Hi,

Tonight we are going to see some Cocker Spaniel pups, I really love the breed, but haven't owned one before.

Are there any Spaniel lovers out there, that could tell me about how lovely the breed is? I have read up on the internet, but was wondering if anyone that owns a spaniel give me some advice???

Many thanks

There are several long time Cocker owners using the board but I think you will need to register and tell us what additonal information you are looking for.  If you have already done quite a bit of information gathering you may already know about exercise, grooming, health issues and the need to seek a reputable breeder via the breed club due to the appalling popularity of this breed with the unscrupulous puppy farmer so unless you let us know more about what specific info you are after it's hard to know quite where to start.
Registration is free and I'm sure when you get your puppy you will find value in being able to pop back with any problems or even just to let us share in your pleasure in it :)

Make sure you see the relavant paperwork and health screening certificates.They should have a pedigree and be kc reg,if your not sure ask.
The health problems cockers suffer and should have been screened for are
Progressive retinal atrophy(pra)This is a inherited progressive degeneration of the retina of the eye,which may lead to total blindness.Affected dogs of either sex must not be used for breeding.So be sure to ask about the father of the litter to.
Not sure if there are anymore,Hope all goes well,I think they are a lovely breed of dog.

I grew up with a show type cocker spaniel dog, and he was a true friend :)  I currently have a Springer, and she's nutty!
The one thing you do need to be aware of are the differences between show and working Cockers - a working cocker is a VERY different animal and can be more active than a working springer - be ware......

I remember a post on here some time back saying that working cockers are like springers on speed!  It does largely depend on the parents, though.  There are breeders who won't sell to non-working homes, others that are happy to sell their pups as pets, and then others who use their discretion according to the drive of the parents.  I have to say that while my working cocker is pretty manic on a walk and will happily go to the Lakes or Dales and walk 30+ miles (and then ask for another walk when it's her usual walk time in the evening!) she is actually quieter in the house than my parent's Cavalier, and is a great connoisseur of duvets, cushions and sofas!  We actually got her as a "compromise" dog as my partner wanted a "proper" dog who could keep up with him when hill-walking (he walks very fast!) and I wanted a dog that would cuddle up on my lap: Molly suits us both perfectly.  She does not like being left alone in the house, though - I don't know if this is a breed trait, but just a trip to the corner shop results in some form of chewing or destruction.

Yes, in my experience Cockers are very people orientated, and I hear of many who suffer from some degree of 'seperation anxiety' through not being taught early on that it is OK to be alone......

My sister breeds cockers, they are fantastic dogs, great with children, very friendly......none of them have ever suffered from separation anxiety.  She has recently rehomed her litter, all who went on without any problems at night etc.  She has 5 of them and they all live indoors, she has never had any form of destruction from any of them.

Check for the relevant health check results from BOTH mum and dad, ask to see the paperwork,  ask to see mum, normally you won't see dad as the bitch has been taken out to stud, check they are KC registered and not DL registered.  You could ask what food they will be on, if they will have had an vaccinations, micro-chipping etc. hopefully they will have been raised in the home so won't have any problems with every day noises!

Good luck, hope it all goes well.

be guided by the parent (s) and any other dogs of previous matings that may live with the breeder. I get really annoyed that the working cockers are always painted in a bad light. Mine are calm and most certainly not like springers on speed. However, some lines are faster etc than others. The breeders that breed them are being responsible IMO if they wont home to a pet home, or someone without previous experience.
But ...the show type is not a stuffed toy either. again, some may be calm. some are very more active then my workers. I think you have to see the litter and any other dogs the breeder may have, go away and think about it for a few nights and then make your decision. I certainly wont commit to selling a pup without meeting the people and asking them to sleep on it for a while.

Think about American cockers too! I don't actually know any English cockers well, but there is the rumour about rage syndrome, which a lot of people on here will know much more than me about! I don't know if Americans get it too, but I can definitely recommend my Yankee as being lovely! Or if you want a small spaniel not quite as active as a Cocker or Springer, there's always Cavaliers!!

Some breeders in my area are advertising cocker spaniels as being KC registered and unwitting would-be purchasers go along thinking they are buying a show cocker type.  However, these dogs have turned out to be working cockers and, as stated above, they are a completely different ball game although both types will be KC registered!! I have a working cocker and, while he is energy personified when we are out walking, he is very very laid back in the house and doesn't suffer separation anxiety at all.  To distinguish between the two types, generally a show cocker (of good breeding!) will have SH CH (show champion) in their pedigree somewhere along the lines and a working cocker will have FT CH or FT W - this means field trial champ or field trial winner!  If you are looking for a show type cocker spaniel, steer clear of the FT CH in a pedigree and vice versa.

However, I must say that I absolutely adore my boy.  He is by far the most intelligent dog I have ever owned and, furthermore, he is loads of fun!!! 

