I currently have a cavalier king charles spaniel and wondered are cockers spaniel quite similar? I was going to go for another CKCS but find a decent breeder who does the right health checks in the breed is hard. I would like to stick with a spaniel, My mum would not allow a springer though. I would like to carry on doing agility so will lead a active life.
why not a springer? agility is good for a cocker, are you looking at a show or working cocker spaniel, my next dog will be a working cocker spaniel, very busy dogs and need a lot of mental as well as physical stimulation.
No, definitely more hard work than a cavalier, even show type have a lot more get up and go than a cavalier, I had cavs before cockers
Wow this is an old thread! Didn't even know it was on here as at the time I put it on dogsey. Since putting it up I've had a new addition who's a cocker cross cav, He's a gorgeous boy who also is doing agility. My next dog will be a working cocker spaniel as I prefer them over the show line.
They have been bred over the years to have very different purposes. A Cocker originally had to tolerate a full day's work in the field - it needs to be very active to flush game for the guns, in all terrains, and in all weathers. The show type Cocker was developed from them, but the concentration was on aesthetics rather than working ability. Cavaliers are a 20 century re-invention. Basically they a sturdier King Charles Spaniel with a longer nose - recreating the way the KIng Charles used to look before the Victorians got to it! The primary purpose of most breeds in the Toy group was to be a 'comforter', and provide love and warmth to their, usually female, owner. We look for a little more activity from our Toys these days, and Cavaliers do enjoy their exercise.
