I currently have an English Springer Spaniel who was 2 at the end of January, he has a great temperment and also trained well.  In November of last year I took on a new job working at my Daughter's Preschool Mon - Fri mornings only, prior to this I had been at home with my Springer. I hadn't realised how much this was going to affect my Springer as soon as I walk back through the door, he is there by my side and wants to be close with me the whole time. My friend has recently had some Cocker Spaniel puppies who are now ready to go, I am really considering if it would be a good idea to get one of the puppies as a companion for my Springer. I totally understand that IF I did I would need to spend time with the dogs on an individual basis as well as together. My friend only has Dog puppies left but my Springer has been castrated, so guessing this wouldn't raise an issue, especially that if I did get one of the puppies he would be castrated too? I have had friends dogs come into the house with my Springer and he accepts them into his territory really well and loves to play with them etc. Advice would be welcome!

I have always had yorkshire terriers bitches the first two not related got along extremely well and i found they were good company for each other especially when I was working shifts and nights as a nurse.  My present two both bitches from the same litter are so closely bonded and such a pleasure! me personally I would always have two

I think it will be a great choice of breed to get a cocker to come live with your springer. As I've got 2 terrier types they are on the same wave length .When i had my Belgian Shepard and my Dads collie x beagle  who were both bitches, even though they got along playing fetch with a tennis ball or on the beach, they never slept together or near each other. When i lost my Shepard and got my bully he would try and cuddle up to my Dads dog Becky and she would growl at him. It is so the right age for your first dog too.

It sounds like a good idea.  We have a 2 yr old entire mini schnauzer and we have just got a 9 wk old mini bitch, and although the first few days were interesting, they are getting on so well.  I know they will be good company for each other while we are at work, and also they will be able to play with each other long after we are tired of dog games!  Go for it.

I dont know for sure but I think I may have read about it being fairly common for cockers to get vocal when left without human company.....

maybe there are some cocker spaniel owners that could shed some light on that..