Cocker Spaniels

[bagendhens]

i grew up with cockers, my first dog was an english cocker who was just the most amazing dog, sweet natured, very easy to train, i was 7 my brother was 5 and she was just amazing, when my sister was born she was great with baby, and there was NEVER a worry leaving baby on the floor with dog around...
my sister literally learnt to walk with that girls help, my sister would hoist herself up then hold onto megs back meg would carefully and slowly take each individual steap and my sister did.

she was prone to ear issues, we had to be obsessive about keeping them clean and at 10 she got cataracts, it didnt change anything about her, she got around fine, but it is common.

after she passed we got charlie whos a puppymill rescue we got him at 16 weeks, hes a english x american cocker mix...
we were worried that living in a little cage for his first 16 weeks would make him difficult to train in the beginning, but he was housebroken within 2 days, is the most sweet natured love bug and a "big" mushy dog, extreemly easy to train.
we havent had any ear or eye issues with him so far *touch wood* (hes now 8!) but he does have a sensitive stomach and sensitive skin so we have to be carefull what he eats and keep him in a short cut to keep him from getting itchy.

honestly, as a breed theyve gotten such a bad rep and its soooo sad because when properly raised, socilized and trained they can be absolutly amazing and sweet family dogs!

 

[MagsC]

As said, cockers can be great or a nightmare. A GOOD cocker is one of the best dogs there is, though you do have to take into consideration extra for grooming (unless you can do it yourself, takes a decent pair of clippers) and often ear problems.
Our old female cocker spaniel passed away recently but we still have her son, a chocolate and white. He isnt the brightest crayon in the box but he does have the sweetest temper. I have heard some cockers have had that wonderful temperment bred out of them.

 

[babymakes6]

We had 2 Cockers growing up, both were adopted. Tia was a nice dog to us, but we really had to be careful with company because she could be snappy. She got hit by a car and was killed. Gizmo was free-the people that had him as a puppy did NOTHING with him except feed him! He was taller than most Cockers, but he weighed 75 lbs. when we got him! His skin was so tight he would yelp when you touched him. We put him on a diet and he lost a lot of weight, but he was always food aggressive. His temperament was very sweet, though, and neither one had much health problems.
My best friend's parents, on the other hand, bought one from a "breeder" that they got as a puppy. Jasper's ears were always infected, he had numerous skin allergies, and he also had stomach problems. He was spoiled rotten, and they spent more money on that dog than anyone I've ever known! He died at about 10-years-old, and they haven't gotten a dog since-because they can't stand the thought of going through all that again.

 

[Bleenie]

We have a Eskie/Cocker Mix, but her daddy was just the sweetest. he was Purebred Black & gorgeous! Abbey is also a total baby doll and we get compliments on her all the time. she looks more Cocker then Mini Eskie.

I think i prefer the white & red cockers over the other colors though, they are so dang beautiful in their full coat.

 

[PrinceSandwich]

We have one, shes the cutest thing but shes got a real biting problem that we are trying to deal with! she can be REALLY mean when she wants to ( growling biting HARD the whole deal) . For a small dog she has sharp teeth!

But she was ill bred. Her parents were really shy and unsocialized. So i think depending on their breeding and be nice or mean.

 

[Bec]

Hi there!

I work at a groomers ( I am the bather/blow dryer/brusher comber outer...lol) and I've seen nice and not-so-nice personalities. I agree, the ones that are good are AWESOME, the ones that are bad have to come in sedated! They do require A LOT of grooming! Some have very thick hair which seems to mat up really easily, especially in the arm pits and on the inside of the legs and belly. As long as you keep up with regular brushing and combing, it should be fine!


Good luck with what ever your choose to do!!!

 

[TerriLaChicks]

The Cocker has been ruined by over-popularity during the 60s & 70s & too many backyard breeders, which led to the many health problems of today. We have 2 retired show Cockers who have never had an ear infection or other health issues or personality issues commonly seen in Cockers. They are the product of generations of careful breeding and genetic testing. If you really want a good Cocker, try & locate a show breeder & find one from the best lines you can find. Conscientious breeders test their dogs and put a lot of time, money and research into them before breeding them. Not every puppy has what it takes to make it in the show rings, and not every show dog ends up being used for breeding after retirement, so that is a great way to pick up a Cocker who will be a welcome addition to your family.

 

[redhen]

I had a female cocker..And i loved her to death. She was so friendly and gentle. I'd get another cocker in a heartbeat!

 

[redhen]

Quote:
I agree! I have heard of some nasty tempered ones too... I was lucky with my girl.

And the hair... yeah..its a chore to keep it up and groomed...

 

[Haviris]

I forgot about the hair, but I was lucky there, Lady wasn't overly hairy. Her brothers (she was the only girl in her litter) went in for their first haircut when they were 8 weeks, she didn't need a haircut til she was atleast twice that (can't remember exactly). We had her and her mom til they died of old age, they went to the groomer once a month, got a bath everytime, and a haircut every other time. Our groomer loved them, and they loved her! They had their own crate they rush into as soon as they got through the door.

She was grooming one of them and a client came in, they(not sure which it was) were sprawled out on the table and the client asked if they were sadated! She had a few people think they were hers because they were so comfortable there! Ours were definately some of the good ones!