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The doghouse

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Original poster

New puppy - is this manageable?

32 replies

Ameliel · 04/10/2023 11:56

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice from the more experienced... I have an opportunity to buy a cocker spaniel border collie cross puppy, and it would be nice to hear from you as to the personality of the cockers and collies ? I have only had greyhounds before, they tend to be very calm and lazy, so I'm bit worried that this puppy will be too hyper and extreme for us? I know collies are quite hyper, but would the cocker side calm him down a bit? We have a big garden and countryside on the doorstep, our kids are used to dogs, but we are also busy and life is manic sometimes.. I work from home 3 days per week but would have to rely on dogwalker 2 days when I'm in office. I would be the main carer for the dog. I could only manage 2 walks per day, 20mins and 45mins. More at weekends. I know mental stimulation is also important. We lost our last grey in May and me and kids really want a new family member, DH is a bit on fence...Thank you for any advice / experience!

OP posts:
ScattyHattie · 04/10/2023 13:04

Cockers are also high energy and need lot of mental stimulation so aren't going to have any calming effect, this is going to be a busy, high needs dog so I'd give it a miss. You'd have total shock to the system.

For that little daily exercise you'd be better off with another greyhound tbh. They are very low need for mental stimulation too so don't need to keep there minds busy, they just fall asleep not go looking for their own entertainment

Scutterbug · 04/10/2023 13:06

I think you’ll find the dog needs more exercise than that as it gets older. Both breeds are energetic and exuberant in my experience! Could you look at getting an older rescue?

Mrsjayy · 04/10/2023 13:10

I've had both breeds they are high energy I currently have a cocker spaniel and he's lovely natured and loves a walk but not for miles and miles it's just going to be your luck of a xbreed I think , A friend of mine has a similar cross was a farm dog " oopsie" but she was a lovely dog a bit intense and bossy but really nice dog. It's up to you really puppies whatever the breed are hard work aren't they?

stayathomer · 04/10/2023 13:10

Yes I’m so sorry if you’re looking for lazy, cockers (while legends!) are ridiculously high energy, also very nippy (mouthing) and need a person with them as much as possible. We had read ‘clingy’ as ‘loyal’ but literally all our little man wants is someone with him all the time (for a long time he’d leave his food and only eat when you stood next to him!) and that’s after us leading him to be out on his own a bit over the day so he wouldn’t expect it more! I’d recommend to someone who had them before but otherwise probably would not recommend to anyone (he’s looking at me as I type this and the guilt is killing me!!)

muddyford · 04/10/2023 13:11

Sounds a nightmare mix. Unless it's a very chilled show cocker, you could end up with a totally wired, permanently full-on, intelligent dog. That's not enough physical exercise in the medium term for either breed. In your circumstances I would wait for something more suitable.

Mrsjayy · 04/10/2023 13:11

My dog is snoozing at the moment they ime very adaptable but full on.

MetaMette · 04/10/2023 13:13

Have you had a puppy before? Irrespective of breed, you can't just leave a pup on the days you're out the house from day 1

Undisclosedlocation · 04/10/2023 13:13

If it’s a working lines cocker, it may well be MORE high energy than a collie, not less!

Mrsjayy · 04/10/2023 13:14

Sometimes dogs can be over walked I know it's not a popular opinion but a good 20 minute sniffy walk is using up a lot of energy thry don't need the legs walked off them.

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 04/10/2023 13:20

That would be my nightmare mix. Both high energy and mental stimulation dogs would not be for me. I would run a mile!

BigBoysDontCry · 04/10/2023 13:44

My neighbour has a sprollie, lovely nature but very high energy.

Newpeep · 04/10/2023 13:48

Both those breeds are high energy BUT also highly intelligent and would need a lot of brain work.

You would be looking at hours of input a day not necessarily exercise but training and brain work.

I am an agility trainer and have a working terrier who has loads of energy, loves to learn but also has a good off switch. I don't have the time for a mix like you are thinking of taking on until I retire.

Another consideration is most puppies need someone around pretty much all of the time until they hit adolescence and in some cases are through it. A dog walker won't cut it with a pup really until they are a bit more mature.

