Well, it's getting closer to when I bring my two lovebugs to England, and so I'm starting to stress about silly things. I know Julie's Charlie (is it wrong I just had to delete my slip-up of "Charlie's Julie"?!) is a bit of a nutter when it comes to hid interactions with spaniels, but is this a Charlie thing, or is it an all Labrador thing? We're going to be staying with my sister and her 4-year-old cocker (show lines) for a few days and I'm starting to worry it could be an absolute frickin' nightmare! He's generally OK with other dogs and doesn't have a lot to do with them. He doesn't like dogs that stare at him, but I don't think that will be an issue because my two are both still generally submissive towards older dogs they don't know. We're meeting at Chertsey Meads, which is just down the road from where she lives, rather than having the meeting at her kitchen door, which is always complete mayhem when we turn up even without two puppies in tow. Luckily, she has a large contained garden, so if they turn into complete nutters, we can just chuck them outside. But, because of their breeds, are they going to be more inclined to drive us crazy together? He doesn't have any Lab friends and we don't know any spaniels :-\
Re: Should I be worried about my sister's spaniel? Nah, I don't think it'll matter Your plan for introductions sounds good. My dog is at his craziest with spotty or bi-coloured cross breeds. Who can say why.... Totally normal around Spaniels.
Re: Should I be worried about my sister's spaniel? Are you calling my dog a nutter? eh? eh? He's not a...oh, actually, yes, he is a nutter. Fair point then. ;D ;D ;D Generally, Charlie is a nutter with any dog that has the same level of energy to play as he has, can run fast and will co-operate with his chasey game rules (he sulks if other dogs don't play according to his version of the dogsbury chasey game rules). He doesn't like any other game but chasey and he doesn't like any physical contact with other dogs during the game (so no wrestling, pawing, or mouthing). Most working line spaniels just seem to play in a way that suits him - just running round like nutters. But he is the same with other dogs that play like this. He doesn't have any show line spaniel mates. So I think it's just the excitement of finding the perfect play mate, rather than the breed itself. [quote author=snowbunny link=topic=10610.msg157174#msg157174 date=1429270577] is it wrong I just had to delete my slip-up of "Charlie's Julie"?! [/quote] No, perfectly understandable. I feel like that myself sometimes...
Re: Should I be worried about my sister's spaniel? I do think that cockers being always manic is something of a myth, especially show line ones. The cocker I had years ago was a little dear and my sister has a rescue cocker, as well as a lab cross cocker and a Springer, and when I went to stay they all got on fine with Molly and there was no uncontrollable play. I'm sure you'll have a great time with your sister and her dog.
Re: Should I be worried about my sister's spaniel? It will be fine. Once they have got to know each other things will quieten down, and I don't think it makes any difference what breed they are, it's dogs meeting new dogs. My first dog was a cocker, actually she was a member of the family before I was born, and she was very quiet and placid. I used to dress her up in my dolls clothes and push her around the garden in my dolls pram without ever a complaint from her.
Re: Should I be worried about my sister's spaniel? Mr B(ojangles) is not quiet. He is somewhat high maintenance and neurotic. It could be fun! I also just realised that the subject of this topic makes it sounds like he's ill or something. :/
Re: Should I be worried about my sister's spaniel? Worst case scenario is you let them run around like maniacs in the garden. I suspect that after all the training you've done with them though they will settle once all the initial excitement is over. I know that when w go on or dog walks with our trainer it's a bit manic for a few minutes as the dogs all greet each other and go charging off together but they settle very quickly in to each others company.
Re: Should I be worried about my sister's spaniel? Your plans for introductions looks fine to me. My niece's Springer, Bryn, is high-high energy. I have to limit their time with him as he sends them loopy - especially Gypsy!
Re: Should I be worried about my sister's spaniel? Coincidentally, my sister also has a show-type cocker. He's always been rather haughty with Merla, and she gives him a wide berth - it only took a few spaniel grumbles to establish who the boss was going to be in that relationship! He is also quite neurotic and high maintenance- lots of funny whiny noises and generally giving the impression he's disgruntled : I don't think Merla being around makes him any worse though ;D I think you'll probably be fine. Your two have each other to play silly Lab games with together - if Mr B wants to join in I'm sure they'll be lovely with him, if not I reckon they'll leave him to it.
