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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/27/2008 12:03:13 PM
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Hey everyone! I'm new to the forum... So, next year I'm going to finally be in a position where I'll be home most of the time, and will be able to raise a puppy. (I've always had dogs until a few years ago. For the last few years my living situation just hasn't been right to raise a dog in.) So I'm pretty excited! I'm looking for a small/medium breed that fits my lifestyle. I live in an apartment with a cat.
This is what I'm looking for:
-An affectionate dog
-breeds known to get along with other pets, as I have a cat and would someday like to get a second dog as a companion.
-I want a dog with a good energy level, since I enjoy going for walks. Probably not a dog known for really high energy levels, though - more a moderate energy level.
-I am willing to spend time on grooming.
-A friendly, outgoing kind of breed. I'd like the dog to be good with kids since I have young nephews.
-It's really temperament I'm mostly concerned with. I'm not looking for a guard dog. I have a high stress job working with people who have aggression issues and behavioral challenges, and I like my home to be a refuge from that. So I'm looking for a good companion dog more than anything else. Obviously aggression in dogs depends a lot on how the dog is raised, but some breeds are known to be more protective than others - so I guess what I'm saying is I'm not looking for a protective or timid breed.
-I live in an apartment so noise might be an issue with the neighbors - I grew up with a Beagle, and loved her to death, but excessive barking ruled Beagles out of my search. Barking doesn't bother me though...
In my search I fell in love with English Cocker Spaniels. I've been researching the breed and they seem to fit my criteria, but I'm no expert, so I was wondering what people here know about the breed. Do you think they fit what I'm looking for? Are they really hard to find in the US? Any suggestions for other breeds? I know the breed isn't everything - I know it depends a lot on the individual dog and how the dog is raised, but I'm at the start of my search and I'm just looking for some guidelines to help me. I did come across a one line mention of a rage disorder that's rare, but can occur in red and black colored ECS puppies... I don't know what that's about.
Thanks for any suggestions you have or info on English Cocker Spaniels! (Please no info on American Cocker Spaniels, though, as I'm only looking at the English Cocker Spaniel.)
Canis Major - by Robert Frost
The great Overdog
That heavenly beast
With a star in one eye
Gives a leap in the east.
He dances upright
All the way to the west
And never once drops
On his forefeet to rest.
I'm a poor underdog,
But to-night I will bark
With the great Overdog
That romps through the dark.
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Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 8:45:14 AM
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here is some info on them I have no personal experience with ecs. I own shelties. they also might be a good breed for you  TemperamentCockers are renowned for their friendly, faithful, playful, quiet, and affectionate natures. They are easily trained and make a good medium-sized family pet. Very few Cockers have temperament problems; in a 2002 survey consisting of 487 Cockers, only 1% of the dogs were aggressive to people and 2% were aggressive to other dogs.[1] English cockers have a loving temperament and make excellent family pets. They will often bond to one person in a family. They have a "go do it now" attitude.  Black coloured English Cocker Spaniel
Health
MortalityEnglish Cocker Spaniels in UK and USA/Canada surveys had a median lifespan of 11 to 12 years,[2] which is a typical longevity for purebred dogs, but a little less than most other breeds of their size[3]. The English Cocker Spaniel typically lives about a year longer than the smaller American Cocker Spaniel[2]. In a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, the most common causes of death were cancer (30%), old age (17%), cardiac (9%), and "combinations" (7%) [4]. In 1998 and 2002 USA/Canada Health Surveys, the leading causes of death were old age (40%) and cancer (22%) [5][6].
MorbidityCommon health issues with English Cockers are bite problems, skin allergies, shyness, cataracts, deafness, aggression towards other dogs, and benign tumors[6].  3 month old gold English Cocker puppy Some uncommon health issues that can also have an effect on English Cocker Spaniels include canine hip dysplasia, patellar lunation, canine dilated cardiomyopathy, and heart murmurs. Hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of the hip joint. Patellar Lunation, also known as luxating patella, refers to the dislocation of the kneecap. Canine dilated cardiomyopathy involves heart failure[7].
 shelties rule!!!
