Cocker Spaniels. Shockers and Wockers. Separate breeds?

[happydog]

Now, here's a topic we wouldn't be able to discuss on the other forum :!: .

IF shockers and wockers were to be split into two separate recognisable breeds, what would you call them? Would one strain remain a Cocker Spaniel? If so, which one and why? What would you call the other one?

(Ducks and runs for cover :11: )

[Michelle]

Dont think they should be classed as seperate breeds as such, but I do think they should be placed in different categories for the likes of showing etc.
If they were seperated I think they should still be called Shockers and Wockers, such funny names! :D :D

[Aearoniel]

I think they should be separated for the same reasons above not necessarily as different breeds but as two standards for the different reasons of use, but don't really like Shocker and Wocker, it's ok to call them that in a casual setting but actually professionally labeling them that.. well it's a bit too cockerpoo, labradoodle for my liking. Nothing wrong with the current names Show Cocker and Working Cocker the names clearly say what they are and what they do. :D

[lyn]

seperate them. definately. it will stop some breeders from mixing the two and selling to unsuspecting buyers (like me). i don't know why people are against a split. there are a lot of wocker puppies being sold to people who think they are buying a shocker. on sunday a lady approached me and told me she had a wocker. she said his first owner bought him from a shop in a well known place here in herts. she wasn't even aware there were two strains of cocker. once she realised he wasn't a show type she was going to put him in rescue. he was just 13 weeks old. she had only had him two weeks. so that choccy wocker was most probably comercially bred, sold and then sold/rehomed again all in three months. all because his coat and ears were not going to look as pretty as a show cockers. he isn't manic. was more than easy to train and is a most loved and happy pet. it could so easily have been different.
i would call them working cockers and either show or english show cockers. then there can be no mistaking what people are buying. when people say there is a lot of wockers in rescues and thats why they shouldn't be sold as pets it just makes my blood boil. i think there is a lot in rescue because they aren't so pretty and people didn't realise this at the time of purchase.
they are seperate strains, this has been said over and over again so what is the problem with registering them as such? american cockers are derived from show cockers aren't they. therefore they too are just cockers but they are registered as american cockers.

[Alpha]

i am all for splitting the breed IMO wockers have much more in common with springers than with show type cockers.
I think on the whole the personality, look and temperament are so far apart its time the KC did something about it.
If you look at Field Spaniel ( yes I know a lot of the hunting instinct has been bred out nowadays) but both types (show & work) look they same and as do Springers.
The biggest problem that it would solve is he amount of these dogs going to the wrong type of home! Lots of people don't know the difference and who would be able to tell really at 6 -9 weeks old.
It would also keep down the amount of potential health problems they may have in the future, as because these haven't been over bred there are no major health probs lbeing found in them unlike some of the more unscrupuous show breeders who are in it to make a quick buck. But that will change if breeders keep crossing them (yes they will still be full KC reg parents so not probs there) or selling them on as "Cockers" and not explaining the difference.
Because lets face who but the most stupid of us would want a dog that is this busy and has the potential to be the spawn of the devil if not mentally and physically stimulated all day everyday, unless we had fully researched them and searched out hearts to know that we can make them happy I think there is no worse sight than an unhappy cocker.

[Nicola]

Show Cockers and Working Cockers and I also think that they should be separate breeds, or at least more separate 'types' than they are now.