I'm looking for an English Cocker Spaniel for a family pet and to use for bird hunting. Does anyone know of a breeder that has actual hunting dogs? The American Cocker would be OK too if they are actually bred from hunting dogs and not just show dogs. Any leads would be appreciated.
English Cocker Spaniel?
- Thread starter jethunter
- Start date
I don't know of a breeder, so this response is not very helpful other than to say GREAT CHOICE! We love our boys. We have one English, one American, and a Cocker/King Charles Cavalier cross. The correct name for these is a Cockalier apparently. I prefer KingCock 
Seriously tho' they're such wonderful dogs. I look forward to seeing photos of your newly adopted child when you find one. Good luck.
BTW, the American is an amazing retriever.
The English is tail heavy in the water and consequently would eventually sink on a long swim, so he always wears a buoyancy vest!
Seriously tho' they're such wonderful dogs. I look forward to seeing photos of your newly adopted child when you find one. Good luck.
BTW, the American is an amazing retriever.
The English is tail heavy in the water and consequently would eventually sink on a long swim, so he always wears a buoyancy vest!
It is pretty clear that you are not looking for a beagle...
There are a number of Field bred English Cocker breeders... but NO Field bred American Cocker breeders that I know of... The American Cocker breed as a whole have been hijacked by the "show" segment... you might get lucky and find one that will retrieve but it will be a crap shoot finding a true instinctive hunter... you will have a better chance with the English Cocker breed.
There are a number of Field bred English Cocker breeders... but NO Field bred American Cocker breeders that I know of... The American Cocker breed as a whole have been hijacked by the "show" segment... you might get lucky and find one that will retrieve but it will be a crap shoot finding a true instinctive hunter... you will have a better chance with the English Cocker breed.
There are several breeders of hunting ECS in the US but haven't found any around Canada.
We had a ACS that was a great bird dog when I was a kid 40 years ago. Strong hunting instincts and super birdy. But the modern American cockers have been transformed into plastic dogs for the show circuit. A crying shame too, all the Cocker Spaniels were excellent hunting dogs at one time.
We had a ACS that was a great bird dog when I was a kid 40 years ago. Strong hunting instincts and super birdy. But the modern American cockers have been transformed into plastic dogs for the show circuit. A crying shame too, all the Cocker Spaniels were excellent hunting dogs at one time.
That's a good lead, thanks!
Check out www.versatiledogs.com they have a fairly good list of breeders of most types of hunting dogs. I did a quick search, there do not appear to be any breeders in Canada but a few in the U.S.. There is an English cocker around are place, they look to be a great size for a bird dog and as a companion. Best of luck!
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We owned an English Cocker 30 years ago, before we switched to Springers, bought it from a local breeder who trialed and hunted his dogs... I have not heard anything of them in years, but I will make a couple calls and PM you if I find anything. Our ECS "Shellcase" was a very smart birder, lacked the drive of a Springer but hunted at a very pleasant pace and stayed in close... really good woodcock dog.
Look up the Canadian English Springer Spaniel clubs (Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatchewan, etc). English field cockers are inert of the breeds to committee in springer field trials. Iknow there area few english cockers that show up to the Calgary Field Trials, so there are bound to be a few breeders of field dogs around.
Also look at the Canadian Kennel Club, they will likely list breeders.
Also look at the Canadian Kennel Club, they will likely list breeders.
Talked to several Canadian breeders but they all raise and breed "show" dogs. Might as well buy a hamster and take it bird hunting....
Voodoorhythm
Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
Since you're in Alberta, Abitt Like Home Kennels might be worth checking out (abittkennels.ca)
I've sent them an enquiry, thanks for the lead.
I agree to a point. If you do look at any of the Springer Clubs, yes the breeders you will find through there will be raising "show" dogs, but there is a big difference between a "Trial" show and a "show" show.
Quick search did reveal: http://www.fieldcockers.com/breeders.htm#ca
I too went down to the US to get my Springer, adopted him through English Springer Rescue America, and can't say enough good about them; not many other places you'd be able to get an AKC registered pooch
Sorry, I didn't mean that "all" the cocker spaniel breeders in Canada were raising just pet or "show" animals, just that I hadn't found any breeders raising dogs from hunting lineage. Since then I have found some and have spoken for a pup from a litter due in may.
