So I think Oprah's dogs are gorgeous. . .

[erinwillow]

someone silly slap me!!! :lol: Honestly, I saw the gaggle of them on the newest cover of her magazine, four stunning buff colored Cocker Spaniels. . anyone have any experience with this breed and horses?? Are they "horse smart" as in mind their space and don't get caught underfoot?? They are just so nice looking, mmmmmm would love to have one!

[goodhors]

Originally bred to hunt, but that was MANY long years ago. Not sure if anyone still hunts them.

Like the Irish Setter, hair was the attention getter, changed them into pets instead the the hunting dogs they started from.
Can be quite intelligent, do well in obedience.

Listed in the top ten, as biters (any color Cocker) for many years. Can be quite excitable, yappy. Hair has to be dealt with, kept groomed or shorn regularly to prevent heat spots, excessive matting that covers sores. As with other droopy eared dogs, they can be quite prone to ear infections, even with good care. Those kind of ears hold in heat, make the perfect place to grow all kinds of problems. Feet need to have the hair kept trimmed out, to prevent hair holding seeds, matting between the toes, making foot problems for the dog.

Not sure what breed problems they have. You ALWAYS find those out AFTER you buy one! I have known a couple blind ones, but not sure what they went blind from. They managed pretty well in their fenced yard and inside the house.

Other owners will probably be helpful with other breed details, this is generalized information. Folks love my Bouvier when they meet her places. She goes out groomed and obedient on the leash. However her good behaviour, nice manners, are a result of MUCH training, because LARGE dogs have to be obedient, well behaved. The breed is a good one, but the dogs do NOT COME TRAINED or groomed!! Kind of like the beautiful actors that appear, and you NEVER see all the folks behind them who made them look so good! So I ALWAYS emphasize that these dogs MUST be trained, need that commitment from their owner to make them good doggie citizens. Mine are NOT allowed to run loose around the barnyard, training themselves. Too smart, cause trouble that way.

So I don't know how well a Cocker would be as a barn dog, but WITHOUT training by the good owner, he is probably going to be a menace to others and get hurt himself around horses. I expect Oprah has her dogs VERY well trained and civilized, to go out and among people. Then they get the great grooming on top of that. Martha Stewart, with her several dogs, same thing. Well trained and VERY well groomed, to be out in public. Quality animals from good bloodlines to start with.

[erinwillow]

goodhors,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response. You know, I've heard that Cockers can be a bit bitey. . .I wonder why that is?? Hunting instinct? Anxiety? Well, they are lovely dogs and I may still consider one for an indoor/outdoor pet-friend, however, I do get nervous about the bitey bit as I also have small children. Can't beat the coat texture though, so soft! I'm thinking it wouldn't be the best dog around the horses. . .

[citydog]

You know, I've heard that Cockers can be a bit bitey. . .I wonder why that is?? Hunting instinct? Anxiety?

And indiscriminate breeding without regard to temperament when they were super-popular (50s & 60s) and folks just wanted to make a buck. Also, people get them because they are just soooooooooo kyoooooooot, don't do the research beforehand or the training afterwards that *any* dog, of *any* breed needs.

I am generally unimpressed by most Cockers, but one of the best *dogs* of any breed I ever had the pleasure of working with (I'm a trainer) was a Cocker (bred by news guy Randy Price for those of you in the Boston area).

[Rhyadawn]

And indiscriminate breeding without regard to temperament when they were super-popular (50s & 60s) and folks just wanted to make a buck. Also, people get them because they are just soooooooooo kyoooooooot, don't do the research beforehand or the training afterwards that *any* dog, of *any* breed needs.

I am generally unimpressed by most Cockers, but one of the best *dogs* of any breed I ever had the pleasure of working with (I'm a trainer) was a Cocker (bred by news guy Randy Price for those of you in the Boston area).

this is a problem with many breeds, not specific to one.

I haven't known many cockers, but those I have known were nice. Fairly even tempered, a little too bouncy and yippy for my taste, but calmed nicely when owner said so. They were great family dogs for this family, good with the kids, never bit or threatened. Great dogs.

I do know the owners got them from a good breeder, and spent a lot of time socializing and training.

I've also seen a cocker in obedience (with my puppy) that was a total nutbag. Very agressive, barked like a lunatic at EVERYTHING, and couldn't settle on a leash to save herself. Owner wasn't much better.

[citydog]

this is a problem with many breeds, not specific to one.

Indeed.

