nightmare version of the gym membership that is purchased but unused. At least if you make a mistake about your commitment to frequently visiting the gym all you have done is waste your money - you don't actually have a bored and frustrated personal trainer glued to you, miserable and making you miserable.

Flatandhappy · 15/09/2023 13:39

Our cocker has been a delight from the day we brought him home, he is 12 now. I really don’t understand the comments here, we took him to puppy school, never had an issue since. I do think that mumsnetters seem to make dog ownership into some kind of drama it really isn’t, most of what I read here is just so weird. People really must have very little in their lives.

VelvetUndergrounds · 15/09/2023 14:15

We have a one year old and he's super chilled and laid back. He's the best little boy. He's brilliant with our children, really calm with them. He's currently snoozing by my feet. He came from a very keen breeder who was very much into expert breeding, perhaps that's why his temperament is so good.

amakaAlqp · 15/09/2023 14:18

I've had a spaniel, I'd never have another, he was lovely but such hard work compared to our other dogs.

LocalHobo · 15/09/2023 14:22

I do think that mumsnetters seem to make dog ownership into some kind of drama it really isn’t
100% agree with this.
We have spaniels with no ownership issues. Do your research and get what suits your environment.

Newpeep · 15/09/2023 14:23

Not mad but you need to be prepared!

They are very variable in needs - some are laid back but some are crackers. You need to check the lines carefully and speak to breeders. I know some show cockers that are higher maintenance than the working and some workers that are more laid back than the show.

Most wcs in pet homes do not get what they need therefore exhibit a range of behaviour problems due to it. I help run a dog training club and see many dogs with owners who had no idea what they'd taken on.

(personally I am Team Terrier as again, pick your breeder and breed carefully and they are cracking little dogs with very few things not to like, intelligent and very easy to train if you understand their ancestry and use it to your advantage)

WeeOrcadian · 15/09/2023 14:26

Or a rescue.... There are literally thousands of dogs needing rehoming in this country

twistyizzy · 15/09/2023 14:32

Spaniels are a working breed, even show types have a high prey drive.
They make great pets IF you put the hours of work in. My WCS has had over 400 hours of training but a show will obviously need less.
Just because they are a show line don't discount the amount of physical and mental exercise + training they need.
You need to put the training in from Day 1 when they come home and usually need a lot more than basic 6 week puppy classes.
All spaniels are prone to resource guarding and you onyy need to look at the numbers in rescues due to bad RG and biting.

twistyizzy · 15/09/2023 14:36

Sorry pressed too soon!

Highly recommend the books:
Total Recall by Pippa Mattinson to deal with recall and high prey drive
Mission Control by Jane Arden

Then:
The Pet Gundog Puppy by Lez Graham to help you understand the natural instincts of your spaniel.

My gundog trainer has a fair few show spaniels in his lower level classes, they do well and love it.

Pheckwittageisms · 15/09/2023 21:22

I have a spanner - show cocker, but he did not get that memo and is batshit crazy. Love him to bits although he drives me mad on a daily basis. That brilliant spaniel brain loves to work, or it will quickly go self employed.

We do canicross, scent work and lots of brain games. It’s taken me a while to work out our connection but he’s the best fun and also a complete pain in the bum. Fits in perfectly with our family!

I’d say do your research - all the things in their ancestry that make them amazing working dogs are exactly the things that can be problematic if their needs aren’t met. They are wired to want to flush, hunt, retrieve and carry and they will do that with or without you, so if you can learn to work with their breed needs and channel them constructively, everyone will be happier for it.

Oh - and they don’t always come with an off switch in their factory settings, so that can take some work!

FLOrenze · 15/09/2023 21:38

My son has a first time dog as a Cocker. The dog is a delight, perfect with children and very social. This does not happen by chance of course. The whole family put their energy into training him,

My DIL works from home, my son works shifts and the dog is rarely alone. They take him for massive long walks. Most dogs are hard work but Cockers have an extra dimension of being very energetic. They were told a dog bred from working dogs rather than show dogs was best for their lifestyle.

Tygertiger · 15/09/2023 21:40

They are incredibly loving and very pretty. But not easy. I would go for a golden retriever or lab personally. I have a sprocker now. I love him but he will be my last spaniel 😆

Wanttobeok · 15/09/2023 21:42

Personally I would always go for a retriever over a spaniel and we have both in our family.

Easier to train, no prey drive to speak of and calmer. Also less barky!

The only thing in the spaniel's favour (as much as I love him) is smaller size.

opalescent · 15/09/2023 22:34

I have a cocker, she's my first dog and she's nearly three. I adore her. I found the first 6 months really hard- and often wondered if I had picked the right breed. They are very busy, very clingy, and very bitey as puppies. But she has matured into the best companion I could imagine.

As long as you are happy to be present, walk them regularly, and provide some mental stimulation, I'm sure you will love it!

Passthecoffee · 16/09/2023 18:25

We have just started our puppy journey with a cocker spaniel - 12 weeks old. She is so placid and chilled out during the day and is then full of energy for the kids when they come home.

House training is luckily going very well also.

Although reading this thread is a little concerning but we haven’t had any issues yet. I think we have been very lucky with her breeder and the home she came from and haven’t had any issues.

twistyizzy · 16/09/2023 18:28

@Passthecoffee their prey drive doesn't kick in until approx 6 months old, that's the same time as adolescence. Spend as much time as possible on proofing a solid recall especially amid distractions. You are in the golden period when pup isn't confident enough to go far from you.
Also proof lead + heel walking now so dog never learns to pull.
They are the best company and dogs but you do need to put the time in training before the 6 month stage.

MarvellousMonsters · 16/09/2023 18:38

MinnieMouse0 · 15/09/2023 13:03

As title really!

I would really love a four legged pal and am thinking about a cocker spaniel. Either a show type or possibly an American cocker spaniel as I hear they are slightly (😅) more mellow compared to the working type.

I am fully prepared for lots of training and exercise. I don’t really have any hobbies so have all the time in the world for training. Also I live in the highlands so I’m not short of places for walks!

The other breeds on my favourites list are westies and King Charles cavalier spaniels.

Do you work outside your home? How many hours a day will the dog need to be home alone?

Do you have children?

I'd get in touch with a local rescue and go and visit to meet various dogs and discuss your preferences. They'll help to match you with a dog that will fit your lifestyle.

K4tM · 16/09/2023 18:42

I love a Westie. Or a Border Terrier. Or a Yorkie (Patterdale, Cairn, Norfolk … I’ll stop now). I love the native terrier breeds. Such brave feisty little dogs and they can walk forever!

TeenLifeMum · 16/09/2023 18:46

We have a working Cocker - very clever as training is easy. His puppy dog eyes when told off make it hard to be strict but he’s 3 and fab. I don’t really understand all the drama about them on this thread. We did lots of research, met his mum and older siblings.

Iheartmysmart · 16/09/2023 18:52

I’ve got a show cocker. Lovely, gentle little chap but absolutely batshit bonkers and very clingy. He’s like my little shadow, can’t even go to the loo without him!

He gets on well with other dogs but he much prefers people. Walks nicely on his lead but if he picks up a scent then he’ll be gone. I don’t let him off any more as he’s gone quite deaf in his old age so can’t hear me calling him back.

Obstinate is an understatement. If we don’t walk where he wants to go then he will lay down on the pavement and refuse to go anywhere at all.

He’s had quite a lot of health issues so if you do go with the breed get very good insurance!