Cocker Spaniel

Very stupid, and can be very nice. For a while I had two cocker spaniels. The first was grumpy and was a princess. The second which we still have, has a IQ lower then a doorknob but is very nice. My spaniel is also obsessed about food and is getting very chubby.

They tend to have trouble with their ears. This is big problem.

The American Kennel Club Big Lie is that these dogs have European roots as hunters of foul and were popular among the gentry of 18th century England. In reality they are a fairly new breed and their countirfied looks and rough outdoorsy manner is merely a cover for dogs who are ace code-breakers employed in the intellegence community to trip-up covert communications between field agents of foriegn states and their handlers in embassies throughout the world. They are also skilled card players and should only be allowed into a game of Bridge if they are your partner and have shared with you their complex code of tail wags.

I have had my black and white cocker spaniel for about 7 years named Jacky. (Not the one in my profile picture, that was taken at a pet store). He is the sweetest dog ever! He is absolutely adorable! He's really playful and fun to be with. I see a lot of negative reviews here. I guess it's partly also how you raise the dog. From when he was a pup (5 months), we taught him to sit, stay, lay down, and of course potty trained him. They love going on walks, like other dogs. Pros: Adorable, Sweet, great with children, Cons: My dog started developing problems at around 6/7 years of age. Both his eyes are red (my vet said seasonal allergies), and other minor things. I am planning to go to see a vet again soon. I really hope I helped, thanks for hearing me out! :)

The males of this breed are great, but if you've ever had a female you'll understand why they call them bitches.....

For the most of the past 12 years I have lived with Cocker Spaniels and if there's one thing I've learned about them is that all of them are serious food addicts. They'd trade their masters for food in a heartbeat. But even so they are a quite lovable and gorgeous breed and I'm glad to have lived around them all these years even though they can be bratty at times. My mom's Cocker Spaniel, Sadie is 8 and she still gets into the trash and steals loaves of bread off the table even though my mom and stepdad have disciplined her many times.

Spaniels are nice dogs that adjust well to small places even though they like to play, wander, and run around a lot. If you don't mind a dog that develops glandular odors unless you get them fixed they aren't too terribly bad. However, they tend to get a little tempermental when they get older so if you have small kids consider something else.

I have a cocker spaniel, she is amazing. She is VERY GOOD with children. She is protective of my family. When we play around and yell "ouch baylee" she is right there to protect us. She is a very smart dog. She loves to run and def. be outside. She loves to cuddle with us. When she gets excited she will pee a little bit, but nothing big, its not like she is pi*sing just to do it. Cocker Spaniels are very beautiful/clean dogs, if you have them groomed, and take good care of them. I have nothing bad to say at all about this breed. My dad didn't want me to get one, because he never thought of them very highly. He was a poodle guy, until I got her. Then he realized that they are an awsome breed. So in my opinion you will never really know if you like Cocker Spaniels until you buy one. And believe me I LOVE MY COCKER SPANIEL!!!!!

Good dogs and they are cute, pretty smart too!

I have a 5 month old cocker spaniel, and she is very hiper. She also is very loving, loyal, and loves to cuddle. With training and patience, she has improved a lot and doesn't bother us as much as she used to. She loves to chew, but that is normal puppy behavior. I would say if you know how to train a cocker spaniel to be obedient, they are great dogs. They do need a lot of excersise though since they tend to be very active dogs. Also, if you think cocker spaniels are ugly, you would think again if you saw mine. She's almost completely white with one big light brown spot over her right eye and light brown freckles on her face. Beautiful!

I myself have never owned a cocker spaniel, but someone in my family has owned one. She's so much into cocker spaniels that she even had a little statue of one. Always seemed to be pretty friendly (the dog, that is). :) Reading some reviews where some people have said cocker spaniels are mean, that's a new one on me. Not saying it can't happen, but I've never heard of it.

Those who generalize about an entire breed's personality should do so with caution. We have two cocker spaniels. They're both great dogs, but their personalities couldn't be more different. One is really easy going (think Jim Belushi in Animal House); the other is a little more high-strung -- but in an endearing way (think geeky scientist from the Simpsons).

I find them to be on the ugly side. Thats just me.

American Cocker Spaniels are a dime a dozen, and most of them are bred and offered for sale by people who don't have the slightest idea of how to breed good-tempered dogs. Obedience instructors and behavioral consultants see LOTS of American Cocker Spaniels with neurotic behaviors, including aggression, biting, moodiness, and general nastiness.

Very cute. Very loyal.

Too hyper

Gorgeous, athletic, sweet, sensitive, intuitive, intelligent dogs. I have a Cocker and she is my best friend. They are very high maintenance but worth it.

PUPPERS!!! R.I.P.

I love their ears!