Hope this helps.

Kind wishes
Annie

''Some breeders in my area are advertising cocker spaniels as being KC registered and unwitting would-be purchasers go along thinking they are buying a show cocker type.  However, these dogs have turned out to be working cockers ''

In a way its a shame though that those of us who breed working cockers have to make it crystal clear what they are, whereas breeders of the show type dont usually state 'show type', so it could work both ways in theory!! When I bred a litter of golden show types, it felt weird vetting homes and making sure they knew they were show type..But - the breeders mentioned who are advertising KC reg cockers are doing nothing wrong!! Is there as much fuss with ESS. I would hazard a guess that the majority of  ads for ESS are working type - apart from at shows, I never see a show type springer around as a pet and have never seen apart from here and in the dog press, adverts for show type springers...Many many seem happy to buy the working strain as pets - Im not saying if that is a good thing or bad thing, but it is the cockers that seems to cause most controversy between the 2 types. Which in my opinion is a great shame.

But - my advice is still to see the litter and other relatives if poss, make sure you are happy with the way they are being raised, ask about heath clearnances, try and ascertain if the breeder is reputable and can give back up help, make sure they will be KC reg and think about it for a day or 2 before committing to booking a pup.

>I never see a show type springer around as a pet

How curious! I've seen plenty of show springers as pets, but I don't think I've ever seen a working springer in my life - and I live in a rural area where many people shoot! Likewise I've seen about 9 show-type cockers to one pet working cocker.

Must be a geographical thing!! I have to say that most cockers I see out are show type but I can honestly say that I havent seen a show type springer since I was last at a show and that was I think LKA 2003!! Any ads Ive seen for springers and the majority  of ads for labs, are all working strain..Most of the springers in my area I have to say are nice well boned up to size ones - in the main liver and white ..Im sure to miss someone out but I can only think of these current active show kennels in Scotland - Lochindorb, Elimvek, Berkenbar, Donarden, Tralay, Rosanoch, one nr Falkirk that I cant remember their affix, and none of these have many litters, so I think it is fair to say that the maj of springers sold in Scotland are of the working strain - I am so used to seeing them that when I think of a springer, I think liver and white working strain - I actually like the black and whites but dont see so many of those..Lots of springers sold in Perthshire and Fife - many through the Dundee Courier, SCotsman and Herald and of course the free ad papers...

Just had a look at the CD springer pups available - 5 litters - 4 working stock, 1 show stock

Hope the Guest registers and let us know how they got on tonight

Hello workingcockers
I live in Fife,whilst at a show a few years back saw for the first time a show springer, taller than aworking spaniel can't say i've seen much of these in my area, so agree that most springers come from working stock.
Whilst most cockers are definately show type. Again havn't seen much working cockers being kept as pets.

Hi workingcockers

I agree that these breeders are doing nothing wrong.  The only problem is that people are buying them thinking they are show type cockers and they are actually working cockers.  There was a post about the differences between SH CH and CH and I was really interested to learn that a gundog cannot attain CH status unless it has completely some sort of field work.  When it comes to cockers, it seems unfair to me that the show type cocker could, to all intents and purposes, become a CH but the working cocker will never achieve that status because of the fact that it can't be shown.  Same for ESS!  I wonder why there should be 2 types of ESS and cocker spaniel.  After all, most of the other gundog breeds only have one type and no matter if they are bred for show or work they all look the same (theoretically!).  It would stop the confusion if there weren't 2 "types" of the breed don't you think?

I have to say that my heart lies with the working cocker but the majority of cockers you see around Edinburgh are show type cockers - all lovely I hasten to add.  My point is that surely from a moral standpoint if you are selling puppies as KC registered cocker spaniels, it is only fair to advise the person buying them about the differences between show type and working type.  The average guy in the street thinks about cocker spaniels as the show type and if he doesn't know the difference will end up buying a working cocker.  I know this happened to somebody I know's son.  I saw the puppy and immediately knew it was a working cocker.  He was under the impression it was a show type - not that he was going to show!  I asked him to look at his pedigree to see if there was FT CH in it and, sure enough, it was there.  He loved his little dog just the same though!!! Many people don't know that there are 2 types of cocker spaniel or, in fact, that there are 2 types of ESS.  And, really, I wonder why there has to be.  I happen to think that my boy is extremely handsome and, just as handsome as any dog in the ring, why should I not be able to show him?  Apart from the fact that there would be havoc!!!!!!!!

Just my thoughts.

Kind regards
Annie

I bumped into a man locally about 18 months ago when I was out with Molly (working cocker) who had bought her litter brother.  While he was besotted with the pup, he had thought he was buying a "normal" (!) cocker.  It was only some weeks later that someone pointed out that he had bought a "field cocker". I have to say I found this a bit odd as he would have seen the mother, and they are not easily confused with the show type.  Most people who are unfamiliar with working cockers don't realise that Molly is in fact a cocker - they most commonly guess that she is some kind of spaniel / retriever cross!  I've also been asked if she's a miniature Flatcoat!

