What small breed of puppy do you recommend?

[ShrekDawg]

Thanks...I love all my Dogs and have never been without one my entire life. Dogs are fantastic animals and definitely each personality requires different training...

That’s true! They definitely all have unique personalities and motivational

 

[kwhites634]

Yeah, the insurance guy out here said they have more aggression problems with Cocker Spaniels than German Shepherds

Just about any breed that has been or is extremely popular is going to suffer agression and other problems due to the indiscriminate breeding of the puppy mills to satisfy the demand. Do your homework & seek out the better bloodlines; they're out there.

 

[ShrekDawg]

We had a Cocker years ago. I'd suggest getting one from hunting lines, or at least pet lines, as opposed to show stock, for reasons I'd happily share in PM's.

Are they less aggressive?

 

[ShrekDawg]

Just about any breed that has been or is extremely popular is going to suffer agression and other problems due to the indiscriminate breeding of the puppy mills to satisfy the demand. Do your homework & seek out the better bloodlines; they're out there.

It still scares me

 

[kwhites634]

Are they less aggressive?

IMO, yes

 

[ShrekDawg]

IMO, yes

Thanks! That’s good to know.

They are a lot more energetic though, right?

 

[kwhites634]

Thanks! That’s good to know.

They are a lot more energetic though, right?

As a general rule, yes. You need to realize that the Cocker was developed as an upland bird dog long before it was popular as a show dog.

 

[ShrekDawg]

As a general rule, yes. You need to realize that the Cocker was developed as an upland bird dog long before it was popular as a show dog.

Yeah, I know that part, most of the sporting and working breeds were. They were all working breeds but are now mostly pets. But there are still working lines in most breeds. I just wasn’t sure exactly how much more energetic they might be or if they might be unmanageable as a pet. Labs and Goldens have working and show lines too and of course GSDs have many many many different lines, all different, but IMO, the difference between the spaniels working and show lines is much much more dramatic than any of those and they might as well be separate breeds. Well, that and Border Collies. Haha

 

[kwhites634]

Yeah, I know that part, most of the sporting and working breeds were. They were all working breeds but are now mostly pets. But there are still working lines in most breeds. I just wasn’t sure exactly how much more energetic they might be or if they might be unmanageable as a pet. Labs and Goldens have working and show lines too and of course GSDs have many many many different lines, all different, but IMO, the difference between the spaniels working and show lines is much much more dramatic than any of those and they might as well be separate breeds. Well, that and Border Collies. Haha

I raised Irish Setters for many years, campaigning them in field trials, handling from horseback, against English Pointers & Setters. It was a tough row to hoe, to be sure. The show-bred Irish couldn't compete against them; we had to bring English Setter blood into the mix. We called them Red Setters, to differentiate them from the show dogs, but they were still registered as Irish Setters in both AKC & FDSB...they truly were two different breeds.

 

[Willowspirit]

My heart dog was an English Springer Spaniel most likely from field lines. He was the best dog I’ve ever owned. He was funny and smart. I miss him every day.