Golden retriever v cocker spaniel

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.

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 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 🤣

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 ....

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.

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

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

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.

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

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202311/medium-31743-img-20180417-wa0002.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202311/medium-915518-img-20200904-wa0002.jpg

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

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 !

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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 🐶🐾🐶