Can anyone tell me about cocker spaniels?

[luvmydogs]

We've been thinking of adding another dog to the family---we currently have three chihuahuas. We've narrowed it down to several breeds, with a cocker being right at the top. I'm familiar with their reputation for being sweet-as-pie, good with children and other animals, and an all-around great family companions. I'd love to hear from anyone who has first-hand knowledge, especially their grooming needs, and how much they shed. Thanks so much!

 

[preb]

I currently have 2 Cockers...a blonde male who is 6 years old and very sweet, but not so bright and an 8 week old black male puppy. We had another female who died at 12 years old last September.

All 3 have been wonderful pets. We have them groomed every 3-4 months with home baths in between and they don't shed much at all. We keep their coats on the shorter side, not the full fringe, so brushing isn't an ordeal.

Cockers tend to have some health problems due to being bred so much, like early blindness, hip problems, cherry eye and ear infections. We've dealt with cherry eye and ear infections, but it hasn't been much of a problem. Just make sure that you get your dog from a good breeder.

I have an active 3 year old daughter who jumps on them, chases them, steals their treats and toys...and they just adore her.

I'd say go for it!

 

[luv2tvl]

We have one cocker spaniel named Bugsy. He's the Parti-colored kind (meaning he's the white with red spots. They aren't really spots but more like blobs...)

He's an absolute delight! He has the best personality, and he's great with kids from infants to older kids that probably should annoy him! We call him a "person" because sometimes he acts like he's human. He's just too funny! He can only sleep propped up on a pillow or else he snors BAD, and he can "tell you" when it's time to eat or go outside. He dosen't like wet grass, so when it's raining I go outside to find that he pooped on my cement patio.... Such a funny pooch!

As far as grooming and health. He has very sensitive hips and hindquarters, and we have to always have his ears very clean because they tend to really bother him if they get dirty. We keep him closly shaved also, so we don't have to worry about shedding at all.

 

[damo]

We currently have two cockers (as you can see in my sig), Rookie and Barney. Our first born, Samson, lived to be 16.

Our dogs don't like to get their feet wet either, or have a bath. They are absolutely wonderful though if you are willing to take care of them.

Our little girl, Rookie, had cataracts at age 1 and had both fixed ($1200 an eye) so now she can only see far away. Doesn't seem to bother her at all. She is a real sweetie and loves every creature and person.

Our big boy, Barney, has some skin and ear problems and is afraid of other dogs but absolutely loves all people.

I trim them myself. It's really not a big deal. They don't shed much. My husband is allergic to dogs.

I will always have cockers. They don't require much upkeep and will give you everything in return.

I forgot to add that they're not the greatest with the whole bathroom thing. So if you are an uptight person about that, don't get a cocker.

 

[luvwinnie]

when she moved to a sr. citizen building. We also have an Eng. bulldog and 2 cats. The cocker's name is Lady and she is truly a lady! She's passive (thankfully or there would be trouble with our bully). She is also very calm (but she is TEN). She has never lived with cats but has adapted perfectly. DOesn't bark at them or chase them. She isn't so patient with kids, but she has never lived with them...and we don't have any. She had to have 7 teeth removed and 2 cysts off her back, but other than that she is in good shape.

 

[LindaR]

Just a word of caution...............

Research, research, research and look into the breeder. Ask for references (I won't EVEN talk about backyard breeders...) and call those people.

Cockers, like so many other breeds, have been over-bred and poorly bred for a long time. There are many "personality" problems that can appear after a couple of years.

My trainer, who teaches obedience and agility, has Cockers. Her six year old male can no longer compete because he developed "problems" and is now very dog agressive. He must be kept isolated from her other dogs. (most dogs would be put to sleep when they get this agressive, but she has the space and the means to keep him isolated)

You have young kids and for their sake, buy the highest quality dog you can ($1000 or more) from the best breeder you can find.

A dog bite can traumatize your kids for the rest of their lives.

