alex301286 Posted May 4, 2008 Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 iv been shooting for a couple of years now and iv got a lovely chocolate lab, she's 4 now. just thinking that she mite need some company so im planning on getting a new dog. iv been looking at cocker spaniels but am i mad or with good training will it be fine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hitman Posted May 4, 2008 Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 A cocker would be an excellent choice. Spaniels have a reputation they dont deserve, unless someone knows better. My cocker is 15months and is coming on very well , yes they are head strong , but they are hunting machines , and when trained properly are second to none. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdunc Posted May 4, 2008 Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 A cocker / lab team is very complimentary for working with both a hunting and retrieving specialist. I love cockers but i guess they're not for everyone as they are generally pretty lively little characters. With patience, good training and given time to mature at their own pace they can become fantastic dogs which will hunt up, retrieve over land and water and generally be fearless and entertaining company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alex301286 Posted May 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 thanks very much for your feedback. i think ill go for one. just gotta find some which willl be ready at the end of june. ill post pictures and let u know how it goes when i get one. many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob300w Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 They are headstrong, deaf when it suits them, arrogant, independant little ********. They are also loyal, loving, enthusiastic about everything, only want to please their owner, good company, entertaining, have a sense of humour, will hunt till they drop, and retrieve better than any lab. They are not hard to train, you really just bring out what is in them naturally. Now if I could find a woman to fit that description...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead-Eyed Duck Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 My cocker died last year and I still miss the little sod. All true reports on cockers say that they are 'independent', and only a cocker owner will realise why. As I read once on how to train a cocker - "The first lesson is the hardest - persuading a cocker to sit and stay. Compared to a lab or springer they are far harder to teach. The little toads, when pushed into a sitting position will get up time and time again. It takes an awful lot of patience without loss of temper as they will bum-shuffle forward as you back away". Having said that the advantages far make up for it. But, I do remember pegging mine down in a pigeon hide, and then seeing her run through the hide netting to drag the entire hide with her when making a retrieve. Little ***. Loved her to bits. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jef Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 My cocker is now 8 months old. I can't add much to what has been said above, and it's all true. We were getting on fine, and she would return to the whistle everytime. Then one day...........she learned to come within 10 yards, sit down and stick two fingers up at you! She has been hard work since then but worth every minute, I would have another tomorrow. If you trained your own lab it will be interesting to see what your own thoughts are after a while trying to do the same with a cocker. All the best Jef Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hitman Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 my 15month cocker will sit and stay , sit to the whistle at distance , come back to the whistle , walk to heel , retrieve to hand . BUT as soon as gets a scent he's off like a exorcet missile and all the good work is undone. If he see's another dog he's off as well. If anyone can help with this , it would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob300w Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 my 15month cocker will sit and stay , sit to the whistle at distance , come back to the whistle , walk to heel , retrieve to hand . BUT as soon as gets a scent he's off like a exorcet missile and all the good work is undone. If he see's another dog he's off as well.If anyone can help with this , it would be appreciated. The good news is that he will grow out of this by the time that he is around ten years old. Course he will have other bad habits by then for you to worry about..... Seriously, buy a book by one of the renowned trainers like Keith Earlandson, sensibly written and easy to follow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the hitman Posted May 6, 2008 Report Share Posted May 6, 2008 Cheers for the help bob :thumbs: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogsnuts Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 Hi guy's, i have got a litter of cockers here now if anyone is intrested, they are just over 2 weeks old now, i have 4 dogs left, they are black with white bibs, sire is F.T.C.H CHYKNELL GOLDSTAR who won the cockers championships in 2004, the dam is a very very hard working bitch, if anyone is intrested then please let me know as you guy's are the first to know about these pups, will add pics soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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