grracee Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 (edited) For a while now we have been considering the possibilty of getting another dog and a breed which we thought of was the Cocker Spaniel. Obviously we don't want to rush into getting another dog but my nan was speaking to a friend today and she said her relative has some pups for sale. I was just wondering whether anyone on here keeps any? What are they like with young children and other dogs? Also, what are they like with other animals, e.g. chickens? As my lab is great with my chickens, as they are free-ranging the garden i wouldn't want to get another dog that wouldnt get on with them. Thanks Edited April 14, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 My sister has one and he's a mental case! Don't get me wrong he is a lovely cuddly dog , but she got the "working strain" of the Cocker breed and no matter how much you walk, or run with him (even after a whole day on the beach) he is not tired Great with her kids though. A friend has the non-working strain and her dog is a lot more placid and smaller built. My sister's dog is a definite "no no" with chickens - tis the chase/gun dog instinct me thinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 I agree with Chelsea. Unless you intend to 'work' a spaniel do not get a working strain. They need plenty of mental and physical exercise. Otherwise they make up their own entertainment which may not agree with your definition. However, the show strain are much more docile although I have no experience on how they react to chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 As everyone else has said! Working strain spaniels are a definite nono with chickens! However go and meet the dog - meet the parents, check they have had the medical tests done (hip and eye scores) and see that the pups are being socialised. If it's show strain and you socialise it with the chooks from day one - teaching it 'no', then you may be OK. They do respond well to training and are usually good as gold with kids and other dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grracee Posted March 31, 2010 Author Share Posted March 31, 2010 Thanks everyone, have read about the working strain & show strain types of cocker spaniels. Definately will consider a show strain cocker and not the working strain because of the chooks, but i agree with you Snowy Howells, if i do get one i will defo go and meet the pup, parents etc. As i said, i defo wont be rushing into it, see what happens in the future Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 The show strains with the heavier hairier ears can suffer from ear problems so they do need some careful grooming etc to ensure decent ventilation to the ear canal. Worth checking puppies ears are clean and fresh smelling when looking at puppies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted March 31, 2010 Share Posted March 31, 2010 Good point about the ears - my springies have their lugs cleaned regularly to reduce the chance of infection (poor Candy has horribly scarred lugholes due to past infections not being treated ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lorimer73 Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 I can recommend getting another lab, I just got a different coloured one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florence Posted April 2, 2010 Share Posted April 2, 2010 We have a year old show strain cocker as others have said fantastic with children other dogs people etc.Has however just discovered the chickens ,have had almosta year with no problems but now has decided he wabnts to play with them! For more info I would check out http://www.cockersonline.co.uk ,t'is a mine of information! and a number of posters have chickens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodcat Posted April 4, 2010 Share Posted April 4, 2010 hey I've got two rescued cocker spaniels. They are both terrified of the chooks and the cats and regularly get chucked off their treats if they ever take them into the garden. Ben is so good natured and polite he wouldn't hurt a fly and if he ever does something he knows he shouldn't or he gets told off he sits in a corner and sobs to himself until you forgive him and give him a cuddle. Phoebe is slightly harder and doesn't like men at all we think she was badly treated and beaten by one and so you have to be careful to introduce and they have to sit down and have a stroke and a chat with her and once they've done that she's fine. She is also fine out and about it's only with people coming into the house we have to be careful but she is totally fine with children and animals. We have more problems protecting the dogs from the chickens than the chickens from the dogs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grracee Posted April 8, 2010 Author Share Posted April 8, 2010 Well, after looking around different local places we've decided to contact the person who orignally had some pups for sale, she's already sold them but has another cocker spaniel litter that are now 7 weeks old and will be ready to go sometime around next weeked so i'm going to see him next Thursday (he's an orange roan!) and then maybe we might have him next weekend/the week after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 Oh good luck, hope all goes well on Thursday. My neighbours have just got a puppy and he's a springer/cocker cross. He's just gorgeous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grracee Posted April 9, 2010 Author Share Posted April 9, 2010 Thanks, will have to think of some names once I've met him! Very excited for next week now, seeing the puppy on thurs, chicks are meant to hatch fri and then poss having the puppy home at the weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 I like my neighbour's puppy's name - Riley - ANH's dog is called that too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 Lucky you ggracee. Look forward to hearing how it goes on thursday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted April 9, 2010 Share Posted April 9, 2010 Lucky you! I think cockers are the most adorable puppies ever! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted April 10, 2010 Share Posted April 10, 2010 We have a year old show strain cocker as others have said fantastic with children other dogs people etc.Has however just discovered the chickens ,have had almosta year with no problems but now has decided he wabnts to play with them! For more info I would check out http://www.cockersonline.co.uk ,t'is a mine of information! and a number of posters have chickens. My friend is the owner of this above website and I really recommend it I too have a cocker spaniel shes a handfull though, they wooowoooowoooo bark all the time, not a quiet lap dog by any means Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grracee Posted April 14, 2010 Author Share Posted April 14, 2010 So, was meant to be meeting him tomorrow but i got to see him a day early So here he is... Bouncer is hugee compared to him Looking forward to tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 Aww, he's just gorgeous . Riley says he'd be honoured to share his name . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 What a gorgeous baby. Have lots of happy times with him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 oooooh how cutte is he!!!! give him some snuggles and kisses from me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 Oh My Goodness, how adorable is he? Gorrrrrrrrrgeous!!!! You lucky thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 He is so gorgeous, now I could be broody for a puppy (or a kitten) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 oh, isnt he scrummy I love the picture with the huge dog looking down on him cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grracee Posted April 15, 2010 Author Share Posted April 15, 2010 Thankss I love the picture with the huge dog looking down on him :D I couldnt belive how big Bouncer was compared to him! I wasn't sure how Bouncer would react but he was very gentle with him and couldnt stop wagging his tail, which is great! Cant wait for tonight when i get to keep him Going to be busy this weekend, got the chicks hatching tonight/tomorrow aswell! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...