Article on WC's in a pet home Discussions

Jet&Copper · Oct 22, 2012

Wozzy said: ↑

I knew a lady at agility who had a working cocker, couldnt tell you what kind of lines it was from and the little dog seriously gave me a headache. How it's owner coped with it I shall never know, and i'm not shy when it comes to dogs with energy! This dog was like it was on ecstacy or speed all the time and it just whizzed round and round without stopping for a moment. TBH, it had too much energy because it was that high on running about, it had little capacity to actually listen.

Picking up on the hunting drive - this annoys me terribly. I hate to see spaniels (or any other hunting gundog) stuck permanently on a lead because the owner either cant be bothered, or doesnt have the skills to train the dog sufficiently. The homework and lifestyle assesment has obviously been bypassed in favour of the 'good family pet' image and easily manageable size.

On the beach at the weekend and there were 2 show cockers stuck on a lead whilst every other dog was running free. My neighbour has a working type springer who has never, ever been off a lead in its 7 years because he "runs off". So it gets a 1 mile walk twice a day round exactly the same field. I doubt it has ever swum, crashed about in undergrowth or run until it's tongue is lolling. Absolutely not fair IMO and since the gundog group is the most popular amongst dog owners, there are far too many dogs living inadequate lives through the lack of knowledge of their owners.
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Totally and utterly agree with all this.

Baileys Blind · Oct 22, 2012

Wozzy said: ↑

Picking up on the hunting drive - this annoys me terribly. I hate to see spaniels (or any other hunting gundog) stuck permanently on a lead because the owner either cant be bothered, or doesnt have the skills to train the dog sufficiently. The homework and lifestyle assesment has obviously been bypassed in favour of the 'good family pet' image and easily manageable size.

On the beach at the weekend and there were 2 show cockers stuck on a lead whilst every other dog was running free. My neighbour has a working type springer who has never, ever been off a lead in its 7 years because he "runs off". So it gets a 1 mile walk twice a day round exactly the same field. I doubt it has ever swum, crashed about in undergrowth or run until it's tongue is lolling. Absolutely not fair IMO and since the gundog group is the most popular amongst dog owners, there are far too many dogs living inadequate lives through the lack of knowledge of their owners.
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I agree. I don't think Lily is ever happier than when she's got her nose in a bush ( ) het tail is wagging so fast it's a blur to think she could never do that again fills me with such sadness

Moobli · Oct 22, 2012

Wozzy said: ↑

I knew a lady at agility who had a working cocker, couldnt tell you what kind of lines it was from and the little dog seriously gave me a headache. How it's owner coped with it I shall never know, and i'm not shy when it comes to dogs with energy! This dog was like it was on ecstacy or speed all the time and it just whizzed round and round without stopping for a moment. TBH, it had too much energy because it was that high on running about, it had little capacity to actually listen.

Picking up on the hunting drive - this annoys me terribly. I hate to see spaniels (or any other hunting gundog) stuck permanently on a lead because the owner either cant be bothered, or doesnt have the skills to train the dog sufficiently. The homework and lifestyle assesment has obviously been bypassed in favour of the 'good family pet' image and easily manageable size.

On the beach at the weekend and there were 2 show cockers stuck on a lead whilst every other dog was running free. My neighbour has a working type springer who has never, ever been off a lead in its 7 years because he "runs off". So it gets a 1 mile walk twice a day round exactly the same field. I doubt it has ever swum, crashed about in undergrowth or run until it's tongue is lolling. Absolutely not fair IMO and since the gundog group is the most popular amongst dog owners, there are far too many dogs living inadequate lives through the lack of knowledge of their owners.
Click to expand...

Totally agree. Gundogs are always promoted as great family dogs because of their usually excellent temperaments. However, not enough emphasis is given to the energy levels of these working bred dogs - especially the spaniels, and far too many end up in completely unsuitable homes, being under-exercised and under-stimulated.

Moobli · Oct 22, 2012

Baileys Blind said: ↑

I agree. I don't think Lily is ever happier than when she's got her nose in a bush ( ) het tail is wagging so fast it's a blur to think she could never do that again fills me with such sadness
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Absolutely.

People with spaniels (and any other working breed) should work WITH the dogs inherent instinct, not try and suppress it. When an instinct is strong, it needs to be harnessed into behaviour that is acceptable to that owner. It is not fair to buy a working dog and then not give it a fulfilling life.

Article on WC's in a pet home Discussions

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