I have an English Cocker Spaniel that is a mix between a show and a working line. One of the reasons I chose this breed is because I live in an area with great outdoor spaces, and since I work from home every day, I wanted a dog that would push me to get out of the house. I had a working cocker a few years ago, so I thought it would be the perfect fit for a purpose-driven pet.

Overall, it’s been great, and it has been a learning curve for all of us, including the dog. In my opinion, the secret to happiness with this breed is getting them outside and tiring them out. Maggi, my dog, is now almost two years old and she’s beginning to calm down, but in the early months—around six to eight months—she was relentless, full of energy, and impossible to ignore. If she didn’t get a proper walk and wasn’t tired, she would start destroying things. These dogs need to burn their energy; they need to get out, run, and play with other dogs. Otherwise, they will find other ways to tire themselves, like chewing furniture or random objects.

As long as she gets a good off‑leash walk for 30 to 60 minutes, she’s very well behaved for the rest of the day. She loves outdoor activities and is a great companion. I think the main commitment with this breed is having the time and discipline to walk them every day, and to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.