If you had to choose.. Lab or Spaniel?

[Gundogs11]

Hmm, I was out picking up Friday with Springers, Cockers and Labs. Not sure which I'd choose. I agree that the cockers are easy because of their size, especially being able to lift them over things I don't want them jumping. I find the spaniels infinately entertaining to train and it's really satifying to walk behind a "trained" spaniel hunting. That said, I do think it is easier to train a lab up to a much higher standard, which is satifying in its own way. To live with, the labs and springers are generally quite chilled. The cockers- not so much

[Aimeetess]

Gundogs11,

See, from seeing friends dogs etc I'd say Cockers are more laid back at home than a Springers who seem to never ever stop unless asleep. I guess it depends on breeding and how they're bought up! Im unsure currently, I have a 4 month cocker and 4yr old lab. Prefer the cockers wanting to please, affectionate self where as the lab is s**t hot to work but is SO stubborn and awful with food, plus hates cover (why I bought a Cocker) i'm sure time will tell..

[CockerCanuck]

Hmm, I was out picking up Friday with Springers, Cockers and Labs. Not sure which I'd choose. I agree that the cockers are easy because of their size, especially being able to lift them over things I don't want them jumping. I find the spaniels infinately entertaining to train and it's really satifying to walk behind a "trained" spaniel hunting. That said, I do think it is easier to train a lab up to a much higher standard, which is satifying in its own way. To live with, the labs and springers are generally quite chilled. The cockers- not so much

It must have to do with the individual dog than the breed. Admitting I have only had one Cocker and don't see many here; but my Cocker Ferghal is much more relaxed around the house and yard than any of the seven Springers I have had.

[Dartmoordog]

Spaniels all the way, I have had Cockers x 2, ESS and a Sprocker and have a 2 week old ESS cooking nicely as we speak.

But be warned, a Lab is born half trained and a Spaniel dies half trained, and as for a Cocker........Have patience! They are great little dogs though and very popular around these parts.

Not old enough for a Lab yet.

[Canburne]

I suppose the OP knows there are other types of retrievers rather than just boring labs

[Naj]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, but if you need a dog that really gets out and finds it’s game well when it’s not tripping over it then you can’t beat a pointing breed.

Naj

[Dartmoordog]

Perhaps we could take the best traits from the dogs we have owned and make the perfect working gundog. But the most spectacular thing I have ever seen from a dog, was my now gone Cocker dog.

That lad took 15 minutes to track down and retrieve a Snipe on a bog in Ireland, I guess he went out 250/300 yards, didn’t realise a pricked Snipe could run so fast! Anyway, he returned the Snipe to hand to the absolute amazement of the Irish lads I was out with. Back at the cars the only topic of conversation was my Cocker, I could have trebled my money there and then, but he came back to Devon with me.

One of the Irish lads said, and I quote “The dogs here are shite compared to him”. Then he made me an offer.......I kept a very close eye on him for the rest of the trip!

Purely an observation over decades of working dogs, if ever there is a scuffle between dogs, you can bet your arse a Lab is involved. Maybe it is the Spaniels ganging up on them!

Spaniels all the way, would not even consider anything else, especially with the rough terrain and thick cover here on Dartmoor.. Pick my new dog up next week, 8 week old ESS. He is called Steeno, after the legendary Irishman who plays rugby for the mighty Exeter Chiefs.

[Rough_mut]

We have a good mix at the shoot, and generally speaking the labs all better peg dogs and the spaniels hunt better.
I would also argue the spaniels seem to be better at sweeping as well but maybe this is because the labs have all been turned into 'peg' dogs and have had some drive robbed out of them.

We don't have good standards of dogs and most are mainly pets that work.

I wouldn't own anything other than a Springer, would love a pointer, but they tend to be 'pointless' on our shoot as they range too far and point at everything!

If I ever had land to shoot over a dog, it would be a pointer.

If I ever got into shooting and needed a dog that stayed by my side it would be a lab.

For now I need a dog that doesn't tire, doesn't struggling jumping a wall with a cock phesant, hits cover hard and best of all, doesn't f###### listen to a word I say but somehow does the right thing! Springers all the way!


Rm

[Canburne]

A springer is only one type of spaniel......clearly you need to broaden your experience of 'spaniels'.........

[Judy]

I reckon the original question is biased - if I had to choose between a Lab and a Spaniel there is no decision... Choosing between a Lab and a Springer might be a little tighter! However, choosing between a Lab and a Golden or Flatcoat would be a simple task and its definitely not the first mentioned.