Road to disaster or perfect fit - working cocker spaniel
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Hi everyone,
I’m looking for honest input on whether a Working Cocker Spaniel would realistically fit my life – including the downsides.
I live in southern Germany near the Alps and run my own outdoor/dog photography business, so I’m outside a lot and my schedule is flexible but not low-effort.
Current situation:
one well-trained, stable senior dog (Setter cross, high hunting drive, we did a lot together, but slowing down now)
a toddler (almost 2 years old)
working from home, dog would rarely be alone
What I plan long term:
1–2 structured training sessions per week (agility, really want to get into competing later and likely mantrailing)
2–3 mountain hikes per month (~1000–1200m elevation gain)
daily 2–4 walks + training (dummy work, tricks, engagement)
dog joining me regularly on outdoor shoots
What I’m NOT looking for:
a low-effort family pet
a dog that can handle being mentally underchallenged
but also not a dog that requires 24/7 constant action to function
My concerns:
raising a high-drive puppy while having a toddler
balancing drive vs. off-switch in everyday life
hunting drive (I won’t hunt, but I’m willing to train properly)
how “intense” they really are outside of ideal scenarios
I’ve been interested in the breed for years and I’m not in a rush. I’m already in contact with a breeder and hoping for a puppy later this year, but I’d really value unfiltered real-life experiences.
Does this sound like a solid long-term fit, or more like something that could work but has a high risk of becoming difficult?
I’m open to honest, critical feedback.
TL;DR: Active lifestyle, outdoor job, plans for agility + hiking, but also toddler at home. Is a Working Cocker a good fit or a risky one in this setup?