Eyefor Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 Not wishing to hijack the "cocker rage" pages I note that there are several comments on there suggesting that a cocker is not suitable for a first gun dog? Can I ask please - 1. Why not and 2. What would be the recommendations for a first dog? TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 I, Firstly I don't agree that Cocker's are not suitable as a first gundog.... To be honest everyone "ruins" their first dog anyway, trainers and amateurs alike! It's all a learning curve. Cockers are superb little workers, but... you must be gentle with them - they do not take well to a "firm hand" like some of the other dog breeds are shown, to have a Cocker you must have patience and time (lots) - Although I guess that goes with any type of Spaniel! I've got one to bring on next year... but the signs are promising. Being honest with you, having had both Springers & Cockers, I'm swayed more toward Springers these days - through only personal choice. I can put you in contact with very good breeder's of Cockers in either Welwyn or Suffolk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 Not wishing to hijack the "cocker rage" pages I note that there are several comments on there suggesting that a cocker is not suitable for a first gun dog? Can I ask please - 1. Why not and 2. What would be the recommendations for a first dog? TIA depending on lines they can be very energetic and busy dogs, my local keeper has a couple and they never stop and certainly not easy to train they've been a struggle but others I've seen have been easy. As a sitting on peg / in a hide dog you will find your wits tested but as a beating / rough shooting or picking up dog they are fine. If you want an easy life buy a lab, if you're up for a challenge then a spaniel is fine, its worth getting some training lessons with a decent trainer though to get you on the right lines. Of course if you really like a hard life just get an HPR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris o Posted December 8, 2010 Report Share Posted December 8, 2010 To be honest everyone "ruins" their first dog anyway, trainers and amateurs alike! It's all a learning curve. i dont agree with this. as i have trainned and raised up my first spaniel and he is not ruined. yes i made a lot of mistakes on the way to were i am now but all the good is showing and the bad has been taken care of. and he will work all the cover i send him to and for a dog that is only 19 month old he is better behaved then most on the shoot day we dont here a peep out of him and he doesnt go running through the drive and put all the birds up like some of the experienced dogs do on the shoot. the only issue at the moment is his retrieving of game as he just wants to run around with it but that does not mean he is ruinned. you get out what you put in which is what is said by everyone who has trainned dogs. and they couldnt be more right. this is just my opinion. i never took him to a proffesional trainner i did everything myself through shear determination and it has paid off thanks to endless questions hours watching the same dvd over and over and working on things bit at a time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butcherboy Posted December 9, 2010 Report Share Posted December 9, 2010 i dont agree with this. as i have trainned and raised up my first spaniel and he is not ruined. yes i made a lot of mistakes on the way to were i am now but all the good is showing and the bad has been taken care of. and he will work all the cover i send him to and for a dog that is only 19 month old he is better behaved then most on the shoot day we dont here a peep out of him and he doesnt go running through the drive and put all the birds up like some of the experienced dogs do on the shoot. the only issue at the moment is his retrieving of game as he just wants to run around with it but that does not mean he is ruinned. you get out what you put in which is what is said by everyone who has trainned dogs. and they couldnt be more right. this is just my opinion. i never took him to a proffesional trainner i did everything myself through shear determination and it has paid off thanks to endless questions hours watching the same dvd over and over and working on things bit at a time. Chris, train your 2nd dog and you'll see exactly what he means Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted December 9, 2010 Report Share Posted December 9, 2010 To be honest everyone "ruins" their first dog anyway, trainers and amateurs alike! It's all a learning curve. i dont agree with this. as i have trainned and raised up my first spaniel and he is not ruined. yes i made a lot of mistakes on the way to were i am now but all the good is showing and the bad has been taken care of. and he will work all the cover i send him to and for a dog that is only 19 month old he is better behaved then most on the shoot day we dont here a peep out of him and he doesnt go running through the drive and put all the birds up like some of the experienced dogs do on the shoot. the only issue at the moment is his retrieving of game as he just wants to run around with it but that does not mean he is ruinned. you get out what you put in which is what is said by everyone who has trainned dogs. and they couldnt be more right. this is just my opinion. i never took him to a proffesional trainner i did everything myself through shear determination and it has paid off thanks to endless questions hours watching the same dvd over and over and working on things bit at a time. I totally agree with you mate; I trained my first dog (now 18 months old) last year and this is its 2nd season out in the field. This springer is the most bidable and best retriever on our syndicate and I had it flushing woodcock & pheasants at 6 months old. The only thing that I would say about the dog is that it is not a good retriever from water but I think this comes from the mother as she isn't a good retriever from water. I also think I was lucky though as there were 2 dogs in this litter, I gave the other to my best mate and he has not made the best job out of his. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyb Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 Chris, train your 2nd dog and you'll see exactly what he means Exactly my point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PERCE Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 Chris, train your 2nd dog and you'll see exactly what he means Exactly my point. 100% agree, nothing beats experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentbarrel Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 Ive got a show strain cocker (unfortunately) and she's my first dog. I agree that you need alot time with them, but all of a sudden everything clicks with them and its great. I cant wait to be allowed to get another one as now ive got abit more experience with them and in my opinion you'll not get a more loyal dog! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasons gold Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 (edited) Cockers are superb little workers, but... you must be gentle with them - they do not take well to a "firm hand" like some of the other dog breeds are shown, to have a Cocker you must have patience and time (lots) - Although I guess that goes with any type of Spaniel! I dont quite agree with this statement gary some need a "firm hand", and you have seen one of my cockers and he does, but he is one of the exceptions. I find cockers have the widest personalities of most of the gundog breeds, and can try the patience of a saint sometimes. But can give you the widest grin, especialy when he picks up a canada goose from the bottom of the creek I still dont think they are an ideal first dog, labs are easier to train and you dont have to teach them as much. Thats why i believe they are a better first dog because it will teach you some tricks, to be able to deal with a cocker or a springer, just my personal opinion Edited December 10, 2010 by jasons gold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 Well I got my cocker trained so I guess that doesn't count but we are having a fabulous time and she is very biddable she can lose confidence if ur too hard on her but I guess I'm learning! As to first dog I dont see why not if you want a wee dog? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasons gold Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 Well I got my cocker trained so I guess that doesn't count but we are having a fabulous time and she is very biddable she can lose confidence if ur too hard on her but I guess I'm learning! As to first dog I dont see why not if you want a wee dog? If you are meaning wee as in small, they come in all shapes and sizes the working strains Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 Oh and btw apparently cockers in the 1930s were the most popular digs in the uk ! (least I read that somewhere) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utectok Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 If you are meaning wee as in small, they come in all shapes and sizes the working strains Ohh as big as springers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasons gold Posted December 10, 2010 Report Share Posted December 10, 2010 Ohh as big as springers? Up untill the late 18 hundreds you could get springers and cockers from the same litter it was based solely on size. And yes one of my cockers is almost as big as a springer and can push more water than a labrador Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted December 11, 2010 Report Share Posted December 11, 2010 Up untill the late 18 hundreds you could get springers and cockers from the same litter it was based solely on size. And yes one of my cockers is almost as big as a springer and can push more water than a labrador My springer is almost as small as a cocker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.