cocker spaniel?

Hey everyone!

We have recently decided to add a dog to our family of 5 grown-ups, but I'm not sure what kind. All my life I've wanted an english cocker spaniel due to past experiences, but my dad thinks we should get a lab. Now, we've had a beagle in the past, but everything went terribly wrong because it was an impulsive purchase. My dad is obsessed with hunting, so there's no question about it, it's got to be a hunting dog.

Like I said, ECS would be my number one, but I'm afraid it will behave like a beagle, running off as soon as it's let off the leash, and that's a definite no-go. I know labs don't have that "sniff-and-gone" issue. I've also seen lots of aussie cocker mixes around (and I really don't mind aussies) but they don't hunt, do they? Will that mix have both qualities of the cocker and the aussie, or none?

Summarizing: Can someone tell me what an ECS is like? Can they go off the leash when going for walks in the woods? Are they good hunting dogs?

Thanks, any info is very much appreciated :)

We had a Cocker (DJ, pic in siggy below). Now we are not hunters, so I actually didn't even realize they were considered hunting dogs until I read your post and asked my boyfriend. But I can tell you that DJ was a great dog. He was always ready to play. He learned many commands and tricks easily. The only negative thing I have to say is that you have to be very attentive with thier ears. They are prone to ear infections. My BF would clean out his ears real good about once a week, or when they started to smell.
My uncle and cousin are hunters and they've always had labs as hunting dogs. So that may be a good breed for you.
Currently we have an Aussie. They are herding dogs, not hunters. She is full of energy, but tends to have selective hearing at times...lol. She does love to stalk the birds and squirrels in the backyard. And as soon as I let her out in the front she tears off across the neighbors yard to a tree that she always sees squirrels run up.
Not sure if any of this helped you, but good luck with your search. :)

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Originally Posted by Taz_Zoee

The only negative thing I have to say is that you have to be very attentive with thier ears. They are prone to ear infections.

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I agree they are very prone to ear problems, and I've also seen alot of them with skin problems as well as many moles too.

I think just about any breed would have it's own set of inherent problems, but I would think that some of that could be reduced by finding a good breeder that does testing, regular vet visits, and regular looking the dog over for problems to be caught early.

With any dog, off leash usually requires training, I don't know of any one breed that's better or worse with off leash when they've been properly trained.

Good luck

One of the best ways to get information about the downfalls of a breed is to go to the AKC parent club listing at the AKC site, look up what they have as a National Rescue. Then write several people in the rescue for the reasons that the given breed are surrendered. (of course, for those reading this, if your choice is not an AKC breed, there are more than at least 300 of such breeds, go to the major organizations that exist to preserve said breed)

These reasons for relinquishment will generally be generic JQP type reactions to owning the breed- people with relatively little 'dog sense' if you will. Much of the dog owning public (with possible exception of PT members ;) ) are indeed relatively clueless about dog breeds, terminology, training and behavior.

As you get the rescue perspective, you should also speak with experienced owners. Join a breed forum if you can find one - rescue persons will usually know such resources. The forum members may tell you the downfalls and the types of tests that should be done before adult dogs are bred. Since they are experienced, they have learned to live with the issues, so this is why the rescue perspective is good to know as well.

After you start to get a baseline on what you might be getting into, and if you aren't turned off by it yet, contact as many breeders as you can and screen them. Ask lots of questions (the first question should not be 'how much do they cost', lol) :D Often a breeder appreciates knowing what your intentions for the dog will be, how will it live, what sort of training do they advocate, if they have opinions on working, show and 'color' bloodlines.

It is this way that you'll get a better balanced idea of what you might be facing, and if the source of your dog is straight up with you and will be supportive.

That's pretty generic info that can apply to all breeds. So check with rescue, join forums, talk to owners, and if it still seems like the right breed for you, start writing to different breeders. For information purposes, include breeders you are sure you won't like because sometimes you can get interesting perspective on the things to watch out for. I'm speaking from a few decades involvement with dogs, membership in dog clubs, involvement in rescue, problem solving with owned dogs, genetic research, placement of my own pups and am also handicapped and an experienced service dog owner. So I have a toe in a lot of sources of information on the ups and downs in dogs and the learning never ends. :)

Some Cockers are prone to ear infections, yes that's definately true though with ours we've never had an issue. A good diet and regular cleanings can go a long way to prevent infections from occuring. Some cockers have a form of stress incontinence, known as "happy pee" in some circles, again this has never been a problem with our boys. Happy peeing happens when a dog gets excited and lose a bit of bladder control, it's usually only a few drops and most grow out of it. As far as coat regular grooming and bathing can also help with any skin problems. They are not a low maintence breed and need to have regular groomer visits. If you don't want to keep their coats shaved short they need daily brushing. Their have been some agression issues popping up because of unscrupulous breeders (Puppy mills and BYB's) but the same can be said about labs and pretty much any breed in the AKCs top 10.

With all those negative things said I will never have a cocker. They are the most loving funny little breed ever. They make great flushing dogs for bird hunters. I've seen some that did fairly well with retrieving but flushing is their forte. They are happy energetic dogs that thrive in family situations. They love being around their people. Fetch is a favorite game. They're a super little breed. Big dog in a fairly small dogs (20-26LB) body.

