Springer Spaniel, Cocker Spaniel experience

We have three of the buggers at home - two springer/clumber crosses and a springer/alsatian cross.

We've had the springer/clumbers since they were pups (both from the same litter) and everything that's been said is true - they have boundless energy and will chew anything they can get their jaws around.

The springer/alsatian is a funny little fella - he looks more like a hairy black labrador to be honest. He was a rescue dog - the last of a litter that the owner just wanted shot of. To be honest, he was a bit of a gamble, as he'd never lived indoors - just left to roam and then shut in a kennel at night. The springer/clumbers accepted him as if he was their brother, which amazed us as he was entering their territory - territory that had been their's for the best part of two years.

The first night we had him home, he damn near broke my heart; he obviously sensed that we were preparing to go to bed and he went and sat by the back door - almost as if he was saying "I guess this is where I get turfed outside then ...". Bless him, it took him 2-3 days to understand he was now living in a household where he got regular meals and a warm, comfy bed.

He has become the most lovable, affectionate dog ever - he understands four things: playtime, sleep, food and cuddles. When it comes to playing with his 'brothers', he can outrun and outturn them with ease - his favourite tactic is to get Murphy to chase him, then stop dead and lay down: Murphy is never able to stop in time, trips over him and is sent flying.

Stupid thing is, I hated dogs when I was younger - indeed, I was terrified of them. However, now I've got three of my own, I 'get' the whole dog thing. They are endlessly loyal and any love you give them is reflected back ten-fold - amazing animals.
 
I have a Cocker Spaniel. He's mental, very vocal and very loyal. He does have a little bit of stubbornness to him at times though. Definitely not stupid dogs. For example, he knows exactly what I mean when I tell him to do something caus when I have his favourite treat in my hand he'll do exactly as I say. As soon as we're out in the garden though it's a whole other matter.

If you train them well, keep them exercised to get rid of all that energy and don't mind moulting dogs then they're great. He hates it when any of us leave the house though. As soon as we come in (especially my mum) he goes mental.

They love toys, especially if they squeak! I was always told tennis balls but mine goes for anything round. He recently discovered (aged 7) that the inside of bottles are sweet because they have drink remaining on the plastic. Originally he'd come over when you'd finished the drink before going for the bottle but now he's got a bit more cocky and he'll sit and wait. Screw the top back on so it's more fun for him to rip off before getting his tongue on the inside to lick the Ribena/Coke/etc. They're definitely intelligent dogs with good noses.

The only regret with mine is that while we trained him, we weren't quite as firm as we should have been at the start. Unless you're talking him for a walk and he knows he's doing something wrong, he really doesn't like it if you touch his collar. He won't bite but he'll growl. He knows he's done wrong too caus he'll go and sit in his bed.
 
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Hatter The Mad said:
I thought they were supposed to be very easy to train and incredibly intelligent?
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They are very intelligent and can be trained very well but they also have a lot of energy so need good discipline in training.

their intelligence means they like to play games with you etc.
E.g., ours are trained to give a signal if they need to be let out and pee (bring their favorite teddy), which works very well. We have 1 old sofa chair that the dogs are someitmes allowed to sit on but if the whole family is at home then someone will have to sit on that chair to one of our dogs dismay. She outsmarts most of us by grabbing her toy to signal she needs to pee, one you have got to the fornt door she will run back into the living room and jump onto the old sofa in you place.
 
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I would humbly suggest that if you are not an experienced dog owner/trainer, that you get a different breed. As said many times, they are all ******* mental. How about a Lakeland terrier?
 
To give you an idea of exercise requirements, we walk ours 60-90 minutes a day off the lead where they run around like crazy flushing pheasants and rabbits and we will have a good 3-7 miles in that time.

On the weekend we try to go for a longer walk of 2-6 hours, with shorter 20-30 minute the next day.


They also tend to get 15 mins first thing and 10 minytes last thing at night, and the summer the back door is open and they are free to go outside.
Their energy is immense, and they wont stop until they collapse, so it is important not to over exercise them
 
I have a blue roan cocker, she is a very soppy loving dog and is absolutely obsessed with humans, absolutely bonkers and I wonder if she has half a brain sometimes, but she has never chewed the house up, rarely barks and is a joy to own. They do need a lot of exercise and can be piggy with food so you have to watch that.

They are the best breed of dogs, just make sure you get one with KC certificates and a decent blood line.
 
I have a Springer Spaniel, 9 years old now and he is and always has been loopy and full of energy.

Mind you he is brilliant, plays gently with my young family members, gets on with my cats and has never chewed or damaged anything in all the time I have had him (since puppy).

Brilliant dogs. BUT you need to give them plenty of exercise. I walk mine 3 times a day. He still never really tires.
 
