Cocker Spaniels

[jcummins]

She certainly looks like a Pardi colored, American Cocker Spaniel. Or just Cocker Spaniel, here in the US. That is, assuming she has recently been trimmed because her coat is so short.

Very cute!

The English or Field Cockers have a different face and are slightly bigger.

This thread has been an eye opener for me and very interesting. Thanks to all, so far.

Reason I mention King Charles....she's heavier now, but about 20lb in the pic and about 13" at her shoulders. Thinking this was smallish for a Cocker.

 

[kc5dlo]

I was a little kid when the family got the first Cocker. The family had 3 over the years. A couple I knew gave me a Cocker puppy when I moved into my own place. Never recall any problems with behavior but I have heard they can be a problem with young children.

 

[teejk]

I was a little kid when the family got the first Cocker. The family had 3 over the years. A couple I knew gave me a Cocker puppy when I moved into my own place. Never recall any problems with behavior but I have heard they can be a problem with young children.

I think the rap has always been that they can be overly "protective" of whoever they tend to favor in the house and might not appreciate any "new" additions to the house. We had 1 incident with dog #1 (the field bred variety acquired 1985) and we simply attributed that a dog eating his food and getting surprised from behind by a crawling toddler...I probably would have reacted the same way). #2 was the standard variety but everybody was already in the house so no problems there. It was a bit of a behavior problem though but a few days with a shock collar fixed that (and I mean a few days...no more).

 

[oosik]

Its a very sad day here at home. Today I had to put my beloved cocker spaniel of 15 years down. He was rapidly loosing all his functions over the last two weeks and he didn't appear to be in much pain yet. Man - its painful to loose such a dear friend..............

 

[Bird]

I was 10 years old, and the eldest of 5 kids, when we got a pair of very young full blooded cocker spaniels from an aunt. I don't think we had them for more than a month or two. We lived out in the country and they disappeared from our fenced yard one day while we were gone. A neighbor later told us that he saw some people take the dogs from the yard and put them in their car and drive off, but he thought it was probably relatives of ours, so he didn't get a license number.

 

[teejk]

Its a very sad day here at home. Today I had to put my beloved cocker spaniel of 15 years down. He was rapidly loosing all his functions over the last two weeks and he didn't appear to be in much pain yet. Man - its painful to loose such a dear friend..............

It is hard ain't it? Hang in there.

 

[oosik]

My son and his girlfriend came out to visit yesterday. I'm doing a lot better today. The one thing I've learned out here - its best to have a dog that is not overly aggressive. I've had a lab & two blue healers and when things got dicey - the fact that they were somewhat aggressive and went out on their own and did not listen to my calling them back - got all three killed and eaten by the local coyotes.

Coyotes have VERY devious methods of attracting dogs. In one case - a female came into the yard and attracted my male lab(she may have been in heat). I shouted, yelled & ran at the female coyote. Nothing would detract her from her assigned duties. Unfortunately, I was unable to get a gun in time. Over the hill and into the valley the two went - right to where the remainder of the coyote pack was waiting. I just hope they all enjoyed black lab for breakfast.

The beauty of my cocker was he understood the dangers presented by coyotes and when, in the evening, they would start howling - he was alway right there, sitting beside me. They may not be the sharpest tools in the shed but are smart enough to recognize danger and where they should be when its present.

 

[DaveNJ]

Sorry for your loss. My Cocker would do the same thing upon hearing coyote howls. The German Shepards however would run out to eat coyotes.

 

[Raspy]

Dogs really are our best friends from the animal world. But more, they are our personal friends and family members too. And even more, they completely reveal who they are and are true to who they are. Unguarded, they live in the moment, cherishing the time they spend with us. Peaceful in our presence, they sleep and reveal their tummies in a most vulnerable posture. At once telling us they care and telling us they trust.

We talk to them, we play with them. We reveal ourselves to them as they do to us. They live a vulnerable life, subject to our whims and our fears. Their shorter life is a loss to all that know them, and at the same time, a lesson to the value of who they are. Life is precious. Life is fleeting. The full value of friendship may not be realized until it's too late. Sometimes, maybe before we realize it, a dog has made us a part of it's pack, a part of it's family.

What higher compliment can there be, from a beloved friend that can not speak our language, than they have made us a part of their family? With dogs that means a lot. It means they'll be there to defend. It means they'll hunt with us. It means they'll stand watch as we sleep. It means they'll trust our judgement when we are on duty. It means they'll sleep beside us in comfort knowing we are not a threat. It means they'll play and reveal themselves without reservation. And it means they are satisfied. It's just a simple "I love you and I'll be here without reservation" kind of statement. They transcend our day to day stresses and become available to listen, or go for a walk or play. Their needs distract us and offer a chance to reflect. To stop and smell the roses.