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Supreme Being
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/14/2008 8:49:48 PM
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SChnauzers are great aparment dogs , that enjoy walks and a great watchdogs.
They also get along with almost everybody, or anything.
We have 2 dogs and a cat.
Our Dogs are not spoiled,we're just well trained 
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Forum Guru
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Last Login: 3/11/2008 4:06:33 PM
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Forum Guru
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/3/2008 2:42:48 AM
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"English Cocker Spaniels
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em - Is conveniently sized and athletic
- Has a pretty feathered coat in a variety of colors
- Is lively and playful, with a tail-wagging nature
- Is usually polite with everyone
- Is peaceful with other pets
An English Cocker Spaniel may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much
- Frequent brushing, combing, and clipping of the silky coat
- Shedding
- Barking
- Excitable or submissive urination (tendency to dribble urine when excited or nervous)
An English Cocker Spaniel may not be right for you.
| If I were considering an English Cocker Spaniel... |
My major concerns would be: - Providing enough exercise. The English Cocker Spaniel is a hunting dog who needs more exercise than you might think. Just because he's small doesn't mean he will be happy living in an apartment with a couple of slow walks around the block. He needs some outside space to run and play.
- Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, English Cocker Spaniels need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.
- Grooming. To keep their silky coat free of mats, English Cocker Spaniels require regular brushing, and also clipping and trimming every couple of months.
- Shedding. English Cocker Spaniels shed quite a bit. Their hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, stick to your upholstery and clothing, and hide under the furniture.
- Barking. English Cocker Spaniels are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them.
- Health problems. Serious eye problems are common in Cocker Spaniels.
| Not all English Cocker Spaniels are alike! |
- There are energetic Cockers, and placid Cockers.
- Hard-headed Cockers, and sweet-natured Cockers.
- Serious Cockers, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Cockers, and Cockers who love everyone.
| If you acquire an English Cocker Spaniel puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult English Cocker Spaniel... |
There are plenty of adult English Cocker Spaniels who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
 If you would like to link to this review,
here is the HTML code:<a href="">English Cocker Spaniels: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em</a> " The above is from Michelle Whelton's site/book "Your Purebred Puppy." Her information is generally very accurate.
A dog wags his tail with his heart.
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Member
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Last Login: 6/11/2008 12:24:31 PM
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Supreme Being
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CanisMajor (2/4/2008)
Hey everyone! I'm new to the forum... So, next year I'm going to finally be in a position where I'll be home most of the time, and will be able to raise a puppy. (I've always had dogs until a few years ago. For the last few years my living situation just hasn't been right to raise a dog in.) So I'm pretty excited! I'm looking for a small/medium breed that fits my lifestyle. I live in an apartment with a cat.
This is what I'm looking for:
-An affectionate dog
-breeds known to get along with other pets, as I have a cat and would someday like to get a second dog as a companion.
-I want a dog with a good energy level, since I enjoy going for walks. Probably not a dog known for really high energy levels, though - more a moderate energy level.
-I am willing to spend time on grooming.
-A friendly, outgoing kind of breed. I'd like the dog to be good with kids since I have young nephews.
-It's really temperament I'm mostly concerned with. I'm not looking for a guard dog. I have a high stress job working with people who have aggression issues and behavioral challenges, and I like my home to be a refuge from that. So I'm looking for a good companion dog more than anything else. Obviously aggression in dogs depends a lot on how the dog is raised, but some breeds are known to be more protective than others - so I guess what I'm saying is I'm not looking for a protective or timid breed.
-I live in an apartment so noise might be an issue with the neighbors - I grew up with a Beagle, and loved her to death, but excessive barking ruled Beagles out of my search. Barking doesn't bother me though...
In my search I fell in love with | | | |