[MintHillFarm]

I have had Cockers for years around my horses...they are easy to train and not nippy at all. They have attended horse shows and are very good around kids.

I do clip them short though, those feathers are not easy to take care of around the farm...

Please check out my Chronicle Profile, this is Toby, what a good guy!

[citydog]

What a handsome boy!

[Casey09]

My aunt - not a dog person, as this will show - had a buff cocker for years. She got him from a guy who had 2 other dogs that were beating him up. She kept him as an outdoor dog on her property for years, and he lived a lonely life but had an incredible temperament. I say he was lonely because although she has a few acres, she isn't able to spend a lot of time outside every day - she had a job at the time, and then stuff to do inside - so her time doing outside "stuff" wasn't hours every day. However, the dog wasn't snappish or bitey at all. He was not hyper. He really was very, very sweet. He would have been great for someone who would have enjoyed him more. He was fine with horses, but of course he had a lot of hair that matted easily. She did have him shaved in the summer, but he had to be shaved several times and in the winter, his hair really got out of hand.

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

Small dogs IMO are not the best choices for homes with small children. Small kids are more likely to unintentionally hurt a small dog than a large one, and then the small dog may understandably nip to defend itself.

If you're not planning on leaving dog and kids together, though, I don't know why a cocker wouldn't make a nice barn dog with the proper training.

As citydog says, there are still some lines out there, left over from the bad old days, with nasty nasty temperaments. Definitely do your homework and meet lots of adults of the particular line you're interested in. Or contact a reputable cocker rescue as they will have a good idea of their foster dog's temperament.

[MintHillFarm]

If anyone wants to read a great book, that I read as a child, "Champion Dog Prince Tom"...it is a story of a Cocker Spaniel that is teriffic. I highly recommend this children's book for anyone of all ages...you may have to go on Amazon to find it as it is quite old.

[Arizona DQ]

Small dogs IMO are not the best choices for homes with small children. Small kids are more likely to unintentionally hurt a small dog than a large one, and then the small dog may understandably nip to defend itself.

.

I have to disagree withy such a generalization! It is not that dog problem, it is the way some children are not taught to behave (in any manner! :lol: When my mother bought our first dachshund she had to bring the children along because the breeder wanted to see if the children were well behaved enough. As a breeder of miniature dachshunds, I do the same thing! If the children are well behaved and gentle, the family gets the dog otherwise, I tell them to get a terrier (only kidding).....;)

I know quite a few families who have small dogs with children but these children have MANNERS and discipline! :eek: What a concept!

[RedMare01]

I would also say do your homework on the breeder. We had one when I was young (~10) that was an awful fear biter. He was that way from the time we got him as a young puppy. We kept him for almost a year, and his biting never got better even with training. He finally bit me very hard, twice, completely unprovoked, when my parents said enough and gave him away to someone with complete disclosure of his biting problem. They ended up euthanizing him a short time later.

Caitlin

[jetsmom]

I've had 3 and none were nippy. One ADORED kids and would drag me over to any we saw on our walks. Kids used to knock on my door and ask "can Annie come out and play?"

One LOVED any other animal...and food. He learned how to open the refrigerator when he was on a diet, and ate a whole loaf of bread.

The other was VERY devoted and would be in my lap as soon as I sat or crouched.

[MintHillFarm]

It's not the dog that initiates problems, most of the time it is the humans...only my opinion.

Mine have always been sweet, loving and real pleasers.

[Cielo Azure]

Always got to watch those biting statistics.

Popular breeds, which mean that there were more of them and therefore, more of them are on the record for biting.

Often, labs and golden show up as having terrible biting issues when in fact, it is just that that are more of them than other breeds. Counties that record bites, don't record numbers of dog breeds found in each and every home.

Kind of like quarter horses being the most popular horse in the USA, therefore more of them are slaughtered. The ratio of quarter horse to slaughter is probably no different than other breeds, just way more of them around than other breeds, so more go to slaughter. But the number gets twisted to mean something else entirely...That somehow the registry "allows" more horses to be slaughtered or quarter horse owners slaughter more horses or... you all get the idea (I hope).

[appychik]

In a way, I'm like the owner who owns a "bully" breed... my hackles get raised when I hear that Cockers are biters. They are no more so a biter then any other breed. It's all about training.

I've had Cocker Spaniels my entire life. We're on numbers 5 and 6 right now. Java is 11 and Tucker is 7. They are honestly the best dogs ever (everyone says that about their dogs, but ours are just incredible).

