Cocker, springer or labrador puppy? Which is it to be…
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ธ.ค. 2021
- Top gundog trainer Dave Templar tells Ollie Williams the benefits and pitfalls of each of the three most popular breeds of working dog. It’s our own version of a series we are already calling ‘Dog, Marry, Avoid’.
For more from Dave, visit www.countrywaysgundogs.com
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Can we just take a moment to talk about that sweet baby he's holding?! Just a pile of pudding asleep on his arm while he talks.
I avoid high maintenance at all costs, but I don't hunt. I love the calm Labs, so loyal and focused on their humans.💖🥰
I could listen to him talk about dogs all day
Here in Midwest Iowa. In the past I’ve had springers, a Britney, Weimaraner, and a shorthair. All fantastic hunting dogs- but this little English Cocker I have now truly puts them all to shame- pheasants,quail, partridge. A duck retrieving prodigy, and last fall tracked my buddies wounded deer down in a few minutes. Exceptional animal and small enough to easily transport in a car and sleep in your bed.
The days of 120lbs hunting dogs is over for me. Massive performance in a small package. My buddies are so envious in the field when those slug labs they pack around can’t come close to the performance of this fast lil cocker!
As the dog men I know say, “A Labrador is born half trained, a spaniel will die half trained!”
I must disagree with you, A Brittany Spaniel is born 0% trained, and can learn anything you will teach them if you make the connection with them. Though the American Kennel Club now calls them the the American Brittany. But the original French version and the American version are still almost identical in mind. They just have differences in body size and colouring.
Love these videos…..have wanted a working cocker for years but work commitments have prevailed….we used to walk a cocker for a friend…at weekends…6 miles at a time…he (Bailey) is such a loving, spirited, loyal dog…he was a runt of the litter…bred from working lines…couldn’t be trained so was put out for anyone who would have him..fortunately he has now a very loving home with our friends…my partner has a gun license and used to shoot/beat and we would love a little working cocker pup to train and work.. we both know cockers are hard work..very demanding and need lots of exercise and love ❤️
There's far more to dogs and shooting than pheasant syndicate shooting. It is a source of great annoyance to me how many of these breeders talk about this as if the only shooting discipline and that defining dog choice. I chose a cocker for its energy, stamina, its natural ability to quarter and flush game, work well over water and to help track deer as well. They are easy to control, better on the gun from a young age than any other dog I've had and very versatile. Teach them from 2 months. Starting trainng early with them is really quite essential. Start with simple commands like sit, down and fetching. Getting them to stay needs lots jf work when young but keep at it. Also nip in the bud their natural tendency to want to jump up at everyone. Leave it 6 months to a year as you might with a lab and you'll make a rod for your own back. Ours was trained to retrieve, sit, lie down and stay by the time he was 4 months old but has needed constant encouragement and reinforcement of that training ever since and he's almost two now.
One aspect of cocker or springer behaviour I don't like is when stalking or decoying, unlike my previous labs, they hate to sit still and can become a nuisance but are a good tracking dog . They need to be on a long lead when stalking and will take more effort to get them to stay still for any length of time. You do have to train them for this, unlike labs which do it naturally and get plenty of practice in the field if they are to make reliable rifle shooting partners.
Dog walking can be a nightmare with some cockers as they have a tendency to pull on the lead which even experienced trainers can find challenging to correct. Our present lad is getting there but it's taken 18 months of hard work. Tried all the tricks...the main one being reversing direction when he pulls and calling him over and repeating that until he starts settling and learning that he doesn't lead the walk which can take ages. They do need discipline despite what some you tube video trainers claim as they're easy to spoil and quite willful if you let them get their own way too often. Consistency and letting them know their place in the pack is key. Spoil them and they'll make useless and disruptive gun dogs. Be kind but firm, build trust and work with them whilst maintaining discipline and they'll do just fine.
Cockers are a very intelligent breed. They react and are sensitive to voice and mood. They need positive motivation, lots of time and enjoy company. They love play which should be used as a reward and to keep them stimulated.
