looking for a puppy as a family pet I was thinking of a cocker but then my searching led me to working cockers.Do they make good family pets? E-mail kerrymachin@hotmail.com           Thanks

Only if you can occupy their mind, otherwise they will run riot over you. A working gundog, be it Spanial, or Retriever is bred to work, not to lay in its bed. It will need plenty of training to stimulate it, a sedate walk on lead once a day is not going to keep it amused.

Regards, John

IMO, working dogs of whatever breed are not ideal as family pets, the show type being far more likely to settle in a pet home. That does not mean that it can't be done, just that I would not advise it unless you are able to give them loads of work to do.

Yes - in the right family. Most of my pups go as pets and I have had many letters from owners delighted with how easily trained, quiet and biddable they are. They are intelligent - will go the mile if you give them an inch certainly. Some lines are 'hotter' than others but the ones I have now and had in the past and am looking to continue in the future have fitted in well with family life and a child while still being a decent enough dog to take out in the field. You also won't have to fork out for a groomer every 6-8 weeks as they have a sensible easy care coat.

Any pup of any breed will need time and work and don't be fooled that the show type will need less -in my only litter of show types - out of 4 pups, I had 2 returned to me as the people couldn't cope with them. I think they thought they would be like stuffed toys and the reality was that they were bored and become noisy etc. Also the grooming element become a reality for the owners in terms of how much there is!! However, it was my mistake for selling the pups to them.

i agree with you there , my show types have all been very very lively .i think most cockers are lively , i think it depends on personality of the pup you get and that you cant pick you get what you get .. sometimes its a little too much for some people . when people come to visit me they say how do you cope with that all the time :) Im used to it , plus i know how to stop the dog jumping and running about scatty :P

Well, of course, a lot will depend on the breeder, not all working cockers will be breed with a high work drive and not all show ones will be biddable. So you will have to do your homework but would still advise against getting a pup from working parents who are being used for work or show pups from over excitable ones. To know if the parents are over active you will have to visit a few so when you come to buy your pup you will know which breeder to go to.