Golden retriever v cocker spaniel

I've had a golden and a blue roan cocker. Both looked gorgeous, big mistake! Sadky tge gikden died at only a year old. Vet reckoned she'd damaged her liver in woodland perhaps trying to jump over fallen (big) trees. Think she would have been a good adult. The blue roan was mad, excitable, very energetic and coujd be a bit possessive. Had a springer that was very biddable, easy to train but energetic. Swopped to Westies eventually. Great wee dogs.

I've only had one spaniel, lovely dog and very long lived and healthy. He was hugely energetic and vast amount of work. Five years ago we got a small cockapoo and she is very affectionate, a brilliant all round companion dog, wonderful nature and needs less exercise but also very much a Velcro girl and needs to be with someone all the time. She doesn't shed like a spaniel either. Good luck, it's lovely getting a new puppy whatever sort it is

As a dog trainer I see plenty of both. Show breed spaniels are not always calm, look at the parents but that’s still no guarantee. I’d probably stick with the Goldie if I were you. Better the devil you know lol

A rescue dog could not only be a wonderful companion for you but would leave a little space in kennels for yet another desperate dog. After several years of Rough Collies my last two were miniature poodles, easier to look after & fantastic companions, even though the first one was rescued from Romania & was both blind & deaf. The second was from the Blue Cross & had obviously been very spoilt. But I miss her a lot.

Guess what. I was watching All Creatures Great and Small yesterday evening, and in conjunction with this thread, I had to smile at the vet's two lovely dogs - a golden retriever and a spaniel! They were sitting happily together in the dog basket at one point. So, I thought, we've cracked it for the OP. Simples, just get one of each. If it's good enough for Mr. Farnham ....

I have a retriever & a cocker spaniel
Yes the spaniel needs grooming ! Retriever does not.
1 is big / 1 is small.
I have a special needs teenager. Def trust the retriever more with her
That all said I love them both but the cocker spaniel melts my heart on a daily basis 🤣

The thing with spaniels is that they all seem to have loads of individual personality compared with other breeds, they are so funny, and their ability to get under your skin so you forgive them all their many foibles is second to none.
Grooming is only an issue if you want it to be, mine has a three monthly short back and sides, only his tail feathers and some length on his ears remains. He prefers it, he’s like a puppy afterwards, and I do too, I don’t groom him at all apart from burrs in his tail. If you want a pristine, picture perfect show dog you do need to groom spaniels daily, but most of us want pets, and they want to move about freely so as far as I’m concerned at least, that’s the way forward.

I have never had a cocker as they always seem so excitable but three years ago our much loved flat coat died and we had the chance to adopt an eight year old Springer. He is a joy. We have had many retrievers, some easy, one not but honestly our lovely Springer is the best ever. He has been very well trained, recall is excellent, loves to retrieve, not greedy and so gentle. He is an excellent guard dog but I have never heard him growl. He loves nothing more than a stroke and a cuddle and sleeping on my feet where he is now. He even collects the paper and post every morning from the letter box.