Who could ask for anything more from another being? How could you ever imagine more from another species? And with dogs, it's just another day in the life. It's the way they are. What's the big deal? Let's play!!!!!

I lost my dog recently too. It struck me that my little friend, who I played with and talked to, and spent many hours with, had given me so much more than I had given her. She always had time for me, and yet her time was so limited. I always had something important to do, but I only spent time with her when I was done with everything else.

They can be fine teachers. Sadly it's often by their departure. Gotta love them. How could we not?

 

[oosik]

Based upon pure hope - I pulled the papers from when we purchased our cocker, fifteen years ago. Surprise, surprise - the phone number still connected me to the lady who raised the pups and sold us ours. She has turned the business over to a local friend and I'm once again on the path to purchase another cocker spaniel.

 

[newbury]

Based upon pure hope - I pulled the papers from when we purchased our cocker, fifteen years ago. Surprise, surprise - the phone number still connected me to the lady who raised the pups and sold us ours. She has turned the business over to a local friend and I'm once again on the path to purchase another cocker spaniel.

That is good to read. Sympathize fully with your loss. After almost a yer we are about to get another Corgi.

 

[oosik]

Thank you Newbury. I'm, once again, a happy camper. Its very hard to explain the loss of a pet and how they have become a true part of a family unless you have experienced this situation. I'm all alone out here and a pet helps me maintain my sanity and a positive outlook on the world.

 

[teejk]

Based upon pure hope - I pulled the papers from when we purchased our cocker, fifteen years ago. Surprise, surprise - the phone number still connected me to the lady who raised the pups and sold us ours. She has turned the business over to a local friend and I'm once again on the path to purchase another cocker spaniel.

A bad thing happened to the breed years ago when they got so popular and the breeders couldn't keep up with demand. The "mills" emerged and some bad traits got introduced. But I think that is a thing of the past. A reputable breeder should be honest with you and talk about temperament. I remember when we selected our first one...those fat little bellies would make them hang-up on a low curb. "Lonergan" was a great dog...never lost the "puppy" in him. Good luck.

 

[Raspy]

oosik,

So glad you're getting another pal.

When we lost or beloved BeiBei about two months ago, we were not sure if we should begin the search or not. I wanted a Cocker Spaniel, but decided that wasn't the right path for us. The breeders were cold and profit driven, the dogs seemed like a simple product. They were expensive and the money dominated all conversation about the dogs. It really turned me off and I talked to a lot of them. I was ready to travel quite a distance too. There was an exception or two, but there was no way to actually meet the dogs in a meaningful way and find a friend. At least that was my experience. Sounds like you have re-connected with a fine breeder that is just great.

We have rescued dogs before and started a search "just to see who was out there". After visiting 13 shelters, some more than once, and meeting about 300 dogs, we found Gogo. She is a wonderful Rat Terrier mix and is so happy to be here with us. She is so fun and really wants to be a part of the pack. Boundless energy, very funny, so healthy. What a find! As I sit here writing this, she is sleeping right next to me on the couch. Of course, if I mention going outside, or getting a cookie, she bounces up like a spring.

I've heard over and over that dogs adopted from shelters are great dogs. That they somehow appreciate being given a new home. Well, I can't dispute that based on my experience with Gogo and with several others over the years.

Good luck with your new friend!!! I do know how important they are to us.

 

[oosik]

I completely understand your points, Raspy. As I bounce around the internet, checking for dogs, one thing becomes very obvious around this area. Most all breeders, whether they are good or not so good are going thru a "middle man". There are a lot of breeders but most are in the mid-west or east of the Mississippi. I decided, long ago, that I was not going to purchase/adopt an animal without first checking out the breeders operations and the animal. Kind of the same way I do with tractor implements - I will only buy after I've been able to see the implement and "put my hands" on it.

In my area this seriously limits what is available. And I've decided, thru years of experience, that I do not want the hassle of a larger dog and its interactions with our local coyotes. I've lost three dogs to coyotes and I feel that should, at least, meet my quota. The little cocker spaniel was ideal because he became completely adapted to being an inside dog and going out only when I went with him and could be a deterrent to the coyotes. The other option that seems to work in our area is to have multiple dogs - if they are going to be left outside.

This situation I'm currently involved in is local and not thru any middle man. Exactly the same as when we bought the cocker some fifteen years ago. I will just have to wait, see how things develop and go from there. This is not going to be a spur of the moment situation.