Which breed of dog?

Question

I have a dalmation/border collie X, who is a bit timid and doesn't like to be left alone since our older border collie/whippet X died, ao we want another dog for her as well as us. My husband wants a medium sized, easily trained dog. I though Lab, he says to big and heavy, he says Cocker Spaniel, but I don't know anything about the breed. Can anyone tell me anything about them?

I don't leave my dog alone for any longer than a few hours every other day, and she is a very well mannered dog, I just feel that she's lonely now the older dog passed away. I don't want an adult dog, I want to train the dog from a puppy, but still unsure of which breed

Answer 1

Back in the 40s and 50s cockers suffered from being TOO popular which lead to the breeding of poor or mediocre dogs and temperment problems resulted. Once the wave of popularity passed, responsible breeders who cared about the breed set about salavging their breed and remeding the temperment problems, Unfortuanately, backyard pet breeders (woudn't it be fun to have a litter or Gee I just love my dog, lets breed her) and puppy mills did not.


NOTE: Now its Labs and Goldens who have been ruined by popular demand. The current popular favorites of Goldens and Labs are suffering from the effects of being loved too much by too many. Goldens now have the dubious distinction of being the No 1 breed in biting the vet because they are wimps about pain - and then there are the rampant health problems - hips, allergies, a cancer rate in the top 3.....(Love them to death but after 28 years of having them, I gave up because of the way the breed had deteriorated.) The poor Labs are having the same problems now - the hips, etc and I noticed the other day, that the temperament problems must be increasing when I saw the Lab National Breed Club had posted on its breed rescue page "Lab Rescue does not work with aggression. A dog that bites will not be brought into the program." Hmmm... now what brought that on, eh???Be very careful if you decide on one of these breeds - Lab or Golden - and only deal with a serious reputable breeder from their club's list or their breed rescue

Go here to learn all about cockers:

http://www.akc.org/breeds/sporting_group.cfm

http://www.asc-cockerspaniel.org/

That second link takes you to the National Breed Club which is the only club about the breed that is recognized and accredited by the AKC and it sets the standards for the breed . The Clubs' websites will give you an ENORMOUS amount of information about the breed - the good, the bad, and the why or why not to get that breed. The clubs websites also have:


(1) a breeders list - all of whom have agreed to abide by the breeders code of ethics (which you can read)

(2) a link to the breed rescue for their breed

Do give serious thought to adopting from an adult from a breed rescue. The clubs' breed rescues go to a great deal of trouble to determine the dog's temperament, personality, likes and dislikes (particularly kids and cats and other dogs in the household), health, and level of training. They make a huge effort to match the right dog to the right home - and if they don't have one they think will be suitable for your home, they won't place it. Great way to avoid the puppy training, newspapers, chewing.......They have dogs that are purebred and part-bred (1/2 or so of their breed.) Dogs that come through rescue are so thrilled to have a forever loving home having once been abandoned to a shelter or rescue that they are typically extra devoted and loving. Dogs lose their homes for reason that are not their fault: death, divorce, a move and they couldn’t keep them, financial problems….

If you decide to get a puppy, please use one of the breeders who are members of the breed club. A well-bred pet puppy may not be a candidate for the show ring (that nose being 1/8th of an inch to long or something else very picky) but they will be very healthy, the parents carefully screened for hereditary health problems, and from a breeder who has devoted a great deal of time to understanding the breed and bloodlines. A responsible breeder will have a written contract with a health guarantee for hereditary problems; require that if for any reason you ever have to give up the dog that it comes back to them; and always be available for help, assistance and advice about your dog. Such a breeder will tell you if they don't think their breed is right for you based upon your needs. They want a perfect forever home for the puppies - not the money. (In 43 years in the dog show world, I have never known a breeder of that caliber who has made a profit on their dogs - it is labor of love.)

A puppy from such a breeder costs no more - and often less as poorly bred dogs tend to have very high vet bills over the years - than from a backyard breeder who doesn't do the health checks, knows nothing about the breed or bloodlines, doesn't give a guarantee, never wants to hear about the puppy again and has breed from mediocre or poor quality dogs.

By the way HEREDITARY HEALTH CONDITION TESTING is NOT a basic physical saying the dog is in good health. These test involve xrays, blood workup for certain problems, cardiac screens and more. A dog can look fine and not yet be showing symptoms but do have the condition. These cost a breeder $500-750 for each dog. In cockers patellas (kneecaps displacing and typically needing surgery) are a big problem, Only use a breeder who screens their dogs.



You may find the breeder who has the type of dog you want but no litter on the ground at the moment. Most good breeders have waiting lists -get on it. You may find the breeder and puppy you want but at a distance. Among the really responsible breeders(members of the club) shipping a puppy is quite normal -they want the best possible home for the dog and the written contract is very extensive.

Do ask the breeders on the club list if they have any dogs they bred that they need to rehome - good breeders all require if the owner can't keep one, it comes back to them. It may be a dog they placed and it came back because the owner didn't have time, didn't realize how big it would get, got divorced.... It may be a dog who was a show prospect but as they grew didn't meet their early promise. It may be an AKC Champion they decided not to use in their breeding program because while it did get the Championship, they don't need more bloodstock or find a tiny conformation flaw they don't want to reproduce.

