Working cocker or border terrier

[53103min]

Hello

Just wondered if someone could give me some advice on breeds. I am a medium-experienced dog owner- grew up with show cockers and had my own lovely whippet who sadly died a few years ago.

We are thinking of getting another two dogs. DH would like to get a lurcher. I would like either a working cocker or border terrier. I've only had show cockers before and never any terrier-type dogs so wondered if anyone could give me any advice?

Our situation is-

• both semi-retired (early 50s), doing a day or two from home
• we live rurally and have a large garden
• we spend a lot of time outside and enjoy walking, I also run so a dog that could come along would be lovely (all on footpaths)
• I would prefer not to spend a huge amount of time grooming but don't mind a bit
• we visit our children in London frequently so our dogs will need to come with us on the train (this is presumably just a training point rather than breed-specific?)

Any advice gratefully received.

If you want a great, biddable, fit, funny, affectionate walking buddy go Border. Happy to be trained in anything you like (mine does agility, rally and parkour) or not bother beyond good basics. It’s all good. If you want a dog to work and still have bags of energy left then go Wocker. Theyre great dogs but A LOT of dog. I’ve taught enough to know they’d drive me nuts. If I wanted a dog like that I’d get a collie. They are lower energy. Show cockers are variable but can be lovely. It is hard to find a decent breeder. If you go border then do make sure you go for health tested and KC lines. They tend to be more sound temperament and health. There are some real problems beginning to creep into the breed.

I feel like I know a different dog to most dogs here- we have a cocker spaniel, legend in that he’s happy and content always, BUT recall is horrendous (even though in every other way he appears ‘trained’) and he has soooooo much energy- if he had the chance he would run and keep going. he gets a long walk daily, is played with and has training and also runs around the garden sniffing and exploring. He’ll mostly only rest or eat if someone’s beside him and conversely we have to leave him on his own sometimes to allow him to settle down/sleep. He’s a legend but exhausting.

This is my working cocker too. I means he LOVES me, I feel so bad saying this, but he is hard, hard work.

My working cocker is very intense, glued to my side and like a PP said would crawl inside my skin if he could. I adore him, especially now he's 11 and I'm making the most of every second, but he's a lot of work. He's relaxed in the house, always has been but is a lunatic outside and I've worked tirelessly on his recall but a pheasant always wins over me. He's low maintenance in terms of grooming/bathing but I don't honestly know if and when the time comes I'd want another - I'd get a bitch if I did. Our sprocker is a bag of nerves but incredibly biddable and never leaves my side on a walk.

I've a Border. He's an absolutely gorgeous little dog, very affectionate, easy to train, walks for miles, sleeps for hours, great little personality and low maintenance in every respect. I personally like the slightly scruffy look of the border so he doesn't get much of a strip and I hardly ever have to clips his nails as we do a fair bit of pavement walking. The best little dog I've ever had.

Another vote for a border and a good ratter 😁😁

I would say if you go for a working cocker, avoid one with lots of FTCh, FTW and WTW in the pedigree - field trial lines are bloody hard work. Also try and give it a job to do, as that should scale the mania back a bit.

Cockers and borders are both great, but unfortunately my experience of borders has been soured by a local one with no manners and crap recall who comes barrelling over when I'm training my dogs and then looks astounded when my older dog tells her off.

I’ve got a border too and completely agree with all of the above. He’s 7 now and has been coming to work with me (on the train) since he was a pup, totally unphased by crowds, or anything really, he sits between my feet and travels like a dream. Unless someone opens a packet of crisps.

we have a BT and a Sprocker from working stock.
BT is great, but not as well behaved as our previous one who was the best dog ever. Our current one can be nasty to other dogs, and his recall is not great. He can escape from most gardens and secure fields! Previous BT's recall was perfect and she was never any bother at all.
Sprocker - well, he's lovely but crazy! No recall outside the house/garden. VERY high hunt drive. He will run off for hours given a sniff of a chance.
At home, he's like a magnet. literally lying on top of you.
Out of the two, I'd go for a BT again. Good luck!

We've had both.
We downsized to a Border as our wc was quite a lot of dog. Sometimes it's helpful to be able to tuck a dog under your arm!
All 3 borders have been different but they are dogs with a mind of their own, like working cockers they need to be able to think for themselves.
I prefer the look of a spaniel, but stripped borders are gorgeous. Even unstripped though they are great looking dogs.
Both breeds are biddable, both have lots of energy. Terriers bark more and will chase small furries.

I always read things about WCS on here and feel really flummoxed by mine as he just doesn't sound like any of them! He's 2 and fairly nuts but not super full on like some seem to be. He generally has 1 decent off-lead walk a day for an hour or so, and then a quick sniffy walk in the park. Perhaps a chewy toy or a chase in the garden if needed, but generally he has those two walks and is then perfectly happy to chill. And he doesn't shed much at all, but he's quite silky, I know some cockers are more curly haired, perhaps they shed more? Anyway, he's great. Still have some resource guarding situations (if he finds some manky food on a walk then we have a problem!) but we absolutely adore him. I'm sure Borders are lush too!