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My boyfriend had a cocker when we met. This dog was his "son". He never had any aggression problems toward children or other dogs, or peeing issues. The only downfall was the ear infections and how smelly it can be if you don't keep it clean. :(
When DJ passed away last year we wanted to get another dog, but my boyfriend didn't want another cocker for two reasons. #1. It would remind him too much of DJ #2. He didn't want to have to deal with the ears.
Although our second dog was from a breeder (I will not do that again), I agree with the other posts, get a rescue dog.
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I forgot to mention in my last post that Jack Russells can be extremely dog agressive. Even if they play nice with dogs on the street, they may want to kill your new puppy.
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You also might consider an English Cocker. They are less common than American Cockers (in the US, in the rest of the world they are one of the most common companion dogs) and hence are less "overbred". They seem to have fewer health issues, their ears are easier to care for as the canals are not so narrow. They also (according to my breeder) do not have the "piddling" issue. My ECS was difficult to house train compared with my Golden (took until 10 months of age to be totally reliable), but now she has free run of the house when I'm not here and we have never had an accident, nor does she pee even when very excited (and she gets pretty darned excited). The grooming needs are pretty intense, as with American Cockers, and it definately pays to keep up with it. Personality-wise, they are very playful, loving, friendly dogs.
Good luck.
Jake's mom
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We groom several cockers a day.
Just like with alot of breeds, cockers seem to range from one extreme to the other. Despite their flaws, I do like American cockers. They are very sweet dogs with very affectionate temperaments.
Despite a previous comment, I do recommend a show breeder. Cockers are a breed that are felt over alot by the judge, and so they need to have a decent temperament. It's true that shy/aggressive dogs can be handled in a way to make them appear normal, but alot of breeders don't want to deal with the effort involved and would just prefer to own show dogs with level eough temperaments to be shown.
Show-bred cockers will also lack some of the common health problems, such as bad ear infections and skin problems. I've never seen as bad ear infections in any other breeds. Cockers develop the fullout hematomas, their ear canals close right up and fill with mucous, and get very smelly. Their skin problems are also quite bad. I find the most common problem is dry seborreah, but you also get alot of greasy dogs, hots spots, etc. They are also the worst for developing warts.
I love the American cockers I've met at shows. Especially the puppies. ;) They've all been such sweet, lovely dogs. We only have one show cocker that we groom and he is a doll. No fear whatsoever. 95% of American cockers will pee when you take them out of the crate, pick them up, and then again during their blowdry where they will also poop 4 times, in between going outside to the "bathroom." While I find them to still be very nice dogs, they do not seem to have any control over their bodily functions when they are scared, excited, stressed, etc. Most of the cockers I've mt have been wonderful family dogs, great with kids. Some of them seem to have a screw loose though and will take after children -- of course there is springer ragesyndrome, which isn't common, but is in the breed.
I like them much better than English cockers. I haven't ever touched an English cocker at a show, only the ones we groom. There is only one nice English cocker that we groom. The other ones all bite, without warning, and very viciously. My ex roomate was bitten very badly by one. I don't know how they act outside the grooming parlor. It's hard to judge breeds when you work with them -- Belgians aren't good to groom either -- but most breeds, whether bad to groom or not, will warn you before biting, and I don't like that these dogs don't.
Just my personal experiences!
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There are already some great replies, but I must reiterate:
**Buy ONLY from a reputible breeder!!**
A well-bred, well-socialized Cocker is a loving, sweet companion dog. HOWEVER, the breed was originally a hunting dog, so they must have an outlet for their energy since they more than likely will NOT be used as gun dogs anymore. If owners do not provide a suitable outlet for the breed's energy, then behavioral problems from "hyper-activity" to aggression are likely to develop. Having a "big yard for the dog to run" is not a suitable outlet. All sporting/gun dog breeds have a need to interact with their human family, so interactive exercise is required for Cockers.
Common hereditary diseases for American & English Cocker Spaniels include: hip dysplasia; seizure disorders; thyroid disorders; Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA); Retinal Dysplasia (RD); entropion/ectropin (inward/outward turned eyelid); and cherry eye. Entropion/ectropin and cherry eye all require surgery to the affected eye(s). Hip & thyroid results are registered with OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals); PRA, RD, & other eye results are registered with CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation).
If a breeder claims their dogs "are healthy" and "don't need" to be tested, RUN don't walk away from this person!!
As for English-vs-American Cockers.... American Cockers are plentiful in the U.S., so it is harder to find an ethical breeder amongst all the BYBs. There are NOT many English Cockers in the U.S. which makes finding an ethical breeder easier, but the breed's gene pool is limited in this country & there aren't many litters produced as often. I like both breeds.
