Fingers crossed we're getting one after many years of discussions and posts on here about all sorts of different breeds. We're in final discussions with the breeder and hope to go see it over the next couple of weeks.
It's only possible because my place of work has changed to my house because of the pandemic, and neither I nor my manager (only other team member) ever want to go back to work in the office! Luckily, our employer is supportive in this!
Mr Kip (he's on here, hi hun) is concerned as he "doesn't like spaniels" (next door have a show cocker with separation anxiety who's giving it laldy as I type, so not the best example) plus they have "curly hair by their ears." He's never had a dog and has no idea how great it is.
Our 10 year old daughter is so excited as am I so, positive things only please!
Come on, show me your dogs!!
Cockers are amazing and working ones more so. I have both a Springer and a Cocker and, despite loving them both equally, the Cocker is a more convenient dog to have around. Smaller means easier to fish out of rivers, mud, ponds, etc.
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As you can see, he loves work...
Jurgen, 11 weeks old, PITA, adored by the kids!
Its makes me sad to hear ppl are continuing to finance dog breeders, no matter how ‘ethical’ they are. Especially when dog homes are full
Our two rescues:
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Capt. Cyril Frisby.
Springer!
and not quite working...
Our neighbour breeds for shooting and they kept Frisby back from a large litter, but wether he's stupid, or highly intelligent conscientious objector, he just wouldn't go into cover and flush birds. They are quite hard nosed about it, decided he was of no use to them, so asked us if we'd do them a favour and have him as a pet.
He is quite simply ****ing amazing. Very well behaved, and i suspect that given some encouragement he would work quite well now. Their loss.
2 1/2 yrs now.
z1ppy - all well and good moralising mate but the dog home wouldn't give us a dog!! New to dog ownership apparently ruled us out! As you can see, Jurgen is suffering...
Slightlt tenuous but Poppy on the left is 50% cocker 😀
We have two Working Cockers, brothers one chocolate, one black, although you wouldn't know it from looking at them. Two litters apart. The youngest is 2/3 of the size of the eldest, apparently dark brown ones are tyically a bit bigger. Two more loveable dogs I've yet to meet, they're fab, daft energetic and intelligent and great for running with.
On the homes/ rescue issue, we couldn't get one either, and we also for our first family dog wanted one we knew the history of with the kids being young etc. That said for any future ones we'd likely try our hardest to get a spaniel that needs re-homing if we can.
Oh go on then.
Two rescues, one pedigree pup. All dogs are awesome but rescues are awesomer and spaniels totally rock.
I understand that there are a lot of dogs out there that need good homes, but when I got my two I was doing a lot of working and wanted a spaniel. I spent a lot of time at the local dog re-homing center, but could not find a dog that fitted what I wanted. Sadly, it is a function of living in central Cambs that a lot of the stray dogs that need a home are lurchers or bull terriers.
Ted (Springer, now 13) came from a friend and was the last of the litter. He was cheap because Paul could not keep him. He's been expensive since, but I would not ever hold that against him.
Ralph (Cocker, now 11) came from a working family and was only sold to me by the farmer because I was going to work him. All of the litter went to working families. As it turns out, he was really, really bad at hunting, retrieving, all the things that he was supposed to do. He's very good at wanting cuddles though, so it all worked out. He also likes tea-bagging his brother.
Its makes me sad to hear ppl are continuing to finance dog breeders, no matter how ‘ethical’ they are.
Nonsense, not all breeders are puppy farms.
Its makes me sad to hear ppl are continuing to finance dog breeders, no matter how ‘ethical’ they are. Especially when dog homes are full
Wind it in - they have a 10 yr old child so they may be finding it very difficult to get a rescue. Of course I am sure you will know all about such rules at rescue centres given you have homed from them?
We had trouble getting a rescue dog due to neither my wife or I having had a dog before. That's despite being otherwise ideal (e.g. garden with 6ft fence, no kids at home, retired wife who's at home most of the time).
We did eventually got this lovely chap from one of the smaller rescue places though:
we've been talking about getting a dog for a while now and reckon with home working now looking more or less permanent we can do it.
Prices are ****ing crazy ATM though! So we've been thinking about a rescue dog but I don't think they'd let us have one we have kids and its our first time.
Working cocker looks ideal for us though.
The OPs decision to get a puppy or go to rescue is theirs for their own reasons it's not fair or right to judge that.
However there are some myths to dispel, yes some rescue centres will not rehome to families with children or no previous experience. But not all are like that.
Secondly getting a puppy is no guarantee you are not going to end up with a dog that doesn't have issues.
Example here if a working Cocker for children 8 or over....
