Cocker spaniels

[TimelyIntervention]

We’re in the researching phase before getting a puppy, hopefully next summer.

I had a show line cocker spaniel growing up, and I’d say in the 90s they’d be near the top of most family friendly breed lists. But they don’t seem to be the same these days. Has the breed changed, or is it just that the cockerpoo has taken their niche? Working cockers seem much more popular around us, and gorgeous as they are we don’t live the lifestyle for them!

Happy to also take any suggestions of a similar sized, robust, family friendly breed which doesn’t need working breed levels of exercise.

Show cockers still need a considerable amount of exercise and stimulation - while they're not as "wired" as their working counterparts, they're still spaniels and still require a similar amount of input.

In terms of breed, think about what you can give a dog and then figure out what breeds fit your requirements. How much exercise are you able to do on a daily basis? What about grooming? How long will you want/need to leave them alone once fully grown etc.

I find the best way to figure out a breed is to think about all the things you really wouldn't want in a dog, then once you've narrowed down your list to breeds that you would be able to own happily, look from there (if that makes sense!).

The problem with cocker spaniels is they went through a period where they were just overbred, resulting in serious behavioural issues. It's a bit better now, but you need to be very careful with picking a breeder - particularly if you have young children.

A lot of people take 'working lines are high energy' to mean show lines don't need anywhere near as much exercise and IME that's not true. A show-line cocker still needs about 60-90 minutes a day in their 'prime' (2-9 years, give or take a year or so) as a minimum and mental stimulation to be truly happy. A working cocker needs 2hrs+ and mental stimulation. And if you can't do that, it's when behavioural issues start.

FWIW I have two show cockers ATM (one my own and one foster) and have consistently had two show cockers in my house at any one time for the last 11 years (I foster). I much prefer show cockers to working cockers, but they are still needy, high energy and highly intelligent dogs.

@sunsetsandboardwalks has really hit the nail on the head with 'thank about what you don't want.'

my experience is working are easier to train so long as you learn it’s not all about long walks but mental stimulation. Having had a cocker spaniel I know I’m a spaniel owner forevermore.