I don't but would love one. I had a cocker spaniel before I met my husband and she was with us for 5 years before she died, and he loved her to bits, but he doesn't want me to have another one. I have been waiting for the kids to get to an age where it wouldn't be too much of an extra hassle (my youngest are 4 year old twins), but he is still very much against it. I work from home during the week and I would love to take off on long walks. I think this used to keep me trim in my pre-kids days. He is often away on business so it would be extra companionship and security. All the kids are dog lovers too, especially my daughter who is unable to walk by any dog without stroking it. My husband likes dogs, he just thinks about the drawbacks rather than the benefits. I know there are drawbacks and that sometimes they tie you down, get you into scrapes, irritate other people etc but the benefits outweigh the problems. He says he knows I'll just go out and get one but I would prefer to win him over. We have a great relationship, so I don't want to fall out with him over this, but I'm a big girl now and I feel I have the right to do my own thing! I want a cocker spaniel!!!!!
What would you do?
Jools

id say go for it dogs are such good companions they give thier love unconditionally and i think it`ll be good for the kids too
id be lost without my doggie shes great company and think of the exercise you`d get too with all the country walks .im sure you can convince him that its a good idea ..id write a list of all the pros and maybe just a few cons so it doesnt looked one sided and get the kids to view there opinions too ..your a woman and what are we women best at??? persuasion

I love my cocker spaniel! He's a gorgeous boy and so amazing with the kids. He's also a great companion for walks. He never turns me down or complains that it's too cold! I have a pic posted of him somewhere. I'll go find the link and come back and post it.

Well you can see fro my avatar how much I love dogs.

If you get the right dog s/he will win him over! You won't have to...

But I would say go into it with realism, and hard headedness. I had no choice as to breed as three generations of my family (4 now if you count my kids) have had bull terriers - they are extremely child friendly, clownish, funny, intelligent dogs - once you've had one you'll never go back to another breed, they say! But if you've no deeply compelling reason, do some research and choose your breed wisely.

I have 5 kids, including a 4 year old and a 6 year old and we've had 2 dogs for the past 4 years... Is no extra work, really, and in fact it gives me an excuse to get away from it all, and have that hour or so out of it, walking, each day. Also, when I took up jogging, I realised I only did it because I had a rather ***** looking dog with me - where I have to run is very remote, and there are woods etc we have to run past. I feel a lot safer with a staffordshire bull terrier with me!

As for getting into scrapes with otherdogs, etc - my two (a staffie and an english bull terrier) are the ultimate breeds for that. But so far they have managed not to kill anything on their walks... In fact, they're usually at the sharp end of other breeds of dog's aggressive behaviour (esp labradors and jack russels - they always go for my dogs). I'm philosophical - my dogs won't start a fight because they were socialised from being pups (and you can do this too, by taking your pup to socialisation classes - most vets have details). But they damn well would finish one - so I HAVE to walk them on the lead at all times. (I've never seen an aggressive dog off lead that came on the recall, interestingly). Also you should get insurance that covers third party - then your husband doesn't have to worry!

I'd go so far as to say you can't afford a dog if you can't afford insurance - one of mine had a £1500 operation - and would have to have been put down if I couldn't afford it - only a couple of months after we bought him. The other got an eye condition that comes on suddenly and blinds the dog within 72 hours without an op. £5000 worth of operation later - and a Sunday emergency dash 200 miles away - she managed to have some of her sight saved. Both ops cost me just £45 - excess. Because I had insurance. So it can literally be a lifesaver. I would be honest with hubby upfront about the expense of dog ownership - and insurance is something you must factor in, esp with a pedigree breed (both my dogs' ops were due to problems specific to their breeds).

If you're realistic yourself about the downside, and convince hubby you are, maybe it will be easier for him to accept.