In short, they're a wonderful joyous little dog but need lots of work and time. Do not get one unless you are willing to put the time in with them or you could be left with a spoiled, disobedient and willful animal.
Put the time in and you'll not want for a better family or gundog. Lovely little dogs but much harder work than labs. If you are after your first gun dog then a lab is much easier. Easier to train, better with things like decoying while periods sat still are needed and easier to lead train. I would never advise a cocker as a first gundog. They need more experienced handling.
I went totally of script, my dog is a german shepherd she retrieves, flushes and tracks. Will not move from my side until commanded. I get some funny looks but wouldn't change her for any thing. Shes a damn good guard dog when we at home, and woe betide any one who tries to get in the car.
I really enjoyed reading your comment, Paul. Thank you!
I absolutely love labradors I had a chocolate she was my life she got cancer I lost her at 6 years old soon as I can afford another one I will buy one I miss her everyday .
Have had a Springer. Smartest dog I ever owned
Such an amazing video. It explained everything I wanted to know in seven minutes, or to be fairer, gave a good place to start exploring a subject that has always fascinated me. Thank you!
I've got a rough collie cross cocker. The most lovely and easy to train puppy. Her recall is amazing so far at 17 weeks old
We own three working cockers and we have them sat on our heads most evenings, wouldn't change them for the world.
It’s the size that puts people of labs, myself included. We went with a springer mixed with a miniature poodle. He’s wild but fun as all fuck.
Only 18 and got my first dog...which is a cocker. Wish me luck cuz the little fella has been with me 7months now and he is crazy
Ours is 6 months, I know exactly how you feel haha
Lots of hard work on training. If you,ve left it 6 months it'll be harder to get him under control. You need to train daily for at least 6 months to a year...seriously, cockers need loads of input and stimulation. Do not spoil it. Be strict on and off the lead. They love to please but need to be guided to get the best of that nature directed towards doing as they're told
Love this video really interesting you learn so much about different breeds
The style of hunting you guys have across the pond is so interesting to me. Here in Canada most of our hunting is I guess what you would call rough shooting. I use my lab for ducks and geese primarily but also for pheasant, grouse, and partridge hunting. I haven't come across a piece of cover yet that he wont jump into to flush a bird.
We have not had to worry about flushing out a bear for 100s of years! Canada is really wild!
Had a springer as a teen for years named Taz and by god ge lived up to that name. Beautiful dog and we loves him but by god, he was crazy. Have a beautiful black Lab now and it's been such a different experience, much more relaxed and responsive to commands.
Happy New Year and to all the Pups.❤️👍🏻🐴❤️🤠🇨🇱
my god that little pup is so relaxed my little cocker puppy is mental wriggly but oh so switched on she is only 10 weeks old and already is sitting when commanded ,fetching her toys ,potty trained to go outside and walking almost half decent on the lead but oh those zoomies around the house is mind boggling.
Very good synopsis of the differences in breeds. Is like to hear David's views on GWPs. Crazy love for these beasts.
Likewise
I have a cocker pup and she's the most clever dog I've ever known. She is very hyper though and never sits still lol
Would like to know David's opinion of mixed field spaniels, sprockers and springadores and if the mix of temperaments works well?
Stay far away from them. A breeders responsibility is to maintain or improve the best qualities of the breed. Ethical breeders have been doing this for decades. Why in one breeding would anyone seek to wreck this? Crazy.
That lab looked sleep the whole time in his arms lol
I enjoy the company of 'boarding' a very fine red cocker, and a head the ball sprocker.... My head will never be cold..
It is really worrying when you hear of springers being used as peg dogs in UK. In Ireland springers are the only real option for all day hunting of seriously heavy cover where game can be scare . Biggest issue currently is the lack NEW bloodlines with those characteristics and it looks like we ll have to search further afield
I love the 'West-Country' accent.
Springers, they’ll keep you fit. I love em. Yes, cockers are cute but, they just can’t negotiate 5 ft tall grass.