NEVER EVER buy from a pet shop. Those puppies came from puppy mills where the parents are locked in cages, bred until they literally die from it, never vaccinated, never wormed, fed just enough so they don't quite die of starvation, live in filth, never bathed or groomed or cared for, are typically of very poor genetic stock both physically and often mentally. The puppies are shoved off to pet stores with no vaccinations, no worming, no socialization or handling... You are buying nothing but heartbreak at a price higher than what a responsible breeder charged for a pet puppy.

IF A SERIOUS BREEDER OR RESCUE TELLS YOU THAT THE BREED IS NOT SUITED FOR YOUR SITUATION - BELIEVE THEM - NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU LIKE THE WAY THE DOG LOOKS


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Now if you still can't decide, start here to read about the breeds:

http://www.akc.org/breeds/index.cfm?nav_area=breeds

You can search by Group, Breed name or all of them at once. Now, when you click on the picture of the dog and go to the page for that breed, on the left is a column. At the bottom of the column, is a link captioned "National Breed Club". Click on it - that takes you to the link to the National Club which is the only club about the breed that is recognized and accredited by the AKC and it sets the standards for the breed .

Answer 2

Cocker spaniels can be very nice dogs on the one hand, however they can also suffer from cocker rage which is where they get very angry and snappy- read up about (if you type into google info will come up)... Ideas of other medium sized dogs:
Rough collie- lassie dogs- lovely temperament and not as much grooming as you would think,
A rescue puppy from your local rescue- you may have to register with them to be on a waiting list for a pup.
A cavalier spaniel- more small ish than medium but generally very loveable and kind.
Hope that helps, good luck ps if your other dog has been neutered then getting a dog of the opposite sex tends to avoid any dominace problems.... :-)

Answer 3

I always wanted a cocker but i heard they can get cocker syndrome and as i have a young child i was not going to take the risk. they need a lot of excersie and they love chasing things so i know a few people who tend to only allow them to run free in a enclosed park. Very pretty dogs and clever.
I decided on a Caviler King Charles spaniel in the end, still very pretty but is more of a lap dog.. very loving and clever.they are also smaller than a cocker and are known to get on with other dogs.If you like the walks the in the park then i would suggest a cocker : ) We have plans to buy another CKC next year.. i dont like long walks.lol

Answer 4

Dont get a labadror puppy. I have a chocolate lab and much as I love her she was a nightmare. She ate furniture, doors, skirting boards, kitchen flooring and all her beds. We tried everything including training classes but just had to waiit until she calmed down with age. spaniels can be just as nuts as labs. My uncle used to breed them and they are like labs, take a long time to grow up which maybe isnt going to be good for your dog if she is a bit timid. What about going to an animal shelter, taking your dog with you and seeing how she gets on with the other dogs then you can decide from there which dog to get. I would agree with your husband. a medium sized, easily trained dog

Answer 5

not a cocker if it is to be left for long periods. They are active busy little dogs. I would say, go to your nearest rescue centre and look for an adult dog who may already be used to being left. At least with an adult you know what you are getting. Take your dog with you so that he can have some say in who his new companion will be. Get a dog based on how you all (including the dog) get on with the new one and do not be blinded by looks or a particular breed.
I don't believe that any one breed is easier to train than another and at least an adult dog will come already trained to an extent.

Answer 6

I have a 8 month Cocker Spaniel, she has a beautiful nature, doesn't bite and is very playful.

However spaniels are working dogs and as such need a lot of exercise and training. They can be highly strung and nervous. Ours hates strangers and hide although she is getting over than. She can also run up walls at times, not literally, but she is very energetic.

I also have 2 labsd and they are very docile, not in he slightest bit crazy and are lazy.

I would get a dog with a similar energy level to the one you have.

Answer 7

Cocker Spaniels are lively, affectionate and require alot of grooming.
If you want a pup then the best thing to do is contact breeders via the KC website and talk to them about the kind of dog that you are looking for. They will ask you questions about your lifestyle and give you expert advice.
A second dog will be a great idea to help your current dog get over the loss of his best friend.

Answer 8

i have a English springer spaniel which i think has the same temperment but very very livey dogs all the love to do is play and love attention and can epically when you very a little dim. but all dog have different personality's and usually its not always down to the breed, training is a big part of it. but as far as i know spaniels have similar quality as Dalmatians but a little more hyper active.

Answer 9

Why don't you go to your local rescue centre and let a dog choose you! you can take your dog with you so that they can be introduced, I went to a rescue once, I was adamant that I wanted a puppy!!! but as I was walking along the line of kennels this little dog caught my eye, she had a mischievous grin a mile wide, she really 'sold' herself, it was love at first sight, she had been abandoned by a previous owner, we took her home a couple of days later after home checks etc and she lived to be 17 years old Bless her!!

Answer 10

Spaniels are bred to be working gundogs and get bored easily. If I were you I would get a mongrel of some sort as they are usually healthier, live longer, and do not suffer from the conditions that are likely with pedigree-type dogs.