The thing with Cockers though is they are a smaller breed, they aren't small in opinions. They are highly intelligent, but require training and a lot of upkeep. I do the grooming for both of our dogs. Tucker is kept in a "modified" show coat... everything is basically breed standards, except I clip his "saddle" area versus hand stripping. He also gets "poodle" feet, because he's prone to major allergy infections in his feet (and ears, and eyes). He's a walking basket case... but he was a bit of a "rescue" of sorts. Java sports the regular "Cocker" cut, short on top and a little left on the legs.

Here's my two:

Java
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/44K4E5rLvNSa3qwYgyUpbg?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/zemhiCdLKizPwyMidzbZMQ?feat=directlink

Tucker
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AjQicV7f0XRIlmzth9L5rg?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/p1TMVIHK_uhnFGvnarnfng?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/S5fQjMuxd5jbyGveZRSDjg?feat=directlink

They are really great family dogs. And we've had nearly every "color". We've had three buffs (Jenny, Jake and lastly Sneakers), a black/white parti (Mandy), a black (Java) and a chocolate/white parti with tan points (Tucker). My next one will be a soild chocolate :D.

Not sure if they'd be a good barn dog or not. I suppose as a puppy it'd be easier. My Tucker is very much a hunter. Cockers were bred to flush out birds, which he loves to do... but he points at them more often then not. Both dogs love flushing out the rabbits too. I think the biggest challenges would be with grooming maintance. As is, Tucker requires every other day grooming to keep him fairly snarl free.

But, I'm breed prejudice. I loff my Cockers.

[Go Fish]

My mother had a show kennel for years and American Cocker Spaniels were her breed of choice. Major problems: cataracts, hip displaysia and ear infections. Because of the plush muzzle, they tend to gather food in the folds, and if you don't keep them clean, they stink. If you are going to let them run outside, they have to be kept clipped, or count on daily brushing. Believe it or not, the coat is there for a reason. Cockers have been bred to hunt game cock through heavy brush, swamps and undergrowth...the coat acts as protection. They certainly don't need the amount of coat you see in the ring today, but they need more than other sporting breeds. Blacks and black/tans have the most resilient coats...parti-colors the worst, and ASCOBs (any solid color other than black) are somewhere in between.

They are not good around livestock. Say what you will, but Cockers are a sporting breed and run around with their nose to the ground, looking for scent and lose focus easily. They don't take off like hounds and tend to stick to home turf. Not the brightest bulb in the chandelier, either, but far from the dumbest. They are generally a happy-go-lucky breed of dog, around 25-30 pounds, and good in the house. I wouldn't hesitate to have one around small, grabby children. Despite what people say, they generally are not nippy and a great family dog. Tend to live a long time, too. Dog or bitch, doesn't make a difference in this breed.

[Mara]

My buddy Oscar lived to be 21, and someday I will have another Cocker. . .

They require a lot of early socialization and very consistent training, but they ARE smart. And they have lots of energy. Oscar really started calming down at around age 5! They're quite people-oriented and don't just lock on to one family member.

As for health problems, I believe they are prone to kidney issues and glaucoma. Oscar developed diabetes at age 16, but I'm not sure if that is a breed problem. We never had ear trouble because I kept his ear and head hair cut close to allow good air flow and cleaned his ears 2x/week.

FWIW, he did quite well as an insulin-dependent diabetic. He never went blind or developed the kidney issues that often accompany diabetes. (His mom's schedule was curtailed by the need to have shots and food at the same times daily, but I would do it again without hesitation).

[slc2]

There have been so many puppy mill cockers for so long that it's now hard to get a good one, and for quite some time, I'd see a lot of very nervous show Cockers, shaking, barking, scared, not really biting but nipping or snapping out of fear, submissive piddling.

They're not all like that. When they're good, they are very merry, friendly, enthusiastic and very good workers. I LOVED working one friend's dog. She spent the entire time she was working with her entire butt wagging from side to side. NEVER refused to do anything. SO friendly and good with kids, would never snap at them no matter what they did. Black and white and oh what a cute dog.

A lot of people who like the type of dog will get an English Cocker Spaniel, which looks like an English setter that someone shrunk in the dryer.

A friend had an American Cocker a few years ago, that did EVERYTHING, obedience, bird dog trials of some type, and agility. Shave the legs and the belly and the ears, and take 'em out hunting. He said the dog was great on a gun and very good retriever on land and in the water. Dog didn't have a nervous bone in its body and was absolutely fearless all the time.

