What temperament do cocker spaniels generally have?

Answer 1

Well there nick named the merry cocker,that says alot really.They are usually fun,active,affectionate dogs who make great family pets if raised right and given enough mental and physical exercise.There friendly and usually great with other dogs and animals.

Answer 2

Back in the 80s the breed that was known for having a few specimens with rage was the Springer Spaniel. That does not mean that all lines of Springers have rage just that a small percentage did. The American Cocker Spaniel was the most popular breed from 1936 to 1953. It is no longer as popular as it once was.

Temperament on the cocker spaniel varies, but well bred dogs are known for wanting to do anything to please their owners. They will follow you from room to room; play fetch with a ball, etc. They aren't big on going under the covers (lots of hair and they do get hot) but will be very happy to be in bed with you, and are just as trainable to sleep next to the bed. When choosing one you don't want to see it hiding under a chair, you want to see it with its tail up and wagging, you want to see it be friendly and not shy. Breeders in the breed call that "attitude" and what they are really meaning is that the dog is not afraid. There are several wonderful breeders of American Cocker Spaniels. If you are looking for one, you might want to send a letter to the Showcocker email list at Yahoo groups and ask the moderator if she would ask her list if anyone has anything available close to you. Another place to ask would be Cockers.com. The breed club is called ASC I will put the link in bellow.
American Cockers and English cockers have different heads, although they were once the same breed. Do your research and decide which breed you like. A dog has to have that adorable look to you for you to make the best home for it.

Answer 3

I've only had encounters with two cocker spaniels so I might be being unfair to the breed. However when I was very little, like 4, we had a cocker spaniel named Barkley -- I loved him to death but my parents have other things to say about him. They said he was very hyper-spastic and peed every time he was excited -- he was more than a handful and didn't receive me very well. My mom told the vet she was told cocker spaniels were good with children to which the vet replied, "It sounds like someone wanted to sell you a cocker spaniel."

The other cocker spaniel is a dog I ended up roped into dog sitting. I stayed with her and another dog for a week -- and every time I walked in the house she stayed away and barked at me for 15 minutes. It wasn't her house so you can't claim she was just being territorial. When I attempted to calm her down she'd bite me. She'd also pee when excited or nervous.

I think cocker spaniels are gorgeous dogs but I'd never own one.

Answer 4

Back in the 80's when they were the most popular dog allot of in-breeding was being done and I heard of some Cockers going into "rages" I have not heard of anything like that for years. So hopefully the Cockers that are being breed now days are allot healtheir. Great companion dogs, I had one that was weeks away from his 16 birthday when he passed. They are NOT DUMB! My Cocker was trained by voice and hand commands. Did all the tricks and was even accused of letting other dogs out of thier crates when he was at the groomers. 15 years of never ever biting anyone! All dogs are prone to biting if enticed too! What you are hearing is all hearsay, you be your own judge. Wheres CHETCO when you need him.

Answer 5

I had my golden Cocker Spaniel for 17 yrs. He was a wonderful dog, clever, obedient and loving. However, for some reason he was jealous of my youngest child (not toddler as we got him when she was 6 yrs) and this continued even when she was an adult. Often wondered has she unintentionally done something to him? If she was near his food he would growl and would not have put it past him snapping at her but we diverted the situation. Don't be put off getting one. As someone told you, the ears are very sensitive and have to keep them nice and clean. and in my case the dog was deaf for a number of years before he died. Other thing, don't know if it was just in my dogs particular case but he was 'old' from about 8 yrs despite living so long. At the moment I have a Westie who will be 8 this year and he is still like a pup in his actions........except for a question I have asked here too today.

Answer 6

I've had 7 cockers. I love the breed. They are small, but sturdy, inquisitive but well-behaved and very cute. I don't think they should be around small children (but then I don't think any dog should be around small children). They are not as intelligent as other breeds and frankly that's a blessing. The cocker is a great breed for the right owner.
-MM

Answer 7

If you're looking for an informed answer to your question, go to one of the breed clubs & talk to owners/breeders of responsibly bred Cockers.

Answer 8

I HAD COCKERS MY WHOLE LIFE. THEY ARE HUNTING DOGS SO THEY WILL KILL ANY BIRD GOPHER OR RAT THAT IS AROUND YOUR YARD. THEY ARE ALSO ANKLE BITERS, MEANING THAT THEY WILL BITE STRANGERS OR PEOPLE THEY DON'T TRUST. I HAVE NEVER BEEN BITTEN BY MY DOGS. THEY ARE GREAT FAMILY DOGS AND GOOD TO PEOPLE WHO TREAT THEM WELL AND WHO THEY KNOW. BE CAREFUL THOUGH, COCKERS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR HAVING EAR ISSUES. THEY GET EAR INFECTIONS VERY EASILY SO IF YOU HAVE ANY FOXTAILS WEEDS IN YOUR BACKYARD, YOU HAVE TO GET RID OF THEM ALL, OTHERWISE YOU WILL END UP AT THE VETS PAYING A BUNCH OF MONEY GETTING THE FOXTAILS TAKEN OUT OF YOUR COCKER'S EAR. THEY ARE VERY EXCITABLE AND PEE AROUND THE HOUSE WHEN THEY GET TOO EXCITED, THEY'RE NOT TRYING TO BE BAD, THEY JUST GET SO EXCITED THEY LOSE CONTROL OF THEIR BLADDER. PERSONALLY, I SAY THAT COCKERS ARE GREAT FOR OLDER AND RETIRED PERSONS WHO WON'T HAVE ALOT OF PEOPLE AROUND THE HOUSE, AND WHO WILL LET THEM INSIDE THE HOUSE.

Answer 9

They like to chew things! Like to have things in their mouths(born to retrieve and hunt) The ones I know seem to be a bit highly strung!

Answer 10

Very good.They are family dogs and can be trained easily.