I have been looking for a pup to join our family. We like spaniels, but can't decide between the CAVALIER KING CHARLES or COCKER SPANIEL.

Could anyone tell me what either breed temperment is like??

Also we have children in our family.

Many thanks to you all.

Hi Guest, I have 2 Cavaliers and an American cocker, and I must admit to preferring the Cavaliers. I don't know what English cockers are like personally, though I believe they are fairly similar. Cavaliers are (or should be!) very friendly and outgoing, happy to go for a good walk or to curl up on your lap for a snooze. My Yankee is rather more of a fidget - again, he is friendly, but not as cuddly. Both breeds should be fine with children, though of course you shouldn't leave young children unsupervised in case they push the dogs too far. Both breeds are very easygoing and accepting of things. Cavaliers do have a few inherited genetic problems, so you should make sure the parents have been heart and eye tested, and if possible MRI scanned clear of SM, a brain disease (though not many dogs are clear). Yankees have eye problems, but I don't know if this is true of English Cockers. You should read a few books on both breeds, and get to a few dog shows to see some of each breed before deciding. Why not join the forum and you can tell us all about the puppy when you get him!

There is also an enormous difference between the grooming a Cavalier requires and the grooming which a Cocker requires.  This should not be taken lightly, Cockers can have very profuse coats needing much more attention than a Cavalier.

And Cockers usually require professional grooming.

Personally I much prefer Cavaliers :) -have had both breeds (and have kids).

Marianne

I have english cockers and they are really lovely :D always willing to please , happy little things that are so beauiful :) You can learn to groom yourself there are videos /dvds you can buy to help you with most breeds. My freind used to have a cav there nice little dogs too . Make sure both parents have been health tested properly and I think id be right in thinking cavs have to be heart tested and ask about the bitches and stud's parents being  heart tested too .

Yes, I don't have the body coat to do on mine, but I have managed a reasonable approximation of the trim on his head and ears. But Cavaliers coats are long but silky, so as long as you brush them every day or two they only take 5 or 10 minutes, and it's never a chore for me, I love brushing dogs! My Cav boy goes all gooey and floppy when I brush him on the sofa, I have to roll him over to do the other side as he appears to have lost all his bones!! My Yankee doesn't much like being brushed but again with his natural puppy trim which a normal Cocker would have to be clipped into, he only takes 5 or 10 minutes.