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Original poster

Poodle vs cocker spaniel for 1st timers ?

119 replies

poochiechoices · 10/09/2023 12:51

Any thoughts on cocker spaniels or poodles (miniature) for first time dog owners? I'd happily have a random rescue but not confident enough in my abilities so will be looking for a puppy from a registered breeder. I've waited 51 years to have a dog and now is finally the right time Grin

Smallish house & v.small garden with near neighbours so keen to avoid an obvious barker!

Walks: twice a day expected & longer/further afield at the weekend but being realistic don't want to be out for hours on end every single day!

I run and would ideally take dog once old enough (only 30/40mins plodding!)

I wfh and DH self employed mobile so someone around most of the time or could take dog out with us. There will be times we need to leave dog such as shopping, appointments etc plus when I visit elderly mum for about 2-3 hours. We have family willing to cover overnights or for long days.

Household is DH & I + 3 Teenagers (minimal interest in having dog part of the reason I've waited this long)

We have budgeted for insurance, pet care plan, bi monthly grooming & puppy classes but don't have huge amounts of extra cash for on-going behavioural training etc hence not rescue and not high needs dog.

So thoughts on a cocker or poodle or other suggestions please? Cocker is about as large as we'd want to go and don't want handbag size!

OP posts:
Kenwoodmixitup · 10/09/2023 12:58

Poodle every time.

Spaniel high energy = high needs.

Poodle intelligent and calm. Reason they are crossed with other breeds.

lucya66 · 10/09/2023 12:59

We have a cocker and he’s wonderful, smart and cheeky. He is a proper little personality but he has a grumpy side. He’s just the right size for us and I wouldn’t get a larger dog. He’s 20kg now and a bit overweight. He’s 6.

Poodle vs cocker spaniel for 1st timers ?
Mushroo · 10/09/2023 12:59

Not a spaniel. Our neighbours have one and he is insane. High energy, bonkers, hard work

Redlarge · 10/09/2023 13:00

Poodle 100%

YoDood · 10/09/2023 13:00

You need a border terrier :)

Itsjustme83 · 10/09/2023 13:05

Get a Cockerpoo and get parts of both of them lol.

kenadams86 · 10/09/2023 13:09

Why don't you just get a cockerpoo

I have a cocker spaniel and he's great, as long as he gets a couple of decent walks a day he's easy, but I know that's uncommon with the breed generally

EyesEars · 10/09/2023 13:35

Kenwoodmixitup · 10/09/2023 12:58

Poodle every time.

Spaniel high energy = high needs.

Poodle intelligent and calm. Reason they are crossed with other breeds.

Calm? My experience of poodles (albeit the standards) is that they are bonkers.

LifeExperience · 10/09/2023 13:40

Poodle. They are very intelligent and easy to train. Spaniels are not.

andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 10/09/2023 13:49

Definitely a mini poodle.

Spaniels are lovely but they're also slightly very insane Grin

andrainwillmaketheflowersgrow · 10/09/2023 13:50

EyesEars · 10/09/2023 13:35

Calm? My experience of poodles (albeit the standards) is that they are bonkers.

Show quote history

Standards and miniatures may share the same "poodle" name but they're very different breeds in terms of temperament and energy.

Anonanonanon1 · 10/09/2023 14:23

Spaniel would be fine from a show line. Working cockers are bonkers and need a job .

EdithStourton · 10/09/2023 14:27

Anonanonanon1 · 10/09/2023 14:23

Spaniel would be fine from a show line. Working cockers are bonkers and need a job .

Came on to say much the same. Working spaniels need a lot of input and training, or they'll be off chasing everything and getting into trouble, or confined to the lead and going bonkers.

Willmafrockfit · 10/09/2023 14:27

spaniels are great, intelligent,
as are pointers, who love running.
all puppies need lots of work

Willmafrockfit · 10/09/2023 14:28

springer spaniels are great
what about a jack russell? wonderful characters

BeaLola · 10/09/2023 14:28

Our neighbours have a2 year old miniature poodle and he is a dream - he is quick to learn, very affectionate and hardly ever barks - I'm not used to puppies or dogs at all but have happily looked after him when they have been away for a weekend or out all day as he does like company

Newpeep · 10/09/2023 14:42

Poodle. Or one of the less terrier terriers (I have a Border). Can be barky but don’t have to be if you put the work in (mine isn’t particularly).

OrlandointheWilderness · 10/09/2023 14:47

Anonanonanon1 · 10/09/2023 14:23

Spaniel would be fine from a show line. Working cockers are bonkers and need a job .

I have working spaniels (sprocker and springer). They absolutely need mental stimulation and training. If they get it, they are bloody amazing dogs, and actually my sprocker is very calm and sensible. The springer is still a nutcase at 10 1/2. I would say they wouldn't be for a novice owner. I don't know enough about poodles to judge.

Iheartmysmart · 10/09/2023 14:55

I’ve got a show cocker. He’s still utterly batshit and is nearly 13 now. On the plus side he’s gentle, really good with people and other dogs, on the down side he’s completely neurotic, prone to separation anxiety and always looking for mischief. Love him dearly but would I have another, absolutely no way.

lking12 · 10/09/2023 15:00

The hard work of a puppy and training will probably be on a par with any work a rescue might cause you. I’d speak to a rescue first they may have a very well rounded dog that would be perfect for you? Their rehoming might be circumstance rather than anything behavioural!

otherwise I’d avoid cocker spaniels and look at cavalier, border terrier, cavapoo or greyhound or whippet instead.

Nongatron · 10/09/2023 15:08

In answer to your question here is my cocker spaniel. I rest my case

Poodle vs cocker spaniel for 1st timers ?
FastFood · 10/09/2023 15:20

Poodle.
There's a reason as to why they're mixed with everything under the sun nowadays. They're excellent, smart, trainable dogs.

This said, whatever the breed, puppies are hard work and the more you know about dog psychology and training, the better dog you'll have. There's a lot of resources available online (look up positive reinforcement)

Good luck, dogs are amazing!

SM4713 · 10/09/2023 15:29

Another option is a cockerpoo F1B. Its a cockerpoo which has been bred with either a spanial or poodle. If you had one bred back with the poodle, its essentially 75% poodle and only 25% cocker. Still called a cocker poo, but more likely to have more poodle traits than a cockerpoo F1.

Don't underestimate the puppy stage when WFH. The sudden land shark with teeth coming towards you, wanting to chew on feet/trousers/your hands typing etc. Stealing a head set to nibble on it! Lovely at times, but like having a biting, weeing toddler in the house for months.

WinterDeWinter · 10/09/2023 15:56

goldendoodle!

Shannith · 10/09/2023 16:03

Poodle. Cockers are best for people who have had dogs before. Great second or third dogs.

Poodles are fabulous dogs. Clever and athletic. They are still technically a working dog breed - and with any working dog, if you are not going to work them you need to be prepared to give them plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for not getting a cocker poo from a a backyard breeder!