Newpeep · 04/10/2023 13:55

I would say cockers (working) are higher maintenance than border collies if I am honest. Border collies get a bad rep but if you understand them then they are wonderful dogs to live with if they have come from well developed lines.

What is Your Border Collie NOT Good At? (agilitynet.co.uk)

gotomomo · 04/10/2023 13:59

If anything cockers are higher energy than border collies - whilst collies love long walks and have active brains they are pretty lazy in between loving their own space, whereas the cockers I know don't have an off switch!

TheFirstStraw · 04/10/2023 14:02

As others have said, both high energy breeds, and a lot of cockers I've known have been absolutely daft. I would not do do it.

lightinthebox · 04/10/2023 15:52

I can’t imagine why anyone would purposefully breed a collie with a spaniel, it’s going to produce dogs that will be very challenging. I hope other prospective buyers of the litter are aware of the issues.

I wouldn’t go anywhere near that mix!

margotrose · 04/10/2023 15:52

Who on earth is breeding cocker/collie mixes?

They are both working dogs - incredibly high energy, intelligent and in need of plenty of exercise, mental stimulation and training if you don't want them to destroy your house and your sanity.

If you can only manage two short walks a day, this is definitely not the mix for you.

Anonanonanon1 · 04/10/2023 17:15

Depends if it's a working or show cocker, and also collies can vary.
Sounds like a potentially good mix for Agility and dog sports. Less so for a family pet as it's very likely it will need a job and if one is not provided is probably going to become self employed.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 04/10/2023 17:40

An hour a day for a collie x cocker? Only if you want your house destroyed.
That cross has the potential to be a nervous wreck as well, I wouldn’t go near it

Original poster
Ameliel · 04/10/2023 18:06

Thank you all for responding. Pretty much what I thought, but I'm wrestling with my heart as the pups are so adorable! But I don't think I'm ready for what will take, not right now.. the litter was accidental I believe, not bred for money.

OP posts:
Unluckycat1 · 04/10/2023 23:00

I met a collie spaniel cross yesterday! So handsome! But despite being the same age he made my high energy ten month old pup seem calm and easy 😄 lovely dog though, mostly like a non-aloof dog-friendly collie. If I had waaaay more time and owned fields I think I'd love a dog like that.

Flatandhappy · 05/10/2023 03:27

My cocker obviously didn’t get the memo and was pretty chill from puppyhood but the more I read about them the more I think we just got lucky. Crossed with a collie I would only do it if you had way more time for walks than you have. I would imagine they are gorgeous puppies though!

IngGenius · 05/10/2023 08:38

I have working cockers and collies. Dont do it.

If you are expecting a similar life to having a greyhound you will have a mega shock to your system.

People say that dogs do not need a lot of exercise and I agree that collies need a moderate amount of exercise about 2 hours free running a day BUT and a big BUT they need attention and brain work. You cant just walk them and they be settled for the day. They need to be doing something.

Cockers however need loads of exercise and enrichment that fits their predatory motor pattern, hunting, sniffing etc.

Both are awesome dogs but it is unfair to get one that will be left or just walked once a day by a dog walker.

There are loads of dogs out there that would be happy with that situation but not a collie cocker mix. I would also question who chose to breed the dogs in the first place. So bet not all the health tests etc are done.

Collies and cockers in the wrong environment will become self employed may become nippy, get separation anxiety, become resource guarder or herd the kids.

Get another greyhound

twistyizzy · 05/10/2023 08:41

@Ameliel do not touch this cross with a bargepole! Both breeds prone to anxiety + high energy, resource guarding etc = recipe for disaster.
FYI the whole "accidental litter" is the biggest line by puppy farmers!
Major red flags here

Newpeep · 05/10/2023 11:45

margotrose · 04/10/2023 15:52

Who on earth is breeding cocker/collie mixes?

They are both working dogs - incredibly high energy, intelligent and in need of plenty of exercise, mental stimulation and training if you don't want them to destroy your house and your sanity.

If you can only manage two short walks a day, this is definitely not the mix for you.

It's a good sports dog mix - high drive, small and agile. Agility or Hoopers.

I know several. They are very high maintenance not so much exercise but mental stimulation but more importantly to teach how to just be.