[GrandmaToGoldens]

Regarding cocker spaniels.... most pet people keep the dogs trimmed. When I was little our neighbor had a lovely cocker spaniel.

I did a search to find something similar to how she kept him trimmed and this link comes pretty close? Scroll down to the black and tan pic. The thing is our neighbor was very particular about keeping him groomed and I think that was a big turn off for my mom who opted to get a golden instead of a cocker (we kids all wanted cocker spaniels because of the neighbor's dog).

American Cocker Spaniel Suburban & Field Trims - PetGroomer.com Magazine

Would not work with conformation where the long coats are a huge deal, but I don't understand why it would or should be an issue with field work.


Regarding English Cocker Spaniels and American - big difference is the coat texture that I can tell???? Maybe it is the individual dogs that I've met, but the ECS's have coats more like setters. I prefer the coats and heads of American cockers.

Where I am - have seen both english cocker spaniels and American cocker spaniels in higher level obedience and tracking. The trainer I know who does tracking with her dogs keeps them in show coats.

Field spaniels - I see them more in conformation. They seem to be excellent junior dogs + not as crazy competitive or difficult to finish as our breed. I have only see one very briefly in obedience and speaking to one of the owners, she grimaced about that dog's trainability for obedience (this was a positive only trainer though so who knows).

@GrandmaToGoldens - brittanies come the very closest to our breed in my mind though still quieter and just slightly reserved? One of the most active AKC obedience judges in our area used to own and work with her show brittanies and these dogs were fantastic obedience dogs (OTCH and CH dogs). Field brittanies though are a lot more dog than these though.

My 20 month old Golden Retriever is much calmer than my 7 year old Brittany. They both love to greet people but my Golden Retriever prefers to do so by resting her head on the person’s knee while my Brittany, if allowed, would greet people with all four paws in the air! However, I have the impression that conformation bred Golden Retrievers in Australia are calmer than their counterparts in the US. The extra animation of US conformation dogs may be an advantage in the Obedience ring. Twenty years ago, Golden Retrievers were THE breed for obedience in Australia. Now, there are some very successful Golden Retrievers in Obedience but fewer get perfect scores.

I have found that my Brittany shuts down in response to harsh voices or correction, which might make her appear reserved. I’m currently working hard to restore her joie de vivre in the Obedience ring. It frittered away over time, maybe in response to my ring stress and/or her awareness of the focused attention of judge, stewards and audience and/or lack of verbal cues during signal exercise and/or doing “food refusal” as an optional exercise then it suddenly deteriorated further when I left her in the care of someone with a harsher handling style at a trial.

The differences in learning style are fascinating. I can see my Brittany puzzling out what I want, but my Golden Retriever just smiles and does precisely what is required.

 

[Alaska7133]

My obedience school owner has Brittany Spaniels. They are sweet and pretty. Her current adult one seems a little shy (well, compared to Logan 🤣 .) Hers have done well in obedience and I think she does field with one of them. A neighbor had one and that one was so crazily energetic. I think it needed more exercise. Very sweet though. I found her loose a couple of times and brought her home to play with my first Golden until they could pick her up.

Just a heads up, Brittanies are no longer Brittany spaniels, they are just Brittanies. The confusion was that they do not flush, they point. Spaniels flush. So the spaniel part of the name was dropped.

 

[Alaska7133]

Regarding cocker spaniels.... most pet people keep the dogs trimmed. When I was little our neighbor had a lovely cocker spaniel.

I did a search to find something similar to how she kept him trimmed and this link comes pretty close? Scroll down to the black and tan pic. The thing is our neighbor was very particular about keeping him groomed and I think that was a big turn off for my mom who opted to get a golden instead of a cocker (we kids all wanted cocker spaniels because of the neighbor's dog).

American Cocker Spaniel Suburban & Field Trims - PetGroomer.com Magazine

Would not work with conformation where the long coats are a huge deal, but I don't understand why it would or should be an issue with field work.


Regarding English Cocker Spaniels and American - big difference is the coat texture that I can tell???? Maybe it is the individual dogs that I've met, but the ECS's have coats more like setters. I prefer the coats and heads of American cockers.

Where I am - have seen both english cocker spaniels and American cocker spaniels in higher level obedience and tracking. The trainer I know who does tracking with her dogs keeps them in show coats.

Field spaniels - I see them more in conformation. They seem to be excellent junior dogs + not as crazy competitive or difficult to finish as our breed. I have only see one very briefly in obedience and speaking to one of the owners, she grimaced about that dog's trainability for obedience (this was a positive only trainer though so who knows).

@GrandmaToGoldens - brittanies come the very closest to our breed in my mind though still quieter and just slightly reserved? One of the most active AKC obedience judges in our area used to own and work with her show brittanies and these dogs were fantastic obedience dogs (OTCH and CH dogs). Field brittanies though are a lot more dog than these though.

ECS is where field cockers come from. Not American cockers.

 

[diane0905]

Just a heads up, Brittanies are no longer Brittany spaniels, they are just Brittanies. The confusion was that they do not flush, they point. Spaniels flush. So the spaniel part of the name was dropped.

Thank you. I did not know that.

 

[Ctrasuss]

On the other hand, my cocker spaniel was a bit more energetic and had a bit of a stubborn streak, but he was incredibly loyal and affectionate. They do have a tendency to be a bit more vocal and can be a tad more prey-driven compared to goldens. However, with the right training and socialization, my cocker spaniel was great with kids and even more so with family. Health-wise, both breeds have their issues. Goldens can be prone to hip dysplasia and some cancers, while cockers can have ear and eye problems. I found a helpful article on cocker spaniels that might give you more insight: News, sport and opinion from Malta and the world – Times of Malta . If you're looking for a quieter and more patient dog with kids, goldens might have a slight edge, but every dog is unique. It really boils down to the individual dog's personality and the environment you provide.

 

[aegbert42]

I absolutely love my American Cockers, wouldn't get anything else! I've had 9 since the age of 10, and have never had a bad experience...ever! Maybe I've just been really lucky, but mine have all been super gentle with kids, very smart, and such happy devoted little things! Never had one snap or destroy any of my stuff (maybe a slipper when they were puppies), and was a total breeze to house train! They have all been so friendly with people, and other animals! The ONLY downside is their long thick coat, which needs grooming every 6 weeks, but other than that they are so loving and absolute snuggle bugs! I won't have anything else, but a Cocker ❤ ❤ ❤!

 

[aegbert42]

...also, I've been very lucky because I've never had a Cocker that was super hyper or overly excitable, all mine have been pretty even-tempered and mild mannered. Never had one that would pee or poop on itself from excitability (I've bragged how long the poor little things have had to hold their bladder's), maybe it's good breeding but they're pretty layed back. It's like any other breed, you'll get good one's and sometimes not so good one's. I can't say enough about how happy, jolly, intelligent, how they aim to please, and loving they are! They are such cute little dog's, looking at them now and just love them to pieces 😀!!!

 

[FinnOl]

You have spent time with goldens so you know what personality they have. for cockers, there are two types, show cocker and working cocker. The former is laid back like goldens and calmer but the working one has high prey drive and is more energetic. yet, they both are extremely loving and cuddly.

 

[GoldenRetieverL0ver08]

You have spent time with goldens so you know what personality they have. for cockers, there are two types, show cocker and working cocker. The former is laid back like goldens and calmer but the working one has high prey drive and is more energetic. yet, they both are extremely loving and cuddly

Thank you for your reply.
I have a field type golden so i know higu energy. But ill probably just stick with my goldens. Maybe foster some puppies of breeds im looking at and see if i like them otherwise. I know it varies but it would give me a idea.