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Jack Russell or Cocker Spaniel?

21 replies

Drivingmissmaisie · 03/05/2025 21:16

We are looking for an adult male dog as a playmate for our 4 year old funny, active, goofy standard poodle. We live in countryside and love going for long walks and playing games with our current girl. We’re around at home most of the time and have a large secure garden with no close neighbours.

We’ve narrowed it down to a cocker spaniel or a Jack Russell. We do have a bit of a rat/ mouse problem in our garden and outbuildings..

Which do you think might be the best fit?

OP posts:
overitalmost · 03/05/2025 21:37

My gorgeous JRT is flat out on my bed . She is my second JRT and cannot recommend this breed enough. Can run miles but is just as happy having a dash around local park in 5 minutes. Gentle,loyal,brilliant with young children and only yappy if she spots the postman!

Ihatelittlefriendsusan · 03/05/2025 21:41

Don't count on a jrt to sort your rat problem. Mine runs a bloody mile at the sight of one 🤣🤣 mind she is now 17 but even when younger she was scared of them.

I also have a cocker spaniel.

They are very different personalities. Our jrt is sedate and has always just plodded along on walks. Our cocker is stupidly high energy, will run about and hunt but isn't really one for playing with other dogs.

24Dogcuddler · 03/05/2025 21:49

Well I’m a great Cocker Spaniel fan. We have a male and a female both from puppies ( different ages) They are adorable, clever, loving, entertaining and amazing.
You may be aware that male Cocker Spaniels can end up in rescue for resource guarding. Something to look out for. My boy doesn’t have this problem at all.
Jack Russels are supposed to be good ratters but who knows? PP has one that clearly isn’t.
Sounds like you can offer a lovely home. Our two love each other.

EdithStourton · 03/05/2025 21:49

A working cocker or a proper Jack Russell would both be a different ball game compared to a standard poodle. They are much more intense, and often need an outlet for very strong working drives. People sometimes say that poodles are a working breed, but working line poodles are like hen's teeth, at least in the UK. I know a LOT of working gundogs (in the dozens) and exactly half a one is poodle.

There is a constant forlorn parade across this board of OPs tearing their hair out because their working cocker (which isn't work, nor given gundog training) is reactive/ resource guards/ never settles/ is anxious/ is a bloody nightmare. Not all WCS kept as pets end up like this, obviously, but a fair number obviously do. So be prepared to spend a lot of time keeping any WCS mentally active and engaged. And controlling its prey drive - which can be very strong.

JRTs can be little shits. I say this with love, as I have lived with several, including our own. Great dogs in the right hands, but bolshy, don't take no for an answer, will cheerfully take on a German shepherd and very prey driven (to the point of getting stuck down rabbit warrens). They often aren't all that interested in other dogs, though quite capable of living happily in multi-dog households.

You'd probably be better off with the cocker, but be prepared to either spend time finding one with chilled-out parents, or go for a show line, or have a gundog trainer on speed dial.

For context, I have working-line gundogs (I work one, and train both to a decent standard). They are bloody hard work - something I am entirely used to, but which I really notice when I have a walk that includes a local standard poodle - lovely dog, chilled, polite, kind, hangs around near the people, and so much less hassle than my two loons.

Edited TWICE! I need to proofread better!

EdithStourton · 03/05/2025 21:53

And having read the other posts, obviously not all WCS and JRTS are pains in the arse - but if you get a full-on one, you'll know about it.

Our JRT was a killing machine if the opportunity arose. Be prepared for that, too.

Ihatelittlefriendsusan · 03/05/2025 22:27

I agree with @EdithStourton re the WCS, ours is a working breed, we acquired her a out 3 months ago and she had never had any real training and certainly not gundog training. We have had to do a lot of work with her.

They bore easily and do become destructive. We are exceptionally lucky that she has only really destroyed socks that she fishes out the laundry basket. She is insanely intelligent. Has cracked recall in 3 weeks and I would say is about 98% reliable. We have spent a bomb on brain training toys (the jrt loves these too).

We have some great parks that have agility equipment that the WCS loves, took her 2 days to figure out the A frame after watching a German Shepherd at it. We have a massive garden so she gets to run a lot on that and we gave some basic agility stuff set up for her.

Take a good look at your poodle and their needs and then wait for the right personality dog to come up.

