Mini Poodle Vs Show Cocker

[Userss8807]

Hi everyone…

Im just wondering what everyone’s opinions are on the two breeds for a family of 5.
I work from home and have time to do a morning and afternoon/evening walk (not hours and hours though) thinking 45 mins each walk, we have a nice big garden for them to play in as well. With me working from home I do need a dog with training that will happily settle/potter in and out of the garden while I do work.

We are not first time dog owners but we haven’t had either of these breeds before.

The kids would like a dog to play ball games with and teach tricks but this is to a certain extent.

I’m not really bothered about the shedding, grooming etc just want a loving family dog that can be part of our family, come on holidays with us etc but one that isn’t any bigger in size

Which do you think is better suited to a family home? Or are there other breeds you think I should consider?

I love Cockers. But even the show lines are not that far removed from working lines - you're looking at at least 90 minutes decent exercise a day, probably more. My mum has a rescue who is 12. She's 'show line', which in theory means she's lower maintenance than a working line - but she needs about 90 minutes exercise a day still...and she's on the go all day as well.

They have very active minds, so unless you are (a) a good trainer and can teach a dog to settle or (b) are very lucky and get the miracle dog, you'll struggle to get it to settle much whilst it's young. They need a lot of coat care (every few days, really) and get knots and tangles easier. They can also be very highly strung and not great with young children - just look at how many end up on Spaniel Aid. They're lovely dogs, but they have a propensity to go badly wrong in hands that aren't 100% perfect, I think. It's not a risk I would take with kids, particularly if they are young.

Poodles, on the other hand, I cannot rave about enough. It's been a lot longer since the 'working' part of the poodle died out (so to speak) so they're less bonkers and less energetic (IME). They need to go to the groomers once a month or so, and need regular coat care - but if you clip them short it's more manageable (I think) than a cocker. They also tend to be better with children from what I've seen. They're intelligent and can walk for miles, but it's not necessarily the most important thing.

Personally, I think Cockers are for more experienced owners. Poodles are good for first timers.

Thank you, that’s helpful information

I know nothing about poodles, but cocker spaniels are great little dogs.
I really think they get a bad rep online - often a rhetoric repeated by people who haven't owned them.
They are friendly and very people orientated. They like company and will follow me from room to room. But they are calm and have all self settled. They are intelligent and eager to please, which helps with training. Energy wise - mine cope with whatever they get, be it one hour or four.
However, you need to research breeders very carefully. As they are so popular, there are a lot of poorly bred ones out there. Whether that's puppy farms, BYB or 'hobby' breeders. I think this is what is responsible for the rise of cockers with issues, which is why spaniel rescues are inundated with surrenders at the minute.
If you want a show cocker, you should start by researching breed lines to find ones you like. Maybe go along to local shows and meet people and their dogs. The Cocker Spaniel Club is worth looking at too. They sometimes know of upcoming litters.

We have two miniature poodles, they are great dogs! I did seriously consider getting a working cocker, but after doing a lot of research on both breeds I felt the poodle was the better fit - the energy levels of the cockers can be quite extreme, I feel exhausted just watching my friends cockers on walks as they never stop! The poodles have plenty of energy and enthusiasm for long walks or agility training, but are otherwise pretty calm and chilled (once they are past the puppy stage anyway), and are great with children. Mine get an hour off lead in the woods every day, and train/compete in agility regularly. Grooming needs to be kept on top of, but if kept in a fairly short clip then a brush and comb through a couple of times a week is plenty. I learnt how to clip them myself so it doesn’t cost me anything after buying the clippers. Find a good breeder though, as badly bred ones can be prone to nervousness.

I’ve owned both.

Both are good with children, although mini poodles can be a little more “precious” with their space.

Both can be quite barky, my miniature poodle would bark at a leaf falling outside the front door!

Miniature poodles are energetic but not like a cocker and will quickly adjust to routines in the house, love a walk but love a cuddle on the sofa too. Very easy to train.

Poodles are hypoallergenic so good for those with fur allergies, they don’t malt so you won’t have fur all over your house, but will need regular grooming.

I’d have a house full of miniature poodles if I could. Both breeds are lovely but the energy levels of a cocker make them harder work.

Thanks all, I’m having a hard time choosing.

From what I’ve read and heard from others it seems like both could fit in to our family quite well.

Both are also very cute too

Another vote for a miniature poodle.

Did you know they're the second most intelligent breed? (After border collies).

Absolutely wonderful dogs, I agree with the other poster who said she'd have a house full of them if I could afford more.

"If wouldn't say if I won the lottery but there would be signs....."

Look at miniature australian labradoodles, they are brilliant. 30 mins walk is plenty, groomer three times a year (but a lot of work in the final month or so before a groom). fairly easy to train, great with kids, quite small, doesn't shed, doesn't do separation anxiety. dream dog really.

I have two miniature poodles. They are wonderful dogs to own.

Poodles are a wonderful breed, I'd always choose them over another dog

Poodles would be my choice, lovely family dogs! Springers I know are badly behaved

As a dog walker I love both breeds but would pick a poodle any day. I love cockers but they’re high energy and very clingy.