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1775463399260272&id=513960265410598
Our whole family have them. Get-togethers are great fun. Brilliant dogs. Keep them busy - during lockdown I've put out some agility stuff in the garden that she loves. But very adaptable, as happy crashed out on the sofa as walking miles or just hanging out with the family. Won't leave your side though, she goes with me everywhere.
I hope you have a fat wallet, puppy prices have shot through the roof. My sprocker was £400, same breed now £2k plus for a pup.
However there are some myths to dispel, yes some rescue centres will not rehome to families with children or no previous experience. But not all are like that.
I know it's not exclusively the case, but it will be sure to massively narrow their choices - we tried to get a rescue but had to give up on that idea because we have kids and aren't at home all day.
The OPs decision to get a puppy or go to rescue is theirs for their own reasons it’s not fair or right to judge that.
I'm not judging, I'm telling you I'm sad that anyone is giving money to breeder. All of them breeder many not be puppy farms but that doesn't make them good, as if you 'making' money from a dog you have to be registered, so you've then decided to make it a business & businesses are only in it for the money. This makes me sad, you can call it moralising if you want. As once again dogs homes, are full of unwanted dogs. If dogs home turns you away, maybe there a good reason, and you should re-evaluate your situation and not be turning to breeders or even try another dogs homes... there enough of them out there
If dogs home turns you away, maybe there a good reason
Pretty much what you're saying is that no-one without prior dog experience should be allowed to get a dog, and that no-one with kids in the home should be allowed a dog either. And that no-one, full-stop, good or bad is allowed to breed dogs.
Total shite.
z1ppy, well played, over zealous, over thinking do gooder into complete dick in one fell swoop.
The breeder we used was a dog lover, pure and simple. She didn't churn out litters every year, she vetted potential owners not on their intimate knowledge of the foibles of a particular breed's toenails but on whether she believed the dog would be going to a caring home.
So self evaluate yourself...as much as you can handle...nope little bit more...keep going
Pretty much what you’re saying is that no-one without prior dog experience should be allowed to get a dog, and that no-one with kids in the home should be allowed a dog either. And that no-one, full-stop, good or bad is allowed to breed dogs.
Don't forget 6ft fence. Every dog owner should have a minimum of 6ft fences in their large enclosed garden.
I refer you to this post here....
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/end-of-the-road-for-magnetodog/page/4/#post-10266371
Shall we call it a draw?
Don’t forget 6ft fence. Every dog owner should have a minimum of 6ft fences in their large enclosed garden.
We have a decent sized enclosed garden with a 6ft fence and that didn't help us with the majority of rehoming centres.
It wasn't that they said "no way, never" - just that not having dog experience meant that they didn't have any dogs currently that they'd be willing to place with us (and in the case of the Dogs Trust they had a lot of dogs). When they did get dogs in that they'd be willing to rehome to someone without experience then it was a case of first come first served if you happened to visit that day.
Personally given our otherwise excellent circumstances for rehoming a dog then I thought we'd be worth a punt (maybe fostering a dog with a view to adopting it) but they weren't interested.
We have a decent sized enclosed garden with a 6ft fence and that didn’t help us with the majority of rehoming centres.
We have a decent sized enclosed garden with a 6ft fence and that didn’t help us with the majority of rehoming centres.
Ohh I know - it is just another of the many stipulations many rescue centres demand. As I said previously I have been there. In fact, the disdain shown towards me by some centres for having the temerity to even be asking in our circumstances was quite off-putting.
'Have you owned a dog before'?
'No, but my wife grew up around dogs her entire life'
'But your household hasn't owned dogs'?
'Well no, but my wife has been around them for 30+ years, all rescue dogs too'
'But YOUR household hasn't kept dogs'?
'But..., ohh I give up'.
🙁
We're going to be looking for a working/show cross come late summer. We almost went for one which had come from an unplanned (non-breeder) litter but head ruled the heart and we didn't go for it as I felt that a pup binding us to the house for the whole of summer plus that we really wanted a female means that we're not quite there yet. Prices are bananas at the moment, so hopefully these will have come down a bit by then.
I'm very conscious that there is likely to be a post lockdown flood of young dogs into rescue, so will look out there. I have been looking at rescue, but like many others it seems that there is very little in the way of suitable dogs for us (anything which looks suitable is already rehomed, and again, as first timers with kids we don't fit the usual rescue owner profile).
FFS, this is meant to be a nice posts about dogs, cos they are ace. I didn't ask for moralising, in fact I stated positive only stuff. z1ppy, why did you have to bring it down you miserable ****!! No need for it...
However, because apparently I must justify my position, rescue centres, we tried, we didn't want a dog that they had. There are over 10 centres within a 1 hour drive of us, we didn't want a staffie, lurcher, sharpei or one with behaviour issues that we couldn't walk near other dogs, or off the lead, or with children, or die fairy soon.
