Canine behaviourist Will Atherton, who has 983,000 TikTok followers, has said he would not recommend spaniels for a busy family environment. While the dogs may look cute, they need a lot of attention to be properly stimulated.
Why spaniels are a tricky choice
Many people are drawn to the breed because they are affectionate, sociable dogs with big, expressive eyes and a cheerful, “always up for it” personality. They are often clever and eager to please, giving them a reputation as great companions for people who want a dog that is engaged, trainable and loves being part of the action.
But the same traits that make them so appealing can make them hard work in a family home. Many spaniels have high energy and a strong working drive, meaning they need lots of daily exercise and mental stimulation to stay calm and well-behaved. If they are bored or under-exercised they can become noisy, destructive, restless or overly demanding – especially in busy households.
The trainer's response
After receiving a question from a follower asking “why do you hate spaniels so much?”, Will responded in a recent video: “I promise you that isn't the case whatsoever.”
Drawing on his personal experience, he stated: “One of the things I enjoy more in the dog world more than nearly anything else is when I take uncle Sully [his dog] and we're working out in the field, doing some gun dog stuff, and you see a spaniel beating up game, flushing through thick heather and thick hedgerows.”
He considers watching spaniels in their natural hunting environment “beautiful”, and added: “There are not many things in the dog world that are more awesome to see than that.”
Energy that rarely meshes
Nevertheless, it is precisely this characteristic that makes them inappropriate for domestic family life, according to Will. He said: “The problem is, when you bring that kind of energy into a busy family home, it rarely meshes very well. It wouldn't mesh well at my home with my family and my lifestyle, that's way too much energy.”
Will's frank video has garnered thousands of views, sparking discussion amongst his followers. One commented: “I have two spaniels and I completely agree with you to be honest.” Another user agreed: “100% agree! Our Springer is coming up to two years, needs super engagement and enrichment, thankfully she runs with me and that burns off a lot of that energy!” Meanwhile, a third person confessed: “We got a cocker without much research and he hums with enthusiasm and energy, but we mesh somehow - he crazy though!”
