cocker spaniel?

[Sparklecoon]

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.

[kallisto4529]

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

[IRescue452]

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.

[Jakesmom]

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

[Blackrose]

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!

[Twisterdog]

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.