We also want a pup so we can train it how we want from as early as possible. Also wanted a pup to grow with the child, plus less likely to cause a large allergic reaction as anecdotal evidence suggest you become tolerant to your own dog if from pup.
As for costs, proper breeders (actually lets call the what they are, owners) who don't advertise on Gumyou, Pet4Trees and all those ones don't charge the extortionate prices being asked. They are horrified that those prices are being asked, so they don't advertise because they are concerned the litter will be stolen or resold.
What they do is get recommended by word of mouth because they are proper working homes, who own their dogs and work them. They may have a litter once every couple of years, or have a stud dog who covers other dogs in working homes. The owner vets you properly and answer all the questions you have. They let you come and visit the place where the pups are, meet both parents and generally get a feel for the place.
But what do I know, we couldn't get a dog from a rescue centre so clearly we need to rethink why we are getting a dog.
cb
Subscriber
z1ppy, well played, over zealous, over thinking do gooder into complete dick in one fell swoop.
it you who & others who felt the need to tell me I'm in wrong for suggesting using a dog home, a perfectly reasonable comment. You could have ignored my posts but no, you had to carry on, telling me I'm a dick or moralising or wind my neck in... Yet I'm the dick? Really, thing you should take a look in the mirror
[edit] Kip, there every need, you posted I'm get a dog from a breeder, boasting.. too many posts (all over social media) say look at my full breed dog, there perfect, you should get one too.. My post simply said it make me sad, you could have ignore it & I would have moved on, but no you had to write a whole post justifying it, yet I'm the one in the wrong...
Tiger6791
Subscriber
@z1ppyI refer you to this post here….
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/5064/5579323204_1c8915c268.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/5064/5579323204_1c8915c268.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/9v2upE ]Pensive George[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/15253377@N00/ ]Paul[/url], on Flickr
Why? This is George he died of cancer, so did both my parents, do I win? I definitely don't feel like I have
Yup....... Zippy....... You really are a top level ****.
Heat getting to you today?
the internet ruins everything
I think you have confused my excitement with boasting, I didn't know how else to say, yay, we're getting a dog, people here love dogs, be happy for us, it's a dog, whoo-hoo!!
The use of the term breeder was purely because I didn't what else to call him. I suppose I should've said owner but I really didn't expect negative stuff, it's dogs FFS!
Nowt more than that was intended, hence asking to keep it positive, but as usual someone here had to "make a point" that wasn't asked for. I've written it in bold cos i just learnt I could!! that's how easily excited i get.
We've been waiting years for the perfect storm of being able to get a dog and now we can.
Pleased for you @Kip and sorry your happy dog thread has been derailed by myself and others.
Mine and my parents dogs:
Brock, rescued aged ~18months and lived to a ripe (as with most dogs, occasionally very ripe to the point he wold get up and look shocked) old age, bonkers and untrainable, but in a good way.
Toby, the dog equivalent of an ADHD and autism diagnosis. Unsociable with everyone and everything, Wouldn't even respond to his own name. As he got older his reaction to being let off the lead changed from "run in a straight line until either a fence or heat exhaustion kicked in" to "walk in a straight line until... etc".
Made all the weirder as he came to us as an ex prison dog. Presumably he was a very successful drug sniffer!
Party trick - owner of the worlds longest tongue, he use to sleep on his back mouth open with it hanging out.
By random chance the 3rd was also a rescue called Toby. Same anti-social temperament, but much better trained. The first dog in 25 years that will actually walk off the lead, not just remain i the same Parrish with a vague chance or recall. His party trick is he can walk around on his back legs.
We've had our rescue dog for 15 months and he's already been up the west coast of Scotland several times and visited 10 of the Hebrides (and it'd be more by now if it hadn't been for lockdown). He's massively enhanced our lives. Here's a picture from one of many lovely days walking with him somewhere scenic.
Glad you're excited Kip - working cockers are fabulous animals. We have a two year old and she is just a joy - great with kids and people.
Willard - that teabagging pic is brilliant!
Kip, I'm really sorry your thread has been brought down so much. I hope you find the dog that will bring so much joy to your family.
I have both rescued dogs and had one from a reputable spaniel breeder so have seen both sides of it.
To all you doubters this is flora, our last rescue. She is a kokoni from Cyprus. She's fab with the kids, all other dogs and will charge about and chill out as required. She's got the weirdest bark I've ever heard (think it's Greek) and she likes chasing squirrels and small birds. She must have been in a house but clearly lived on the street for a while before being rescued.
We do not have a 6ft fence and our kids were 6 and 8 when we rescued her.
Why? This is George he died of cancer, so did both my parents, do I win? I definitely don’t feel like I have
The look!!
Because it says both the dogs I put in my photo, which is the 3rd post on here, are both rescues. No idea what that has got to do with dead dogs or parents but nice segway..
