Ok, I’m going to seque off this gruesome topic for a moment. My 3 year old son wants a dog. Do you recommend some kind of Cocker Spaniel mix (I’m going to get a rescue dog so it will most likely be a mix)?
Get a mutt with spaniel in it. Spaniels are great with kids.
A mutt. They are more loyal than any “pure” breed I have ever owned.
If I may? Re what kind of dog to get for a 3 year old- I highly recommend a Sheltie mix. I had two- my first was SO gentle and SO human-like he ‘herded’ the little ones. They learned to walk by grabbing handfuls of his long coat. NEVER heard one growl or snarl out of him in all of his 13 years. He didn’t have an ounce of mean in him. I could leave him on the couch with a newborn, tell him to ‘watch the baby’ and he laid with his head across the baby’s feet and barked when the baby woke. He’d pull me across the street when he saw a baby stroller. Sweetest, smartest dogs I’ve ever encountered- and I knew someone who had 13 in her house! Never saw one fight among them, ever! And none were neutered- she was a breeder and showed them.
I would personally recommend some type of sheltie or border collie. We have a sheltie/Blue tick Heeler mix and she is very much a herder-type pup.
All of my three Cockers, one American and two English Cockers have been fun, friendly and playful. Me and my kids had a blast with them. They are very good around children.
The dog will probably outlive the kid in your house and you can save yourself a lot of grief by just saying "No".
I have never been a fan of dogs of any type, unless they can live outside unattended and are well-trained, absolutely obedient and acclimated.
Same with children.
I share this view with famous people who had the courage to vocalize it, like W.C. Fields.
The stuffed kind do not crap in the floor. And there is no overhead.
I would not recommend a Cocker Spaniel for the child.....
I would never want a Cocker Spaniel.
IIRC, they are quite prone to snapping at people.
If one wants a large dog, the best I ever had was a Rhodesian Ridgeback.
When living in west Tennessee, I was given one as a puppy.
I had never heard of the breed.
When I moved to Slovakia, I found them to be quite common there.
I understand that they were originally raised to hunt lions.
Other then that dog, my best were ALWAYS mixed breeds.
I second the ‘anything with spaniels in it’ recommendation. I am a big fan of springer spaniels and almost feel guilty having the two I have now and not having any kids for them. These two are the ultimate kids’ dogs.