What Breed for 2nd dog that 'goes' with a spaniel?

[LER83]

We've currently got a 3yr old working cocker spaniel and are looking to get another dog. We've not had a lot of luck with spaniels so want to get a different breed, but don't know what. Ideally no bigger then spaniel size, but big enough that our dog won't flatten it! Something that could cope with long walks, but maybe not as scatty as a spaniel! We've also got 3 children & 3 cats, so needs to be good around those. I've been looking up different breeds but its really difficult! Any ideas? Is there a dog thats like a smaller/calmer version of a spaniel 😂

A show cocker

A smaller version of Labrador.

Use one for flushing and one for picking up

I had the same issue; something similar to a spaniel but not a spaniel (a good spaniel is bloody hard to find). I didn’t want anything bigger but they had to be good with kids, high energy, intelligent and loyal. I ended up with a Golden Retriever. There’s nothing like a spaniel that’s not a spaniel that met my requirements! I discounted beagles, other spaniels, poodles etc.

A Golden and a Spaniel is the perfect pairing in my eyes. The two breeds really complement each other well. I know you said not big…but tbh you’ll struggle unless you’re happy with a sturdy terrier (not for me)

Golden Retriever was our first thought but I just don't think we've got the space, wish they did them in miniature! Jack Russell came up, but I'm not massively taken with them. Our current spaniel is very nervous/reactive, and we've met quite a few similar so its put us off spaniels completely. Might just get another cat 😆

One of my female working labs is 23kg, she's a really nice size imo. Out the house she's pretty full on, but inside she's really chilled and always has been. Most labs come with an off switch I find, spaniels don't!

Female labrador. They're not too big and they make an excellent pairing IMO.

Two of my spaniels were quite nervous (and reactive to other dogs). It took a while to get them to take to the puppy tbh - but the good thing about Golden Retrievers (and Labs) is they tend to be far more robust in personality than many other dogs. Unphased by everything and everyone. Every time they told him to go away, he would bounce back the next day - happier and more irritating than ever.

He did them the world of good. I can now have one off the lead safely without worrying about other dogs at all (because she has learned so much from the Golden about dog behaviour and how to react).

If you do consider another dog, do really consider the breeds personality/characteristics and how 'robust' they are - the last thing you'll want with nervous dogs is introducing another highly strung breed (it just makes it so much worse..)

I’ve got a friend who’s got a working lab bitch and she’s not a big dog, one of the terrier breeds maybe?

I have a working cocker and an olde English bulldog so a bit of an eclectic mix that rubs along well 😂 not suggesting you get a bulldog (whole other level of work!) but to show they can get on pretty well with any breed.

We’ve got a Working Cocker and a Golden Retiever - we got the GR first but they’re so good together

The spaniel won this tug of war (as usual). The GR is so laid back (mix of show and working) he chills the spaniel out.

A border terrier would fit your brief. Mine is coming up to 2, will walk all day, fine now with our dog savvy cat, recall great, easy to train, hardy, not reactive, has a great off switch in the house as long as her needs are met but sparky enough to be fun.

You need to put the work in when they are young with terriers but they are really under rated as good all round dogs tbh. Even from working lines she is far less work than a working or even show cocker spaniel.

Oh we chose a terrier because we wanted an active small dog and having been an agility trainer for many years I know I couldn't live with a working cocker spaniel!

All spaniels are not the same though.

I'd personally never have a cocker spaniel - every one I've ever encountered has had a mix of problems in respect of being reactive/clingy/jumping/poor recall/just nutty in general and unable to settle.

We have a Springer and know several and they're totally different ime. Far calmer than cockers, better recall, less reactive and clingy. Ours is 2 now and I never want another breed of dog in my life tbph.

That is my experience as a trainer too. We don't get too many in agility as they tend to struggle with the jump height they are measured into, being heavier set dogs but temperament wise they are a lot more stable.

I am more a terrier person than a spaniel person (someone has to be LOL) but if spaniel was the only dog open to me then it would be a springer every day of the week.

My parents had their working cocker with a Rough Collie and they were lovely together.

What about a sheltie?