Hi, I am interested in rehoming a cocker spaniel but several people have told me tales of biting, possessiveness and snapping at children and also on the site there do seem to be quite a few cockers with that kind of issue. I really just wanted to hear from people who have actual experience of the breed. I have had a lovely little Staffordshire Bull Terrier for four years now and she is a darling with other dogs and our children but they also come with warnings attached! Is a cocker suitable to be with children? I would be very grateful if anyone has the time to answer. Many thanks, Lilybelle

Hi - we have two working cockers ( one through CAESSR) they are both fine with children as with any dog breed - I think as long as you set standards from the beginning they are happy to oblige. Just don't stand any nonsense a bit like children ( I have gone with the dog option seemed the easier better behaved version than the children) Good Luck Sarah

Thanks for your message Sarah, it's really helpful! Take care, Lily

Hi don't listen to chinese whispers all dogs take time to settle ect not just rescue ones.
don't forget you can get a rescue dog thats already been trained so you can miss the puppy stress .

I owned a show type cocker (blue roan tan) for 13 years. When i first looked into owning a cocker, people did say that the golden cockers could be temperamental but never heard any Incidents from that breed of colour. Maybe as above it could be an old wives tale. I know and have known people that have had cockers and springers and never heard of any problems and have always been happy dogs, but then you do get unhappy dogs, abit like people !!

On the children side, i had no bother but all dogs differ.I would never really leave Charlie with other kids on their own but 10 times out of 10 he would be with me. He would sit with my little boy watching the telly, but sometimes you would hear an occasional murmer if my partner had Charlie on her lap when my little boy walked over, but other than that i had no problems in all them years.

Outside, he loved...I did lose him a couple of times when he ran off after some deer, and yes they do have selective hearing, but i ended up with some bells on his collar.

I think maintaining their coat is one of the hardest things to do and people do not realise. If you live in area like i do in Suffolk, in the winter he was covered in mud and in the summer he was always soaking wet from the rivers, but in all the years i had him, he gave me alot of laughs and it was best decision and an excellent joy of owning a Cocker.

If i was to ever choose another dog, it would be another spaniel of some sort, they are happy, friendly and a good natured dog and you would certainly get plenty of enjoyment and laughs on both sides.

Hi and thank you for your advice. Since I posted that message I have actually been offered a golden/red puppy to rehome due to a divorce. I then put on a more specific post but when I saw your message you had addressed all of my concerns. Thank you so much for taking the time to respond, it is invaluable to have the advice of people who have actually lived with cockers. Best wishes, Lilybelle