Whilst at the climbing centre, a friend approached me and asked for advice on getting their first family dog. He told me he was thinking of getting a Working Cocker Spaniel.
They’re a super active and fit family, but upon learning what breed he was considering, my first bit of advice was:
DON’T GET A PUPPY FROM FIELD TRIAL CHAMPION STOCK!
(Caps lock for emphasis — I didn’t shout at him.)
Working styles matter more than people realise
The nuance here is that different dogs have different working styles. This isn’t just true for spaniels, but also Border Collies, Labradors, and other working breeds.
Some dogs work more steadily, while others operate on the environment much more quickly.
Not all working line dogs struggle with impulsivity, but a heck of a lot do. That said, impulsivity isn’t exclusive to working line or pure-bred dogs.
There is always variation within a breed, within a line, and even within a litter. Genetics will not dictate the dog you have for their whole life — their environment matters too.
However, we can reduce the risk of unpleasant surprises and steep learning curves by carefully considering a dog’s ancestry before acquiring them (though this isn’t always possible with rescue dogs).
Many owners don’t understand ‘lines’
Too many owners aren’t even aware that ‘lines’ exist in dogs. Show line versus working line isn’t just relevant for pure-bred dogs either — it applies to mixed breeds too.
I’ve met many owners who can’t tell me whether their Cockapoo is from working or show stock. I can usually tell by observing the dog.
High drive doesn’t equal suitability
Sticking with gundogs for a moment: you could get stock from a steady field trial champion who has enough drive to be exceptional, but who also regulates themselves more easily.
Or you could get stock from an extremely high-drive dog who is a field champion because they’ve been trained and handled by someone with a great deal of experience managing that level of intensity.
Most inexperienced dog owners do not yet have the skills needed to train and live with very high drive dogs.
Training mechanics take time to develop, and behaviour often escalates while owners are still learning how to manage a highly impulsive working-stock puppy through adolescence.
Most families struggle to find the extra time required to train dogs bred from top-class, high-drive working stock. In truth, some struggle even with non-working breeds.
Impressive labels can be misleading
Field Trial Champion sounds reassuring. It suggests well-bred, well-cared-for stock.
The same thinking often applies to Border Collies bred on farms — “farm bred” sounds like a proper collie, right?
And yet farm-bred collies often struggle with city life or with living without their brains being exercised to their full potential.
Activity alone is not enough
Being an active person is not a good enough reason to get a working line dog from working stock. Walks are rarely sufficient, regardless of their length or frequency.
Dogs with unmanaged drive can pose a risk to wildlife, livestock, and themselves. Inadequately managed behaviour can escalate to the point where people — including family members — are at risk of harm through pulling, collisions, or bites.
You must be ready to dedicate a significant amount of time to training and management. For most people, it’s far wiser to develop these skills with an easier breed or type first.
Working line does not mean healthier
There is a persistent myth that working line dogs are automatically healthier. This simply isn’t true.
We see plenty of hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, and other conditions in working line Border Collies, Shepherds, Spaniels, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Vizslas, and German Shorthaired Pointers.
While some show lines do have exaggerated, unhealthy features, not all breeders select for extremes. In many cases, a show-line dog or a show-line cross with working stock can be a more appropriate balance for owners whose primary goal is companionship at home and on walks.
This is no guarantee, however. The same caution still applies. Consider the most challenging traits from both parents, and ensure health testing — including hip scores — is compatible.
What to do if you’re considering a working line puppy
If you’ve found a working line litter you’re interested in, observe the parents before committing. Ideally, observe both parents, and see the bitch prior to pregnancy if possible.
Watch their behaviour across a range of environments. Perhaps these dogs are a little less “turbo” — it does happen. But don’t assume. Gather as much information as you can, even if that means watching videos.
Fast can look fun, but high intensity requires a great deal of input from you. Many people believe they can handle these dogs, until they realise they can’t.
When that happens, some dogs are sadly rehomed — or worse, euthanised — because their behaviour has escalated and suitable homes can’t be found.
Build skills before choosing intensity
Develop your training skills with a lower-drive dog. If you discover that you truly love training, want to do more of it, and can commit to that level of input for the majority of a dog’s lifespan, then you can consider whether you’re ready for a higher drive dog.
A note to breeders
Breeders: please stop selling working-stock puppies to first-time dog owners. It’s deeply irresponsible.
Prospective owners should be thoroughly assessed on whether they can meet the dog’s physical and mental needs across their entire life — not just in the early months.
