Clare T asked:
I am hopefully getting a cocker spaniel puppy later in the year. I love cocker spaniels’ personalities but am unsure whether i should be looking for a working or show dog.
I am hopefully getting a cocker spaniel puppy later in the year. I love cocker spaniels’ personalities but am unsure whether i should be looking for a working or show dog.
He will be a well walked, well looked after pet but will not be used for hunting.
any advice?
Dog Lovers Mega Pack
Tags: Cocker Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel Puppy, Cocker Spaniels, Love, Personalities, Pet Show, Spaniel, Spaniels
January 31st, 2006 at 2:59 pm
It really depends on the individual dog, but a show bred Cocker will be more likely to adapt to life as a pet rather than being “on the go” all day. dogs bred for working tend to be selected on their working abilities, not for the temperament which makes them suitable to live as pets indoors.
Whichever you decide on, make sure you do plenty of research and buy from a breeder who has temperament as a priority and does all the necessary health checks.
Edit: It’s rubbish to say show Cockers are less healthy – if anything you find Show breeders are the ones to do health checks before breeding.
As for “original American cocker spaniels ” – perhaps you should check out the breed history – American Cockers were developed from the same dogs but were bred for a different type & the KC split them into 2 breeds in the 1940s.
Unsurprisingly, they have the same health problems
February 3rd, 2006 at 7:13 am
Just raise him or her up as a dog. When you start training them all that fancy stuff they get all hyper and oh soooooo delicate. Just take it to an obediance school so you and it will learn how to behave when you go out on walks. Love your dog for being a dog.
February 6th, 2006 at 12:17 pm
I recomend going to a dog shelter and finding a cocker spaniel cross. They make much better pets and you will also know you have helped save a dog!
Dogs from breeders will always find a home but rescues may end up being put to sleep so please consider this.
If you must have purebred, then i recomend finding a good breeder and asking him/her for advice.
Good luck with your new pup!
February 6th, 2006 at 7:46 pm
I agree 100% with anwen
Breeding lines usually play a huge part in the dogs ability to cope being a pet
Working dogs tend to have bundles of energy and never seem to slow down whereas show dogs can easily be used to work but tend to be better pets
February 10th, 2006 at 6:53 am
Working strain is healthier than the show strain. The working strain tend to be more lively however a recent study showed show dogs are actually more likely to bite than working dogs.
Your better off getting an adult dog from a rescue who has already been assessed that way you know exactly what your taking on.
February 11th, 2006 at 5:02 am
During the 1900’s when the breed was very popular, the once healthy and merry breed became plagued with hereditary diseases such as eye disorders, hip dysplasia, and temperament problems. The term “cocker rage” came into common use describing temperament problems. Some breeders of cocker spaniels are attempting to revitalize the breed by breeding spaniels for the qualities the original American cocker spaniels had–well bred hunting dogs, like their English counterparts. It appears that “show” cockers suffered most of the effects of poor breeding. Both dogs need the same exercise, but some say the working dog is more mentally alert and may need more stimulation. Go to a very reputable breeder who will put you in touch with other puppy owners to clarify they are of sound temperament. A good breeder will not begrudge this.
February 12th, 2006 at 3:33 am
Both can be good, it depends on the dogs character and hierarchy in the puppy group. You have to obedience train, epically cocker spaniels need to have an active life. Sounds like you´r committed though, so it shouldn´t be a problem. Adding a link to a dog training site, you can get good tips there. I´m personally a fan of clicker training.
February 14th, 2006 at 9:07 pm
personally id look at the working type only because i train dogs and do agility with mine, there minds are always active,
you have to think about the facts of can i put alot of time into working the dog, show dogs probably have the same working traits also so be carefull thinking thats its easier getting show stock as they are all the same breed they just work in a different way they work on presenting themselves
February 17th, 2006 at 4:37 pm
you can get either as you can pet them down are you planning on showing him/her if not i would go for the working cocker spaniel evan though hes classed a working you dont have to work him. working cockers usaully have docked tails dont know about show dogs
February 18th, 2006 at 3:23 pm
If you’re only going to walk your pet and will not get him involved in hunting and other ways to stimulate his mind and release some energy, I suggest you get a show line cocker spaniel.
Working lines have less hair, because too much hair hinders their ability to work. That means less grooming, though you’ll still have to brush them at least 2-3 times a week. Daily brushing is even better especially if your dog is running around outside and picking up stuff in his feathers. Working lines have more energy, because they were bred for their ability to work. They are very clever and need constant physical and mental stimulation. If you can’t deliver, then they will become destructive in the home as they find other ways to keep themselves occupied. A walk around the neighborhood isn’t going to be enough for these dogs. I have a Field Spaniel who MUST go for at least a 2 hour run through open fields every day. I also use him for hunting. If you’re getting a dog from the working line can you at least say that you can provide that much time and effort to keep him in shape physically and mentally?
Show lines are bred more in keeping to the physical characteristics of the breed standard than anything else. They will have considerable more hair than the work line variety so you’ll have to dedicate a lot of time keeping them neat in appearance. Do you have the time to keep their coats neat or do you have the money to bring them to the groomers regularly? Show lines don’t require as much activity as the working line, though you still must provide 30 minutes – 1 hr of activity for your dog daily to keep it healthy. Show lines tend to be more temperamental than working lines. Again, I think because they are bred more for their looks than their brains and heart. However, if you find a puppy from a reputable breeder and raise her in a loving yet disciplined environment, you’ll have a wonderful pet that the whole family can enjoy.
February 19th, 2006 at 10:40 pm
I may get shot down for this but i would suggest that the best ‘pet’ is probably a dog with a mixture of both types in its pedigree.
Show cockers, while probably a bit lazier, are more likely to be highly strung, will require much more grooming and can be snappy (I think its called spaniel RAGE syndrome- look it up)
Working strains are usually a bit leggier, carry less coat, usually friendlier, but can be real livewires, and if they are not getting the exercise and stimulation they need could make your home life a living hell.
February 20th, 2006 at 10:28 am
Ah – I have one of each!
The working cocker takes four or five walks a day when she’s not on the farm, and she is a trained gun dog and rabbit hunter. She is very very smart and beautiful and friendly, but she hates it in a town and hates being alone so I really wouldn’t recommend getting one if you can’t spend enough time with it.
The show cocker is floppy and sweet, she’s the most loving dog ever and is quite happy to just sit next to you all day. She’s not much for exercise so she’d be great in a town, in fact, this girl shows no interest in rabbits or guns or anything!
These are just my two, obviously yours would be different, but from my experiance I wouldn’t get a working one if you don’t have some work for it to do – she’d be too bored and end up being naughty.
(edit – I must agree with the ones above, our working cocker is so annoying when she’s inside, she’s so hyper that trying to hoover or get dressed is a nightmare around her!)
February 23rd, 2006 at 10:15 am
Sorry to all the Cocker owners out there, but niether. Steer clear from this overbread, nutcase of a breed.
February 25th, 2006 at 12:28 pm
The clue is in the name………WORKING cocker spaniel. It speaks for itself. They are bred to work therefore need a job, if you aren’t able to work the dog get one from show stock.
February 26th, 2006 at 10:39 am
The description says it all, working Cockers are carefully bred for WORK not sitting on you lap etc.
If you are in the UK, select your breeder carefully as there are quite a lot of highly neurotic Cockers over here from indiscriminate breeders in it for the money only.