by SteveM47 » Fri Jan 11, 2013 12:04 am
We have a black lab and a liver and white working cocker. They are both pets first, working second, have the run of the house, sleep on the bed with the wife when I'm away, and are both good as gold. They are both very affectionate, but the cocker in particular, and also both are very easy to train (to work, or simply obededience training). They are perfect companions for each other since the cocker runs and hunts when she's out and the lab follows behind so gets more exercise than when she's pottering around on her own, and they both seem very settled (steady weight, good temperaments) on about the same amount of exercise (60-90 mins each day, split between morning and evening, and then a lot more at weekends, especially if they are working).
This season I've been shooting driven pheasants; the lab sits on the peg with me and then picks up when I direct her, while my wife takes the cocker beating. The cocker would pick up too, given a bit more training, and she would probably be the better rough shooting option. The lab is really mine, and I wouldn't be without a lab now, but the cocker has a bit more spirit and is generally all round more entertaining.
So I would recommend you get one of each!! If it is to be just one, and you are serious about rough shooting (flushing and picking up), then I would say cocker. But if your heart says lab then go for it - with the right training and exercise you will have a very devoted and happy family pet as well as a wonderful working companion. Either way, make sure they are from working stock - there are lots of show dogs out there of both varieties, and there really is a difference between them when it comes to getting them to perform in the field.
I love my dogs!