So...What's the Better Hunting Dog? (by William)

            Canis familiaris has been mankind’s friend for thousands of years. They protected us from dangerous predators for a share of food from hunts. Over time, wolf bred and evolved into many species of dog. The question is, which species should you get for a hunting dog? Will you pick the Cocker Spaniel or the Labrador Retriever? Let’s see the differences to make the decision easier.

            Cocker spaniels and Labrador retrievers are so different that one could even view them as polar opposites. Your choice on which dog to adopt may depend on appearance preference. If our customer prefers a small dog averaging about 14.5 inches tall, the cocker spaniel may be your choice. The cocker spaniel weighs an average of 25 pounds, and has long hair. The dog owner should be prepared for frequent grooming needs as well as lots of shedding. Made iconic in the 1995 Disney movie, Lady and the Tramp, most cocker spaniels are multicolored, making for a beautiful coat. Labrador retrievers are very different. They have a stately, commanding appearance, and their average height is 23 inches. Their stocky build with a normal weight of 67 pounds allows them to hound down a target. Labradors also shed a lot, so you may need to tolerate short fur all over couches and floor mats. Frequent grooming is recommended for this breed, similar to cocker spaniels. This active breed of dog usually is yellow, black, or brown. The coats are single-colored, unlike the stylish spaniels. Though spaniels may look cuter or prettier than Labrador Retrievers, their personalities can be quite ugly.

            Perhaps dog appearance doesn’t matter to you, the dog enthusiast. In this case, judge these dogs by their personalities, and find the right dog for yourself. The Cocker spaniel’s appearance certainly doesn’t match its disposition. They have a high-hat attitude which can often emit an arrogant aura. The intelligence of these dogs aren’t any better. Cocker spaniels are rated “average” on the intelligence scale. I’ve heard from some friends that misbehaving cocker spaniels like to pee all over the place, and attack you with their vicious bites. Speaking of bites, cocker spaniels have bad temperaments. They are easily provoked and can often bite. Plus, these cantankerous canines don’t only bite when angry – remember to not make them too excited, as they will also bite under these circumstances. Meanwhile, the Labrador retriever is a wonderful companion! These doggies are great for families, given their easy-going and mellow disposition. Their eyes glimmer with kindliness, and even get along (at least they try) with neighborhood dogs. They are fiercely loyal to owners and can even act as a guard dog. Labradors are extremely intelligent. According to a study, Labradors can learn and recognize up to two hundred and fifty visual or auditory signals. That is eighty-five more than a non-Lab! These dynamic dogs are able to adapt quickly into new environments, much faster than the high-strung cocker spaniels. To top these good signals off, the Labrador retriever rarely bites. Due to their compassionate nature, Labradors are friendly and perfect for hunting dogs. They don’t viciously bite you – they save their energy to ferociously assail prey.

            In conclusion, the cocker spaniels may be a prettier sporting dog. Labrador retrievers, however, make better hunting dogs in the long run due to their intelligence and attitude. Well, the choice is yours!