MOST people get them clipped at a groomer's. They short clip the back and clip the belly, legs and ears. I gave my friend's dog a 'pet clip' a couple times. It wasn't hard.

My concern with the American cocker would be with problems with the very prominent eyes having problems, and with the very hair filled ears having problems. I'd look for one with a much less extreme head, and consider shaving the ears. Shaving the belly and legs makes them a lot less difficult to groom. The hair on the legs and belly really picks up burrs and mud and it is usually just awful to try to get the burrs out of it.

If I wanted a Spaniel, I'd hunt very hard for a good American Cocker, consider an English Cocker, a Field Spaniel, or the redoutable Welsh or English Springer. I just love Paula Chmura's Clumber Spaniel, but again that problem with the ears is always possible.

Brittanys are wonderful dogs but you better want to work them. I've never seen one that was happy sitting still. It is really the Border Collie of the spaniels!

[mjmvet]

My brother always give me a hard time because when he asks about breed 'X', I tell him all the problems that I (as a vet) see with breed 'x'. They all have their issues, some more than others. The cocker spaniel as they are in the US these days is one with more health issues than average. They are very, very prone to allergic skin and severe ear problems (no matter what you feed them), they can have glaucoma issues, and almost ALL of them that I see have a tendency to be nasty. They may be 'ok' in most situations, but pushed outside their comfort zone (which is quite small sometimes) they bite. This can be because someone accidentally nudged them with their foot at home, or similar minor 'transgression', or can be due to any of the stresses you can imagine in a veterinary setting. All I can say is if you're crazy enough to get one, get health insurance, and socialize well. Get involved with non-violent, non-confrontational training methods, and cross your fingers. I knew one GREAT american cocker that sadly passed away recently. And I know of two really great English Cocker Spaniels, one that died of cancer at age nine months, and one that's still living. All of the other cockers I've ever met have been 'challenging' at best. Sad. I hear they weren't always health/behavior disasters. Then, like a previous poster mentioned, they got popular, and people started breeding indiscriminately for money. I do wish Oprah the best with her dogs! =)

[Go Fish]

There have been so many puppy mill cockers for so long that it's now hard to get a good one, and for quite some time, I'd see a lot of very nervous show Cockers, shaking, barking, scared, not really biting but nipping or snapping out of fear, submissive piddling.

Not true...a Cocker with this type of personality would not show well.

[Dazednconfused]

Two of my coworkers have/had among them seven or so cocker spaniels. All related in some way, from some pretty top show champions. They are uniformly all really cute, endearing, joyful, wiggly critters. While I obviously don't live with them myself, in my interactions with them, I can't imagine them ever offering to bite - though they are very well socialized and exceptionally well trained, too. Like most hunting breeds they do seem to get very concentrated on the job at hand, and I'm not sure I'd trust them around horses, but then again I wouldn't trust most dogs to be around horses, anyway. While I don't think I'd own one personally, I've been really impressed with the ones I know...

[MintHillFarm]

"If I wanted a Spaniel, I'd hunt very hard for a good American Cocker, consider an English Cocker, a Field Spaniel, or the redoutable Welsh or English Springer. I just love Paula Chmura's Clumber Spaniel, but again that problem with the ears is always possible."

We also have Boykin Spaniels...great temperment, good around the farm though since they are a bird dog, training the difference between chickens, pet ducks and pet geese from hunting birds is neccessary. A somewhat rare breed but growing...
I like the Clumber Spaniels too.

I really keep Toby clipped fairly short. Legs, ears, back and belly. I do him myself with my Osters, he is easy to do and cooperative. I've always clipped them since my first one 25 yrs ago...and I learned way back then to clip on a grooming table. So much easier on my back. Yes, they are prone to ear and skin issues. Tresaderm or Animax keeps that under control when neccessary and I bathe him fairly reguarly too with Vet recommended shampoos.

[WaningMoon]

What about Cherry Eye, LOTS of cockers get cherry eye. Don't see that problem mentioned here but maybe I missed it. Very common.

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

[responding to slc2] Not true...a [puppy mill] Cocker with this type of personality would not show well.

Besides the fact that puppy mill dogs aren't shown in the breed ring.:) Not to say conformation-bred dogs don't have their own set of problems. But a dog bred for show and a puppy mill dog are chalk and cheese.

[MintHillFarm]

What about Cherry Eye, LOTS of cockers get cherry eye. Don't see that problem mentioned here but maybe I missed it. Very common.