There's benefits for the kids too - learning about respinsibility, being caring, and those times when they are upset or worried or something, they always give the dogs a cuddle and confide their secrets in them too, I think, like a good teddy bear! Our staffie loves and adores kids - but he's especially close to the 11 and 13 year olds, as he grew up with them. My kids don't walk or feed the dogs but I do ask them to spend time (even in the cold) playing with the dog and his ball, or toy, everyday in the garden It gives him exercise, bonds them, and the kids see that his happiness depends on them. (My nearly blind little girl can't play like that, but she loves snuggling up with the kids on the sofa - she's very cuddly).

Both our dogs are 6 now, and hopefully have some mileage left in them but when they go, I think even the youngest boys will be old enough for us to hae a rescue dog. Almost every breed has a breed rescue.

I've found 'Dogs Today' magazine a really good read and full of info.

Here ya go. Simon the dog and Magnus, his same-sex, different-species life partner. They eat, sleep and play together.
http://img246.imageshack.us/my.php?image=petsxl4.jpg

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!! What a wonderful picture!!

They say you can't buy love but I disagree with that - when you buy a dog you also buy loads of love and friendship. I wouldn't be without my dogs - yes, they tie us down - we haven't had a holiday abroad since we got George and holidays in this country have gotten even more difficult since we got our second one, Fred - but holidays only happen for a couple of weeks each year whereas a dog gives you love and affection every day.

My two are labradors and they are great with children. Very patient. They do say that children raised with animals learn respect, responsibility and patience - IMHO they also learn about love and caring.

I don't know anything about cocker spaniels - are they good with kids? I found this quiz which helps you decide what kind of dog is suitable for your life.

Oh Mummy tummy, Simon is a cutie...I have two cocker's both coming up for 8 in December now and we all love them to bits....we've had them both from pups and wouldn't be without them, it will break my heart when they go

Chuckleberry, why don't you go to a dog home place with hubby one day and have a wander around, I'm sure once he see's a lovely little cocker or something else, his heart will be swayed.

They are so good for exercise, you're r ight, they never say no to a walk. If we don't get out for our walks on a daily basis, I always feel so guilty, because without me, they can't go out on their own... although I'm sure they'd both love to I feel like I've denied them something anad of course I've denied myself getting thinner and healthier.

Mine are both very protective of me, they wouldn't have a go and anyone or anything unless they thought I was in danger....

I hope that you get your wish, keep us updated.

Sarah Ann, Simon is lovely with my daughter, who is 2. She lays all over him, pulls his tail, tickles his ears, takes things from him (not that we encourage any of this) and he just wags his tail (he still has his lovely long tail) and licks her. I used to have an American Cocker before I moved and she was really sweet, too although much more hyper and prone to piddle when excited than Simon, who is an English Cocker. Not sure if that's just personality or a common difference between the 2 breeds.

He sounds like a little sweetie.

The only dogs I've ever had that I wouldn't recommend to have with small children was Yorkshire Terriers. I had two of them and they were both lovely dogs but very excitable - loads of yapping - and VERY prone to piddling when they got excited - which was most of the time. My two didn't like men - not so great when you're newly single and trying to get yourself a bit of a lovelife! They also had a 'thing' for some perfumes and would the leg of any woman who came in the house wearing them.

I don't have a dog but have to say that I love Chris's 2 cockers. Used to walk them every night.

I prefer cats but cannot have one cos I am in a flat and not allowed any pets - not even goldfish!

When I was small - well, five, Mum bought a cat for us. My Dad would not speak to her for a week. He liked animals but did not approve of keeping them in our smallish house. He thought you should have plenty of room for animals (I think more so for dogs) and there was a garden.

Anyway - the cat won him over. He is daft about cats and in fact - our third cat was a stray that HE enticed in!!!

She loves me too

Here's my two, Lew is the buff and Pen is the black one, Lew is an English cocker and Pen is American...I think I have it the right way around...yes I do.

Chris they are both gorgeous dogs.

There they are,aren't they gorgeous.

Chris of course I do.