We adopted an older Sprocker last year. I work from home 80% of the time and as I type, she is laying on the floor right next to me as she always is. She is my shadow and I sometimes suspect she is made of velcro…

That said she is ok being left alone for reasonable periods. longest time yet was 6 hours at Christmas when we went out for dinner and the ballet. Every couple of weeks she’ll be left for ~4a couple of mornings when I have meetings to attend.

Kiera will be 10 in a few weeks but still got loads of energy. She relishes going for a run with me / my wife for up to 45 mins ish. Once my wife took her out for a run in the afternoon, then I took her out for a run at tea time for an hour, unknowing that she had just been out. She ran quite contentedly for half an hour then made it clear she was not running anymore and only walking back to the car. She then slept for the next 16 hours straight!

Brilliant temperament & really, really friendly to all humans she meets. Oddly however she is nonplussed about food. She loves the last corner of your bit of toast or some scrapings and gravy from the Sunday lunch, but her normal food she eats one mouthful at a time.

One thing, bit of vigilance needed as working dogs (and ‘designer’ breeds) are attractive to thieves. I try and keep tabs on ours at all times. Some good friends had their working cocker taken from their garden. Police not that helpful, he worked out where he was on the grapevine, confronted the family and got him back – was in a cage in the back garden.

I have a springer.

They are filthy infuriating stupid intelligent nutjobs. Never had a dog that injured itself so much. currently in the cone of shame for a split claw on back foot. In the past she has gashed legs on barbed wire twice (needed stitches) cut herself on broken glass, (trip to out of hours vet on holiday) and pierced a foot on blackthorn causing a very swollen toe.
She has no fear and you wouldn’t know she was injured as nothing skews slows her down.

But she is so loving and affectionate and great with the kids. I adore her. Would definitely have another.

In terms of exercise this has been said before. They don’t need loads of physical exercise. Do that and they just get fitter. But they do need mental stimulation. Give them a job to do, don’t let them go self employed.

Nell is chief ball finder.

I have two, one each of Spring and Cocker. Both are docked and the Cocker has had dew claws removed. Both were working lines and sold to me because I used to shoot a lot. Ted (springer) was the main worker and, even now at 12, loves fetching and retrieving. Just not for as long as he used to.

Ralph (cocker) just never took to working. He’s a lovely dog and loves fuss, but only really fetches when he feels like it. He loves running though. He’s 10.

I love them both but, truth be told, I would probably go for something more Ralph-sized for my next dog. Field Spaniels are something that I have always liked the look of, but I have seen some really lovely looking working cockers too.

Keep us posted on what you do please.

Thanks all. these are really firing up my excitement, September seems so far away now we’re pretty much decided. Not too fussed about springer or cockers. I know cockers well from friends and families dogs so probably the safer bet but have seen a lot of springers around recently and they’ve all been full of beans and as well natured as the Cockers I’ve known. Stories of daft energetic dogs are great…i love a bit of spirit and silliness, though could do without them injuring themselves. Just need to work on the wife now as she’s not 100% convinced, but I think she’ll come round. Got a lot of friends with dogs…mostly Cockerpoo’s, so will have plenty of other dogs for it to get to know and socialise with.

Best dogs ever, would never be without one now. This one is 4.

Cocker spaniels are great little dogs. Easy to train, recall is generally excellent as well.

Very good temperament in general and few major health issues.

There’s a number of documented cases on cockers suffering from an uncontrollable rage syndrome, unlikely but worth being aware of.

Best dogs ever

Nope, that’s a beagle.

Growing up we had springer spaniels. Parents now have 3 working cockers. One is the best gundog you could wish for, one is lazy and is wants to be an extra limb to you and the third is somewhere in between.
Boredom is the worst thing for a spaniel. Expect disruptive/destructive behaviour if they are bored.
I would have one in a heartbeat, but unfortunately work doesn’t give me the time they need.

Rolo needs a home! Get him now!

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1419660568173892&id=513960265410598

He’s a looker, even with a full tail 😉
(OP, chocolate Cockers are where it’s at currently 🤘)

Rolo is a bonny dog!

Our cocker looks remarkably similar to your springer supersessions! People generally assume she is a small springer (which in fairness is pretty much what a working cocker is 🙂 )

We looked at getting a working cocker/springer/sprocker 3 years ago.
We rejected that idea because of the perceived super high energy levels.

We found (via Gumtree, that well known place for buying quality pets) a Lab X GWP. Mum and dad are both working dogs – we got a small pup that turned into a bit of a beast. Several hundred pounds cheaper than a purebred spaniel it’s an awesome cross. So awesome that this year we bought her little brother.

GWP x Lab is mental energy levels in the field, dozes all day, eats anything it can find, kills bunnies (try dealing with that at 630am with your 8yr old daughter), but a star.

The pup is now 13 weeks old, he’s beautiful….

Neither are docked, never had a dog with dew claws removed (even staffies, and they use them..), there are other options as well 😉

We’re in Scotland, will be down in Yorks in a few weeks if you want to see them….

Spaniels are the best. Marmite (our 9 year old Cocker) and I spend virtually all day everyday together. He is fantastic and has lost none of his zest for life. He lives most of his life with a smile on his face and rarely fails to put one on mine too at some point of the day. I dread the day he is no longer around.

More here.

I have a field spaniel cross Welsh Springer. She’s 12.5 now, a little old lady, so sleeps more than she did and doesn’t quite have the same spring, but the character is all there. She’s seen me through relationship break up, redundency, and a few other events and I owe her so much. I lucked out, not knowing much when I got her it turns out that field spaniels are generally a bit more chilled. I have a young lab now, too, who is a lovely chap, but likely the next dog will be another spaniel of some sort.