The common problem I have had with 2 out of the 3 is ears and some skin issues. However, it's been manageable in both of them.

[Iron Horse Farm]

Unfortunately, after 19 years in vet clinics, the very first thing that technicians do when a Cocker walks through the door is grab a muzzle. They may be the cutest puppies on the planet, and there are some nice ones, but unfortunately, most live up to the stereotype. Cherry eye, glaucoma and ear problems sooo bad that a surgery was invented just for them - the TECA or total ear canal ablation where the entire thing is removed to try to give them relief -skin problems and lets not forget, they are the #1 breed for IMHA (immune mediated hemolytic anemia, a very serious, life threatening condition that must be treated aggressively, often with transfusions and steroids).

If you get lucky enough to win the genetic lottery and get one without temperament or health problems, they are still a very high maintenance dog as far as grooming.

[WorthTheWait95]

I have to disagree withy such a generalization! It is not that dog problem, it is the way some children are not taught to behave (in any manner! :lol: When my mother bought our first dachshund she had to bring the children along because the breeder wanted to see if the children were well behaved enough. As a breeder of miniature dachshunds, I do the same thing! If the children are well behaved and gentle, the family gets the dog otherwise, I tell them to get a terrier (only kidding).....;)

I know quite a few families who have small dogs with children but these children have MANNERS and discipline! :eek: What a concept!

Funny you bring this up! My first dog was a mini dachshund and one of my earliest memories is the breeder 'interviewing' me the day we picked her out. I was about 2.5 years old I think and my sister was 5 or 6. She gave us some puppies to play with to see if we were gentle and talked to us about general dog care. We must've passed the test b/c we took our dog home a few weeks later.

I've known some mean cockers in my time working at vet clinics and I've also known some really, really great ones. I have noticed that a LOT of the cocker's that come in tend to have eye and vision problems along with the skin/ear issues.

[Lazy Palomino Hunter]

I have to agree with the general sentiment about cockers.

I'll throw in here what I often say about German Shepherd Dogs (a breed I absolutely adore)...

A good Cocker Spaniel is a great dog and a wonderful pet. A bad Cocker Spaniel is a BAAAAADDD dog.

(Ok, I admit... a good dog of any breed is probably going to be a good pet, but a not-so-great dog of any given breed won't.

HOWEVER. Consider that a "not-so-great" Labrador that you get from Suzie Smith a few streets over who decided to breed her lab is probably just going to be hyperactive, not fit the breed standard on looks very well, maybe chew things and suck at retrieving, and perhaps develop hip problems and chronic ear infections.

In contrast, a "not-so-great" Cocker is probably going to be considerably more unpleasant, as the breed has a tendency to have some really nasty health and personality problems- severe ear infections, epilepsy, fear aggression, separation anxiety, eye infections, glaucoma, allergies, etc.

While there are definitely Labradors out there that bite- I've got a scar to prove it!- IME there is a much greater percentage of Cockers suffering from unstable temperaments in that direction)

By acquiring a dog from a responsible breeder with quality, even-tempered, correct dogs, by taking the pup to training classes and socializing it throughly, and by keeping up on general maintenance (nails/coat/eyes/ears/nutrition), you can be relatively confident you'll have a good dog. :)

[Foxygrl516]

This is not the type of thread I usually post on, but I feel like I really should defend my babies! :) I have had cockers since I was 7. (one at a time. I'm on my third). All 3 of mine have been the CALMEST and SWEETEST dogs I have ever had the pleasure to know. My first cocker was "Lucky". Lived outside, was great around horses. We were little kids and he was my very best friend. He put up with me being an annoying kid and I could not have loved him any more than I did. He never had health problems, but was hit by a crazy driver when I was in 6th grade.

My second Cocker was "Duchess".... absolutely the most AMAZING dog that has ever lived. I still believe she had the sweetest soul of any living creature God made. She lived 14 years and I never once heard her bark, much less bite at someone. She was a perfect house dog, never made messes in the house. She did get cataracts and in the last 2 years of her life she was blind and deaf (deaf b/c of polyps in her ears). She died after a sudden (sudden to us anyway) battle with cancer.

