Are cocker spaniels good with children?

Question

I'm trying to gather some research on good family pets, specifically with children. I love the cocker spaniel breed, but I am unsure if they are good with children. Our family actually just lost our sweet one-year old cocker/poodle mix puppy and she was absolutely amazing with my 7 year old boy. Will I get that from a full breed cocker spaniel?

Answer 1

I have read that Cockers are good with children especially older ones. If you had luck with a Cocker/Poodle mix maybe try to find another one of them.

Here is some information about Cocker Spaniels: http://www.purebredpups.org/Breed_Info/5...

Cocker Spaniel/Poodle Mix Info: http://www.designermixes.org/Breed_Info/...

Good Luck with your decision.

Answer 2

Obviously, each dog has it's own personality.  However, I read somewhere that cocker spaniels are the #1 offender for biting.  (everybody always thinks it's pit bulls)

What about a lab?

Answer 3

yes, but you need to see where you are getting the dog from. im getting a puppy from a freind.

Answer 4

I have heard that Cockers are on the list of top breeds involved in non-fatal bites.  It is surprising, but the stats don't lie.  They are listed in this article as a "potentially aggressive breed":

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/07/1...

I've known 4 Cocker Spaniels very well over the years, owned by the same caring, knowledgeable, and responsible person.  Two of them were rather aggressive to kids who were naturally drawn to want to cuddle with these dogs.  The dogs were known to snap/nip some of the time - and the incidents involved the faces of the children.  The other two, to the best of my knowledge, had no problems.

Answer 5

Cockers aren't usually tolerant of rough play and handling that generally comes with kids. However, your son is old enough to know how to properly handle and interact with the dog, so I don't think it would be a problem.

How did you lose your one year old? Are you sure it's time to add to the family? You want to make sure everyone is on board.

Answer 6

By cocker spaniel, you must mean American Cocker Spaniel.

http://dogbreedinfo.com/americancocker.h...

"Usually good with children"

Answer 7

yes they are but they can be a bit hyper so need to be trained properly

Answer 8

Most breeds are good with children if raised and socialized properly with children.  Some breeds I'd be leery to put around really young kids, but your child is older, and old enough to know how to properly handle a dog.

My advice is to seek a reputable breeder tho.. one who is doing proper genetic testing and fully understands the pedigree, and is also breeding for good temperment.

Cocker spaniels were very popular, expecially when the lady and the tramp movie came out.  They were overbred because people bred alot of them for profit with no concern for health or temperment.  The result was a LOT of cockers with poor temperments.  All of the cockers I have ever met all came from back yard breeders and puppy millers, and almost all of them had poor temperments.  I have yet to meet one from a reputable breeder.

I highly reccommend you take the time to either find a nice adult thru rescue who's temperment is already known, or research and find a reputable breeder.

Answer 9

No. Get a Pure Breed Poodle

Answer 10

i have an english cocker spaniel who is 4 month olds and a 5 year old little brother and they love each other they play footbll and chase each other around the garden and she is fine with the rough and tumble that can happen when they both get hyper. She adores him. I think its the best type for children

Answer 11

Cocker Spaniels according to the personality and temperament the breed is suppose to have are excellent with children.  That said you need to be very careful about getting a dog from a responsible breeder.  Cocker Spaniels still suffer for years of being so popular when BYB and Puppy Mills were breeding huge numbers of them with no regard to temperament and created  major temperament issues in the breed.   Responsible breeders have spent years working to correct the issue and Cocker Spaniels coming from a responsible breeder if properly raised and socialized should have few if any temperament issues.  However if you get a  puppy from a BYB or a Puppy Mill you risk getting a dog with those temperament issues.  

Answer 12

Every dog is different.  As a "breed", cockers are probably not the best dog for kids, but I'm sure there are many out there that are wonderful family pets.  Your best bet is to talk to different breeders about their dogs.  Typically, if both dogs have good temperaments, the puppies will follow suit.