Cool house !
I have a german shepherd, she retrieves, flushes and tracks. Will not leave my side unless commanded. Get some funny looks but she is best 'gundog'i have had. She is also an excellent guard dog when at home, and woe betide any one who tries to get into car. Bit off script but she is good at what she does.
Heel mooie spaniëls prachtig top
my springer's 13 now , this dilemma is approaching
"It's fun to stay at the YMCA!" 😁👍
What about Setters and Pointers??
I had a dog once that was a setter/pointer. An upsetter and a disappointer.
100% cocker
Do you see Cocker or Springer guide dogs, not so trainable. Labs are so smart.
That’s the guy from love island 🏝
A Lab is born half trained where a spaniel generally dies half trained
Why not include clumber spaniels
Cocker or springer both full of energy and need there walks. Labrador has to be black and not show up so much dirt in there coats
Lab all the way for me
Lab☺
Springer !!!!!
I have a Poodle
I wonder if the fox hunter just have a image problem. If they change all the dogs to fluffy labradoodle I think people would quite enjoy it
what?
Springers are too silly until they Are 5 years or above.
No choice here. Springer is the only one.
I « inherited » an American cocker from a friend. She was way to « crazy » for her. The darn thing was so cute. I trained here for the gun report, not a problem… then I took here hunting just to see. 20 minutes and she was trained. Whistle, hand signal, and she found 5 ruffed grouses and retrieved the 5 ruffies. The best dog in the house, the best dog in the world, and the best dog of my life. And NOT a hunting breed, come on an AMERICAN Cocker, black and white. The first time I’ve seen here, she was hanging from the testicules of a goat, she was crazy with the family she was in. It took me 5 minutes to « tame » her at my friends place. I gave them some pointers to train her. But the just couldn’t handle here… They gave here to me, she was going to be euthanized, at 12 weeks old… I will always remember this little dog.
Bloody hell how many times are you going to show this, you'll wear the vid out.
Thanks for this. We have a rather clumsy system of putting out our films as part of our show, Fieldsports Britain, every Wednesday, and as an individual item. I expect you watched both. Sorry about that. / Charlie
@@fieldsportstvactually I like the way you do it. Undoubtedly this short video will serve many people who are planning to buy their first gundog.
Get neither and get an old wirey terrier
Give me rough shooting with a springer any day, can't stand these driven shoots or the type of dogs (docile labradors mainly) that are used on them.
For dinner? Labrador puppy every time.
🐾☺
I’ll take my German Wirehair every time!
HPRs are probably the worst gun dog breed out of the lot good ones are few and far compared to Labs Springers and Cockers. I do and have done shoot over days for HPRs for year’s now and have seen a lot of them from Novice to FTCHs not a patch on the rest at any level of training.
@@PATTERDALE78 You sound drunk
@@PATTERDALE78 I can't agree with you. We have 1 lab, 2 springers and 2 GWPs. About to have 9 more GWPs but that's another story. Our matriarch bitch is the best dog I have ever owned and trained. I have trained and run (and won) labs and springers in trials. I have owned cockers (1 of which I bought from Dave the Dog) and if I was only allowed to own 1 breed for the rest of my days, it would be a GWP.
@@colinjohnston5465 As a hunting dog (even for sledding) GWP are MACHINES! That being said, way to much dog for me. Too much energy and to intense for me, as you can see☺
@@vikingdogmanship they are great fun to be around. Very clever dogs and when they get the wrong lesson into them, it takes an awful lot of patience to try and unwind it! The ones we have now are the softest natured ones we have ever had. The ones we had before could be a "handful". That said, Labs can be very feisty too! Never a dull moment with dogs in your life.
Lab all day long…
100% 😊
Brittany.
Same old myopic gundog prejudice. Shame on FSB.
Should mention Russian spaniels
He's gay? no wonder he kept saying cocker.
So what?
No? He said he has a partner called Andrea. That's a a woman's name
Labradors a boring cowd dog, and the English have ruined springers soft usless dogs.