Hi! We are thinking of getting a cocker spaniel. (english). But i have heardthat rage synrdome is a common problem with them.... any advice?
ALso- approx. how long will wehave to wait for a bitch? have done loads of research, not still need a little more help. DO they tend to yap?
Are they jelaous dogs, and will they get on with other animals? also- do they tend to be a noe person dog, or do they react with everyone, if you know what i mean.
thankyou!

Hi

Rage syndrome isn't that common in Cocker Spaniels that are bred by Reputable Breeder. Contact your nearest Breed Club Secretary they will be the best people to put you in touch with Reputable Breeders that have puppies due. Cockers do not yap they bark and they get on very well with other animals and are not a one person dog.

For further information have a look at The Cocker Spaniel Club Website for all the information relevant to the Breed.

HTH

Dessie :D :D & The Cockers :D

Hi there cockers are lovely dogs all round freindly and fab with kids and other animals.
Rage syndrome dose exsist but there are very few cockers with it!
If youd like to look into rage syndrome heres the address :cockerspanielrage.org.uk
As i said there are very few cockers with this problem !!, it also effects other breds too,Bad breeding is the whole problem ! you just need to find a good breeder.
dont be worried about rage syndrome but if your still worried about rage after you read that website then go for a parti colour ie. blue roan/orange roan, but please dont let it put you off buying a cocker there wonderful!

Hi

I dont know about Dessie or Lovelylady, but i have owned a blue roan cocker for the past year and a half called Buffy, and my house hasnt been the same since, all i can say is MAD, MAD, MAD, she races everywhere, i do tend to find her very vocal so she wasnt hard to teach the speak command to :D she loves everybody and everything and does get jealous if one of the other dogs comes up to me for a fuss and she is sitting on my lap she will try to have a little dig at them, but she is put in her place by myself, i actually took her out this morning and next door was sitting on there step and as i went to go in i found i just had a lead and no dog !! i knew where she had gone, putting her wet paws all over my next door neighbour.
I also show her and the cocker coat is a lot to deal with brushing and handstripping etc but there are people out there that will do it if you do not want to learn to do it yourself, you can have it kept short and managable.
They are fun little dogs but very hardy typical of the gundog breed and would run and play forever, dont know what other peoples are like but that is Buffy mad to the end, but i wouldnt swap her.

Good luck in your search

Diane

Ive owned 2 red cockers and i currently have a blue roan there mental and have great personailtys.and i wouldent be without a cocker. there must be a reason why in america they were voted cockers best dogs. sowwy to any other breeds i dont like to brag:P:D
Oh about the coats if your not going to show a fast brush over once in a while and a chop every 2 or 3 weeks should be fine just make sure the coat dosent get matted.its not that hard with a bit of help from some condioner on the ears and under the arms:D

Hi Lady,
Don't forget that in America, what they call Cockers we call "American Cockers" - a different breed!!!
:)

Just a quick thing, if you are thinking of getting into the showing thing and you do want to learn to do the coat yourself it takes me about 3 to 4 hours start to finish to bath, hairdry, and handstrip, clip etc and that is not from what i would call a really hairy cocker just slight coat growth, dont know about the others, but by the time i have looked at her and felt happy that she is looking fab and my husband has kept telling me to leave her alone she wont have any coat left:D i am knackered and my scissors are glowing:D :D

I think the coat growth rate or amount depends on colours aparently black ones are harder to groom i dont know if this is true ,
I know my blue roan is a lil harder to groom then my reds were. i never had to do the hair ontop of my reds till they were about 5 yrs old duno what happened after that they had mop heads:D
But my blue roan i had to do her hair since she was 1 yr.
Janes can ya help us out here :)i prolly wrong:d

Coats do vary with the different colours, with blacks & dark blues generally (but not always) having the heavier coats. Even if you don't intend showing, I would still regard Cockers (the show/pet type) as being high-maintenance for coat care, something which many owners are unprepared for (judging by the state of some of the Cockers that come to me for grooming!) Regular brushing & combing is necessary (at least every few days unless the coat is very sparse) & trimming is usually needed every 6-8 weeks. Cockers are also one of the breeds whose coats are often adversely affected by neutering, resulting in thicker, woollier coats - something to be aware of.

Hi guest
If you would like to email me- gundogswoof@hotmail.com, I can help you with any questions you have on cockers, rage etc.

Cockers are great dogs...make sure you get them from a good breeder though, the rage syndrome can often be found goldens from puppy farms.
You dont ftend to find it in other colours other than the goldens.
Anyway, drop me a line if you have more questions.

Rage Syndrome does sometimes occur in the other solid colours - it is not solely confined to reds/golds but as others have said, in relation to the sheer number of Cockers bred each year, it is not a common problem & it is also seen in other breeds. I'm sure Linda or Wendy who run the Cocker Rage Information site (address given above) would also be more than happy to answer any questions as they have built up a lot of knowledge & experience on the subject.

yep good idea jane. i know that linda replys really quickly so if you need to find her email address then that website i gave you has a helpline it also has there email address's under, im sure either will point you in the right direction.
Yes mainly reds/goldens but some black ones have been found. thats why i suggested a parti colour if really worried. its just bad breeding/puppy farming that caused the problem, but if i were you i would find a good breeder and it wont really matter what colour you get. i have a soft spot for reds:) janes cockers are lovely , dessie you have some nice ones too:)good luck need anyhelp just post
lady xxxxxxxx