Hello positively

[Angela60]

Hi to you all

This is my first post and am hoping you can all help me.

I am a mother of tow. Sarah 21 and jenny 19 we live in Cheshire, England. Jenny is at college and Sarah works at home I'm also at home all day everyday.

We have over the years chosen different breeds but there are always tow that we keep coming back too. The GSD and the Golden Retriever. Sarah is in Love but me and jenny are also fond of them and have a special place in our hearts. However neither of us have owned a dog before and I keep feeling that a Golden would be better to get our feet wet kind of thing, with training a dog for the first time and socialisation ect. However the is one major difference with both breeds why we find it hard to choose. Golden's love everyone and GSD don't and this is were we are stuck as I feel the Golden would suit better as a first dog but none of us are keen on were they LOVE everyone so I'm not sure what to do?

Can anyone help!

[Angela60]

Hi

I'm hoping to get a reply soon so I thought I should mention last night we were talking and we have found a breed that we all like including Sarah and she has told me they were the breed that made her fall in love with dogs the English Cocker Spaniel but she said she read about rage and has had a lot of owners say they are a nightmare to own as they are so snappy to there owners which put her off I was wondering if anyone could give me info on the CS in England please?

We can provide 2x 45 min walk a day plus lots of brain games and if he\she enjoyed sports we would even look at dog dog sports as well. We also have a good trainer in our are who train positively.

We have also ruled out the GSD as me and jenny just don't feel ready to own one yet.

[Nettle]

Cockers are lovely but very very energetic, so you will need structured training and longer walks. Cocker rage does not exist - it was the result of certain high-drive dogs being kept incorrectly and reacting in the only way they could.

Get a show-bred cocker not a working one. Then the drive is there but nowhere near as high. Source your breeder carefully. Consider taking your dog to gundog training classes but source your trainer carefully! Many use old-fashioned methods, and you don't want that.


Be aware that you may be left doing all the work, as your daughters are on the cusp of independence and may well fly the nest soon.

[Angela60]

Hi Nettle

Thanks for your advice.

Could you tell me any differences between the CS and Golden Retriever please.

I gave thought about my daughter's leaving and that's why I thought maybe a smaller dog might be better.

[Nettle]

List us the differences you have found, and we will add if you have missed any.

[Angela60]

Hi

OK well I have read that Goldie's have better temperaments and are calmer ( but I'm not bothered that Cocker are more energetic as there smaller in size) ?

I read that Goldie's are easier to train and raise?

I read that Cocker's are easier to live with because of there smaller size as they won't pull you to the ground when leash training as they are not as strong as a goldie.

I also read that Cocker's are more reserved with strangers.

I read that Cocker's are more strong willed and can be pushy and Goldie's aren't

These are all the differences I have read about?

[Nettle]

They are similar to train, given that they are both gundogs, but pose different challenges. If lead training is properly done, there is no risk of anyone being pulled to the ground. They each love people and other dogs if correctly socialised.

Now is the time to meet some and see what you all think.