 

[Piglet]

We have a cocker, buff colored, and is 7 1/2. Riley was our first "baby". He is wonderful with his Sissy, (our DD) she is 5 almost 6 (that is what he calls her) and has always been very tolerant and protective of her. He has had problems with one of his eyes not producing tears, but that is now fixed and occasional ear infections. He also has arthritis in his hip and he takes asprin for that. He was hit with a car a few years ago and the vet thinks that the injury is what caused it. We also keep him cut pretty short and he doesn't shed very much at all. He is crazy over people food and will practically jump on the counter to get it. He is such a big baby and really thinks he is a little dog. He loves affection and attention. He is a wonderful addition to our family!!!!

Piglet

 

[damo]

Forgot about the food thing. Food comes first to our cockers.

I'm not too sure about the breeder thing though. Our present two cockers come from very reputable breeders who show their dogs. Our little one has cost us a forturne in eye problems even though there was no history of cataracts. Actually she was "guaranteed" against cataracts. Well, what are you going to do, give the dog back. I don't think so.

Our first, and best, cocker was a pet store (this was 20 years ago) dog and was trouble free, illness free and wonderful.

I think even the best laid plans can go wrong when it comes to breeders.

 

[Beauty]

I have a blonde Cocker who is my BABY! She is so loyal and so much fun! She is very much my dog...even though she loves DS and DH she has taken up with me and if given the choice she is with me constantly. I have always heard that Cockers pick one person and are loyal to them. I believe that 100 percent. I also have a Shih-tzu and a Lhasa and Lady gets along with both of them. They play together so well.

I also echo to do extensive background checks and get references on the breeder you choose just to be on the safe side. I would highly recommend a Cocker though...I would get another one in a second.

 

[nabrkeshikki]

We have had four. I had to get rid of mine because she was a biter, so did my sister. I wouldn't let my kids around my mom's because she has bitten. I don't think they are known for being good around kids. They are expensive to groom & have tendencies toward chronic health problems as someone already stated. I, myself would never get another one, jmo!

 

[cinlee3]

We had our cocker spaniel for 15 years. He was our first baby and was very spoiled. He was very gentle with the kids who came later.

Now for the downside. He was never fixed and every time the door opened he was gone (never for more than a few minutes and he never got near any female dogs). He had chronic ear infections would could be terrible. He had seizures which is common in over-bred breeds. It was expensive to have him groomed. If you don't groom them, they tend to get skin problems because of their thick coat. Even with all the downsides he was a great member of the family.

Would I choose another cocker? They are adorable, but I think I would choose another breed.

 

[luvmydogs]

Wow! Lots of cocker lovers out there! Thanks so much for all your opinions, both pro and con. We'll be talking it over!

 

[MerryPoppins]

My parents had a sweet cocker when I was a baby. His name was Sandy and he was darling. Mom says he was "dumber than dirt", but that may have nothing to do with the fact that he was a cocker. She did say that he ate everything in sight. He ate the saplings they planted in the yard, he chewed up shoes, furniture, etc. And I don't mean just when he was a puppy.

I think cockers are too cute, so I've puzzled over her experiences. I finally decided to go with bichons. They are cute, too. Good luck with your decision. Adding members to your family can be so exciting.

 

[suzannen]

I'm so interested to read about others' experience with their cockers not liking to get wet. My BIL's cocker refuses to go outside to relieve herself in the rain, she will run into the bathroom and go all over the floor. We thought it was just a quirky personality thing with her, but after reading this hear, its obviously not. She is also extremely afraid of other dogs, even tiny little puppies. She has had numerous ear infections and just this week had to have a hernia operation. We all love her, but she is definitely a high maintenance dog!

 

[musicfan]

I have not had good experiences with Cockers. My good friend and her mom both had one, one black, one blonde. Both were very expensive and came from top notch breeders.

The black one is not at all bright (I'm being nice!), a nipper and a jumper and I would not leave her around children alone. She has developed terrible back and hip problems and must be carried up and down stairs. She barks constantly and at nothing. My friend has tried to have her trained, but she (the dog, not the friend) is dumb as a post.