Now I have "Madigan". I got her at 5wks old (she's 2.5 now). Both of the others were adults when we got them, so I was a bit nervous about getting a puppy because I have heard all of the stereotypes about cockers and had been so lucky in the past to have such perfect dogs. Madi has made me completely believe that it is ALL in how you raise them. She is as sweet as Duchess was and just the best little friend. Madi is a "mini" so where the other 2 were around 30lbs, Madi is only about 15lbs. She is great at the barn and horse shows. She loves me dearly and is very sensitive to my moods. I do have to be careful not to get too upset at the horses because if I fuss at them harshly she takes offense and barks at the horse as if to tell it to be nicer to me. lol! :yes: When the lesson ponies are being stubborn about trotting with the kids, Madi will bark and run a few steps behind the horse to encourage it to trot then smile at me as if to say "Your welcome". So I do have to be careful. She would never bite a horse but I would hate for her to get kicked.

I may be biased, but I LOVE cockers and think they are the best dogs in the world. And if I am biased, it is because I have had 20 years of nothing but the best experiences with them. My bf is a dog person and wants to have lots of dogs running around when we get married. He has a list of breeds that he wants to own at some point. We have an understanding though that I will always have one Cocker (I am a one dog kind of girl) that will live inside with me and sleep on my pillow at night. They are amazing dogs.

[Go Fish]

Besides the fact that puppy mill dogs aren't shown in the breed ring.:) Not to say conformation-bred dogs don't have their own set of problems. But a dog bred for show and a puppy mill dog are chalk and cheese.

She said "nervous show cockers."

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

She said "nervous show cockers."

True. She said:
There have been so many puppy mill cockers for so long that it's now hard to get a good one, and for quite some time, I'd see a lot of very nervous show Cockers, shaking, barking, scared, not really biting but nipping or snapping out of fear, submissive piddling.

I read the above to mean the "nervous show Cockers" were somehow descended from the "many puppy mill cockers." Which of course they are not. Perhaps I misunderstood - it was early this morning.:)

[Pirateer]

Cockers can be nasty little things.
Adorable, but way to "Jekyll/Hyde".

[MintHillFarm]

I have to agree with the general sentiment about cockers.

I'll throw in here what I often say about German Shepherd Dogs (a breed I absolutely adore)...

A good Cocker Spaniel is a great dog and a wonderful pet. A bad Cocker Spaniel is a BAAAAADDD dog.

(Ok, I admit... a good dog of any breed is probably going to be a good pet, but a not-so-great dog of any given breed won't.

HOWEVER. Consider that a "not-so-great" Labrador that you get from Suzie Smith a few streets over who decided to breed her lab is probably just going to be hyperactive, not fit the breed standard on looks very well, maybe chew things and suck at retrieving, and perhaps develop hip problems and chronic ear infections.

In contrast, a "not-so-great" Cocker is probably going to be considerably more unpleasant, as the breed has a tendency to have some really nasty health and personality problems- severe ear infections, epilepsy, fear aggression, separation anxiety, eye infections, glaucoma, allergies, etc.

While there are definitely Labradors out there that bite- I've got a scar to prove it!- IME there is a much greater percentage of Cockers suffering from unstable temperaments in that direction)

By acquiring a dog from a responsible breeder with quality, even-tempered, correct dogs, by taking the pup to training classes and socializing it throughly, and by keeping up on general maintenance (nails/coat/eyes/ears/nutrition), you can be relatively confident you'll have a good dog. :)


Having had a horrible situation with a Shepherd when I was walking my Collie, this is a breed I would never have...the Shepherd seeing me with my dog, walking on a leash, ran out the doorway of his owner's apartment and ran straight for us. The Shepherd grabbed my Collie, named Lion around the throat. I intervened and almost lost a finger. What a mess...the dog was as nasty an individual as I have experienced. The distance to where I was with Lion from the doorway that he escaped from was probably 75 feet. He made a beeline for us and I have to say I was very scared. After that, I walked by dog with a canoe paddle, ready to go to fend him off...Good dogs and bad dogs come in all packages. I am certain that the screwball lady that owned this Shepherd was responsible for the dog's agressiveness.

My 3 Cocker Spaniels have been great and I would trust any one of them with anyone... But there again, there were brought up correctly...

[Mara]

They are extremely food-oriented and can get fat seemingly overnight! I knew this when I got my cocker, so I made sure to monitor his weight starting early. And when I say "fat", I really mean "morbidly obese." I worked for a veterinarian for a long time and saw more than my share of cockers who looked like stubby little coffee tables.

They love, love, love food!

And I need to mention the Sussex Spaniel. They are on the rare side, hard to come by, and thus expensive (think $1500+ for a pet-quality puppy). But my late sister and her husband had one (husband still has her), and Sophy is just about as sweet as dogs get. This is typical of the Sussex temperament.

