Hi wasnt sure where to post.We are considering getting a puppy in a few months,have had dogs previous,who have all crossed to rainbow bridge a number of years ago. I really want a cocker spaniel, not only do they seem such handsome dogs but also I have heard they are gentle and have excellent temperaments. We have 4 granddaughters so this is imperative. Hubby is retired and Im semi so lots of time for new pup, asking for others views on cockers please.

Hi there,
No use at all in regard to the cocker spaniels I'm afraid,but just wanted to say I posted very similar a few weeks ago and got some lovely replies and very good advice.They are a very nice and knowledgable bunch on here so am sure will get lot's of useful info.

Good luck with your search and new addition to your family!!

We grew up with cockers and I had one myself as an adult, he died at the grand age of 16.5yrs old just over 5yrs ago.

They were all great with kids and were very lively till they were 7 or 8 yrs old when they suddenly calmed down.

Just be careful where you get your pup from, make sure the parents have had all the health checks recommended by the KC,get in touch with the breed clubs and get a list of breeders from them, the KC will have a list of Accredited Breeders for you to check on line and some breeders list their litters on the KC "find a puppy" section of the site.

Good Luck with your search.

I would also start going to shows and chat to the people there. As long as people arnt actually about to go in the ring I find most people are pleased to chat and you gain so much and learn who the better breeders are
Also get in touch with the breed club. I am sure some cocker owners will be along soon

Also bear in mind that the Cocker Spaniel comes in two versions (like so many other breeds), show type and working type. The working type looks very different from the show type and is far, far more demanding as far as training and exercise goes. I have seen a lot of pet buyers turn up at training club with working Cockers they find it hard to handle, and they had no idea what they were buying wasn't the classic Cocker Spaniel they have seen photos of.

> I have heard they are gentle and have excellent temperaments. We have 4 granddaughters so this is imperative.

I'd just like to add that it's not just the dog that has to be child-friendly but the children have to be dog-friendly too :) Just as a pup needs to be taught how to behave around children, so do the children need teaching how to behave around pup/dog.

You're probably allready aware of this, but I just wanted to mention it :)

Good luck in your search :)

Like others have said be careful which sort of cocker you get, working are great if you are active and want to do agility or perhaps try a bit of gundog work, but otherwise show type are a bit more laid back for normal type walks and a pet. A properly bred cocker should be merry and friendly, but of course you need to put in the work socialising and training him, and as others have said training the grandchildren too. Have fun!

Found my post at last !! thanks to all who have responded.I have found a KC Registered breeder who lives very near.Will e mail and ask to visit and see her dogs,she has a litter due September. I really love cockers,my Aunt had one many,many years ago a blue roan,who was superb.Sadly I had an evil cousin who was quite cruel at times to the poor chap. My granddaughters will be taught to respecy pup,they  have rabbits and are very good with those,I know a dog is a wholly different ball game,but there good kiddies.

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Do Cockers still have a problem with rage syndrome or has it mostly been bred out now? I know many years ago there was a problem mainly with the solid coloured ones after they got very popular too quickly.

Good luck.Have a list of questions prepared before hand.For Example You will need to actually check out health tests
http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/mateselect/test/Default.aspx
Though you will need the kennel name of both sire and dam.(breeder will have her own copies) some unscrouplous breeders will say they are health tested when they are indeed not.Look at the conditions the puppies are brought up in,see the dam and sire if stud not used.
My neice has a lovely Cocker.Great with children but very,very lively.Working strain as her Dad works all his dogs.

also look at both parents cos working and show cockers look very similar at 8 weeks so avoid dog websites but if you go to a reputable breeder you will know

Just to up date,met with the breeder of cocker spaniels.She has 2 bitches and a chocolate stud called bailey.I met all her dogs which included mum to be and bradley the daddy.Also saw their pedigree papers. Pups due in september, they really are very lovely dogs all very friendly and obviously adored by their owners. They are kept indoors and are real family pets,not breeding machines.So fingers crossed for september.

Did you check the health test certificates? You need to make sure the parents have been DNA tested for prcd_PRA and FN as a minimum. If you know the parents' KC registered names, you can check what health tests they have here: http://www.the-kennel-club.org.uk/services/public/mateselect/test/Default.aspx. If no test results come up, it's something you need to ask the breeder about (sadly many "pet" breeders do not bother with the tests or even know they exist)