springer or cocker or sprocker

[wuyang 513]

Hi all, i know this topic may have died a death many times over, but i would be interested in your personal opinions on which you favour and why.

 

I work two jack russells for flushing rabbits for my lurcher, they are good at their job and work well in the thick bramble. Occasionally one of my jacks goes to ground, something that i don't want her to do. Now, i'm thinking a long way a head but i was wondering which would you advise to be the best to work along side a lurcher for working bramble to push rabbits out, a cocker or a springer. Obviously due to working small terriers i was wondering if the size of a springer would affect it working tight bramble. I was also wondering what the temperaments of these dogs are like as they are also going to be family dogs. Thanks wuyang

[Catcher 1 639]

Had a springer mate great busher best i ever seen was a friends cocker.Just got a sprocker myself so i will see how it gose.Think most times it down to the dogs eagerness.atb.Catcher

[ferreter.al 22]

work 2 cockers through bramble mate,i do like the terriers for bushing because they will go and go and never be phased but like you say they do drop in when you dont want it.i dont think you can go wrong with a small cocker.atvb

[poacher3161 1,766]

I have kept a small type springer now for more than 25 years the strain i keep are realy small and the larger males out of the breeding although been tireless hard hunting workers dont seem to go through cover faster than the small bitches due to their size some times makeing the rabbit keep moving along in the cover rather than bolt streight away with the dog behind it.I find the temprements of the springers i have and owned fantastic no fighting or being a nuicsence with other dogs and 100pct trust worthy with kids

[wuyang 513]

I have kept a small type springer now for more than 25 years the strain i keep are realy small and the larger males out of the breeding although been tireless hard hunting workers dont seem to go through cover faster than the small bitches due to their size some times makeing the rabbit keep moving along in the cover rather than bolt streight away with the dog behind it.I find the temprements of the springers i have and owned fantastic no fighting or being a nuicsence with other dogs and 100pct trust worthy with kids

 

What size do the females of strain make?

[poacher3161 1,766]

I have kept a small type springer now for more than 25 years the strain i keep are realy small and the larger males out of the breeding although been tireless hard hunting workers dont seem to go through cover faster than the small bitches due to their size some times makeing the rabbit keep moving along in the cover rather than bolt streight away with the dog behind it.I find the temprements of the springers i have and owned fantastic no fighting or being a nuicsence with other dogs and 100pct trust worthy with kids

 

What size do the females of strain make?

About the size of a cocker personaly i think way back their probably was some cocker blood in them.atb dell

[rickyspringer 15]

think all will do the job as good as another, its the eagerness, haven't owned a cocker but heard alot of stories that they will only bramble bash if something is there, where as a springer will do it anyway...

 

Both breeds are great with children, but cockers are supposed to be the easier of the two breeds to switch off and settle in the house.

 

I would go with what you like most, aswell as them being out of bramble bashers..

 

Dell I am itching to see the strain you keep, my bitch is fairly small also, and she has a huge thirst for bramble i can't keep her out of them, your line is predominately from "Quarrybrae" if memory serves me right?? Will you be having a litter in the near future?

[Dan Newcombe 58]

All 3 will do the job just as well as each other AS LONG AS THEY ARE FROM DECENT WORKING LINES

 

You will pay much more for a cocker than a springer and then about as much for a sprocker from most breeders (criminal in my opinion).

 

Therefore i would say that a nice springer would be the way forward. Not as expensive as a cocker but with the work in it and also easier to breed from if you end up with a good one than a sprocker.

 

Dont count out a bigger terrier though that wont go to ground.

 

There agian i have a cocker and wouldnt have anything else! but he is for shooting

I would have a good springer but i would pay for a good cocker!

 

Dan

 

edit: i think its down entirely to the individual dogs with the calm nature especially in the house. my cocker never sits still and is a genuine pain in the arse. My girlfriends likes nothing more than sitting with you for hours.

Edited April 22, 2010 by Dan Newcombe

[jayjay 264]

what are these 3 breeds like for marking rabbit holes for ferreting ? ,some people say they will mark others say they wont,i havent had any experience with them myself so would be interesting to know,thanks.

[poacher3161 1,766]

think all will do the job as good as another, its the eagerness, haven't owned a cocker but heard alot of stories that they will only bramble bash if something is there, where as a springer will do it anyway...

 

Both breeds are great with children, but cockers are supposed to be the easier of the two breeds to switch off and settle in the house.

 

I would go with what you like most, aswell as them being out of bramble bashers..

 

Dell I am itching to see the strain you keep, my bitch is fairly small also, and she has a huge thirst for bramble i can't keep her out of them, your line is predominately from "Quarrybrae" if memory serves me right?? Will you be having a litter in the near future?

I am considering breeding a litter next year as my oldest is ten and her daughter is 5 .A lad on the site has a pup i bred last year and is pleased with it i have some photos on photobucket but still carnt suss them out to put on here The bitches arnt much bigger than a leggy terrier

[biza hollis 27]

i was in the same situation last jan decided on a sprocker never had a spaniel before been a joy to train got her on the whistle and very easy to train just read some of the back posts on training and listen to these experienced spaniel chaps wont go far wrong pleased with mine absolutely relentless in brambles wouldnt swap her now proper good little hunting dog atb biza

[wuyang 513]

Thanks all, its given me plenty to think about.. wuyang

[poacher3161 1,766]

think all will do the job as good as another, its the eagerness, haven't owned a cocker but heard alot of stories that they will only bramble bash if something is there, where as a springer will do it anyway...

 

Both breeds are great with children, but cockers are supposed to be the easier of the two breeds to switch off and settle in the house.

 

I would go with what you like most, aswell as them being out of bramble bashers..

 

Dell I am itching to see the strain you keep, my bitch is fairly small also, and she has a huge thirst for bramble i can't keep her out of them, your line is predominately from "Quarrybrae" if memory serves me right?? Will you be having a litter in the near future?

Found an old pedigree of one of the great great grand dam of the strain i keep.The names on it include quarrybrae farm quarrybrae brook other names on it include mamer mansel massicar mint and some more in red ink

[rickyspringer 15]

I knew it was a lot of Quarrybrae, its a shame you never kept the pedigree going even though you never registered them with the £££ makers at the Kc

[midnight sun 0]

I have worked a cocker for the last 3 years brilliant in tight spaces and a great family pet as well i recomend you try one.