[Lazy Palomino Hunter]

Having had a horrible situation with a Shepherd when I was walking my Collie, this is a breed I would never have...the Shepherd seeing me with my dog, walking on a leash, ran out the doorway of his owner's apartment and ran straight for us. The Shepherd grabbed my Collie, named Lion around the throat. I intervened and almost lost a finger. What a mess...the dog was as nasty an individual as I have experienced. <...>

My 3 Cocker Spaniels have been great and I would trust any one of them with anyone... But there again, there were brought up correctly...

Yup, this is exactly what I mean. A good GSD is a great dog, and a bad GSD is probably a serious liability. A good one is not only well bred (and for some reason well bred GSDs are $$$), but gets a lot of exercise and is well trained. I'm going to guess, that if this GSD bolted out the door of it's owners apartment to jump you and your dog... it was at the very least lacking in training and exercise.

I'd hazard to say that GSDs are not appropriate for the majority of dog owners.

I've helped several friends pick out dogs, and I have talked people out of the really "hit or miss" breeds- like German Shepherds, Cockers, and Dalmatians. Generally I just ask what it is about the breed that appeals to them and direct them to a breed that is less over-bred but still has the qualities they're looking for.

Many now have wonderful "replacement" breeds that they love (examples- a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog instead of a GSD, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel instead of a Cocker, a German Shorthair pointer instead of a Dalmatian). :)

[Go Fish]

Yep, Cockers are munch mouths. I remember one my Mom had - if you had a plate of cookies or chips on the coffee table, she'd sit there for literally hours and stare at it. She wouldn't jump on the table...just sit and stare.

We had another Cocker when I was a kid that probably weighed 20 pounds dripping wet. We had a family picnic in the back yard and I guess no one was paying attention to the food table. "Susie" jumped on top of the table and ran off with a 25 POUND TURKEY!

The cottage cheese/string bean diet is good to have around if you own Cockers.

[Nes]

IMHO Cockers turn nippy when they are treated like toys instead of the sporting dogs they are. They are small dogs with big dog brains - just like most ponies I know :D. They are not going to let you carry them around in your purse like a Pekingese.

Personally I love cockers and have been feverishly trying to convince my husband that we're getting our young son a cocker when he's old enough to have his first dog (he's only 1 - so I've got some more time to argue my case!) .

Their are quite a few known health problems (as with all purebreds) but most I've known have lives very long, happy lives. There are lots of rescues that specialize in cockers if you do decide to get one!

[Mara]

IMO, getting a good Cocker Spaniel is like getting a good dog of any other breed.

Spend some time with the dogs, well in advance of when you plan to actually bring a puppy home. Most good breeders are delighted to entertain people who are interested in their breed of dog. They will spend time with you, getting to know you and letting you interact with their dogs. Go to some local shows, meet some of them. You will learn, through this interaction, if the breed is really what you are looking for. And the breeders have a vested interest in making sure the dogs get good homes, so most will tell you honestly (not rudely) if they don't think a Cocker is right for you; they may be able to suggest a breed that better fits into your household.

When you are ready to get a puppy, you'll have an inroad to the network of good breeders through the relationship you've built. This will help ensure that you get a pet with a good temperament and a lower likelihood of developing genetic disorders.

This is how I got Oscar, and he lived to be 21. His breeders are no longer in the area, but we stayed in contact for a long time after I got the puppy from them. They did have show dogs, but no breedings planned at the time I met them, so it was a year or so before I got him. (Beware of "puppies always available!") He was a GREAT dog, with a sweet, sweet nature, and very trainable. I had to sign a contract stating that I would neuter him and that I would return him to them if it didn't work out - the contract specifically spelled out that a return did NOT equal death row, unless the dog had some sort of fatal condition. (There's a misconception that returning a dog to the breeder means they'll automatically put it down).

Right now I have 2 healthy, happy 5-year-old mixed shepherds, but I will have another Cocker someday. And I'll either adopt from the Cocker rescue, or do the same as I did before. It worked out well for everyone.

[vacation1]

I've heard that Cockers can be a bit bitey. . .I wonder why that is??