I have a toy poodle mix. She’s energetic and needs at least 2 x30 min walks. She’s generally very friendly with people and other dogs and a lovely character. BUT she’s a one person dog. Not fussed about other family members. Won’t go for walks with the kids and only if I’m not around with my husband. Definitely not a family dog. Think this can be a typical poodle trait. She’s quite nervy too with loud noises - I think due to a dodgy breeder sone trauma. Unfortunately she also has issues from poor breeding and those common in small dogs. Luxating patella’s in both back legs. Also had dental issues as baby teeth didn’t fall out. The other thing to note is she’s very delicate with twiggy legs. This has always concerned me when she’s playing with bigger dogs and would be the same with clumsy kids.
My DSis has a working cocker and a springer- they’re both nuts and need a lot of exercise. The cocker definitely has a bit of cocker rage! And I know a couple of people with cocker poos that have has issues with guarding/ biting/ neurotic issues.
I would research ‘ family dogs’ , Cavalier King Charles Spaniels seem great and labs/retrievers of course. Border terriers seem fab too.

My DD has a cavapoo - half King Charles spaniel and half miniature poodle. She's got plenty of energy for walks, loves playing fetch and loves a cuddle on the couch. She's very good at sensing if someone needs a bit of a cuddle. She is great with small children too.

I absolutely adore my dog BTW. Just wouldn’t recommend as a family dog as your kids could be disappointed like mine. She’s more excited to see me after putting the bin out than my DS coming back from uni!

I have a mini poodle and grew up with toy poodles. Have had a lot of experience working with dogs and always choose poodles (although we have cross breed other dogs too). My mini poodle is just the perfect family dog. If he gets a good one hour walk each day he's very chilled out and happy, more than that and he's zonked out, less and he's hyper and wanting to play with us and the other dogs.
He's very cuddly and loves people - doesn't have one person but as a family of 5 he'd happily cuddle up with anyone who has an empty lap. He's been very well trained and socialised from puppyhood so exceptionally well behaved around other dogs & very good manners. I groom him myself and he loves it - when I get the clippers out to do the others and it's not his turn he sulks! He loves being brushed and all the attention it brings. Hates the bath but knows its for his own good.

We keep him shortish in the coat with a teddy bear style face and most people think he's a cockerpoo. I adore him

Show cockers are lovely dogs but the ones I've known (about 15) have all been very clingy and hard work, need training well or their neurotic nature can be an issue. The coat is a pain too and personally i don't like most practical cuts on them as it takes the curls out of the coat but equally the longer the fur the harder to keep clean as they love water and mud! A couple have had gorgeous nature's but i wouldn't ever have one for myself. They're too drooly for me!

Sorry everyone, I hadn’t realised I had more replies until now.

I hear what your all saying about Mini Poodles but I’m leaning towards a show cocker…one of the reasons is that they are slightly stockier than a mini poodle, when I have looked online it’s suggested that mini poodles should be about 6kg and we would like a slightly sturdier dog with the kids or am I overthinking is?

They can be up to 9 kg, and my show cocker only weighs in at 9.5 kg (burns off the weight as she's frenetic, I suspect). On the plus side, she conks out about 7 pm for the night.

I love her, but ... on balance, right now I'd say get a poodle!

A poodle might have the brains to get out of the way rather than excitedly tripping your kids up and then getting snappy.

That about sums it up!

Cockers are more likely to snap than a poodle.

My mini is 7.5kg and while she's smaller than most (but not all) of the cockers we meet, she doesn't have that 'tiny' feel. She's very robust - holds her own at the park and will comfortably run 7/8k with me.

There's also the 'moyen' poodle size which is coming through, although less common, which has been developed by crossing mini and standard. They look a really handy size although I don't know much about the green standard so might be worth researching.

The other plus for poodles is that they don't run away. Mine will have a little sniff but likes to stay close and is happiest playing games or checking in with me on walks. All my friends with spaniels seem to spend half their time panicking because their dog has followed its nose out of sight and disappeared.

I do love that spaniels always seem sooo happy and they wag al least half their body as they come over to greet you. They're beautiful dogs but I'm afraid I'm still firmly in the poodle camp as most of the PP.

Cockers may be sturdier but I’d say they’re snappier than poodles and need a lot more input and stimulation. 2 x 45 minute walks a day sounds good but a cocker will need mental stimulation on top of that.

Could you tell me why you would chose a poodle over a cocker please?

@Userss8807 i’m not trying to be rude (although I fear it will come over that way) but everyone has made it clear why in this thread, including a poster below the one you quoted…because spaniels snap when poodles don’t. They have a higher drive and need more exercise. That’s why people with kids don’t get spaniels.

Because a spaniel that goes wrong (and maybe resource guards) is not one you want around children.

Also this:

All my friends with spaniels seem to spend half their time panicking because their dog has followed its nose out of sight and disappeared.

Ours is not to be trusted at present and hauls 10m of fluorescent pink biothane line around after her so that I have a chance of intercepting her.