What are some advantages and disadvantages of cocker spaniels?

Answer 1

From the eukanuba website:

Merry and endearing. A happy tail-wagger. Gentle and trusting. Average intelligence. Lively and playful. A wonderful companion for children. Respects authority without much challenge. Sensitive. Socialize well when young to avoid tendency to timidity. Devoted. Needs people.

Behavior:
Children: Excellent with children.
Friendliness: Loves everyone.
Trainability: Easy to train.
Independence: Not particularly dependent or independent.
Dominance: Low.
Other Pets: Generally good with other pets.
Combativeness: Friendly with other dogs.
Noise: Likes to bark.


Hope this helps!

Answer 2

There are people who had one bad experience with a cocker spaniel and they make up their mind about the entire breed. We've owned cocker spaniels all my life, I wouldn't have any other breed. Cocker spaniels are very social animals, they thrive in homes there someone is always there. Cocker spaniels are very playful and maybe too hard to handle for young children (younger than 6). Not all people are the same, not all dogs are the same. If you really want to learn about this breed go to this website:
http://zimfamilycockers.com/ and look at pictures and read some information about the breed. This website is run by a very respectable (in our cocker community) breeder.

Answer 3

Oh my lord, if you get a cocker from a good breeder you should find it has an excellent temperament!!!
Cockers will follow you from room to room.They will let you groom them for hours and you can come up behind them at any time. It is because they used to be number one in popularity that they had become misbred. They are now number 17 in popularity. The key is with a cocker spaniel to try and get it from someone who raises show dogs. The cocker standard says that the dog is merry and its tail should be up in the ring. Show breeders don't like to risk a shy dog in the ring they have excellent temperaments. I have raised several Champions in that breed. One of my first dogs I took to a nursery school with her litter of 8=9 week old puppies. The children were about 4 years old and I also brought the mother. I trusted her implicitly she loved children. She never in her entire life growled or snapped. She was from some of the top breeding in the country and produced several Champions for me.
They do require grooming, ear cleaning, etc. but they are a lovely breed if bred well.

Answer 4

I have 4 cocker spaniels, 2 males and 2 females and they are all inside dogs!. I keep mine in what is called a summer cut......short all over but I leave the ears long. Yes, they still do shed but nothing like when I let the coat grow full length. Only one of the 3 has chronic ear problems, but I think alot of that came from when he was with another family. I rescued him.

They have grown up with my children and have not bitten anybody! including friends that have come home with my kids. One female does have a "loose O ring" she will piddle if you catch her by surprise. We have learned how to approach her and no accidents!! They are very protective of me and my children.

I have owned German Shepherd, blue heelers and a dachund. Cockers will ALWAYS be my fav!!

I am a cocker momma!!!!

Answer 5

I'm not a big fan of them as they are one of the most likely breeds to bite as they've become a "shy sharp" breed, meaning there are many fear biters out there. They were way overbred years back due to popularity of movies like Lady and the Tramp and the breed has not recovered. They also tend to have really awful allergies and ear problems. They also need grooming. If you want a cocker spaniel, an English cocker spaniel would be a better way to go.

Answer 6

They are sweet dogs but you need to be careful i've had alot of experience with cockers as a vet tech and a groomer. They shed alot and you have to keep them groomed they can be hyper and tend to pee when they get excited. and they also get ear infections just because of the floppy ears. It comes from the breed has been over bred. I know this sounds bad but if you get a good breeder they can be a good dog.

Answer 7

long hair is nice but requires servicing and u have to grow that out for a long time

Answer 8

hmm, this is a good one. i use to own some cocker spaniels, i had eight at one time. The advantage are they are just loyal companions with all the family . YOU MUST BE CAREFUL WITH SMALL CHILDREN THOUGH CAUSE THEY ARE JEALOUS AT TIMES WHEN IT COMES TO CHILDREN GETTIN THAT EXTRA ATTENTION OVER THEM , BUT THEY ARE ALSO VERY PROTECTIVE OVER THEIR OWNERS AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. GET YOU ONE OF THOSE PET BOOKS ON THESE LOVABLE CREATURES OF GOD. I HAD A COUPLE OF MALE ONES AND ONE WAS MORE PLAYFUL THAN THE OTHER ONE AND THE OTHER MORE PROTECTIVE THAN THE OTHER TOO. DON'T TEACH THEM TO ATTACK YOU , THAT WILL END POSSIBLE ATTACKING A CHILD OR YOU POSSIBLY AND LIKE ANY OTHER DOG NEVER COME UP BEHIND THEM WHILE THEY ARE EATING . ALL IN ALL THEY ARE JUST WONDERFUL , PROTECTIVE , CURIOUS, PLAYFUL ANIMALS AND THEY DON'T GET THAT TALL EITHER. YOU MUST TRULY LOVE THESE ANIMALS ALOTS THOUGH , CAUSE YOU HAVE TO GROOM < OR COMB THEM ALOTS AS THEY DO GET HAIR MATS IN THEIR FUR AND NEED BATHS, FLEA COLLARS ,SHOTS, LOTS OF LOVE AND ATTENTIONS AS WITH ANY OTHER ANIMAL .

Answer 9

Bite more children per year than any other breed (been tops for years)
They don't like kids
Are very honery when they don't want to be bother (called high strung)
Hard to house break
Sheds like crazy... couple times a year
HMMMMMMMMMMMM guess that's it folks.. must be the advantages as well as the disadvantages??

Answer 10

Speaking from experience, (I have one curled up at my feet), they tend to get ear infections quite a bit if you don't keep their ears super-clean! On the plus side, they're loveable, affectionate, and great with kids, just watch them when they're teehing like any other pup.