Labrador Retriever or English Cocker Spaniel?

L

Laurel

As I mentioned in my last post, I was hoping to introduce a Labrador puppy to my life sometime in 2026. After talking through things with my family though, I get the feeling they’d prefer an English Cocker Spaniel (show-line). Ultimately it will be my dog and my decision, but I want to take their opinions into account.

I think their preference for the ECS is down to size, as they’re smaller and potentially more convenient day-to-day. They’re also concerned about cancer. Our previous dog passed away a couple of months ago due to cancer at ten years old, which I know isn’t unusual for large dogs, but it’s understandably made them cautious.

From what I understand, both Labradors and Cockers are no strangers to cancer, so I’m unsure whether getting a Cocker will really reduce the risk. I’d appreciate hearing people’s opinions on Labradors versus Cocker Spaniels, especially in terms of health and suitability as a family dog.

Thanks!
 
SwampDonkey

SwampDonkey

Just because they are smaller doesn't mean they need less exercise. Also coat care of a cocker is harder. Clipping is expensive unless you learn to do it yourself. Most need a maintenance clip every few months Their coats are more high maintenance too as due to the length and the way the attraction burrs and get tangled. I brush my labs once a week but my flattie who has more fur needs a check daily and I do trim his ear fur. Cocker rage is also a consideration you can Google it. Their ears can be a problem and they are prone to infection. The show cocker is steadier than the working cocker but they still need training and mental stimulation. Labs although larger are when older very steady and are very low maintenance. Coat maintenance is easy compared to a cockerIMG20251114153254~3.jpgI train hard when they are young and really like them. I know and spend a lot of time with working cockers love them but prefer my labs and flattie. Get what you prefer you'll be spending a lot of time with them. Unfortunately cancer is in both breeds.
 
Atemas

Atemas

UK Tour Guide
Location
North Cambridgeshire
My Labrador Red is not a big dog - we meet labs that are much bigger than her. My previous dog - a black Labrador was small too. We regularly meet cocker spaniels on our walks locally. They have enormous energy and run so fast and far. Definitely not for me as they run out of sight - although I do see them returning to their owners. The word demented comes to mind when I see them running - I don‘t mean that nastily. Labs as they age are much more calm and want to be near you but can do the energy thing too. As @SwampDonkey says cancer can strike both breeds. I think you should get what you want
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
Exciting that you are planning a new addition! Whatever you decide will be the right thing, but I get that the decision is a big one and you want to weigh all the pros and cons.

I’ve only had experience with cockers from dog-sitting friends’ working cockers in the past and Carbón playing with a boatload of them on Cornish beaches. With that in mind, I love them but they seem even more bonkers than Labs - and I think Labs are bonkers after my 20 years of Rottweilers, which for me are exponentially easier than Labs. But don’t take that negatively - ‘bonkers’ keeps you on your toes. 🤣

@SwampDonkey already mentioned it, but that coat would be a sticking point (pun intended) for me. I grew up with poodles and know that I just don’t like to be constantly picking stuff out of fur - but if you like grooming and/or are darn good at it like @Sophiedoodle, then that’s a non-issue.

In terms of a family dog, I’ve really only met working cockers and they definitely seem to do best with a job. I’d be interested to hear how show lines differ - I know the differences in Labs (working vs show), cockers may be similar?
 
MrChew

MrChew

I agree with others, I think Labs are the easier dog once they mature and are over being teenage hooligans. They are calm and steady (mostly) and have an easy care coat that mostly repels dirt (I imagine cockers trap a lot more dirt and leaves, burrs etc). The cockers I've met are mostly lovely but they do seem more highly strung and "busy" and perhaps more sensitive, whereas most of the Labs I know are very confident.

We did think about spaniels but decided we preferred the dependability of a Lab. Our boy is only 27 or 28kg so he's not huge. Definitely bed and sofa sized. 😂
 
Joy

Joy

Location
East Sussex
I owned a Cocker Spaniel (blue roan) from mid-80s to mid-90s. She was a dream of a dog - lovely nature and very easy to train, but I'm not sure that's true of all cockers. My family also had cockers when I was a child and again lovely dogs. But they do need a lot more grooming than a Lab. Even if you send them to be professionally groomed I found the ears and feathers needed combing just about every day, and after swimming or rainy walks they took a lot longer to dry. Sadly my cocker died aged only ten from liver cancer.
I've had a different dog each time - Springer, Cocker, Lab and now Lab-cross-Chessie - and all have been much loved and enriched my life as I'm sure your future companion will.
 
Selina27

Selina27

Location
Herefordshire, UK
Yes I think you'll be better off with a Lab !

Laurel said:
It’s that dependability and reliability that I’m really looking for.
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A word of warning here - this may take a while to develop :) . I think there is a difference between working bred Labs and show Labs just as there is with spaniels. Although my Cassie looks like a showbred Lab she is from working lines and has high drive to do the job she's bred for which required direction as a young dog. I really had to buckle up for the ride - but I'm so glad I did because she has indeed become the go anywhere deal with anything typical Labrador.
Labradors do in fact work further from their handlers in the field than spaniels do overall. I think to that they are prone to seperation anxiety, but that's only from personal observation.
 
kateincornwall

kateincornwall

Location
Cornwall , UK
Just from my own experience , I found spaniels to be very busy , I mean constantly busy . I adore Labs , Reuben is my 4th one but boy he was a shock to the system as he needed to work . I dont shoot but he needed gundog exercises to keep his brain busy through those teenage years especially . So many breeds are prone to cancers of varying types , I lost my last Lab to lymphoma when he was only six , and my darling Reuben has mast cell cancer , first diagnosed when he was about 4 , its a toss of a coin really , good luck xx
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
kateincornwall said:
So many breeds are prone to cancers of varying types , I lost my last Lab to lymphoma when he was only six , and my darling Reuben has mast cell cancer , first diagnosed when he was about 4 , its a toss of a coin really
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Agree. But also it’s so hard when you’ve just lost one to cancer not to think about it for your next one.

My first Rottie was impeccably bred, all natural home cooked diet, best of everything - died at 5 from cancer. Next Rottie boy was a dog-fighting ring rescue, pretty much bred to die young. As we approached 5 years old, I dreaded what was to come. Another year, another, another: he made it to nearly 13, which is ancient for a Rottie. And a happy 13 - still active and walking every day until his sudden passing.

I still think it’s wise to do your research on prevalent illness rates within a breed, but as Kate says, at a certain point - and in an individual level - it’s a coin toss.
 
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