HI Rosemarie

I remember the first time I saw a working cocker.  I didn't know what breed it was.  I knew it was a spaniel but didn't know what type - but I was besotted!!!!  After doing a lot of research when I was looking for my next puppy I decided to go for a working cocker as I have the type of lifestyle that is suited to the dog.  I agree that they don't look anything like the show type but, the fact still remains that they are cocker spaniels and anybody who doesn't know the difference might buy one thinking it was a "normal" cocker spaniel.  I personally don't find the breed hard at all.  I think they are highly intelligent, busy little dogs with an ever-wagging tail!  I did meet somebody once who had a WC who told me that she can walk for 5 hours and the dog is still restless in the house.  No amount of walking will tire this wee dog out.  They need mental stimulation too.  Just like working BCs, ESS and the like.
Don't you agree?

Annie

I know, I agree and make sure that people who contact me know what they are buying - I just feel it is a shame that working cocker breeders are the ones who in the main who say to puppy people do they realise what they are, as by and large the assumption is that all cockers are of the show type and show type breeders I dont think would say to their puppy people do they know the diff and is it def a show type you want. I just hate to see the working type continually knocked..

Wonder how the guest got on with looking at the litter?

I'm anxious to know!!!!  It's so exciting!!!  Brings back all those memories of going to look at puppies!!!  I think I can feel another dog coming on the next couple of years.  Definitely a WC!!! 

Annie

Great - they are attracting many enthusiasts!! I have a heap of them lying here trying to stay cool - cant remember last time it was as hot up here - not complaining though but I feel washed out - so unused to this!! But since they are sleeping I could be tempted for a wee snooze myself!!

meant to say Annie - there is one of mine in the Craiglockart area in Edin. White with large black patches - he lives with a golden show type, also one of mine.

Kirsten, I'll keep an eye out for them if I'm walking up the hills!!!!  As for your snooze - go for it girl!!!!

Annie

i think you'll find that MOST gundogs do have a working and showing type, not just Cockers and Springers. :) For instance Goldens, Labradors, Irish Setters. I think it's sad, in my mind a good dog should be able to do both -look the way their breed should AND do the work they were bred for. (Can't remember who it was now -wellknown breeder and judge- that always referred to Show Champions as "Shame Champions" as they should be able to at the very least have their show gundog qualification to become a full Champion!)  There are still a few (but not many) dual purpose Golden Retriever breeders about, whose dogs show and work well also, but they're becoming rarer and I'm not sure what the situation is in other gundogs. The Golden Retriever Club actually has awards for best Dual Purpose dog of the year. I've had Goldens for many years and all but 2 were/are dual purpose bred and I must say there was a big difference  in the ones bred for showing only -just like there is in working bred ones.

Marianne

Hi Goldmali

So the working type of these breeds look different to the show type too?  When I come to think about it, I can see the difference in labradors but didn't know that golden retrievers and irish setters looked different!  That's another new thing I've learned today on CD :)

Annie

PS:  And another thing I've learned today is how to do smiley faces :) :)

Hi dogdeli1
Yes they do. :) Your average working Golden for instance is very dark in colour, taller on the legs, leaner, has higher set ears etc.

Marianne

Goldmali

I have seen a couple of dark gold, golden retrievers on my walks.  They held their tails quite differently as well - sort of over their backs.  I actually thought that perhaps they were just badly bred but obviously these have been the working type.  How interesting!!!  Thanks for that. :)

Annie

It's also possible that you saw Duck Tolling Retrievers. I've made that mistake before! :o ;) Although they seem to be quite a bit smaller than retrievers.

Actually, I'll let you into a secret!!  When I took one of my dogs along to agility on the first night there was a little dog there that I thought was a crossbreed!  Needless to say, without a second thought foot was placed in mouth and I asked what kind of crossbreed this little dog was because he was lovely!!!  Well, the cheeks were sucked in and the voice went "all offended" and the reply was "Actually HE'S a duck tolling retriever".  Talk about digging a hole for yourself.  I always felt a bit embarrassed when I saw the lady after that. :d :d :d

AND I've never forgotten what a duck tolling retriever looks like!!!!!!!

Kind regards
Annie

ROFL! Like you, I wanted the ground to swallow me up! :D :D

Hi there - nice to see you on here - havent met you but follow your dogs with int - you very kindly posted me my cairn's  leather collar a few years when you found it at Scottish Breeds CH Show in the car park I think. he is now deceased and my red and white setter is in semi retirement, but have a new cairn on the block hopefully coming out LKA..

Kirsten