My Own Brucie. A perfect black Cocker Spaniel who won Westminster BIS in 1940 and 1941, his career helped elevate an already popular American breed and is often blamed indirectly for the fact that most people have met at least one snappy Cocker. Other factors beyond the 'big famous dog' input include: the small size of the breed has always made them a handier house pet than, say, the Pointer; the puppies are heartbreakingly adorable; and they are a handy size and personality for anyone looking to raise 30 puppies in a rabbit hutch in Iowa.

http://www.cal-orecockers.com/my_own_brucie.jpg

I think their coats would be an issue around a barn. I've read that their coats are actually quite difficult to keep up with; they look flat but have quite a bit of long, easily tangled and matted hair.

[Mara]

Coat care is a big thing. Mine wasn't a show dog, but just for grins I did grow him out in the cocker show cut for a while. It was beautiful - got lots of compliments, but if I missed a daily brushing then the next day was horrible for both me and the dog, as he would be SO matted. Plus lots of nasty bug life can hide in that coat.
I had to keep the hair between his toes clipped out, even - it would grow long and give him traction problems, and mat up. I imagine having to walk round on balls of matted fur is uncomfortable, to say the least. And poo can get stuck in that long hair on the rear end and hind legs.

Ultimately I gave him a nice short all-over cut. We were both happier.

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

My roommate during law school adopted a cocker spaniel that a construction worker friend found left tied in the back yard of a house after the people moved.:mad:

Bella is a sweet dog, but she's snappy. She bit me the first time I ever met her.:lol: Luckily (for me, not so much for her) she had little deformed pegs for teeth. So she couldn't actually perforate anybody. But she tried!:yes:

[RockingN]

A friend of mine has a cocker. We take our dogs to a nearby field to play. He is SO hyper and OBSESSED about retrieving his frisbee or ball. He will go on for hours with it till he exhausts himself. He doesn't even care about any of the other dogs. Its all about his toys.

[erinwillow]

Hello All,

I just want to say "Thank you" to all who have posted. . very informative discussion albeit contrasting at times depending on the dog and the owener at hand. I suppose like any breed one must find the best the breed has to offer and to find a perfect match for his/her own needs and wants as a dog owner. Admittedly, I sitll LOVE the Cocker coat and expression. .here's to finding a good one! :winkgrin:

[Brookes]

Erinwillow, attend a couple of large dog shows in your area, watch the cockers show. Then when they are done introduce yourself to some of the breeders that will be there. Talk to them directly and see what they have to say about the breed. They are your best resource along with anyone on COTH that has raised and bred cockers.

I show my dogs in the sporting group and have never seen or heard of a problem cocker in the ring. They seem to be very sweet and honest in doing their job in the ring. Never saw one go after a judge.

Check the AKC website and see what the breed description tells you. Go to your state website Cocker club and see what they have to say. Both excellent resources.

But let me tell ya, I have setters and that is like having giant freakin cockers. We are talking coat. . . coat and oh wait . . . more coat! Daily grooming is not an option with Cockers, it is mandatory unless you shave them all over. But everyCocker I have met at the shows has been a little doll.

Do yourself a favor and check out the English Cocker also. A very nice dog with less coat and a wonderful attitude. When I'm too old to deal with my setters anymore I will be downsizing to English Cockers.

[ESG]

My brother always give me a hard time because when he asks about breed 'X', I tell him all the problems that I (as a vet) see with breed 'x'. They all have their issues, some more than others. The cocker spaniel as they are in the US these days is one with more health issues than average. They are very, very prone to allergic skin and severe ear problems (no matter what you feed them), they can have glaucoma issues, and almost ALL of them that I see have a tendency to be nasty. They may be 'ok' in most situations, but pushed outside their comfort zone (which is quite small sometimes) they bite. This can be because someone accidentally nudged them with their foot at home, or similar minor 'transgression', or can be due to any of the stresses you can imagine in a veterinary setting. All I can say is if you're crazy enough to get one, get health insurance, and socialize well. Get involved with non-violent, non-confrontational training methods, and cross your fingers. I knew one GREAT american cocker that sadly passed away recently. And I know of two really great English Cocker Spaniels, one that died of cancer at age nine months, and one that's still living. All of the other cockers I've ever met have been 'challenging' at best. Sad. I hear they weren't always health/behavior disasters. Then, like a previous poster mentioned, they got popular, and people started breeding indiscriminately for money. I do wish Oprah the best with her dogs! =)

I worked in a small animal vet clinic for a while. Every one of your observations was represented almost daily in our client base. As you said, sad - they're sweet little dogs, but far too labor intensive for those who can't afford a dog wrangler to constantly pamper these poochies. :no: