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Old 06-29-2013, 06:26 PM
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In another thread there is mention of a couple of Cocker Spaniels, but they were first dogs from years back. I don't recall seeing a Cocker in any of the picture threads. What's happened? Are they not popular anymore?
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Old 06-29-2013, 08:49 PM
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The English cockers especially were extremely expensive the last I heard. For a while the American variety had the reputation of being dumb as a sack of hair. Don't know if it was true or not, but I don't hear it anymore.
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Old 06-29-2013, 10:53 PM
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I don't see many anymore.

When I was a kid in the 60s and 70s they were everywhere.
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Old 06-29-2013, 10:57 PM
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I heard that they were high on the bite list. Whether they truly bite or the fact that they were ubiquitis before, I'm not sure. But since they were high, I think that is what drove then into rarity perhaps.
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Old 06-29-2013, 11:14 PM
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When I was a teen ager we had a mutt; half cocker and half red settter. He looked like a cocker but weighed about 40 lbs. Smart and no biter. I could do worse than having another Kippy.
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Old 06-29-2013, 11:25 PM
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Daughter and her husband have a cocker, Dumbest dog I have ever seen other than a Irish Setter my wife used to have. The cocker is a good looking dog just an air head.Cannot teach him anything except sleep or eat.
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Old 06-29-2013, 11:29 PM
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Like so many breeds of dogs the breeders have adapted the breed characteristics to what sells GOOD and in some cases have ruined good dogs. Collies were bred with a eye problem, G.S.Dogs were bred with a crouch at the rear , Goldens have hip problems .Cockers were downsized from the 50's to be a smaller dog .They are not the dog they were 50 years ago what a shame
The list go's on and on
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Old 06-30-2013, 01:03 AM
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Daughter and her husband have a cocker, Dumbest dog I have ever seen other than a Irish Setter my wife used to have. The cocker is a good looking dog just an air head.Cannot teach him anything except sleep or eat.
You need to meet my big black monster Teddy. Mother:Golden Retriever, Newfoundland Father:Standard Poodle. Somehow this guy is dumb as a post! He sure is big and cuddly though.
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Old 06-30-2013, 01:22 AM
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Daughter and her husband have a cocker, Dumbest dog I have ever seen other than a Irish Setter my wife used to have. The cocker is a good looking dog just an air head.Cannot teach him anything except sleep or eat.
Buddy of mine in England had an Irish Setter, named him Plank because he was about as smart as a board. (according to him)
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Old 06-30-2013, 01:37 AM
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my mom had a cocker it was stupid and it bit me for no reason i understand , at least it had good judgement of character
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Old 06-30-2013, 01:48 AM
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This Big Guy ate 'em all.

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Old 06-30-2013, 01:51 AM
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Unfortunately, human vanity tends to outweigh practicality when it comes to animals.

Cockers were once smart, personable, hunting dogs, but then the show people got involved and instead of continuing to breed for brains and hunting instinct, they bred for looks. They wanted a cute dog with a small face, long ears, and with lots of feathering around the legs and sides. The results were today's Cocker Spaniel...worthless in the field.

Same holds true with Labs. Instead of breeding for brains and a natural instinct for hunting, people are breeding for a big, boxy-looking dog with a big frame. Who cares if it's prone to hip dysplasia? Just as long as it's big. They're also breeding for color. Yellow and chocolate Labs are the popular colors now. It doesn't matter if they're dumb, just as long as they look cool.

As mentioned before, we've seen it with the Collie. They wanted a pointy, sharp nose. As a result, the brain cavity became smaller and smaller resulting in a dumb dog that looked pretty.

We've seen it in the horse world, too. The modern-day Quarter Horse looks nothing like its predecessor of the early 1900's. Now, instead of a short, blocky, quick horse with tough feet, they've bred a tall, big-chested, big-rumped, lanky horse with cheesy little feet that are prone to navicular disease. The horse winds up a cripple by age eight.

People are also breeding for color, with buckskins being very popular right now. Color is one of the toughest things to breed for. Hoof quality is one of the easiest things to breed for. Yet, we see people breeding for color and forgetting about the quality of the feet.

My dad always used to tell me, "No foot...no horse." But you can't tell that to a lot of the modern breeders. Color and looks sell. Who gives a hoot about the running gear? Hmph!

Okay...I've rattled on long enough.
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Old 06-30-2013, 02:08 AM
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my father breeds 1/4 horses one mare traces direct lineage to American Man large horses ? yes. weak of hoof ?no sir! they can out cut and out rope a lot of horses 2 hands shorter. or pack for a couple weeks in the mountains looking for elk.
i dont dispute that a lot of breeders are doing badly .just not all.
my dad is known for "building stout horses"(cowboy poem)
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Old 06-30-2013, 06:03 AM
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Originally Posted by walter o View Post
Like so many breeds of dogs the breeders have adapted the breed characteristics to what sells GOOD and in some cases have ruined good dogs. Collies were bred with a eye problem, G.S.Dogs were bred with a crouch at the rear , Goldens have hip problems .Cockers were downsized from the 50's to be a smaller dog .They are not the dog they were 50 years ago what a shame
The list go's on and on

Times change. Thirty years ago, I had never heard of Australian shepherds. Now I have three, and see them everywhere. Maybe they ate all the cockers.
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Old 06-30-2013, 01:41 PM
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Poor Cockers! All this time I thought Peekapoos (sp?) were dumb. My wife had one named Romeo. He was a good leg humper and sweet but not good for anything else.
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Old 06-30-2013, 04:46 PM
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Sounds like some women I know

The modern-day Quarter Horse looks nothing like its predecessor of the early 1900's. Now, instead of a short, blocky, quick horse with tough feet, they've bred a tall, big-chested, big-rumped, lanky horse with cheesy little feet that are prone to navicular disease.
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Old 06-30-2013, 05:23 PM
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My sister used to have an Australian cattle dog. I think they're also called blue heelers. Smartest dog I have ever seen. It knew everyone's name, if it could talk it could probably carry on a conversation. Friendly as can be.

My parents golden retriever is very friendly - loves people. Almost too friendly - he would run off with a complete stranger if you let him. He is a little smaller than average, so hopefully he doesn't develop the hip problems.
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Old 06-30-2013, 07:55 PM
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I've never had a Irish Setter or Afghan. Both of which are known for being stupid. But the ones I've met have all been friendly. Works for me.
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Old 06-30-2013, 08:21 PM
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I posted mine in the Show us your dog thread. #44 post

Show us your dog!
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Old 06-30-2013, 08:29 PM
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Now Mule, I had an appendix bred 1/4 that could flat roll on his hock when we needed to. Use to team pen on him. He was a good un. Only 14-3 and at 6"6" I kinda ressembled the monkey and the pigskin. A sight to see I'll tell ya. Not too embarassed to say he "ran out from under me more than once." Gator was his name. Never had any problem with his feet either.
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Old 07-01-2013, 06:41 PM
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There are a few folks raising hunting cockers these days, and they're tough, smart little rascals that will hunt birds or fetch big ducks and geese out of cold water all day long. I've been owned by a series of English Springers, including the current one, but if I were shopping for a field dog/family pet, I'd be looking at one of the hunting cockers.
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