I own and Breed Cocker Spaniels and just like any breed their are the good and the bad. Be sure when looking to own one of these incredible dogs that the breeder is up to par. CERF and OFA Hips and Patella Luxation Testing are a must with this breed. Visit your breeder and note the temperament of the parents. These dogs were overbred at one time. Be sure you are buying a good quality example of the breed or you could have serious problems. Once you find a good breeder and get your first well bred Cocker, You will never look back. They are the best All around, Versatile, Active, Loving, Friendly dogs you will ever own.Just do your homework.

cute as a button but dumb as a doorknob

Dopey dogs. Ear problems too.....

My parents owned these dogs and so did other relatives. I like them but they do have their quirks.

dont like those sort of dogs.But they r cute

These dogs can be really sweet, plus it can be fun to watch their ears flop into the water bowl.

Back in the early eighties when this was the number one breed, this dog got very ruined by the puppy mills...they had horrible temperaments and health problems. Now the dogs are much better quality. I live near one of the top cocker handlers in the country so I am exposed to really nice dogs of excellent quality and temperment. They have fewer health issues now but one thing to consider is the high maintainance in grooming.

You need to meet my dog Lucy.  I live in Alexandria, VA.  The great thing about this area is that dogs are allowed in all stores!  So, Lucy is the most social pet I have ever met!  I was warned against getting a cocker by people who had bad cockers in the past.  I did my research about the breed.  I know there are inbred cockers, so they have a bad rap.  But, I looked for a breeder that loved cockers, and bred for the right reasons.  It took me 9 months to find her.  I drove 3 and a half hours to get her.  She was raised on a farm with cats, horses, and goldens.  I met my dog's parents and grandparents.  They were healthy and happy.  There were no papers that came with her.  I did not care to show her, so it does not matter to me. The real reason that she is the dog she is, is that I took the time to train her right. "A trait that many dog owners fail to do."  I hope you get the chance to meet a cocker like mine someday.  She has the personality of a curious todler. She is silly, lovin... Read more

Cockers are all right but I wouldn't like to own one, personally. They tend to have trouble with their ears. It is important to keep them clean.

My mother had a cocker spaniel and it was the stupidest living thing I ever knew. Total idiot. It would attack out of the blue and it was supremely mean. Now, my neighbors behind me get a freakin' spaniel and it goes nuts barking at every passerby and won't shut up for hours. It barks at the thin air and literally barks until it can't even catch its breath. It is loud, it is obnoxious and it is a total idiot as demonstrated by its compulsion to bark even after the neighbors put on a shock collar. I conclude that spaniels are a waste of life.

I truly despise this dog! I own a Dachsund (very sweet, trained, and low maintenance)- Since "Katrina" I have a Cocker Spaniel staying at my home while the owners house is being repaired. She is the dumbest dog I have ever encountered. She will use the bathroom anywhere...she has attacked my dog...she chews and destroys whatever she can, eyes are always gross, jumps on people, barks and whines, digs holes in the yard...the list goes on and on! If I knew what I know today about this dog, no matter the circumstances ths dog would not be welcome in my home!

My cousins own a wonderful, active cocker. Great dogs, active and playful, great with children (my cousins dog would let you leap on it and pull its ears and tail with out reacting!). They are so freindly and they're full of fun, very sweet and cute. A good family dog.

I just got my american cocker from a rescue and she is the best dog I have had, People have to realize that if you dont get your cocker, or any dog for that matter from a reputable breeder, you will get dogs that are Ill bred, cockers dont respond well to yelling or hitting. And people who have problems with their dogs need to try obedience training, my cocker is 6 years old, and was housebroken, fixed, all her shots, and picked up commands to easily!!!!....people get dogs because they are cute, they dont research the breeds to see how they fit into their lives, which is awful for the poor dogs...I was told they dont like small kids and she was returned due to that fact and that she was testy.....NOT THE CASE, THE MAYBE SENT HER BACK DUE TO THE GROOMING SHE NEEDS, BUT SWEET AS A PEA. I RECOMMEND THEM AS LONG AS YOU UNDERSTAND THE BREED, THEIR NEEDS AND GETTING FROM A REPTUTABLE BREEDER AND NOT PET SHOPS, OR FROM OUT OF THE NEWSPAPER.

I love my American Cocker Spaniels. I own 12 females, all of which were rescues in one respect or another. I have two females that are therapy dogs, and one of my young females (now 2 years old) was just inducted into the Georgia Animal Hall of Fame as the statewide choice for Companion Animal of the Year. She also is working towards her Rally Novice Obedience title. My Cocker Spaniels are smart and loving, and with proper training and a good diet are absolutely wonderful pets.

Not the frendliest breed I've encountered.

Never want to own one. One can get attached to any breed, I guess, but Cockers seem high maintenance, and I can't stand to look at those soulful eyes with all that goop running out of them all the time. A girl I know who was once studying to be a vets assistant told me that it was because Cocker Spaniels have an extra set of tear ducts. WOW!

