I have recently been quite intrested in having a english cocker spaniel as my next dog when the pups are MUCH older. But i have heard that i you want one that does well in the show ring that is best to have a black one, is this true? Also can anyone recommed some good websites that i could have a look at . I have been on one where you can see all the different colours but i would like a website with some more info like character, health problems but one that is just for cockers. Any comments will be great.

sarah xxxx

Hi Sarah

Have you tried  CockersOnline - tons of info and a fantastic discussion forum -   Hope to see you there ;-)

Another great site for information is  Shenmore Cockers - I found this page in particular was useful when I was deciding on a cocker (now got two :-) )  

HTH

Shirley :-)

Thanks for the reply shirley.

sarah xxxx

Hi Sarah, I always point any prospective owners in the direction of the parent Breed Club.  Lots of good information on there, and lots of good contacts- i too would also recommend the Cockers Online and the forum-very useful! Ofcourse, if you want to chat cockers, feel free to PM me-I've not had any showing experience but would like to eventually, and my show cocker has a great pedigree, lots of things to chat about! :)

I heard bluerones do well (I personally like the orange and white!)

I never heard that any colour has been judged better on the colour then another . at last years crufts the cocker that won best of breed was an orange roan . Id get what ever colour you like :)  The show girls on cockersonline will be able to help answer that question better  :) But im pretty sure they all do well :)

Lovelylady, I'm afraid there are judges who are "colour blind" when they judge and will only look at one colour...not all are.  It happens in all breeds where differnt colours are around!

I watched the cockers for a while @ crufts last year, the classes were huge and the majority were blacks or blue roans. I wonder if this is just because they are the more popular colours or because they are the ones that judges prefer and have therefore qualified. 

Thanks you all for your replys, i found them very useful. I will definatly have a look at all the websites that everyone suggested. I didnt think that what i was told was true but i thought i was something that i should check. I personaly prefer the blue roan, liver, red, red and white, and the sable. Anyway thank you all for your help and i might see some of you on the cockersonline website. :)

sarah xxxx

Are you in the US Sarah as some of these colours are not terms used in the UK and indeed as far as I know we have no sables you may still find the sites useful but the issues about which colours do well in the ring may not be the same.  I notice you use the term English Cocker Spaniel too, in the UK they are just Cocker Spaniels :)

No i am in the UK. I must have been looking at an american website :rolleyes: :D (typical!) Does anyone have any links for an english website where i can see pics of the different colours?

sarah xxxxx

As far as i know there is a sable cocker in the uk its a male i think at Cardamine If im thinking right .I bet its very hard to get one . mabe for this colour you would have to import one.
The last i heard was the breed council  were trying not to make this a recognised colour so if it was to become unreconised then you wouldent be able to show .
The best place to ask for help is cockersonline lots of show people there to point you in the right direction and lots of links to colours and things :) goodluck
You could have a look at www.thecockerspanielclub.co.uk thats the breed club