Theo has completed his assessment with UK Spaniel Rescue and is now ready to find his forever home.

Theo’s personality

Theo is a handsome red Working Cocker Spaniel who is affectionate, sensitive, calm and beautifully natured in the home. He is described as a very loving dog, an absolute poppet and incredibly keen to please.

His assessor found him to be exceptionally affectionate, describing him as “so cuddly”, with loving eyes and a wonderfully gentle nature. She also described him as “just adorable” and said she would happily take him home herself if she had the space!

Theo is very friendly towards people, including strangers. His assessor described him as “very lovey dovey – everyone is his friend.”

He is comfortable being handled all over, including his ears, tail, lips and body, and is completely relaxed about being approached from behind. His assessor described him as “totally bombproof” and “so chilled” when being handled.

Theo can become very excited when getting ready for a walk, but he allows his harness and lead to be put on without difficulty.

He is a strong and energetic dog, approximately the size of a small Labrador, and his enthusiasm outdoors means he needs someone physically capable of handling him safely.

Theo’s working instincts

Outside, Theo’s working instincts really come into their own.

He has a very strong prey drive and is highly stimulated by movement, particularly birds, squirrels, cats that run and other wildlife.

His assessor confirmed that Theo wants to chase almost anything that moves, particularly wildlife.

Theo also pulls extremely hard on the lead. His assessor described his pulling as so powerful that it can feel like water-skiing! He has previously broken leads, so suitable, secure walking equipment and careful handling are essential.

His owner reports that he currently has no reliable recall, meaning he must not be allowed off lead in unsecured areas. His new family will need to be committed to recall training and managing his prey drive safely.

Theo will benefit from positive, consistent training, appropriate physical exercise and plenty of mental stimulation, including activities that provide a safe outlet for his natural working instincts.

He is a lovely dog, but his strength, enthusiasm and hunting instincts must not be underestimated.

What Theo is like at home

Theo is a very different character indoors, where he is described as calm, affectionate, gentle and wonderfully cuddly.

He loves human companionship and is particularly affectionate with people he knows.

Theo is housetrained and crate trained. His assessor confirmed that he is happy in a crate and has previously slept in one overnight, although he does not currently use one.

He is reported to be comfortable being left unattended at home, with no known separation anxiety concerns.

Theo enjoys playing with balls and toys. His assessor found that he willingly allowed a ball to be taken directly from his mouth without any difficulty or need to exchange it for a treat. No toy guarding was observed.

He also showed no concerns around food or treats during his assessment. He was comfortable with food being handled and showed no signs of food guarding.

Theo can dig, but he is not reported to jump fences.

He sleeps indoors and travels well in the car, secured in a harness. He has previously managed journeys of up to four hours.

Theo is groomed approximately every six weeks and is reported to be excellent with his groomer.

He is also reported to be fine at the vet.

He generally copes well with everyday noise, including traffic. However, his assessor observed that he becomes upset when shouted at, which is important to remember when working with him.

Theo is a sensitive dog who will respond best to calm, patient handling and positive reinforcement rather than raised voices or harsh corrections.

Theo and other animals

Theo is reported to be friendly towards other dogs, and his assessor also found him to be friendly with dogs he encountered.

He may be suitable for a home with another dog of a compatible temperament, subject to appropriate introductions and the rescue’s usual rehoming procedures.

His assessor also reported that Theo is fine around horses.

Cats and small animals are a different matter.

Theo has a pronounced prey drive and will attempt to chase cats that run. Although his owner previously reported that he could tolerate confident cats that did not run away, his assessment has reinforced just how strongly he reacts to moving animals.

For this reason, we would recommend a cat-free home and would not consider him suitable for a household with birds, rabbits, hamsters or other small animals.

His new owners must also be prepared to manage him carefully around wildlife when out walking.

What Theo needs

Theo needs an experienced, active home that understands Working Cocker Spaniels and the needs of a dog with strong working instincts.

He has so many wonderful qualities, but his new family must understand that he is not simply a cuddly companion who enjoys the occasional stroll.

Theo will need:

• An experienced and physically capable owner who can safely manage his considerable strength and powerful lead pulling.

• Consistent, reward-based training, particularly around loose-lead walking, recall and managing his prey drive.

• Appropriate daily exercise and mental enrichment, including opportunities to use his natural spaniel abilities safely.

• Secure walking equipment and sensible management, particularly around roads, wildlife and other distractions.

• A calm, understanding home where his sensitive nature is respected and training is based on encouragement rather than raised voices.

• A secure garden where he can enjoy time outdoors safely.

Because of Theo’s size, strength and exuberance, we do not feel a home with young children would be appropriate.

This is not because Theo has shown aggression towards children or people. He is simply an exceptionally strong and enthusiastic dog who could accidentally knock a small child over.

A home with adults or older teenagers who understand how to behave around dogs would be more suitable.

Theo is neutered, microchipped and vaccinated.

Theo is ready for his forever home

Theo has now completed his assessment with UK Spaniel Rescue and is ready to move on to the next chapter of his life.

His assessment has confirmed what a wonderfully affectionate, friendly and gentle dog he is around people.

He is relaxed about handling, enjoys affection, is comfortable around food and toys, and has shown himself to be a delightful companion in the home.

However, his assessment has also highlighted the importance of finding the right home for his particular needs.

Theo’s powerful lead pulling, strong prey drive and lack of reliable recall mean he will need an experienced owner who understands how to manage these behaviours safely and is prepared to put time into his ongoing training.

We are looking for someone who can appreciate both sides of Theo: the loving, cuddly, gentle boy indoors and the enthusiastic, highly driven Working Cocker outdoors.

Theo is now ready to be considered for adoption, and UK Spaniel Rescue will be looking carefully for a home that can offer him the understanding, stability, exercise and guidance he deserves.

With the right person, Theo has every opportunity to become a truly wonderful companion.

Theo’s profile is based on information provided by his owner and observations made during his assessment. As with any rescue dog, behaviour may vary between environments, and his new family should allow him time to settle and adjust.