a colleague of mine has a 2 1/2 year old female cocker spaniel she would liek to re-home and we have been contempleting getting a dog for some time.  Could someone advise me as to the advantages of taking on an older cocker spaniel other than the most obvious as in no puppy problems - has anyone out there taken on an older cocker and how was it?  Many thanks

Sorry, no experience of Cockers. Why not contact one of the Cocker Spaniel Clubs they should be able to find someone to help you

Hi Guest

Nobody is going to be able to give you much info unless you register.  There are lots of things that need to be taken into consideration before anyone can tell you whether it would be a good idea or not.  Before you even consider it you should first of all do lots of research on the breed so that you know what you are commiting yourself to.  Cockers are gorgeous (though I'm probably biased :-)  ) but they need regular grooming and are very strong willed.  These are things that you will need to take into consideration before you even start to think about whether this particular dog is right for you, he may come with all manner of problems (sometimes worse than a puppy) that you are not equipped to deal with - Why is the dog being rehomed?

There is an 8 month old cocker looking for his 6th home (through no fault of his own) on another site - please be sure that if you do take this dog that you have thought it through and that your home is going to be his last one!!

If you register you'll get info from lot of people (JaneS?) who have much more experience than me.  You could also try here

Hope this helps.

Shirley :-)

Presumably you know the reason why they need to rehome?  Just try and be practical, do you work, who will look after the dog when you are not there?  Is the dog good with children/cats/other pets if you have any of them?  Are you prepared to deal with the grooming, pay a groomer, are you willing to go out rain or shine.  As for the benefits over getting a puppy, what you gain in one hand you lose in the other, yes, you may not have the toilet training to do (although of course dogs can revert when their circumstances change) but you will have to deal with any learnt behaviours you do not accept, eg sitting on the sofa, unnecessary barking.  If you can consider all the eventualities and are ready to deal with them then you have your answer
Good luck with your decision, rehoming an unwanted dog is one of the nicest things a person can do, as long as it is for life

Hayley

(Oh, and get yourself a good Cocker Spaniel book, and register on here, it is free, and you will get some great advice as and when you need it!)