I have had the honor of having two English Cocker Spaniels in my life, in just the last 3 yrs we lost both of them, they both lived to be fairly old, Mousse was 13 and Ginger was 12 when they passed. They both were prone to ear infections, even with reg vet checks, but sometimes that happens, Mousse as he got into his teens started getting warts that had to be checked very frequently. But I would never have given up one second I had with either one of them. They were both extremely loving,loyal,joyful,wonderful companions. They loved to make you happy, great with kids, but I have heard this is not true for all of them. I would recommend one to anyone in a heart beat. I never hunted with them, but I do know they would both flush out squirells or birds and do what I called a point, they would push there nose out straight, there tail straight out, and one front paw out in front of there body.

Don't know if this helps any but hope so

Labs may not have the sniff-and-gone issues, but they have the
see-and-gone issue. I rarely meet a lab that wouldn't bolt if it saw another dog to chase or a squirrel. Most of the cockers I've know have been yard and offleash trained, but they'll go after a squirrel or bird if you aren't on top of the situation.
Cockers make very nice hunting dogs if they are trained for it. But different dogs are used for different hunting types. Beagles are bred to chase a rabbit without the owner being near, they are supposed to chase it back toward a waiting owner. Cockers point and flush birds and need to stay close to the owner's range. Also, if you want a dog who will swim to fetch a bird, you'll have to start it early and gradually with a cocker, they aren't as prone to swimming as retrievers.
What else are you looking for in a dog? Cockers have a lot of grooming and health issues, though not as much as the American variety.

We have an ECS and a golden retreiver. The retriever is definately better at staying nearby when off leash on a hike, but I would NEVER have him off leash on a street--even though his is 11 and having trouble walking, if there was another dog, cat, squirrel, or person he would bolt. My ECS is very playful, LOVES to chase balls, loves the water. The ECS is a bit higher strung that labs/goldens, but not hyper and certainly a couch potato if you will cuddle with her. She is also a bit more "jealous" and jumpy and I wouldn't trust her around small children unsupervised (neither were raised with children), whereas the golden is totally mellow even if a toddler is wailing on him.

One thing to think about is the energy level--labs and goldens have tremendous energy and need LOTS of exercise when they are young, the ECS does as well but they are smaller, so its easier...

The ear thing and grooming is manageable but you do have to be dedicated.

Jake's mom

If you want a dog to be used for hunting, make sure you buy from a breeder that hunts with their dogs. Most Cocker Spaniels today, at least from show breeders, probably have little to no hunting drive in them.

It also depends what type of hunting you do. Differen't dogs do differen't things. Labs are retrievers. Cockers are, most definitally, spaniels. Beagles are hounds. Each "type" does different things.

You also need to take into consideration ease of training, good with other animals, size, and other tendancies....do research on all of the breeds you are interested in. Contact their breed clubs and ask for breeder referalls.

Good luck with your search!

Blackrose made a good point - what type of game do you wish to hunt? Do you want a water retriever, for ducks? Or a flusher/pointer for pheasants? That would make a huge difference in the breed of dog that might be best for you.

I think most of the ear/mole/peeing problems identified with cockers are much more applicable to American cockers. The English cocker has far fewer grooming, coat, ear, mole and "happy pee" issues than the American. Obviously, that's a generality, but one based on previously owning both breeds, and grooming for twelve years.

We had an ECS when I was a kid. She was seriously one of the best behaved, sweetest dogs I've ever known. She was a wonderful dog, and she was as trustworthy as any dog I've known off-leash. Off-leash recall is a learned behavior, it takes training. I've known a LOT of labs who could not be trusted off-leash for thirty seconds.

hey guys!!!
my dogs are max and angel!! they are the greatest dogs alive!!! :)
got to go for now!
bye!

does your dad actually USE the dog for hunting or is the dog just a companion while he hunts? most cockers these days are bred for the show ring or pets, so finding one that wont be a total knucklehead when it comes to hunting may prove difficult. Labs on the other hand are very commonly still used as hunting dogs so finding a decent hunting lab would not be very hard.for the ECS there are a few out there that breed for both hunting and show, HOWEVER this is really luck of the draw,it depends which they are more focased on. from that POV I would go for the Lab lol

Thanks for your replies!

Yeah, we'll probably go with a lab. I think my dad wants the dog for bird hunting mainly (geese, ducks) but also as a family pet.

Again, thx so much for all the info, it's very much appreciated :D

Personally, I'd go with an ECS, but then I'm not as much of a hunter as my dad is. ;)

I have a Cocker Spaniel. The english variety are quite different both in size and personality, so I don't know too much about them. I've had two Cockers and both did not go after smells. My Cocker I had a few years ago did go after squirrels and chased cars. My Cocker I have now is very good off leash and stays with me for the most part.. especially when we aren't in the city. He gets distracted by all the people and cars, so he can only go off leash in the country.
I think it depends on the amount of training with this breed.
The English variety is still used for hunting today, and I've heard they are pretty good hunting dogs. You'll find for the most part the American variety has gotten their drive for hunting bred out of them as mostly used for family pets. Many people think the ECS is the same as the American variety and assume they're not good hunting dogs, when they actually are.
Both breeds are very charming dogs and they LOVE to please people, more than many breeds. They're actually very sensitive to discipline, I have found, and do not do well with yelling or slaps to correct them. (Although I agree no dog should be yelled at or slapped)
They are extremely prone to ear infections, which if not treated will easily lead to hearing problems and sometimes deafness.