The blonde one developed RAGE syndrome at age two and had to be put down. The vet said this was fairly common with Cockers. RAGE syndrome is when the dog gets so agitated it will bite anyone or any animal who comes near it. This one -- also dumb as a post.

Based on my firends' experiences, I would never own a purebred Cocker.

 

[Wendy]

When I was a preteen/teenager, my mother bred and showed cockers. I loved the dogs dearly, but I'd never own one now that I'm an adult. We had many very sweet dogs, but also had quite a few that turned out to be aggressive with kids that had to go to homes without any children. My experience is that cockers are generally not the best dogs around kids. They also have lots of hip and ear problems and grooming them is a major pain. If you don't brush them regularly, they get very matted and they do shed. The alternative is to keep them shaved, but they are such pretty dogs when their hair is kept long and groomed nicely it's almost a shame to shave it all off. Definitely a high maintenance dog!

If you do decide to get one, definitely go with the best breeder you can find.

 

[Tarheel Tink]

I am a veterinary technician of 22 years and just have to say that cocker spaniels can be all that has been listed. Problems we see repeatedly are- nervous "piddlers" (very common), eyes, chronic ear problems, skin problems, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, can I mention skin and ear problems again times 25?, and temperament in some.
I will say that their owners adore them despite the odor and expense and many get another when they lose the one they have. We never cease to be amazed when someone shows up with a cocker pup after 10 or more years of constant vet visits with the last one! I do know that my own breed (Weimaraner) is known for certain problems and personality quirks that I put up with and am sure others think "She got ANOTHER ONE!", LOL!

 

[SmileyJoyz]

I just had to post that the first dog we ever had when I was a child was a buff colored Cocker named Angel. She was the sweetest, most easy going dog ever. My mom used to say that a stranger could walk into the house and she probably wouldn't care! She had to be put down just shy of her 11th birthday due to major hip problems, among other things. I had just gone off to college at the time, so I didn't have the chance to officially say goodbye...

She was not without her health problems though. Cockers, like many dogs with long ears, tend to get ear infections frequently. This is not an inbreeding problem, just a fault of the breed itself (like little dogs having teeth problems). Unfortunately, the popularity of some Disney movies has been a curse for some breeds and Cockers are one of them (thanks to Lady & the Tramp). The inbreeding many people speak of occurred because demand was so high...in the 80's they were the #1 breed for many years. Still, I think the claim that some people make about Cockers being bad with children isn't completely true. It's not just about getting a pure-bred Cocker, it's about getting it from a breeder who cares. Many good breeders with champion dogs helped to ruin the breed by overbreeding to meet the demand for them. My mother bred our Cocker just once, but has since moved on to our Maltese and now breeds them on occasion. She is very careful about 1.) making sure our dogs are not inbred (ask for AKC papers to cross check this) and 2.) will only sell to people after interviewing them to make sure they can handle the demands of the breed. Any good breeder will do this; just because they are charging alot means nothing.

Any dog can be mean, regardless of breed. This can happen because of the way the breeder treats the dogs, or even the way you let others treat your dog (letting kids pinch, pull and tease a dog is NEVER good). There are certain breeds which are not good with children (papillions are one I know of) but Cockers are certainly not one of these! Ours got along great with our Maltese, so I don't think you have to worry about your Chihuahua either. Just do your homework, find a breeder you are comfortable with, and make sure you get a chance for both you and your family to interact with the dog before you settle on buying it.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

I'm in the minority here. We had a cocker spaniel a while ago. My SIL got if from her, then boyfriend who bought it from the pet store at the mall. That dog was NASTY! It chewed EVERYTHING in my house...furniture, walls, anything left lying around, etc. It would pee whenever someone came in. One day, it went after my husband...that was the end of her. To the pound he went.

 

[linny172]

My Brandi will be 15 this December. She is so spoiled.... I have her groomed every 3 months and also keep her on the short side. I know this one is hard to believe but she has never had a ear infection. My cocker that I had before her was constantly getting ear infections and well as alergy problems. Because of her age she can't hear but has not had any sight problems. She did have cherry eye once but it cleared right up and has not had any more problems with it.