You should be totally happy and quite rightly excited, nowt wrong with getting puppy and no need to justify it. Rescues can be tough and not always family dogs, they are not the only answer.
FFS - you'll just have to imagine a picture of doberman looking over a dry stone wall.
I swear I used to be able to share amazon photo pictures.
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If this is what you imagined then well done.
Our rescue doberman, should be a more popular "outdoorsy" breed cos they're ace!
If this is what you imagined then well done.
I thought it was going to be behind the wall looking over at me!
Not disappointed though. It looks a great dog.
Mollie a rescue Springer built more like a working cocker. But a mud magnet.
60 odd kg of very affectionate Wolfhound/Dane X (She's a pup in this pic)
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Barry has become rather clingy during lockdown, his valiant resistance to being trained probably guarantees he will never do a days work in his life. If it wasn't for the fact he is usually welded to the side of my youngest girl, I would probably have happily watched him wander off across the hills 🤨
Happiness
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Mrs Fiend, 6 month old border collie with her favourite squeaky ball. 4 months of chaos and fun😀
Good grief plus one, is that some alien lifeform?
My mum had poodles, horrid viscous little trolls. We tolerated each other. Me and the dogs, not me and mum. When I went off to college I said bye to the family all happy like, but when I had to say bye to the latest of my nemeses I started to blub. Dogs eh?
Fin, enjoying her daily ride
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This is Riley. She’s 50% Cocker and 100% mad. Great dog, easily trained and loves people and other dogs.
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Found a few pics of the day we picked Posy our Working Cocker up. They're great fun as pups. Well, all pups are.
Oh thank you all, what lovely pictures of lovely dogs wherever they came from.
Also discovered today that the swear filter filters out not quite swear words too, interesting!
I also expected a pic of a doberman looking over a wall at me, but still a great looking dog. I'd have one, or a mutt like our dog when I was a kid.
Aren't dogs ace!?
Kip
Subscriber
Aren’t dogs ace!?
Most of the time yes but the above doberman is currently barking and chuntering to be allowed to sleep on the bed and a 38kg doberman takes up a fair bit of space when he decides to stretch out!
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Bert the Karelian Bear Dog says hi!
Dogs are ace!
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My daft Spanish rescue. Some spaniel, some husky and a smattering of collie we think.
Good grief plus one, is that some alien lifeform?
That makes perfect sense 🤣
Here is Monty. He loves to work also. particularly quality control and elfin safety
@IvanDobski I've some friends in Mac that have had about 4 rescue dobermans over the years, absolutely lovely dogs and really changed my view of the breed.
The Doberman is an an underrated family dog. Bit solid if you have toddlers but fab for the older child.
These can be good with families but rescue versions tend to be a bit bouncy and unruly, most like a ball to chase.
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The late, great Digby who left us in late February
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Huxley the killer his predecessor. Small fluffy things were always in danger and he knew how to get cats from under things without losing an eye. Thankfully he had a good "leave" and would either ignore or put down whatever the target was.
Here's Toffee on the Norfolk Broads
No cockers, but...
Murf is the senior dog. Just turned 12. Amber is the pup, she doesn't recognise his seniority 🙂
She's 18 months now, need to put some more pics on flickr so I can share.
Good luck with your new hound @kip. Awesome animals. Can't imagine being without them.
We looked after my daughter's Weimaraner for a while. Was interesting, as we always have Cockers, Springers and terriers.
Very different, seemed so aloof at first. But once she accepted you she was like velcro. Very protective too, to the point you worried a bit when she met strangers. And yes, we blubbed when we eventually had to drop her off at the pet travel place at Heathrow for her big trip to the US. Dogs, eh?
Suede the Rescue brown dog with his beach buddies.
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All Working Cockers obvs 😉
I'm not getting involved in all that nastiness above.
Meet Marmite, he's been a big part of our family for 7 years now. Kip, I hope your new addition brings you as much happiness as Marmite has to us.
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This is Hope. We inherited her during the lockdown. She hates Squirrels 😁
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We got a lovely half jack half whippet half beagle (don't actually know) from the rescue centre...
Meet Marmite, he’s been a big part of our family for 7 years now. Kip, I hope your new addition brings you as much happiness as Marmite has to us.
1 working cocker pup, 2 springers ... best dogs ever! The pup's not the easiest to photograph, rather lively!
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My little Floh (German for flee!). First pic not long after I "rescued" her from some dodgy bloke in the cattle market. The second as a trail dog in training. She is fantastic running with the bike and only leaves the trail for squirrels, but we are working on that lol.
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Show cockers are awesome too you know!
Shame I can't post photos or links...
@welshfarmer - where's that 2nd photo taken? Looks a great place to ride