Not only are they ugly, they're mean. I have never met a friendly cocker spaniel.

I hate dogs period but these monsters are the worst. They are so braindead.

We own 7 American Cocker Spaniels. The boys & girls are in separate chain link pens, each having 1/2 acre to roam. We sit with them each day and observe them at play, and they love to play!!! They all have distinctive personalities, but they do have their similarities. Most Cockers love tennis balls, as we have observed and heard from other Cocker owners. Three of our dogs retreived on the first throw. Males are usually more difficult to keep together, not because they are bad tempered, but INSTINCTIVELY, they set up their own heirarchy. The ALFA male rules the boys side. It can be annoying (and embarrasing) when they challenge each other for the higher rank. Overall, they are an excellent breed. They are extremely loyal to their owners and aim to please. They are great with children and other pets, IF PROPERLY SOCIALIZED. However, they are not for everyone. They do require grooming. We shave ours down completely, so grooming is not such a pain for us. But if you try to keep that show ... Read more

I loved my cocker spaniel, he was the sweetest dog, I just about died when he did. I do like the American Cocker Spaniel looks, not the British, I like the domed head,and I love the buff colored ones. Very sweet dogs,and with anything alive and breathing, you get out of a dog what you put in, put in love, you get sweetness, put in crap, you get bites and nasty tempered dogs.

Hi, would someone please give me an opinion. We have a 6-year old cs. She has almost every negative side-effect going...bad ears, gland problems, skin problems, thyroid. I give her thyroid medication daily, ear washes & ointments, weekly baths with Selsun Blue and medicated dog shampoo, and and antiyeast medicine daily. She is as sweet a dog as I have ever seen. My question...is her existance as miserable as I perceive it to be with all the health problems? Am I doing her a favor to have her with me? Please let me know what you think. I love the dog, but feel I may be doing her a disservice.

I know a lot of people love Cockers, but most of the cockers I have known were just not very bright. Sweet, but stupid. (Let the UNHELPFUL ratings begin!) Also, perhaps due to poor breeding practices, cockers often exhibit more unpredictable behavior now than even a few decades ago. They frequently bite. Before everyone gets upset, I will point out that these bites are non-fatal. I am not equating cockers with pit bulls. Not only that, these dogs are covetous in nature. They can't stand other dogs receiving food or attention before them. One cocker I knew, if an ice cube were dropped on the kitchen floor, would run hell-bent to get it before the Bassett hound (who couldn't get the lead out if he tried). Also, she had the annoying habit of pulling hairs - people's hair. She really loved male facial hair. She used her teeth like tweezers. Men thought she was giving them a kiss, or nuzzling them. Instead, she was getting in position to pluck.

I've owned and raised Cockers for many years and I have never found a sweeter dog inmy life. Its where you get your puppies from that makes them great. I don't know where these large cocker breeders get that they have hip problems. I have contacted over 30 vets in the tri-state area of OH, IL, and IN and havent found ONE case of Hip Displaysa in over 12 years. This is one bad rumor that people need to stop spreading.

I've had my CS for 7 years now. She's sweet, cuddly and the most devoted dog I've ever had. However, she's constantly scratching, chewing things, getting her hair matted and she stinks 2 days after a bath! And I'm constantly tripping over her because she's always underfoot!

They are very adorable dogs but they do pee on themselves a lot. I had one named Harvey once (black) and he was very adorable, but never could hold back the peestream when he got excited. Maybe its a med. condition?

I can't get enough of those soulful Cocker eyes.

nice dogs but prefer my german shepard

My CS is as cute as a button, but what a freakin' high-maintenance dog he is! Constant itching, scratching, and chewing of the skin. Constant ear problems. Constant drain on my wallet. Mean as a rotweiller until he was fixed; bit every kid in the neighborhood, BUT was extremely protective of his owners. Loves to play. The one and only thing this dog DOESN'T do is pee all over when he's excited - he only pees in the house when no one is awake at 3am to let him out. He now sleeps OUTSIDE at night! I wish I'd gotten a mutt! Would've been a LOT cheaper. Wanted a CS all my life and now all I can say is, "BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR...."

I've got a half Cocker-half Blue Heeler, and she's a complete spazz. She's also better than prozac for lifting my spirits, a total clown. I've had contact with both breeds that make up her heritage and I'm pretty sure most of her goofiness comes from the Spaniel side of the family.

I had a Cocker Spaniel when I was a kid, and I have never met one that I didn't like. I don't think that they have a mean bone in their bodies. They are great family pets, because they are loving, gentle, loyal, active, and smart. They also are absolutely gorgeous dogs.

I love my Cocker Spaniel- He's the most popular dog in the neighborhood... The kids & mailmen all know his name; he's so people-oriented!