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Cocker or springer ….


bevsy
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Good evening guys, I am in the market for a new dog as my springer is coming up to 8yrs old. I’ve had two previous springers but I am contemplating a cocker. I am on two syndicates that are mainly walked up beat yourself type shoots and also pick up on another. I know it’s personal preference but what are the advantages / disadvantages over the two? Thanks 

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I have had Cockers for the last 30 years but they have all been different characters, I have never had a Springer.  I would say either but buying from good lines is the most important thing.  My oldest Cocker has just passed on but my other is only 3 so I will probably wait until she is 8 or so before I get another.  If you are doing alot of walking up I would steer clear of hard core trialling lines, my first Cocker was from that type of line and whilst she would smash cover to bits she was hard to hold.

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What kind of shooting do you do? What sort of ground? How long do you run them for? What retrieves are you wanting (woodcock, pheasant, goose etc?). 

 

 

1 minute ago, 222mark said:

Have you thought about a sprocker, best of both worlds.

 

If I cross a race horse with a plough horse will I have the strongest and fastest horse ever? 

I'm not sure that's quite how it works ... 

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Had both at the same time, Cocker is amazing although strictly a sprocker, small c.  10 % springer.

my shooting is the same as yours.

Cockers - big hearts , very loving if a pet and will amaze you.

Be careful if you are a hard taskmaster though, they will hold grudges and sulk.

Working strain only.

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10 minutes ago, 222mark said:

Have you thought about a sprocker, best of both worlds.

Or the worst!

 

bevsy, I regularly see both types working and there is very little,if any, difference in their abilities and performance. The same can be said for the faults. I think the trainer's ability is the most important aspect.

 From my own experience with both types, I find the individual dogs characteristics are the most relevant factor. I would select either, based on my own preferences. Regards

 

 

 

 

Edited by benbobailey
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27 minutes ago, bevsy said:

Thanks for the replies, mainly pheasant, duck and woodcock. Our cover is heavy in west wales and as I have only the one dog we are out for the day. 

 

I would get a Springer if I was you :) and I would make sure it was from lines that are worked in the type of places you want to hunt (hard going cover / woodcock dogs) as oppossed to rabbit dogs ran on reeds up North etc. 

 

 

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