24Dogcuddler · 04/05/2025 13:01

Ours aren’t Working Cockers. There are physical and temperament/ behavioural differences between Show and Working Cocker Spaniels.

Freysimo · 04/05/2025 13:21

If you're getting an adult dog, presume it's a rescue? I'd be guided by them, they should know which dogs will suit.

SpringtimeClouds · 04/05/2025 13:27

Why are you not considering another poodle? We’ve had a Jack Russell and a cocker spaniel - together actually. Very different temperaments. We found Jack Russell much easier although they were both adorable! They did get on but I think it’s easier for dogs of the same breed to match each others energies etc

catin8oot5 · 04/05/2025 13:29

JRT every time.

TheNinthLock · 04/05/2025 13:31

We have a rescue lurcher (I know, you didn't ask about them). She is fantastic. Calm in the house. Equally happy with a short pootle round the block or an hours-long romp in the woods. She is also the most awesome rat-catcher we have ever had :)

unlimiteddilutingjuice · 04/05/2025 13:42

I have a poodle and he's very fond of spaniels. They seem to have similar energy levels, similar goofy personalities and a similar interest in running around in circles. So I would probably go for the spaniel for that reason.

HappiestSleeping · 04/05/2025 13:45

My general rule would always be to get another dog because you want one. There is no guarantee that your existing dog will get on with the new dog, so don't assume everything will be fine.

I agree with a PP, why not another poodle?

B2Y · 04/05/2025 14:05

What about a parson terrier? Maybe slightly less "on it" than a JRT? And in my opinion, better looking, with less potential joint issues.

We have one (rescue) and he's incredible. Does have an off switch at home, providing he gets exercised. However... Terriers... Stubborn and think they know best. Absolutely wouldn't be a biddable, submissive dog, you are their companion rather than their owner. Amazing with other dogs though.

Spaniels and JRTs are almost at opposite ends of the working dog spectrum. Very different drives.

faerietales · 05/05/2025 10:52

It's interesting that you've narrowed it down to two completely different breeds.

Personally I would go with a spaniel, for a whole number of reasons.

Gundogday · 05/05/2025 11:18

Spaniel. JRTs are too yappy for me.

longtompot · 05/05/2025 12:33

You could get a show cocker and have the coat clipped short. Mine was a show cocker and I had her coat short as she would get tangled up in brambles and twigs and burrs. She has loads of energy but great to train and she got on well with one of the local dog owners poodle in the park where we'd walk daily.

Sunpeace · 05/05/2025 20:55

Very different breeds. I've owned both but can honestly say would never own a Cocker again. Ours was a show cocker, sweet but very needy, separation issues, could be destructive if left alone/bored and not for me although I lost count of how many people said they loved cockers, had one as a child etc etc. I think working cockers may be different. I have had two JRTs, still have one and absolutely love the breed. Yappy, big dogs in small body so not for everyone. It was the destructiive and needy bit I couldn't handle. Horses for courses!

OrangeAndPistachio · 05/05/2025 20:58

We had a cheeky and hilarious jrt when I was a kid , so I'd choose one every time. Little sods , but so so affectionate and funny.

Cockerdileteef · 06/05/2025 15:20

Declaring my bias, I have two working cockers. They're an absolute joy, but they are full on and need a job to do - even if it's a pretend job like mine, who do gundog training and scent detection for fun - otherwise their busy brains can go a bit crazy and that finds its own, generally undesirable, way out. You also need to build your own "off" switch, as it doesn't usually come pre-installed. And steadiness around small furry or feathered things. As long as you're able and keen to commit to ongoing training to give the dog a rewarding hobby and outlet (in lieu of actual work!), they're lovely companions.

One of mine is super playful and goofy and bouncy, but the other is all about his "work" and his cuddles with me, and he doesn't give a monkeys about playing with other dogs. So I agree, get another dog because you want to as there's no guarantee they'll end up besties with the incumbent dog. While breeds have certain general characteristics, every dog is an individual, even within a litter let alone across the whole breed.

Our neighbour has a terrierist. He's a cute wee beastie, but biddable he ain't - he's utterly independent minded, completely prey-obsessed, and she's forever losing him down rabbit holes. One of my cockers also has a batshit crazy prey drive but at least he is also very handler focussed, which I kid myself makes my life slightly easier!

Maddy70 · 06/05/2025 15:26

Jack Russells are the best , easily trained and great with kids I'm on my third

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