Got a 9 year old rescue springer who loves us to bits. Loves his cuddles and isnt too fussy about being left at home during the day with either the mrs or I going home at lunch to take him out for a walk. He gets a good couple of miles in the morning and a good couple of miles in the evening. Doesnt destroy anything at home that isnt his.

I love him!

Whilst he was at the dogs trust in November....

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The other weekend...

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Tyler (crap name, he already had it), we love you! :D
 
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I got two cocker spaniel pups in December, they are just over 4 months old now and adorable, but yep as many people have said they are manic too! I've had springers in the past and worked them; more recently had rottweiler's, but wanted a smaller dog that didn't make people cross over the road when they saw us walking towards them ;)

I have an open plan house and used to have a decent back garden. I'd advise buying a cage as this really helps at bedtime with the chewing issue. My best buy was a room divider, as I was finding it hard to house train them because they had too much space, plus it also helps with the chewing (see below). Going to puppy socialisation/obedience classes are a good idea because it gives them and you a chance to meet other pups and people, share experiences and have a some fun!

Even though they have toys, chews and exercise, they have still managed to chewed a set of speaker wires, my iPod earphones and my iPhone connection cable, they've severed half way through my Sky cable and in fact will chew anything that remains on the floor or exposed...now my house is puppy proof and if experience is anything to go by will need to remain so until they get through the first 12 months, so be prepared! However lots of puppies chew.

They are great dogs and I am so glad I’ve got them, it's a real pleasure to have such a family orientated furry friends who are brilliant with kids and other dogs. :D

Betty and Shadow

 
I hope you don't have carpets becuase they will look a mess. Expect everything in the house to get hairy.

Mad dogs, some find that endearing but I babysat one for a week and couldn't wait to hand him back, all that bouncing is really annoying after the first day.
I like dogs that walk to heel and come when called, this one was in a world of his own on or off the leash. It was easily my least favourite dog, but then I'm used to Collies and Alsatians which hardly need any training.

If you can find a stuffed one in a toy shop, then great.
 
I find that they lick my beard all the time, its just constant when they are near me. Its frankly just as well that I shave elsewhere otherwise I would have all manner of trouble when getting out of the shower.
 
Tombstone said:
I find that they lick my beard all the time, its just constant when they are near me. Its frankly just as well that I shave elsewhere otherwise I would have all manner of trouble when getting out of the shower.
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That's because they love all manner of things that beards hoard, like bits of chocolate, remnants of kfc's or MacDs, juices and the like!:p :D
 
I have two 4 year old Springers, Luka and Lucy. Springers need lots of excercise and attention, they are not "Barmy" or "Stupid", they are the most loyal, loving and caring dogs i have ever come across. Really i cannot recommend them enough if you want a great companion that loves to walk and run and play. Mine are both working bread and Lucy has been trained ot the whistle, she was very easy to train, Luka is slightly more hard work and tends to not want to retreive to the hand, he will stay 10 feet away with his retrieve in his mouth.

Luka -

Luka-1.jpg


Lucy -

Lucy.jpg
 
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Hatter The Mad said:
Beyond the original post I explained I do have dog experience and my partner is a veterinary surgeon, so experience wouldn't be a problem - we just haven't lived with a spaniel before!

Thanks
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Is there a history of "the mental" in your family? Because they are nuts and will take you with them if they can :D

But seriously, they can be extremely hard work.
 
Disco Boy said:
Is there a history of "the mental" in your family? Because they are nuts and will take you with them if they can :D

But seriously, they can be extremely hard work.
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We have had 6 in my lifetime between my wife and my family, none have been hardwork, its the owner that makes a springer hard work.
 
Hatter The Mad said:
Hi

I live with my girlfriend in small-to-average sized two bed flat with a huge roof terrace.

We live (literally) a 30 seconds walk from a huge open space (Hampstead Heath: http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=ham...d+heath&cid=0,0,10820877427633115979&t=m&z=17).

We want to get a dog which we have ample time to look after (girlfriend is able to take the dog the work if I am not working from home).

We love working springer and cocker spaniels (wouldn't touch the show line) and believe them to be around the right size and temperament/intelligence.

Does anyone have any experience with either working springers and cockers, and maybe offer some insight as to which might be best suited to how we live or things to look out for?
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My kids mum and new man have a cocker, and she is one hell of a lot of work. Luckly James (the new guy) works for himself and has a lot of time to train and walk the dog, as she has been trained continually by the same person and has known when no means no from a very young age! Exercise and training go hand in hand without both the dog will be mental and drive you both up the wall. I'm no dog lover but she is a very well tempered dog and knows her place (dogs are pack animals and will always try to be top) but she does need reminding occasionally.
 
Got a cocker - she was a total nightmare the first two years but has calmed down to become the cleverest. cutest,most adorable dog I have had - and I have had a few.

They are gard to tire out though - boundless energy and enthusiasm - I won't have anything else!
 
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