hi can anyone please advise me? i have just bought an orange roan cocker spaniel dog 6wks old and have been told that this type of cocker can be very over protective with its owners and not very good with other people or dogs when they are older and that they are not often a good all round family pet i have 2 children 6 and 12 and wanted it as an all round family dog.
many thanks 

Nonsense.  My orange roan rescue from Ireland, who has been seriously mistreated in his life by humans, but is not docile despite it, is perfect around any human, small or large.  He's living with another male very happily.  As someone who has had rescue cockers of all colours, it's amazing how forgiving they are of past ill-treatment.

Look after and train your pup properly (puppy socialiation and training classes) and he will grow up to be another wonderful cocker.

Go to the cockersonline.co.uk discussion board for more help.

I am however a bit worried about where you bought a cocker pup at 6 weeks.!

Absolute rubbish!!  I have an orange roan and he is so soppy, my friend breeds cocker spaniels, she has 4 orange roan and 1 blue roan............they all have wonderful temperaments, she has 4 children and trusts the dogs 110%, they are wonderful family pets!

Isn't 6 weeks a bit young to be taken away from it's mum?  I was always told that 8 weeks earliest when I was looking for my cocker pup!

One of my cockers is an orange roan and he has the most wonderful temperament. He loves people of all ages and gets on great with other animals - he even tries to play with our little chinese hamster!!!! He has been socialised well and is an absolute joy to own. I suggest you socialise your puppy with people as much as you can(both adults and children) and once vaccinations are complete, enrol in a puppy socilaistaion and training class so that your pup gets to meet all sorts of dogs in a controlled environment - he has been taken away from his littermates a bit too soon so will need to learn how to communicate with dogs properly. If you can get hold of "The Perfect Puppy" by Gwen Bailey, thsi will give you invaluable advice on raising a pup and gives you suggestions for a socialisation program.

We have an orange roan too & she has a fantastic temperament with everybody, including children & other dogs. Like the others have said, it would seem you have been told some duff information by someone who has little or no experience of Cockers. I am however a bit concerned that you bought your pup at 6 weeks old - reputable breeders would not let puppies go to their new homes before 8 weeks old. Hopefully your breeder has provided you with plenty of advice about training, feeding & the need to socialise your puppy but if not, do visit the site Benjidog mentions above where you will find plenty of information.

A load of rubbish join the link there are plently of others who have cockers on the site who will tell you what there cockers are like as jane said 6 weeks is way to early to go :(

          I want to let you know that I have English Cocker Spainel and Phanom is a orange roam. I had her for over six years. I also have a second dog and his name is Chandler and he's a Whippet. I do Agility,Obedience,Flyball and a Therapy Dog too. I compete in these doggy sports with my partners.

          I crate train my English Cocker Spaniel when she was a puppy. I don't know if you are crating your puppy but it will be easer to sleep at night and go to work. Phantom didn't like to be left alone. Phantom is six and I can leave to go some place and I can put her in the crate or leave her lose. Chandler I got at one year old and hated his crate. But know he loves to go in cause they know they are geting a big treat in their crate.

          I think you should take you English Cocker Spaniel to puppy class. If you have a problem wth your dog they can help. If you need more help email me at Dianechanfan@hotmail.com?

          I was wondering what did you name your puppy? I hop this help you out.

                                                      Diane,Chandler,Phantom