Can anyone tell me about cocker spaniels?

[SmileyJoyz]

Originally posted by 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.

I think the problem you had though could occur with any dog, especially when bought from a pet shop since you don't know how it raised or cared for as a puppy. I think your problem better illustrates the problem with mass dog breeding through puppy mills rather than specific problems with Cockers...

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Originally posted by SmileyJoyz
I think the problem you had though could occur with any dog, especially when bought from a pet shop since you don't know how it raised or cared for as a puppy. I think your problem better illustrates the problem with mass dog breeding through puppy mills rather than specific problems with Cockers...

I think you're right. I always said there was something wrong with that dog...too closely bred, maybe? I would suggest either adopting from the pound (the dog we have now came from the pound...we got lucky, she's a great dog!) or buying from a reputable breeder.

 

[SmileyJoyz]

Originally posted by Dopey Sharon
I think you're right. I always said there was something wrong with that dog...too closely bred, maybe? I would suggest either adopting from the pound (the dog we have now came from the pound...we got lucky, she's a great dog!) or buying from a reputable breeder.

YES!!! It's funny, but even after breeding Maltese and Cockers, my mother will still say that the dogs she's had the least problems with were mixed breeds. Not that she doesn't love our current dogs (all FOUR of them!) but it's just interesting to see the differences.

 

[wovenwonder]

Our McKenzie is our baby!!!!!!!!!!! She is a 9 year old Buff colored cocker. Lost her site to glaucoma even after we went thru some pretty pricey surgerty to try and save the site! Her ears get real yucky and need to be treated often. We have her groomed ever six weeks and keep her clipped short - never had any shedding problem. She was very nasty as a puppy and we were going to have her put to sleep. The vet suggested trying to have her 'fixed' first. After being 'fixed' she was such a passive baby! We love her -- and would not ever hesitate in getting another one when she is gone [inspite of the medical problems we've had].

 

[DocRafiki]

Cockers and Shar Peis are the two breeds that I think either need to be bred out of existence (i.e. all breeding stopped) or have a complete breed overhaul (which will never happen since breeding will never be that well-regulated). It's just cruel to keep producing dogs that suffer so much.

You guys can say all you want that you can have these bad problems (health and behavior) with any breed. But the fact is that the incidence is massively higher in Cockers. Cockers are a prime example of why I have no respect for breeders. More likely than not, these dogs are going to suffer. Maybe one out of 20 Cockers I see doesn't have an ear infection. Either Cockers as a breed have ear problems or Cocker owners are extremely negligent about having maintenance exams (I'm being facetious -- I know it is a breed problem). I'd say half of those Cockers' owners aren't aware of the infections when they bring them to us, and are in denial even when we tell them about it ("oh that's normal"). So, take into consideration that even though people may tell you their Cocker doesn't have problems, there is a good likelihood that the dog does have problems.

 

[grinningghost]

My friend had a cocker for years. He was pretty hyper, but lived to a ripe old age. The people across the street have one. She's pretty hyper too, but also very sweet.

 

[fklhou]

I tend to agree with DocRifki and Dopey Sharon. When my DW and I were first married we had a cocker. It was dumb and a food theft. I remember my wife baked a cake for one of our friends. The dog pushed a chair out from the table, climbed on the table and killed most of cake. Being a smallish dog, it was also bad with the babies.

Admitedly, after we got our first bearded collie, most other dogs clearly look stupid in comparison. Plus the beardies are great with kids and babies in particular.

 

[poohandwendy]

Our black English Cocker, Comet (6 1/2) is the most adorable dog. The only health problems he has had is with the ear infections...but it is expected amongst long-eared dogs. We rescued him from the pound when he was a year old and he has never bitten or been mean, like others have expressed. He is extremely loyal, friendly (with adults, kids other animals)and the worst thing I can say is that he is constantly underfoot. He is afraid of water, I didn't expect this when I got him ( I guess I assumed all spaniels loved water, like the springer spaniels we had when I was young). We keep his hair medium length and brush him 2-3 times a week, doesn't shed much (although compared to our golden retriever, I guess almost anything is better,LOL)

I think any dog can be a pain, we got lucky. I didn't chose him because of the breed, he chose me actually...he just was the friendliest dog they had. I will be heartbroken when he is gone. Good luck with your decision.

 

[slimplaw]

We've had 4 cockers. 2 had ear surgery and 2 had no problem. I learned to look at their ear canals to see if they were too narrow. Our current one is Arrow. He was adopted at a PetsMart in 1994. We have not had any health problems with him. The worst thing we have had with him is that early on he could not be trusted around the cat litter box.