Golden retriever v cocker spaniel

I used to put a cut up pair of tights over my dogs ears when they had a meal.

DD’s working cocker doesn’t get in a mess eating, just whenever she’s outside!

Cocker “rage” syndrome certainly has not been bred out of them and there’s a real problem particularly with show cockers, but also, increasingly, with golden retrievers AND some other red-gene gun dogs (vizlas, gsp). Few people who shoot will work chocolate labradors, they just seem to be wired differently and aren’t as steady to train. If you have Facebook it’s worth following Perthshire Gundog Rescue, they see first hand the endless problems of pretty puppies getting taken to the vet for euthanasia after aggression - show lines especially, though not exclusively (and I don’t know what lines they are).

I’d only ever get a puppy that has been reared in a family home, not in kennels, as lots of gundog breeds are because working dogs often aren’t kept in the house. If the dam is a family dog used to children and the bustle of a kitchen, she’s more able to rear puppies with confidence around people.

I have had dogs given to me as adults but they’ve all had ingrained issues. My late MIL always adopted “rescue” dogs and they were usually in rescue because they were awful to live with (eg habitual escapees, destructive, noisy…). Get a well-reared puppy from an intelligent, kind breeder who cares about the breed and guarantees lifetime interest and support.

Good luck!

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Full of energy...squirrel obsession, high prey drive,clever, stubborn,cheeky but oh so cuddly and lovable...adores people especially children...worth the hard work..

Lovely dog farview. There is a King Charles spaniel who lives near me. He is as mad as a box of frogs but has the most beautiful face so is forgiven his transgressions.

Just like you, Mollygro - a lifetime of rescue 'bitzers', but three years ago took on a Cocker/Springer puppy rather than get a rescue for reasons I won't bore anyone with. We are besotted with this loving, highly intelligent, beautiful dog, but had we known what we were taking on..... I do feel that 'born half wild, dies half trained' might hit the nail on the head. I would urge caution taking on a Spaniel. They are wonderful but congenitally bonkers if ours, and the siblings, are anything to go by.

We’ve had both show cockers and working cockers over the years and they’re great loyal companions but can be a bit crazy and do need just as much exercise as bigger dogs. Fairly easy to train but you do need to be very firm and they “steal” Good luck xxxx

The best 'breed' is rescue. So many, especially these days just waiting for a nice home

Spaniels - generally adorable giddy kind and other thsn working dogs who were well trained - obedience isn’t their strong point

I have rescued a springer x poodle and he’s an absolute delight. Yes, mad as a hatter, but so glad I found him. He gives me a reason to get up and out. Love him to bits 🐶🐾🐶

We have had seven show cockers over the last 40 years and they have all been a delight. They’ve all been different personalities but all have been good with our DC and now our DGC. Our older girl (6) definitely has a mind of her own when she gets scent of deer or pheasant but is very good at Agility. The younger one (1) is just the sweetest, well behaved dog you could ask for.
I wouldn’t have any other but there again apart from a Lakeland, terrier as a child, who was hard work, I have no experience of other breeds.

Syracute and Maxine16
Totally agree with you but I think your wasting your breath!

I don’t think a spaniel of any variety is the right dog for a retired couple. They are “very full on dogs”. I’ve had golden retrievers and spaniels. Goldies are much easier

Just saying, we had a Tibetan Terrier - he was perfect….

Maxine16

The best 'breed' is rescue. So many, especially these days just waiting for a nice home

We tried to rehome a cocker when we lost our last girl last year but as soon as I mentioned that our DGC visited regularly, we were turned down.

Unless you’re certain that you will still be very energetic in 15 years time I’d say don’t get a spaniel. They need lots of exercise and have more energy than they know what to do with. What about a greyhound? They’re lovely gentle dogs that need shorter walks. Rescues are full to bursting point and would be only too glad to help you find the ideal dog for you.

My cocker spaniel is a rehomed dog..I got her aged 9 months..shes 16 months old now...

Golden Retriever everytime. There used to be a GV rescue organisation. I don't know if it still exists. Worth a try.

Well, both have soft fluffy fur. One is big one is small. One is the eager to please you lover - the other can be temperamental, harder to manage and barky. Both are cute and can be show dogs.

I do not have any experience with cockers personally, only by knowing, observing close friends with their pets. I have had goldens and my family still continues with goldens.

Sometimes smaller better but you have to consider personality. (I’m sure there are loving and obedient cocker spaniels.)
I ❤️ all dogs!
USA Gundy

I’ve professionally worked with dogs for over 50 years with experience in both of these breeds.
As many others have said a show bred cocker is more often quieter than a working bred. This also applies to a Golden Retriever….show bred are much quieter.
You are not so likely to fall over a larger breed.
Goldies do moult a lot, Cockers need hand stripping several times a year.
In Gundogs,bitches are usually quieter and easier to train.
Both breeds have hereditary problems. Check out the DNA testing of both parents for these,plus hip scores.
Puppies reared wholly or partly indoors are to be preferred.
There will be a Club in your area for either breed where the secretary will know of good breeders. ( I.e. google your area cocker Spaniel club).
Visit several breeders of both breeds before you decide.
Good luck and have fun.

Have had, springers and working cockers, lovely, high energy busy dogs, although smaller, they do have to be trained otherwise will be a nightmare. All my dogs have been rescues or rehomers. Border collies are my first love. Now have a small portable Romanian rescue, hopefully you'll think of a rescue who's in need of a forever home and suits your lifestyle, so many ages, shapes and sizes to choose from. Good luck.

DD has a female cocker spaniel, two years old now, although you would never know it. We thought she might slow down a bit when she was spayed, however no sign of that happening yet. She is absolutely lovely, but full of seemingly boundless energy. Not the sort of dog that would be suited to a quiet stroll round a park. I walk her once a week for an hour across the fields and she could easily keep going all afternoon. We used to have Bearded Collies, fabulous intelligent, loyal dogs and a lovely size, although not for the house proud and good training is essential.

Oo I had a beautiful black show cocker he was an absolute gentleman I got him at 12 months old he was given up because the lady had no time for him. He was high energy but always in a good way. He settled down around the age of 3. He was prone to ear problems but nothing too bad. He lived till 14 and is missed every day. I can recommend them.

sweetcakes

*Syracute and Maxine16*
Totally agree with you but I think your wasting your breath!

I don’t think so . I have had 3 rescues and all delightful . Just adopted one recently . If people insist on a certain breed , there are also breed rescues . I think as we all get older and no longer have the energy for a puppy , we should all think about getting an older dog . I have seen a few older people in my neighbourhood who have dogs that are just to energetic and the owners can’t walk or train them properly . Two with large German shepards !

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House proud?
That's this one out of the running then!
Retrievers like water and mud, lots of it!

Hi I have had spaniels which are great but have a cocker/poo now who is lovely good temperament and with poodle fur so much easier to a) wash b) groom