Our chocolate roan cocker is 14 and still going strong (if a bit creaky and deaf). She has been an excellent dog, everyone’s friend, easy to travel with and leave with other people. She’s a bit of a whiner, which isn’t unusual for cockers.
The important thing is to by from a good breeder, and see the dam at home. Friends had to have a working cocker put down as he’d been mistreated by someone (probably a gamekeeper) and his behaviour was unmanageable (they really tried to sort him out). When they got him he was filthy and urine soaked. They now realise they should have called the RSPCA. Their other working cocker is terrible with children and eats everything, dead or alive.
Well bred cocker should be everyone’s friend, constantly busy when out, but relaxed at home. They are stubborn and need gentle, consistent handling to get the best out of them.
We now also have a 4 year old Welsh Springer and she’s a completely different animal – nervous, wary of strangers, and unpredictable.
Our next puppy will be another English Cocker for sure.